What is Your Favorite Abomination?

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by StillStanding

I know that the question is provocative, but I want people to think about the abominations that are just as wrong as the ones that we use to judge others.

When we think of abominations, we put a lot of weight behind the sins of homosexuality, beastiality, false witness and women wearing men's pants, but almost ignore some of the others that hit closer to home! What about arrogance or a proud look? What about mischievousness or stirring discord among the brethren? Do we realize that those abominations are just a bad as the others?

Isn't it hypocritical to call out someone for homosexuality, yet arrogantly be causing discord among the brethren? Isn't it the pot calling the kettle black?

I see what you mean, thanks for clarifying... we prefer to highlight the physical abominations that are easy for us to recognize, hate, and talk about... but the abominations that come out of the heart are not so easily recognizable perhaps, but just as much an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, perhaps more so.

I would say homosexuality is the "top" abomination that is recognized and talked about. Probably the next on the list, would be the women and men wearing each other's clothes, especially in OP circles. And the rest are mostly forgotten about... which I think is what you are trying to point out.

Problem is that humans as a whole are able to judge each other by appearances, or at least think we can. Judging the condition of someone's heart is not so easily done, and so therefore, the outward physical appearances remains the easiest thing to judge one another by.

I would like to add this.... that when Jesus walked this earth, he did not spend his time addressing outward physical issues. I don't believe homosexuality was even once addressed directly by Jesus in the gospels. Correct me if I'm wrong. Jesus never corrected anyone for having the wrong clothing on, or wearing jewelry, or a woman with makeup on.

To my knowledge, Jesus never singled anyone out because of their outward appearance... but He ALWAYS dealt with a heart issue they had instead. He never minced any words, and called the Pharisees all kinds of things because of their HEART condition.

We would do well to understand WHY Jesus did this... and then seek to apply that principle to our own lives.

[StillStanding]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I see what you mean, thanks for clarifying... we prefer to highlight the physical abominations that are easy for us to recognize, hate, and talk about... but the abominations that come out of the heart are not so easily recognizable perhaps, but just as much an abomination in the eyes of the Lord, perhaps more so.

I would say homosexuality is the "top" abomination that is recognized and talked about. Probably the next on the list, would be the women and men wearing each other's clothes, especially in OP circles. And the rest are mostly forgotten about... which I think is what you are trying to point out.

Problem is that humans as a whole are able to judge each other by appearances, or at least think we can. Judging the condition of someone's heart is not so easily done, and so therefore, the outward physical appearances remains the easiest thing to judge one another by.

I would like to add this.... that when Jesus walked this earth, he did not spend his time addressing outward physical issues. I don't believe homosexuality was even once addressed directly by Jesus in the gospels. Correct me if I'm wrong. Jesus never corrected anyone for having the wrong clothing on, or wearing jewelry, or a woman with makeup on.

To my knowledge, Jesus never singled anyone out because of their outward appearance... but He ALWAYS dealt with a heart issue they had instead. He never minced any words, and called the Pharisees all kinds of things because of their HEART condition.

We would do well to understand WHY Jesus did this... and then seek to apply that principle to our own lives.

I think about the fact that it was the religious people who brought the woman who was caught in adultery before Jesus to get his opinion. According to the written word of the law, this woman was to be put to death. We find out that Jesus' purpose on earth was not to condemn, but to save. He knows there is nobody, and I mean none of us that are without some level of behavioural sin in our life, maybe even an abomination! Our human nature is to judge others, but Christ's nature is to save others.

IMO, to be more Christ-like, we should not use scripture as a tool to condemn or judge others, but rather use scripture in a positive way to help save them. Here is the way of salvation. I'm not condemning you for where you are right now. Go and sin no more. Seek the way of righteousness.