LOL. You're pretty funny. I'll stick around, but you won't change my mind. I actually attend a church that some might consider liberal. That hasn't changed me at all. I already mentioned what my family believes.
I'm sorry if I came on a little strong here. I've just seen the way cons. have been treated on past threads.
You said you were how old?
Saying you won't change your mind is a direct sign of being young, which is OK, because I and everyone else said the same things at your age.
Lack of experience has been, will be, and is a person’s downfall when it comes to expertise on anything. Only through the trials of life do we gain understanding. Whether you’re a mechanic, a doctor, or a Christian, after time is conquered and broken knuckles are scarred by many attempts to fix things, the heart slowly begins to see the way of man.
Yes, my friend, you will change your mind. When a few decades pass, you will be shocked at the change in you and others. I don’t say this to belittle you. It’s just the plain truth.
I respect your opinion allstate, but have you ever studied the attire of a harlot in the Bible? How would someone know that a woman is a harlot unless she dresses the part? Appearance does matter. If you are okay with a woman wearing a bikini, then shouldn't women be allowed to wear their underclothes in public? Underclothes have more cloth than a bikini.
So do you think if a woman dresses in a bikini or anything revealing she is a harlot?? If you see a woman in a bikini and you can not control yourself please make you an appointment with a therapist! One more point I have had more than a few women offer me sex in return for me to pay their insurance premium, and they were not dressed provocativly dressed!
That's not really support then.
Your statement about legalism, oif course I agree with you.
LOL Way to support their decision. You are arguing with it. "Do it if you wanna, but it won't help!" That's support? lol
But I don't see how keeping one's home a sanctuary will not help them. Or, since AQP brought up the Matthew parable, if one's eye is offending them, how plucking it out won't be helpful! Of course it will.
I always love to take stabs. But let me ask you first to project your meaning since you disagreed with my own application.
Here's some context of Matthew 5, hard words spoken from a passionate Jesus:
19-20"Trivialize even the smallest item in God's Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won't know the first thing about entering the kingdom.
Mt 5 gives the most practical advice, from Jesus' own mouth, about how to live a morally pure life. I love how the chapter sums up:
"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
It doesn't rid us of our problem. Which is why getting rid of a TV, or selective about movies, or filters on internet, is not about "do this and you're perfect and holy." It's accompanied by the Spirit, saying "Jesus you are LORD, and I'm setting up idols in my life that I'm worshippping (lust), and I worship you. If I truly believe you are LORD, I won't worship them. Help my unbelief." Then afterward, doing everything to make provision to avoid that trap.
If it's a certain girl at work one flirts with overboard. They choose a different route. If it's a certain drive home where it goes right by the beach front with scantily clad women that creates an inferno of raging thoughts, then they choose a different route.
At least we've made some progress with your "maybe it will help!" It will most certainly help. A man that struggles with lust (many of us do), but a man who is consumed, who stays away from the temptation is a wise man. He hasn't conquered the venom of sin, but he's learned to grow up and behave maturely, taking responsibility for his actions. Striving to live right. Also, I never interpreted eye gouging literally, not sure why you are doing that now. This is a parable. Your logic says, "heck since it's everywhere, don't even bother." I find that very ignorant, NOW.
Sure, address it in those ways. But also remove yourself from the temptation if it's feeding your problem. It's not either/or. I'm surprised you think by the Spirit we can be perfect all of a sudden. I think the man that drives a different route has victory just the same! How can you say otherwise???
If it means conversations have gone too far with a part of the opposite sex, they never allow alone conversations with that person. It's us being led by the Spirit, taking responsibility for our own actions. Grace has our back, but it's not going to let us lay down and bring our idols in.
I agree about grace. The thing is, the more I've experienced grace and understood it, the more I want to please my Father. Knowing that grace "has my back" and knowing that I can get back up and try again, is empowering!
Whew.....this post was confusing. But I'll just summarize with this....removing things will not solve a person's problems. That's what must be understood. Will it help? Who knows...maybe. But there's a deeper issue and if it's not addressed, removing something isn't going to help. If the deeper issue isn't addressed in the proper manner, removing things won't make one bit of difference.
So do you think if a woman dresses in a bikini or anything revealing she is a harlot?? If you see a woman in a bikini and you can not control yourself please make you an appointment with a therapist! One more point I have had more than a few women offer me sex in return for me to pay their insurance premium, and they were not dressed provocativly dressed!
Now allstate1, you know this leaves you open for a follow-up question! But, I will refrain. Understand Timmy probably won't but I will....at least for now! I think?
BeenThinkin
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"Prediction is very hard, especially about the future." - Yogi Berra
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I don't deny that I've seen that on AFF and I don't like it. I stood up for one that showed up just like you, Joey Boneski, and I now consider him a friend. I do think, though, that some that post like you have often start lashing out and condemning and that just gets the ball rolling. You didn't quite do that....close, but not quite....and it seems civil at this point.
I DO NOT like the name-calling and bashing that happens on AFF and I think it's inexcusable. If it starts happening to you, I'll be the first one to take your side.
Among those here that consider themselves Christians, I'm in contention for being the most liberal and the farthest away from being "pentecostal". But I have respect for your position even if I disagree with it. One of the reasons I left the UPC was because I couldn't pretend to follow the rules. I had distaste then, and do now, for those that swear every two years they'll do it, but have no intention whatsoever, of obeying. I've always had more respect for a guy who will cover his TV in a hotel room than the guy who preaches against it and then races to turn it on as soon as he checks into the Marriot.
Friends?
I can respect you for refusing to be a pretender. I also agree with your statement about the preacher that will cover up his TV in the hotel room. I refuse to watch it, regardless of where I am. I'm a rare bird, huh?
So do you think if a woman dresses in a bikini or anything revealing she is a harlot?? If you see a woman in a bikini and you can not control yourself please make you an appointment with a therapist! One more point I have had more than a few women offer me sex in return for me to pay their insurance premium, and they were not dressed provocativly dressed!
Now allstate1, you know this leaves you open for a follow-up question! But, I will refrain. Understand Timmy probably won't but I will....at least for now! I think?
BeenThinkin
Well to answer the enquiring minds!! YES I did for one lady she has long black hair and I couldnt resist!
FROM NOW - Whew.....this post was confusing. But I'll just summarize with this....removing things will not solve a person's problems. That's what must be understood. Will it help? Who knows...maybe. But there's a deeper issue and if it's not addressed, removing something isn't going to help. If the deeper issue isn't addressed in the proper manner, removing things won't make one bit of difference.
It was confusing because of the way you replied to my last post. I had to go back in and differentiate who was who speaking lol
I disagree, removing things can often times solve a person's problem. Maybe not the ultimate problem, but you let me know when you have that one nailed down tight.
Deeper issue to lust? It's called sin! It's called flesh! Not going to the counsel of the wicked, standing in the way of sinners, hanging out in the tents of the harlot, all of those will keep one from falling. Like any safeguard -- from a helmet to a bullet-proof vest, they only guarantee a form of protection. You aren't invincible.
How does one struggling with pornography handle the deeper issue? Would you really suggest they not change up their routine and habits?
Your response is interesting to me. You seem to think people can have perfect victory in the Spirit over something like, let's just say, lust. Really, NOW? I know you're a man, so let's really think about that one a minute.
How would you counsel a young man coming to you with sex and porn addictions?