Should standards be an issue when witnessing?

[Fiyahstarter]

Originally Posted by staysharp

Rhone, you are 100% correct. A few things I might add. Outward standards do two things. Create spiritual pride and a false sense of identity.

When a child is made to defend needlessly their dress in school and refute harsh criticism, as a coping mechanism, they are told by those who are in authority over them, "we do this because we are God's children and special to God. You don't wear pants, because Jesus doesn't love girls who wear pants. The other kids aren't saved and aren't going to heaven. You, however are chosen by God to represent him. This make you special."

So, as this child grows, it's implanted into their psyche that their unusual dress is a form of worship and attaches to their identity. Once this occurs, Satan now has access to divert their faith away from Christ towards self. The oldest trick in the book. If he can accomplish that, he destroys their salvation without them even knowing it.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard "it's our identity". Sadly, their absolutely right. A false identity which they themselves find security in. However, they do not understand that no one on the planet is interested in Christ through their clothes.

Jesus tells us what our identity is; by this shall all men know you are my disciples. That you would love on another as I have loved you.

Insightful!!

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by staysharp

Rhone, you are 100% correct. A few things I might add. Outward standards do two things. Create spiritual pride and a false sense of identity.

When a child is made to defend needlessly their dress in school and refute harsh criticism, as a coping mechanism, they are told by those who are in authority over them, "we do this because we are God's children and special to God. You don't wear pants, because Jesus doesn't love girls who wear pants. The other kids aren't saved and aren't going to heaven. You, however are chosen by God to represent him. This make you special."So, as this child grows, it's implanted into their psyche that their unusual dress is a form of worship and attaches to their identity. Once this occurs, Satan now has access to divert their faith away from Christ towards self. The oldest trick in the book. If he can accomplish that, he destroys their salvation without them even knowing it.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard "it's our identity". Sadly, their absolutely right. A false identity which they themselves find security in. However, they do not understand that no one on the planet is interested in Christ through their clothes.

Jesus tells us what our identity is; by this shall all men know you are my disciples. That you would love on another as I have loved you.

WHAT??? I have been in this all of my life and NEVER have I heard anyone tell their child that Jesus doesn't love little girls who wear pants....My mother never told me that, nor imply it!
and the outward standards do not create spiritual pride.... I have been around long enough to realize that it is the person behind the clothes the have the pride.... AND I have seen those without standards have spiritual pride as well.... I am sick of people painting everyone with the same brush.... You just can't do that..... There has to be a level of maturity somewhere. I don't assume that all thoes who don't adhere to standards have a problem with rebellion.... I don't just blast them because I think they have no respect of authority for the ministry so they knock standards and the men who preach them. I can't do that! It is wrong....So to say that THE above attitude is consistant is those who hold to standards, well, that is just incorrect...

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by staysharp

Rhone, you are 100% correct. A few things I might add. Outward standards do two things. Create spiritual pride and a false sense of identity.

When a child is made to defend needlessly their dress in school and refute harsh criticism, as a coping mechanism, they are told by those who are in authority over them, "we do this because we are God's children and special to God. You don't wear pants, because Jesus doesn't love girls who wear pants. The other kids aren't saved and aren't going to heaven. You, however are chosen by God to represent him. This make you special."

So, as this child grows, it's implanted into their psyche that their unusual dress is a form of worship and attaches to their identity. Once this occurs, Satan now has access to divert their faith away from Christ towards self. The oldest trick in the book. If he can accomplish that, he destroys their salvation without them even knowing it.

I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard "it's our identity". Sadly, their absolutely right. A false identity which they themselves find security in. However, they do not understand that no one on the planet is interested in Christ through their clothes.

Jesus tells us what our identity is; by this shall all men know you are my disciples. That you would love on another as I have loved you.

THIS is the attitude that is so sickening. And yes, I have heard similar words said to others. As a guy I wasn't on the tail end of most of this sort of talk -all "we" had to do was NOT go to theaters/watch TV/dance in school/swim/listen to "rock"/spend anytime with the opposite sex without an adult present. And all we had to do was be in church when the doors were open and attend bible college after we graduated high school.
But..... Adding the list clothing requirements that women had to follow to all the things WE did, was the way your knew you were saved. To NOT do any of the above (or in some cases, DO the above) meant you were backslid.

Did I ever hear anyone say that "Jesus doesn't love little girls who wear pants"? Not in those words but I have heard those exact same ideas expressed by others (and by a very famous holiness authorette.)

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

THIS is the attitude that is so sickening. And yes, I have heard similar words said to others. As a guy I wasn't on the tail end of most of this sort of talk -all "we" had to do was NOT go to theaters/watch TV/dance in school/swim/listen to "rock"/spend anytime with the opposite sex without an adult present. And all we had to do was be in church when the doors were open and attend bible college after we graduated high school.
But..... Adding the list clothing requirements that women had to follow to all the things WE did, was the way your knew you were saved. To NOT do any of the above (or in some cases, DO the above) meant you were backslid.

