seeking approval...why?

[Magenta]

What do you make of Jesus s use of repentance, when he says ' he repented and went " ? its saying he ' changed his mind...and then went.

no it means obeyed and went, i.e did what he was told to do, the right thing.

Before, he disobeyed and didnt go. It wasnt just he changed his mind, because the father had requsted him to do something, it wasnt just that he suddently thought 'oh thats a good idea'

he was sinning by refusing to go.

^ Right there you claim Jesus sinned. So, ho hum, I am not lying, nor am I putting words in your mouth.

You, on the other hand? Yeah. Liar. On multiple fronts.

Denying what you said changes nothing.

Not only that, you preach a different Jesus, and gut the gospel.

 

[Dino246]

^ Right there you claim Jesus sinned. So, ho hum, I am not lying, nor am I putting words in your mouth.

You, on the other hand? Yeah. Liar. On multiple fronts.

Denying what you said changes nothing.

Not only that, you preach a different Jesus, and gut the gospel.

I read the posts you quoted. While I think Lanolin was careless in the presentation of her thoughts, I suspect strongly that her second post, in which she said, "he was sinning by refusing to go" was in reference to the parable Jesus spoke in Matthew 21:28-31, and that she was not stating that Jesus sinned. She is welcome to correct me... and thereby incriminate herself.

 

[SoulWeaver]

Are you one of those people that NEED approval or care so much what others think?
I just wonder where that comes from, an intense need to be liked.

For me personally I actually find praise and compliments rather annoying at times and sometimes a little insincere. I wasnt really looking for anyones approval to exist. I just am.

Nor do I feel the need to praise or criticise people, I find it a tad manipulative, like in school where a teacher says I like the way xxx is sitting and doing his work, singling him out for attention, even if its good it makes everyone else either resent him or look bad.

A thank you is always appreciated but what is with all the over-praising and flattery, or the need to criticise and point out errors and make the person feel bad about themselves, when really, arent we all learning anyway. Who can actually say they have mastered everything and are the expert and can do no wrong, ever.

and why must people always act like a panel of master chef judges who only like what they like anyway. Doesnt everyone have different tastes, so what may be one mans trash is another persons treasure?

Good for you Sis.

 

[Magenta]

I read the posts you quoted. While I think Lanolin was careless in the presentation of her thoughts, I suspect strongly that her second post, in which she said, "he was sinning by refusing to go" was in reference to the parable Jesus spoke in Matthew 21:28-31, and that she was not stating that Jesus sinned. She is welcome to correct me... and thereby incriminate herself.

She specifically said He (in referring to Jesus) sinned. How can you twist that into meaning something else?

She also said Jesus disobeyed God. Eh?

My Bible says He told the Jews who questioned Him:
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge:
and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will,
but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

 

[Dino246]

She specifically said He (in referring to Jesus) sinned. How can you twist that into meaning something else?

She also said Jesus disobeyed God. Eh?

My Bible says He told the Jews who questioned Him:
John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge:
and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will,
but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

I was merely giving her the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Magenta]

I was merely giving her the benefit of the doubt.

To your detriment.

But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.

She makes Jesus a liar. Why would you defend that???

 

[Dino246]

To your detriment.

But I do exactly what the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.

She makes Jesus a liar. Why would you defend that???

Am I in the habit of defending heresy? No. Am I doing so now? No. I simply noted a rational possibility. I may be wrong, and she may actually be a heretic; that's on her, not me. Let's leave it there.

 

[laughingheart]

I always find Christian answers to such questions dubious. Everyone has the same answer and there is very little openness, honesty or anything personal when Christians speak on such matters.
Everyone is quick to hit the "i don't have this problem" button. And previously I always believed peoples answers. And as a Christian that struggled a lot constantly seeing all these people answering such questions and proclaiming they don't struggle intimidated me and made my struggles worse.

Eventually I learned to stop taking people, especially on social media, and especially especially Christians, at face value. Half the people on this site act as if they're essentially sinless or lacking in any way. And yet I've learned people who talk the biggest hide the most struggles.
A perfect example is a user that used to be on this site. They seemed to have it all together. I found them to be very intimidating to me due to my own struggles. I got to know them only to find out they were a bit of a mess. They had simply become an expert at hiding all that was wrong and coming across as very personally and spiritually mature.
And that's often what Christian culture teaches. Don't show struggles. Don't show flaws. Appear perfect no matter how much it hurts.

