I am curious about how everyone here feels about being convicted by God about something, and you cannot think of any "logical" or practical reason why. Alot of people in here seem pretty intelligent and strive for seeing the rational side of the things of God, yet where is the line drawn? Someone says they are "convicted" of something or other and it's respected, yet nonsense and extrabiblical things are looked down upon. How do you deal with them? Do you strive to obey convictions even if you don't understand them, seek out only logic and reasoning, or a mixture of both? Do you feel that everything has to be make "sense" or if its not a heaven or hell issue is therefore unnecessary and a silly conviction?
Btw, I definetly agree with following the Lord's leading on convictions, not the traditions of men. For example, I am convicted on wearing makeup, jewelry, short sleeves and knee length skirts. I do not understand why. Yet I obey, because Ive been trying to straddle the fence on these things and I seriously feel convicted. I don't understand it, but I feel its not that big of a deal and if for some reason the Lord is pleased with this obedience from me, then so be it.
I am an analyst, always have been even before coming into the church, and I have tested this. I try to reason with things and never fall into man made "standards" and extra-biblical teachings. Yet I don't want to ignore my strong conviction just because it doesn't make logical sense to me, which would probably classify me as a legalist to some, lol. My personal opinion always goes along with the scripture "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways." Id like to hear what you have to say, Thanks.
Last edited by giftofgrace; 07-22-2009 at 11:59 PM.
Certainly seems like there is a lot of confusion about them. I know of a pastor who preaches w/out a tie. My pastor says he must wear one in the pulpit. My unc used to never preach in short sleeves. Looks like if all of it were coming from God there would be a little more uniformity. ? It makes sense that they come from our own heart.
Certainly seems like there is a lot of confusion about them. I know of a pastor who preaches w/out a tie. My pastor says he must wear one in the pulpit. My unc used to never preach in short sleeves. Looks like if all of it were coming from God there would be a little more uniformity. ? It makes sense that they come from our own heart.
Convictions aren't uniform. That's the point. I think we use the word "conviction" for everything though. It just means we don't feel comfortable doing things that way, or wearing that. That's fine. I would wager some of what we pass off as conviction has been injected into our lives at some point.
Certainly seems like there is a lot of confusion about them. I know of a pastor who preaches w/out a tie. My pastor says he must wear one in the pulpit. My unc used to never preach in short sleeves. Looks like if all of it were coming from God there would be a little more uniformity. ? It makes sense that they come from our own heart.
I preach in shredded jeans, untucked t-shirt, I sit on a stool and have no pulpit. It's one thing for me to say "Come as you are" and it's another thing to create an environment where people actually can.
As far as the so-called "holiness convictions" go.....I don't understand any of them.
I do, however, understand grace.
__________________ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! HE IS THE ONE who has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for HE IS THE ONE who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us. (Romans 8:33-34)
"The greatest enemy to the movement of Jesus Christ is Christianity". –Erwin McManus
If one does from a conviction about something non-salvational that's fine and please stay true to your convictions,but I have a probelm when folks start saying that everybody has to have the same convictions about matters the scriptures don't class as salvational.
I do have some convictions that are personal but I don't teach those as matters for others to line up to.
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People who are always looking for fault,can find it easily all they have to do,is look into their mirror.
There they can find plenty of fault.
You've got to do what your heart tells you to do. Of course, sometimes the human heart can betray us and tell us to do things like murder. That's where a revelatory guide can be of use - the Bible.
We've got to be honest and charitable toward one another along the way as well. For example, just because one person "feels convicted" about wearing a pair of baggy cargo shorts, it doesn't mean that something new has been added to our guide - the Bible.
The Bible gives us the eternal principles. The rest we do as an expression of our own personal style and feelings.
You've got to do what your heart tells you to do. Of course, sometimes the human heart can betray us and tell us to do things like murder. That's where a revelatory guide can be of use - the Bible.
. . .
How does it help? Many times in the Bible, God commanded people to kill. You say that was Old Testament and God will no longer command anyone to kill?
Prove it.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
How does it help? Many times in the Bible, God commanded people to kill. You say that was Old Testament and God will no longer command anyone to kill?
Prove it.
What was Christ's response to Peter in the Garden?
What does it now mean to "turn the other cheek?"
What does "Live by the sword. you will die by the sword" mean?
What does love your enemies mean?