Anger; Greed; Sloth; Pride; Lust; Envy & Gluttony. Let's open up a dialogue. Why don't fanatical Christians have the same feelings when it comes to these sins.....that they do when they view other things: Examples (include, but are not limited to): 1. Drinking 2. Homosexuality 3....well....let's start with those.
Fanatical Christians??? LOL ...aye yaye yaye .... hungry for a long one, eh Jeff? I feel the same way about all sin that is listed in the Bible .... as are all true Christians .. that is where they have put their faith in ... God's Word ... but they should not hate the sinner .... but the sin ...
Are you saying there aren't fanatical Christians? Whatever.....but, don't get hung up on the term. Let me ask this......would you feel the same inner desire to counsel a 400# man.....as you do the alcoholic or the homosexual?
ABSOLUTELY!!! I hit that thing all the time when I preach ... nothing worse than a preacher saying "I can do all things thru Christ" and they are a tub of lard ... ... and you are SOOOOO RIGHT!!! That is the "accepted sin" in "Christianity" .... no argument there ...
Don't understand the question. Sorry. Those deadly sins are not listed directly as you put them. Those are more of a catholic thing. But your right, they are all sin. Thats the reason you will never hear me proclaim that I am more righteous than the homo. Because I lust, and lust quite a bit. When we stand before the judgement, I will have my own problems to worry about. Pride is a big one. Look at Proverbs 6:16-19. The rest are common sense. Anything we do that does not give glory to God is a sin. Jeff, I may be wrong, its happened before, but you might be looking at this like keeping score like the jews did with the law. God's grace doesn't work so neatly. I mean how much sin does it take to get you in hell? How much grace does God give us? How powerful is the blood of Christ to cover those sins? This is where faith comes in.
I sure hope it doesn't seem that way. What I'm trying to do is figure out why others do it with no shame. The hypocrite preacher (PT's example) bothers me, too.
Many reasons, mostly pride. It all goes back to humility. Humility is tough. My weakest and most important area of my spirituality. Once I have knowledge (lets say of the bible), and I use it to puff up my pride, I just blew it. In other words, you are correct, we do it with no shame, because honestly, we don't even know we are doing it. And when we recongize the hypocracy, we should be ashamed. I look back at my walk with Christ and am so ashamed in so many areas. God has given me the gift to remember huge passages of scripture, and what did I do with it? I used it to argue with older preachers, or on the internet. I am so ashamed. I pray to God to forgive me. Even now I am hestiate to reply to any questions you have, because I don't want to come off as a self righteous know it all. Because I sure don't want to turn you off. In the last year, I have started learning what "do not judge others" mean. I mean truely. I am starting to understand what Paul meant when he said this. But after 6 years of accepting Christ, I just started understanding this verse. Romans 12:3 [ Serve God with Spiritual Gifts ] For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Big... You're honest with me when I ask (in my mind) tough questions. That is so refreshing. So....don't stop responding. I look forward to them.
I sure don't have the answers, I just wish I could take back many poor witnesses I have gave in the past 6 years. You seen many times where I could turn off someone for Christ. I just pray God forgives me and reminds me next time.
Big, you seem like a very sincere person. God has given you wisdom to grow on for sure. Thanks for being honest and open. What??? Just because someone is a tub of lard does not mean they are committing gluttony. Some people do have health problems that prevent them from being a slim, trim individual. (I know, I know, there are those that can prevent being overweight) Can never lump people together because of what "we" see on the outside. Not every problem/situation is as transparent as the next. And besides, who is to say that person is not working on there problem thru communion with God. One thing I have learned over the years is the fact WE can never know a man's heart like God knows their heart.
It was tongue in cheek .... kinda I have heard tons of fat preachers putting down their congregations because they don't fit into the mold THEY think the people should fit in .. all the while being obese .... THAT is hypocritical at it's ugliest .... but give me an obese pastor that admits his weight issue and is fighting to get victory over it over a thin one that has no grace ANYTIME .... like Fitzy said ... people just cant stand when someone "unboxes" God One thing for sure ... the Bible says that Man looketh upon the outward appearance, buy God looketh upon the heart ..... 2 VERY important truths there ....
Folks, I spent my entire life looking at folks and judging them. Judging them for being a tub of lard, judging them for not trying hard enough, judging them for being too weak, judging them for needing a councelor to talk to or antidepression medication. I was strong, I was tough and I relied only on myself. Over the last few years, God has thought me a few important lessons. I am not there yet. I still catch myself grinning when I feel I am superior to someone. That pride will kill your spiritally life. That said, it is important for one of leadership to have a good witness. That can include not being a tub of lard, not smoking, not drinking. Drinking isn't bad in itself, but if it causes your witness to be poor, then maybe you should not drink publically. Not everyone is called to be a church leader, elder or pastor. I know so far, I have not.
I'm not really judging anyone. I'm wondering why a hypocrite chooses to judge others. The bottom line question in this thread is......is it OK to pick and choose which sins are or are not OK? And, why do so many think it is OK to do the picking and choosing. "Hypocrite" is being nice.
This is a point that I have pondered, struggled with, and questioned more than most. What is the quality of witness that someone can be while stating publicly that they believe in something, but whose actions/words would seem otherwise? That's not saying that said person doesn't believe in what they are saying, but isn't their actions really compromising the quality of their witness? For example, if I tried to witness to someone that knew me 10 years ago, would my witness be less effective than someone who met me 2 years ago? (my actions then didn't match what I knew to be true in my heart even then)
Ben ... your witness, if led by The Holy Spirit would always be .... . I totally agree that things we say and do can hurt it, tho ... I have been guilty of that very thing all to often on here ........ I will say this ... your witness to the one from 10 years ago might be the more powerful one as they would be able to see the difference much easier ... ya know? So let me take this paragraph and apologize to any I have offended for whatever reason, other than telling the truth .... I am truly sorry .... I can handle offending someone with what I believe God's Word says, I can't handle with how I have said it at times or other things I have said out of aggravation ... I have no excuse and I am sorry ....
I face issues with witnessing to folks I have known for years. I am constantly reminded of vile things I have done. Remember Mark, just 10 years ago, you were with me stuffing dollar bills, etc. I think Tony hit it right. You can only be a witness to them by your life. The apostle Paul went extremely far to have a good witness. He even discusses not eating meat or drinking in front of those it might offend. Something to think about. 1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (New King James Version) Serving All Men 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[a] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ[c]), that I might win those who are without law;
from saul to paul the apostle, quite a turn around I only add this because of this story from church this weekend, it;s a very good story. http://www.biblepath.com/paul.html