And commonly when I make such posts there is a flurry of people desperate to argue to prove how true what they said was. Thereby calling themselves out.

If you're reading this and intimated by all those who have transcended their struggles, don't be. It's not true. Lots of people struggle with all kinds of things, few will admit it.
And I admit it myself I can struggle with the issue presented in this thread. So if you do too, don't feel bad, you aren't alone.

I don't know anyone who doesn't want approval. We have hopes and dreams of who we want to be. It feels good to be greeted with smiles and approval. My self worth wasn't defined by popularity but there are always some people, people I respect, whose good opinion of me makes me happy. I don't see that as a weakness. I don't see it as an either/or proposition. I don't live for it but when it comes to certain people, it can be a good measure of my honesty with myself.

 

[Magenta]

Am I in the habit of defending heresy? No. Am I doing so now? No. I simply noted a rational possibility. I may be wrong, and she may actually be a heretic; that's on her, not me. Let's leave it there.

It was specifically said Jesus sinned and disobeyed God and you claim it could mean something else?

Hardly something to give a pass to. But that's on you. And her.

Meanwhile she has falsely accused me multiple times. You don't care about that, though. You defend her, and the error, instead.

But when someone says Jesus sinned, and disobeyed God, I am going to object, and strenuously.

 

[Dino246]

It was specifically said Jesus sinned and disobeyed God and you claim it could mean something else?

Hardly something to give a pass to. But that's on you. And her.

Meanwhile she has falsely accused me multiple times. You don't care about that, though. You defend her, and the error, instead.

But when someone says Jesus sinned, and disobeyed God, I am going to object, and strenuously.

Oh come off it, Magenta!

You have read enough of my posts in the BDF to know that I consistently stand against heresy. I'm not involved in your spat with Lanolin, so don't bother with the "You don't care" line. I addressed ONE ISSUE where I see how she may have been referring to a parable. I already labelled her posts as "careless". If you honestly think that I am way off base, fine. You and I can disagree, but don't spatter me with your ire towards her. That's a great way to lose my respect. You're better than that.

 

[true_believer]

Since I was a kid, I learned that seeking the approval of others is mostly futile and self-destructive.
Focusing on my goals and interests insulated me from this.
Now as a believer, my relationship to God takes precedent to my self-opinion.

 

[Lynx]

I always find Christian answers to such questions dubious. Everyone has the same answer and there is very little openness, honesty or anything personal when Christians speak on such matters.
Everyone is quick to hit the "i don't have this problem" button. And previously I always believed peoples answers. And as a Christian that struggled a lot constantly seeing all these people answering such questions and proclaiming they don't struggle intimidated me and made my struggles worse.

Eventually I learned to stop taking people, especially on social media, and especially especially Christians, at face value. Half the people on this site act as if they're essentially sinless or lacking in any way. And yet I've learned people who talk the biggest hide the most struggles.
A perfect example is a user that used to be on this site. They seemed to have it all together. I found them to be very intimidating to me due to my own struggles. I got to know them only to find out they were a bit of a mess. They had simply become an expert at hiding all that was wrong and coming across as very personally and spiritually mature.
And that's often what Christian culture teaches. Don't show struggles. Don't show flaws. Appear perfect no matter how much it hurts.

And commonly when I make such posts there is a flurry of people desperate to argue to prove how true what they said was. Thereby calling themselves out.

If you're reading this and intimated by all those who have transcended their struggles, don't be. It's not true. Lots of people struggle with all kinds of things, few will admit it.
And I admit it myself I can struggle with the issue presented in this thread. So if you do too, don't feel bad, you aren't alone.

The Casting Crowns song "Stained Glass Masquerade" comes to mind...