Did I ever hear anyone say that "Jesus doesn't love little girls who wear pants"? Not in those words but I have heard those exact same ideas expressed by others (and by a very famous holiness authorette.)

She does not speak for all holiness women.... I guarantee you that!

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by CC1

Of course not! Every educated woman in the world longs to have someone tell her she is a jezebel and going to hell for puttiing on some concealer and lipstick! They long for someone to tell them putting a ring on their finger or a necklace on is going to send them to hell and displeases God (of course if they have a $5000 rolex they can keep wearing that - they just have to get rid of the twenty dollar costume jewelry).

Luckily half of the world's population is men and they can still look like they belong on the cover of GQ magazine when they get in church. For that reason I reccomend concentrating on witnessing to men.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by LadyChocolate

WHAT??? I have been in this all of my life and NEVER have I heard anyone tell their child that Jesus doesn't love little girls who wear pants....My mother never told me that, nor imply it!
and the outward standards do not create spiritual pride.... I have been around long enough to realize that it is the person behind the clothes the have the pride.... AND I have seen those without standards have spiritual pride as well.... I am sick of people painting everyone with the same brush.... You just can't do that..... There has to be a level of maturity somewhere. I don't assume that all thoes who don't adhere to standards have a problem with rebellion.... I don't just blast them because I think they have no respect of authority for the ministry so they knock standards and the men who preach them. I can't do that! It is wrong....So to say that THE above attitude is consistant is those who hold to standards, well, that is just incorrect...

I don't know, my granddaughter told me that Jesus doesn't like girls that wear jewelry. I asked her who told her that? She said, "Mommmy & Daddy". I said, "Do you believe Jesus loves Nana?", She said, "Yes." I said, "Does Nana wear jewelry? " She said , "Yes."

It is sad to teach young children that God dislikes anyone regardles of whether or not they wear jewelry, wear make-up, or cut their hair. Let's teach the chidlren; it is wrong to lie, wrong to gossip, and wrong to judge others.

Better yet, let's teach our chidlren to love one another, be courteous and respectful of others, and to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Blessings, Rhoni

[DividedThigh]

good post rhoni, standards have no place in witnessing or in destroying family relationships, how narrow minded and evil hearted to tell kids stuff like that, and we wonder why they grow up mean and hurtful, hopefully not, good grief, dt

[LadyChocolate]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

I don't know, my granddaughter told me that Jesus doesn't like girls that wear jewelry. I asked her who told her that? She said, "Mommmy & Daddy". I said, "Do you believe Jesus loves Nana?", She said, "Yes." I said, "Does Nana wear jewelry? " She said , "Yes." I said, "Wouldn't it be safe to say that Jesus loves Nana even though she wears jewelry?" She said, "Yes."

It is sad to teach young children that God dislikes anyone regardles of whether or not they wear jewelry, wear make-up, or cut their hair. Let's teach the chidlren; it is wrong to lie, wrong to gossip, and wrong to judge others.

Blessings, Rhoni

While I do hold to these holiness standards with a true love, I do not condone people saying that Jesus doesn't love others who wear this or that or whatever.... For God so love the WORLD....... God have His life for us while we were yet sinners........ So no matter where you are or who you are, God loves you.... His love is unconditional and what we decide to do with it up to us!

I have taught my children why we do things we do according to the Word of God...But I have also taught them that they will not judge others... There is wisdom we all have to use. I can't stand a judgemental attitude......on either side of the fence.... it never accomplishes anything!

[LadyChocolate]

YOu know, I think I am an oddball! Because I will not change my lifestyle for anything.......... BUT to tell people that Jesus doesn't love them....that is just a lie no matter how you slice it....

[My Own Eyes]

(Disclaimer: the following words are based solely on my experience, and my opinions. I am sincerely expressing how I feel. )

If you feel like you have to sidestep and be all secretive of the standards issues when witnessing, and then sneak them in once a person is good and hooked, well doesn't that tell you something?

When I was first witnessed too, and came to chuch, all I was told was that Jesus loved me just the way I was, and that he wanted nothing more than to have a relationship with me. And that there was nothing I could do to earn my salvation, that Jesus did it all for me. Oh, well, there were 3 steps that I needed to do, but that was it.

Except, for once I did the 3 steps, then it turned out that Jesus didn't love me just the way I was, and he wanted a whole lot more than just a relationship, oh, and the steps I needed to do? Turns out they were neverending.

I don't know. Maybe I would have handled it better if it has been clearly and honestly portrayed upfront.