servitude /bondage

[hpesoj]

have you guys seen ideas come from people that we must keep harder rules to remain a Christian/ like no TV or movies at all [ even if we have time for it we must not because the idea is supposed to be bad ,I mean even okay stuff that's not bad ] and no possessions at all or hobbies or relaxing or visiting others BUT either all 'godly' or all worship almost 24/7 or anytime theres time you have .Some choose not to watch TV, but that doesn't mean all have to abide by their choices..Not all have more money to create other things to do. This might include a bed even or food etc [[WHY do others play these games of rules and it makes it seem we are only godly if were are in pain or suffering more by their counsels]] ?? I know this cannot be right but why do people not have common sense and ignore key scriptures that say we are not under an extra law code ? A book I have says Christians think it's a sin to even 'think'. Our brain has a purpose.

 

[Adrianv125]

Hmm, well I will tell you why anyone would do such things, even myself. If there is something on T.V. that goes completely against the knowledge of Christ (for example, programs that glorify violence, drugs, sex, immorality, or could make a person lust) then if we really know the bible we have no business indulging ourselves to things like that. It's like if a muslim willingly attended a jewish temple. We stand up for cleanness, holiness, self control, sobriety and love. What business do we have paying to contemplate things that we stand up against? This applies to movies, music, and programs and even clothing.



1 Corinthians 10:31 (New King James Version)

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

[pickles]

I often see the many things spoken to by you.
I find it sad, as our focus is to be living in Jesus.
For Jesus fullfills the law.
Just as Paul spoke to the law.
One should not serve the law.
One should in accepting Jesus, dying to the flesh.
Live in Jesus, obedient by the love of Jesus, for Jesus loving God Our Father.
In this all the scriptures are based.
When one trully lives and loves in Jesus, one lives all obedience out of love.
Not obedient under the law, as this will lead to death.
Jesus brings the faithful heart to all that is good and pleasing to God Our Father through Love.

in Jesus, God bless.
pickles

 

[REDMama]

Humanity

Our humanness

Does a 2 year old's brain think, feel, and operate and do what a 30 year old's brain does? No. So, in our development and life experience, and how we learn and cope and get faith, all goes into this melting pot. And then along come disagreements, that cause hurt, and destroy the faith of some. Is this supposed to happen, NO. And does the Lord take vengenance and fix, many of the bad things that happen, YES. Is every kid in school, the smartest, NO. Unfortunately, this happens in adulthood also. So, you bet sometimes we lack common sense. But, if someone who lacks common sense has the humilty to listen to another who is more knowledgeable, then they can take advice and avoid what they may stumble into because of how they are. Not always bad. But for those who are quick brained and spirited, it can get annoying dealing with those who "just don't quite get it" and are not on the same wavelength. And judge by outward appearance.

For example, does this make any common sense at all?
I want to lose a few pounds, I have a female body, and want to take care of it, does my mind get stressed about it sometimes, YES. Yet, I have been told by very judgemental, not thinking properly christians that I am envious. If God gave me the strength to use my body, walk, then I shall do it, correct! Correct!

Just an example. You relate to your life and what you were thinking in asking this question.

 

[dmdave17]

I am a strong believer in the idea that modern media is a tool of the devil to desensitize people to evil and ungodliness. I could cite hundreds of examples but, suffice to say, the values portrayed on TV today are not the values contained in Scripture.

In my opinion, the groups who are speaking out against such media are performing a service, in that they are calling our attention to the fact that this media bias exists. TV hasn't been called the "boob tube" for nothing. It is easy to sit back on a Tuesday night, for example, and completely immerse ourselves in NCIS. Meanwhile, we are being subtly indoctrinated with the thinking that extramarital sex is perfectly all right, as long as the parties are "in love". And how about shows portraying gays as pillars of the community? Why you'd almost want your own sons and daughters to grow up to be just like them.

The point is, as Christians we should consider ourselves above such entertainment. In his letter to Titus, Paul wrote, "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,..." (Titus 2:11-13)

That being said, I acknowledge that we all "fall short" of the image of Christ. That is why God forgives. I just believe that while we are watching secular TV, we should remain alert for the subliminal messages, deliberate and accidental, that cloud our judgment as Christians.

 

[kiwi_OT]

"Accept those who faith is weak, without quarreling over disputble matters. One persons faith allows them to eat everything, but another person whose faith is weak eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat the one who eats vegetables with contempt, and neither who eats not everything must not judge the person who does for God has accepted that person. Who are you to judge someone elses servant?" Rom 14:1-4.

