Just throwing this out there for arrows to be shot.....but, could some of the problem be what we've discussed the past couple of days around here?
That we (or any other denomination for equal time's sake) have become so good at "playing" church or "replacing Jesus" that we can be involved in sin and still play the role?
Oh my.
When I was youth pastor of a group of about 125 teens, I had to deal with the whole concept of "playing church" a lot.
We would have kids who had been raised in the church their entire lives go out and rent limos on Saturday nights and get drunk, have sex, and commit crimes and then waltz into the church on Sunday night and sing, dance, run the aisles and the like.
It took a lot of discernment to bring it to light. Come to find out the kids were only imitating what they saw at home from their "Christian" parents.
There should be an accountability process created. Specific questions should be asked by the spouse, pastor or a trusted friend on a weekly basis.
But don't you think it's possible that if they are addicted and have no real desire to be delivered of the addiction that even if accountability is in place it's possible that they may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the mentor?
When I was youth pastor of a group of about 125 teens, I had to deal with the whole concept of "playing church" a lot.
We would have kids who had been raised in the church their entire lives go out and rent limos on Saturday nights and get drunk, have sex, and commit crimes and then waltz into the church on Sunday night and sing, dance, run the aisles and the like.
It took a lot of discernment to bring it to light. Come to find out the kids were only imitating what they saw at home from their "Christian" parents.
But don't you think it's possible that if they are addicted and have no real desire to be delivered of the addiction that even if accountability is in place it's possible that they may be able to pull the wool over the eyes of the mentor?
Of course its possible. But someone who has a desire to overcome the sin will eventually overcome it through prayer, teaching, accountability, and a lot of help.
Good for you,alot of churches are so packed,women pray with women stopes butt rubbing.Then again some like it as they like porn.
????????????????????????????????
__________________
"God, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. And sever any tie in my heart except the tie that binds my heart to Yours."
--David Livingstone
"To see no being, not God’s or any, but you also go thither,
To see no possession but you may possess it—enjoying all without labor or purchase—
abstracting the feast, yet not abstracting one particle of it;…."
--Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass, Song of the Open Road
No, I would not feel comfortable with this knowledge.
Deal with it carefully and scripturally! This and other similar issues are all too common in society in general and the church in particular. We certainly must deal with it but it must be dealt with in love according to Galatians 6:1.
A time of proving to one's self is always in order. Certainly having a trustworthy accountability partner who has integrity is a critical defense against the repetition of the specific sin!
I agree, and I believe Galatians 6.1 tells us that we must create a safe place for accountability and encouragement.
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
Linear Mode