I have observed when people say they don't care what others think of them, then (figuratively) go to the ends of the earth to prove they are right in an argument... they's lying! They absolutely do care a LOT what other people think of them.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Your response made me sad to know that there are Christians who think they have everything together and are better/sinless, I think that is a extremely unhealthy mindset. Just because life seems good now, or you got over issues, doesn’t mean that you will not struggle or have something bad happen. I was talking to my therapist about my grandmother, cause the direction of the conservation went, and I cried talking about her. I thought I was over it, not saying that to be mean, my grandmother died after a 2 year battle with Bone cancer, and at the end, she couldn’t walk, couldn’t write, and had a hard time with everything. I cried at the funeral and have been thinking that I’m glad my grandmother is no longer in pain, and is in Heaven.

But I realized me crying means I still miss her, hell I just started crying while typing this. I’ll probably never have everything fully well and together, not saying that to put me down, but memories exist, I remember the happy times I had with my grandmother which brings up the sadness. Even though I wanna say she’s been dead for the last 2-3 years, it still clearly effects me. Trying to harden myself from pain is my best coping method.

I have God, I struggle to remember to pray, but I fully believe in him, and have been studying his word with bible studies, but I’m human, we are all human and flawed, no one is truly “all together” and well, until we get to heaven.

My favorite people are the ones whose struggles and weaknesses are clear. Because they are honest and transparent and typically the most sincere. And usually most willing to actually do something about it. In my view the real weakness is being unable to admit your struggles, and creating an environment of religious shame.
Nothing you said seemed to make you look bad in any way. The honesty of your statement makes you more respectable.

 

[SarahUmbreon]

My favorite people are the ones whose struggles and weaknesses are clear. Because they are honest and transparent and typically the most sincere. And usually most willing to actually do something about it. In my view the real weakness is being unable to admit your struggles, and creating an environment of religious shame.
Nothing you said seemed to make you look bad in any way. The honesty of your statement makes you more respectable.

I try to be respectful and honest, I actually used to lie, maybe I still struggle with it, but I know how important it is to be honest. I realized how bad lying was when I was probably in the 9th grade, my mom said we were going to see “my future stepdad” (They were not married yet), and I lied about my Dad having plans, but my sister said “No we don’t”. My mom got so pissed and she was sad I lied. I never want to cause hurt and mistrust like that again, so that’s why I try to be honest. Plus, when you hear about scams, and some scams have caused people to get desperate, or in one case, kill themselves (It happened to a older gentleman, he was sadly a victim of the “Jamaican Lottery Scam”, if you’re interested I can link the YouTube where I found out about this), it makes me all the more to want to be honest. I don’t like people taking advantage of others.

Yeah I think it is through our weaknesses and weak points in life, that we learn valuable life lessons, and how the lord works in my life and everyone else’s life.

 

[Magenta]

Oh come off it, Magenta!

You have read enough of my posts in the BDF to know that I consistently stand against heresy. I'm not involved in your spat with Lanolin, so don't bother with the "You don't care" line. I addressed ONE ISSUE where I see how she may have been referring to a parable. I already labelled her posts as "careless". If you honestly think that I am way off base, fine. You and I can disagree, but don't spatter me with your ire towards her. That's a great way to lose my respect. You're better than that.

If I was wrong in thinking it was Jesus that was being referred to, then I apologize. At the same time I hope you can understand why I would come against such, and it would not be the first time. No need to spatter me with your self-righteous indignation As far as you respecting me, you have claimed or at least implied that I do not believe the Bible simply because I do not agree with you on something that is not even Biblical. You hardly show respect with such comments.

 

[G00WZ]

*Lynx crams a paw in his mouth and walks away quickly.

Carry on my wayward Lynx
There'll be peace when you are done
lay your eary tufts to rest
don't you type no more

 

[Lynx]

Wayward Lynx... Yup!

 

[Lanolin]

Right there you claim Jesus sinned. So, ho hum, I am not lying, nor am I putting words in your mouth.

You, on the other hand? Yeah. Liar. On multiple fronts.

Denying what you said changes nothing.

mGenta you are being ridiculous and you MISQUOTED me.

 

[Lanolin]

Do I need you to read your Bible again in that passage and you will see.
It was not referring to Jesus.

Im sorry you got confused, but please just read your bible again.

 

[Lanolin]

hm some people get all antsy about stuff on here when they skip bits of the Bible.

?!