Convictions

[MomOfADramaQn]

Originally Posted by JTULLOCK

Interesting point. I don't disagree. However is it possible to let convictions get between themselves and God? What I mean is can a person look at things too closely and 'feel convicted' when in actuality God might not be convicting that person. I know people that won't eat at Applebees cause they have a TV and a bar, but yet will watch tons of tv. How does that measure out? I believe that it is possible to have so many convicitons that those convictions are worshipped more than God Himself. Too heavenly minded and no earthly good.

I agree with you on that point too and i have used that saying on many people - so heavenly minded no earthly good - and sounds like to me those pople that won't go to applebees because they have a TV and a bar would but yet watchs tons of TV are hypocrites and that is between them and God - but like a pastor of mine once said - if you let a hypocrite stand between you and God the hypocrite is closer to God than you - I used to get all caught up in whether things are just convictions or they are bible and I came to the point it isn't worth it - just pray and seek out what you feel like is what you need to do and if you are sincere, God will lead you - not going to worry about the guy that won't go to applebees but will come to my house and watch it all night long

[Jack Shephard]

Good A.M. referrence

[Sam]

Originally Posted by MomOfADramaQn

TV can be bad for you too and can become an addiction also.

so can my computer
so can chocolate

[Sam]

There are some things that the Bible clearly speaks against like idolatry, murder, gossip, drunkenness, complaining, adultery, etc.

There are other things that the Bible does not mention by name but which could become addictive or could become a god to us. This would be things like golf, chocolate, nicotine, caffeine, tv, iPod, wife, computer, and a whole host of other things. Each of us has to consider if some of these things may be applicable to certain scriptural prohibitions though not literally mentioned by name. We also have to consider how they affect our walk with God. One person may be able to watch tv moderately without it adversely affecting his/her thought life and without it taking away time for Bible reading, fasting, and prayer. Another person may have to avoid tv all together. The same could be said about movies, video games, sports, etc. So we may have a personal "conviction" about some of these things or God may "convict" us about the time we spend/waste on these things. They are "personal" convictions. You should not judge any one else by what are your "personal" convictions.

I know a woman (a good Christian woman) that had a conviction against wearing certain earrings but could wear others with no problem.

I know people who cannot (because of conviction) use alcohol or nicotine in any amount and others who have no problem using them in moderation. Again, whether you smoke or dip or not, neither should judge the other. The same with alcohol. Those who do not drink should not judge those who do and vice versa.

[Sam]

Another example would be how does it affect us physically? Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Do we defile that temple when:
we use caffeine
we drink alcohol
we over eat
we under exercise
we use sugar
we use nicotine
we do not get enough rest
we take medication
we read/watch things that are unwholesome
we eat high fat or high carb foods
etc
?

Each of us has to decide this for himself/herself

[RandyWayne]

I compare true convictions to the gift of prophecy, "words of knowledge", miraculous healing, and others.
Meaning, I believe in all of the above and know it happens today. However I am convinced that 90% of current "convictions" are not real God-given feelings but rather peer-pressure induced acts brought about by being told or shown by everyone else that you are not to: do that/go there/eat or drink that/or wear that, etc.

[KWSS1976]

Randy thats how I view it.. Example I don't know of an Baptist with the conviction to wear skirts all the time.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

Randy thats how I view it.. Example I don't know of an Baptist with the conviction to wear skirts all the time.

There are some. Particularly in the homeschool movement.

[MomOfADramaQn]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

Randy thats how I view it.. Example I don't know of an Baptist with the conviction to wear skirts all the time.

Where I live - there are several baptist churches where the women where only dresses - look just like apostolics - to me that's another thread - people have said that is one way the pentecostals are "separate" but where I live there are other denominations with the same "holiness" standards - thus is why I believe maybe we are to be "separate" in some other way.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by MomOfADramaQn

Where I live - there are several baptist churches where the women where only dresses - look just like apostolics - to me that's another thread - people have said that is one way the pentecostals are "separate" but where I live there are other denominations with the same "holiness" standards - thus is why I believe maybe we are to be "separate" in some other way.

Oh, but you are!