Heres a modern day example of this scripture from my own life. Two years ago in church I felt God telling me, no commanding me to take a total year away from secular music and spend that time otherwise listening to radio music with him instead. So other than church music and music I had no control over (like at a friends house or in a grocery store. After an entire year without secular music I listened to the radio for the first time. Every song was something I had never heard of before. It was also the first time I had heard music from someone called Lady Gaga, and saying I was disgusted at such music was an understatement.
To this day Im still very much teased as a prude when it comes to music. That period also made me very discerning with TV and movies.

But the thing is, I do not judge a person just because they choose and like listening to secular radio. Sometimes people go awol on this because of the effect it has on them. I can't handle horror movies and women who enjoy making soft porn video clips. I recommend to girls in a youthgroup I used to lead to take detoxes from womens magazines and radio every now and then but Ive never demanded them to do it in the manner that I did unless of course God calls them to do the exact same thing.

Another thing Christians forget is that Jesus told us to live in this world but not be of it. That means that unless we join an Amish community we cannot avoid computors and televisions and things that question Jesus' soverignty. What we can do is redeem how these things are used and use them for the glory of God.
Eg I know of a pastor who thinks the cultural/media version of Santa is crap, but decided to redeem the historical figure of Saint Nick Claus to his kids instead and teaches that he was a Christian who secretly gave orphans food and toys and paid for girls dowries (who had no parents to pay it). My exmaple is iphones. I think personal technologies are incrediably antisocial and are taking away the need for children to learn how to use a pencil and will make people need glasses for (theres research backing up all of these worries of mine). BUT, I know plenty of christians who travel a lot and have bible apps and find them useful for their minstries. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Pinemeadowsgeorge]

it is hard nowadays with no agreement on how a child is raised.. while you impose a no tv rule the neighbors have on scarface for the kids...
i think that children are very smart, and see hypocrisy which they rebel against later. they search for the truth that honestly cannot be given by their parents...
when a kid sees a killing on tv, whos to say that he doesnt weep inside. when we are desensitized to violence, but are we? or are we just subduing the horror that naturally comes at viewing atrocities because it is so common we do not want to look foolish? God is everywhere, why not in the minds and hearts of our children? like everything raising kids seems like a balancing act!!
What great gifts of patience and love you parents must have to put up with us children!!!

 

[hpesoj]

have you guys seen ideas come from people that we must keep harder rules to remain a Christian/ like no TV or movies at all [ even if we have time for it we must not because the idea is supposed to be bad ,I mean even okay stuff that's not bad ] and no possessions at all or hobbies or relaxing or visiting others BUT either all 'godly' or all worship almost 24/7 or anytime theres time you have .Some choose not to watch TV, but that doesn't mean all have to abide by their choices..Not all have more money to create other things to do. This might include a bed even or food etc [[WHY do others play these games of rules and it makes it seem we are only godly if were are in pain or suffering more by their counsels]] ?? I know this cannot be right but why do people not have common sense and ignore key scriptures that say we are not under an extra law code ? A book I have says Christians think it's a sin to even 'think'. Our brain has a purpose.

I just mean Christians shunning or avoiding others just because they use a TV [the idea of the object] and shunning those who own even small things in themselves okay. Or shun the idea of resting from a hard day even if you are single and alone or wanting to see 'friends' or neighbors that are even very okay and are christians [idea that's bad because it is simply desired] and idea were godly only if we are in bad suffering most of the time! A gloomy downcast visage in which how can one show Christ only in that. And I do not have to 'please' others, but only God I am anserable to. Many are anti-intellectual as well as against even right-on good books wrote by Christians. Books on doctrine etc.. It is not a sin to use our heads I feel .Many think seemingly you have to use your head in like a certain 'style'..God didn't say shut our brain off. We do have and need God's Spirit too, but a brain is useful as well when needed.

 

[hpesoj]

--many here of thread did say good things as they perceived my first OP post above at #1 / and I wrote more just now to clarify my points in this.. When people condemn others for what they might think they 'see' and shun them which is judging and in it it's unnecessary I feel. And this after you tell them about your life on a phone or etc. They think you are falling short of their 'standard' they seem to have created more so. And such includes owning books or things that are not harmful at all. There are much theology books that help us too as we read Scriptures that are tested or screened as right-on stuff by the Bible.

 

[hpesoj]

WHEN PEOPLE JUDGE YOU or put you out of their sight and reject you [even christians that do] that is painful and that I mean is not a conviction as it comes across as condemnation in a final sense / this is not of love! It is rather right to allow you in their friendships not shun you as like they're more holy then you are or something..Christians should pick who to kick out of their group or circle of true friends. If that person has not even done anything to anybody..