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Post by tlsitd on Jul 15, 2018 15:39:18 GMT -5
This portion of a message by preacher Zac Poonen is a very good explanation of how faith and discernment work in a Christian (the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit).
Listen carefully to what he says; he's not saying what you may think he's saying---that Christians don't have any written laws or commands to live by---but that the Holy Spirit is our internal Lawgiver, the giver of the laws of faith that guide us in discerning all things that are pleasing and acceptable to God, so that we don't have to have a book a mile thick with a written rule for everything in the world, as people who do not have the Spirit would require, because they have no internal Lawgiver. So they have to rely on people---on pastors, or priests, or rabbis---to tell them what to do about every little thing, and on volumes of books like the Talmud, that have rules for every little thing, because they don't have the Holy Spirit to tell them. Where the Holy Spirit is not, there must be rule books and teachers to do His job.
(Of course, new believers are like this too, because they aren't accustomed to walking by faith yet, and they also look to teachers to tell them what to do about everything, because they don't know the Lord very well yet and don't have much discernment. They have to learn.)
It's a good message.
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Post by frienduff on Jul 15, 2018 15:57:46 GMT -5
IF WE TRULY HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT , IT DOES unction us to always do those things pleasing in his sight , HE is at work in us and HIS love is on our hearts . Its how it was since day one for me . WHOLE new desires , if any lust pops in our mind , THIER THE SPIRIT IS , alarm bells ring , WE OBEY it and shut it out . FOLKS don't realize for many DO NOT have the SPIRIT or it was quenched . ALWAYS getting accused of being legalistic or works earning , Even when we say things LIKE IF you follow the SPIRIT you will NOT FULLFILL the lusts of the flesh . AND always its , OH this cant be done , GOD understands . WRONG . IF we simply would walk , obey the SPIRIT , we would NOT fulfill the lusts of the flesh . And those who are Christs have crucified the affections and lusts OF the FLESH . FOLKS do not want to hear that anymore . BUT IF THE SPIRIT IS TRULY IN US , IT IS OUR GUIDE , IT DOES UNCTION US and it does give us the ability to walk HOLY , to walk righteously . ITS JUST ON OUR HEARTS . AS GOD once said , IN those days I will make a new convenant , MY LAWS will I write IN THEIR MINDS , ON THEIR HEARTS . YEAH . YEAH . And this too is why we are dire and warn gravely IF or when we see one in error . RESTORE such a one , YEAH . NOW armour up folks . EITHER we have the SPIRIT or we don't . YE ought TO KNOW KNOW KNWO if JESUS is truly in you, lest ye be reprobates . YEAH paul said that too . IF anyone is truly born again . THEY KNOW IT . THEY KNOW IT and they LIVE IT by the power of his grace . SIMPLE , but men complicate everything and all so they can serve self and not GOD .
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Post by John on Jul 18, 2018 16:46:37 GMT -5
He makes very good points on there, but there are a couple of other reasons why people will ask you if this is okay or that is okay to do, besides genuinely not knowing. Sometimes they will do it to tempt you, as the religious crowd would do to Jesus. They would bombard him with questions like that to try to trap him in his words, when all along, they knew in their heart the correct answer. Another reason is some have the crazy idea that if someone told them what they were doing is okay, when they stand before God at the judgement, they can point a finger at the preacher and figure God will surely give them a pass because the so-called man of God told them they were alright. That won't work, but they don't know any better. They want to live according to the flesh, and they are going to regardless, but they want that excuse, someone to put the blame on, with the hope it will keep them out of hell.
When I get questions of that nature, I won't normally tell the person they absolutely are right or wrong to do that thing. What I usually do is ask them if they are convicted about it, and if they are, I tell them they shouldn't do it because to them, it is a sin. If not, then I tell them it is between them and God. If it is something that is clearly a sin in scripture, of course I will tell them it is wrong, and give them the scriptures to back it up. The Bible says that sin is the transgression of the law, so if it violates God's standard of holiness, it is sin.
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Post by 2fw8212a on Jul 18, 2018 16:59:17 GMT -5
tlsitd Can A Believer Watch TV & Movies?I am very simple about such matters... Most movies and TV shows are useless and you can live fine without them.
If something is not edifying, then I see no reason to feed from it.
But if you are in love with something of this world, then hear the Lord about it and seek His opinion and what you should do.
And most importantly: Do not seek other's opinion on such matters.
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." - Romans 8:5
Personally, I have decided only to watch things with a specific purpose other than entertainment of the flesh, such as news.
And I have found peace... And that is what matters to me.
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Cletus
Senior Member
Posts: 2,517
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Post by Cletus on Jul 18, 2018 19:18:52 GMT -5
I didnt have tv for years. Recently got the hook up. mainly for weather because store shelves were bare before i heard about a hurricane approaching. and the news. I have watched some movies since its been hooked up. I am still saved. Now having said that, I will not watch horror movies, or movies like... what in the world happened to wonder woman? its all about false gods now in the intro. movies like that that glorify fallen angels. I see a lot of agendas in movies now, if its thick i turn it off. most comedians are now pro liberal, pro homosexual agenda, pro anti america, and anti-christian morals. they sure do use Gods name in vain a lot. a whole lot. Personally I dont have a problem with watching tv. I dont watch very much of it. usually dont finish most movies anyway. I think its important to not become completely unaware and lost in the movie... you know still pray and keep God in your mind too. Filter what you are watching thru a lens of being a christian. Tv could be a problem for some people though. it can hypnotize you and you can take your eyes off the prize. I also think spending lots of time watching tv is bad. Like come home from work and just veg out until supper and then watch some more and then watch till you go to bed. thats to much.
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 18, 2018 21:23:10 GMT -5
When I get questions of that nature, I won't normally tell the person they absolutely are right or wrong to do that thing. What I usually do is ask them if they are convicted about it, and if they are, I tell them they shouldn't do it because to them, it is a sin. If not, then I tell them it is between them and God. If it is something that is clearly a sin in scripture, of course I will tell them it is wrong, and give them the scriptures to back it up. The Bible says that sin is the transgression of the law, so if it violates God's standard of holiness, it is sin.
That's good counsel and the right way to handle it. I would do the same.
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Post by tlsitd on Jul 19, 2018 8:39:01 GMT -5
Whether it be watching movies and tv or doing something else that isn't specifically addressed in the Scriptures, we should do our best to look at it from God's perspective---not only considering what harm does it do, but also what good does it do, according to His desires for us.
The tv and movie industries weren't made for Christians. That's just a fact. They were created by unregenerate people for unregenerate people, to cater to the desires of the same. (And if you want to know what desires, read Romans 1:28-32.)
When a Christian watches people doing the things that grieve God and which He hates, does that please Him? The Bible tells us not to grieve the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Jesus sees what we see through our eyes and hears what we hear through our ears. Our bodies are temples of His Spirit, and we are to honor God with them. Should we introduce into them the filth of the world and the things that He hates, and defile His holy temple with it?
Another question to ask yourself is, why WOULD God want me to do this or that, according to what is written in His word, and do I have peace about doing it, in light of what is written in His word and what His Spirit is convicting me of?
There are many things that we have to make decisions about which aren't spelled out in the Bible, but what IS written offers us guidelines. The personal faith that God gives to each of us fills in the specifics of what is vague in the Scriptures. We shouldn't assume that just because it isn't written it doesn't matter. Everything we do matters to God.
For whatever is not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)
Let us pursue holiness of spirit, of body and of conduct, and the things that improve, sharpen and kindle us spiritually.
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