Convictions
Often we hear the expression, "well if that's your conviction that's fine." Or "Different people have different convictions" and sometimes, "we all struggle with different things, what is wrong for me might be okay for you." I used to believe these, because hey, some of us don't struggle with a lot of things. Right? Well how about people who can watch movies with extreme violence, cursing or immodesty? How can they still be Christians? Well I believe many people are just very hardened, violence, language, and immodesty don't go against grain with the Holy Spirit. I think the more we abstain from things that go against the grain, the more things go against the grain. The problem is, we are so hardened that things are tearing us down without us even knowing it. Don't smother the Holy Spirit.
posted by Keith M. @ 5:22 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
That's a good point. I think Christians, along with the society as a whole, have experienced a great desensitization to violence, language, and even sex. WHITE dresses at a CHURCH wedding are no longer even considered that big of a deal--even when the bride and groom have been living and sleeping together (perhaps the bride is even pregnant), or have been divorced multiple times!!! This is a shame--purity and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit are virtues, and they help us grow closer to God.
That being said, one word of caution: we must be careful not to espouse being naive--or too fragile. A Christian needs to be courageous and brave--by the help of God, of course, but nonetheless. Therefore, to be a witness to others and a warrior for God, one cuss word or thrown punch shouldn't launch us back ten feet in shock (incapable of handling it), although making it clear that that is unacceptable is an option.
"...what is wrong for me might be okay for you..."
Relativism alert. I hear this phrase used a lot in reference to casual drinking not being condemned in the Bible. I do think it does apply to things not expressly considered sins in the Bible--things that might be a stumbling block to some, but not others.
P.S. About the white dresses at church weddings: can anyone back me up on that? Cause I don't really want to throw that out there without any statistics...
i can agree on the white wedding dress thing, my Aunt (after living with another woman's husband while he was still married to her) got married to him in a white wedding dress. i was to young at the time to know, but yah.
as far as something being wrong for one person but ok for another, it does say in the Bible that if something causes a brother to stumble that we shouldn't do it in front of them, but it's still ok for us, such as having a glass of wine in front of a former alcoholic etc etc etc.
as far as watching "hard" movies, i can't really say anything, because, i watch "hard" movies.
Yeah KA I agree with you there. I don't think when someone says a curse word it should SURPRISE us so we go sprawling but rather it should be harsh to the Holy Spirit in us.
This whole post started from a friend who can basically only watch Andy Griffith. Wow. He asked us, I don't see how you guys think it is okay to watch movies with straight out immodesty? Such as Pride and Predjudice. "We just don't look when the bad parts come." Baloney. How do you know when they are coming? And that image is branded in you mind. It isn't good. It turns our hearts hard, and makes us less sensitive to what the Holy Spirit tells us. Well enough said, but you know what I don't understand? A lot of people ramble on about how you shouldn't listen to this music or that music, but no one has the GUTS to talk about the movies Christians watch.
true story.
though i havn't seen the new Pride and Predjudice it's prob not as bad as say... the Titanic, or the note book both of which i have seen. so like i said, i can't really say anything.
Hey Ya'll I probably won't be posting near as often as I was, I have been working and I am pretty tired at the end of the day. Thanks for commenting! I'll try to update soon!
I agree with you Keith. People can be easily desensitized by becoming used to violence...etc.
Good point!
Hope the work goes well, Keith! What kind is it?
well in pride and predjudice thats how the really dressed back then thats y it was made that way And i think its ok for girl to watch that movie if just for that reason i mean i wont not want my bros watching it for that reason but girls i think its ok. But come on i think your over reacting a lil
These thoughts are very true! You are so right. We also need to know what the absolute truth is and where the line is drawn. We can't rely on emotions or society to give us "truth"...
It's great to read through and see your faith in your posts!! Keep sharing--your are a great model!
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yeah, the new pride and prejudice (it's not that new anymore, if y'all are referring to the '04 version with keira knightley and matthew macfayden?) isn't bad at all, in my personal opinion. the dresses were lowcut in some scenes, but not so horrible that it was disgusting to look at. the older P&P (from the BBC in the '80s) had really lowcut dresses, so low that my mom wouldn't even let my dad sit in and watch it with us (not that he wanted to, haha). also, there wasn't any kissing scenes (newest version) except at the very, very end for like, literally a second. and, unless i'm mistaken, the only curse word was when bingley says to jane towards the end when he's proposing to her, 'i've been an incomprehensable a**'. (can you tell i've seen this movie a ba-zillion times?) so that's my take on it. it's my all time favorite movie!
anyway, about the overall post. i agree about that we shouldn't smother the Spirit, that's a great thought. i have a diverse group of friends, with diverse convictions and opinions. and i agree with kingdom advancer, that there's a point where we should say, 'that's okay' when stuff isn't directly referred to in Scripture (like drinking). my parents drink wine at home, but other people at church don't. is that wrong? no. do their friends who don't drink look down on them for it? no. do my parents hide the fact that they drink? no. it's their own conviction and they do it responsibly.
but stuff that is directly condemned in the Bible, we definitely shouldn't just blow it off when our friends/relatives/whomever are like, 'wellll, i don't believe that.'
this lyric from an old newsboys song came to mind just now:
stand up, stand up, stand up for Jesus...
:]
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