The Destructive Power of Pretense

[Coonskinner]

What I would object to is using this article as a springboard to launch into sweeping criticisms of Apostolics, based on the premise that standards are pretense.

Is that where this is headed?

Pardon the suspicion and defensiveness, but this happens a lot.

[tv1a]

When the religious world creeps into the church, you'll have opposition to the radical work of Christ, even if they are born of water and Spirit.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Otherwise, I generally agree with the main thrust of the article, at least as far as the awful destructive power of pretense is concerned.

When there is a dichotomy between what we pretend to be, and what we are, it creates a tenion on the inside of a person that is a ticking time bomb.

We were not originally created to lie. It is hard on the mind and spirit to live a lie.

[Coonskinner]

True enough.

Flesh is always around.

[tv1a]

Apostolic is a subjective term. Just about everyone and their mother can claim to be an apostolic. Non-biblical standards are pretense. If love covers a multitude of sins, a skirt can hide a lot of bad attitudes. Our church is fighting demonic powers. The people possessed with the devils are people who ''dress'' the part. But their attitudes stink. They trash talk the preacher, speak vile things about the preacher. And its sad that people listen to that garbage.

The point of the starting the thread is to show a dress code has no bearing on the individual's spiritual status. People may say they don't believe that, but their actions and their words indicate otherwise.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

What I would object to is using this article as a springboard to launch into sweeping criticisms of Apostolics, based on the premise that standards are pretense.

Is that where this is headed?

Pardon the suspicion and defensiveness, but this happens a lot.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

What I would object to is using this article as a springboard to launch into sweeping criticisms of Apostolics, based on the premise that standards are pretense.

Is that where this is headed?

Pardon the suspicion and defensiveness, but this happens a lot.

I would venture to say that thou art either a learned man or a prophet!

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Apostolic is a subjective term. Just about everyone and their mother can claim to be an apostolic. Non-biblical standards are pretense. If love covers a multitude of sins, a skirt can hide a lot of bad attitudes. Our church is fighting demonic powers. The people possessed with the devils are people who ''dress'' the part. But their attitudes stink. They trash talk the preacher, speak vile things about the preacher. And its sad that people listen to that garbage.

The point of the starting the thread is to show a dress code has no bearing on the individual's spiritual status. People may say they don't believe that, but their actions and their words indicate otherwise.

So I was reading the sign right.

Cool.

What you are fighting in your church doesn't give you the basis for a definite conclusion about skirt-wearers everywhere.

Tight jeans can hide a lot of spirits too, but then again, what difference does that make?

Just because a person adheres to any kind of code doesn't make them spiritual or holy.

I don't think anyone would seriously debate that.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by philjones

I would venture to say that thou art either a learned man or a prophet!

I have learned to read sign pretty well.

I can do it in the woods, and I can do it here.

[tv1a]

Actually what is going on in my church is going on in many churches. God brings in souls, and these self righteous people

Skin tight clothes violate modesty issues. Apples and oranges.

It's easier for preachers to preach against what they see than what they don't see. Even a caveman can see immodesty a mile away. People use a dress code to hide bad attitudes. They know preachers will usually leave them alone. After all they dress the part of the so-called christian.

I'm not suggesting every standards adhering person hides behind a skirt. I know some who don't. The problem is there too many who are hiding behind there skirts and too many preachers are cowards to take them on.

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

So I was reading the sign right.

Cool.

What you are fighting in your church doesn't give you the basis for a definite conclusion about skirt-wearers everywhere.

Tight jeans can hide a lot of spirits too, but then again, what difference does that make?

Just because a person adheres to any kind of code doesn't make them spiritual or holy.

I don't think anyone would seriously debate that.

[Coonskinner]

Originally Posted by tv1a

Actually what is going on in my church is going on in many churches. God brings in souls, and these self righteous people

Skin tight clothes violate modesty issues. Apples and oranges.

It's easier for preachers to preach against what they see than what they don't see. Even a caveman can see immodesty a mile away. People use a dress code to hide bad attitudes. They know preachers will usually leave them alone. After all they dress the part of the so-called christian.

I'm not suggesting every standards adhering person hides behind a skirt. I know some who don't. The problem is there too many who are hiding behind there skirts and too many preachers are cowards to take them on.

Sounds like you need to hang out with a different crowd.

Originally Posted by philjones

I would venture to say that thou art either a learned man or a prophet!

I'd venture to say, "BOTH."

Anyway, there are times to SHUT UP in the interest of peace, even if it is an act rather than intgergrate (integral) (root to integrity) the inward and the outward and speak the TRUTH and create a riot.

Since the author did not draw distinctions, I would then have to disagree with him, unless it is possible to say that he is partially right. But as Johnny James said, "A part truth is a whole lie."