How holy does my life have to be?

[GodPreciousChild]

Am I really supposed to totally strip myself of all that is not totally holy?

Are all of my rated R, PG-13, and even some PG films supposed to go out the door?

Am I never to watch something on TV that would potentially have swear words or sinful desires?

Is just about every song I listen to supposed to go out the door?

Am I not even to date a nice Christian guy that swears like most guys do and watches rated R movies?

Am I not even to date at all but just court a guy who wants to marry me?

Am I never to wear short shorts in the summer?

Am I never to make a joke that the Lord would consider sarcastic ?

Am I never to spend too much money on things or food lest I be a glutton or an idoler.

Etc, etc, etc, etc.

Just how far am I to take this? All of the above things make me a little happier. They make my life a little more bearable. I know Christians who have rid themselves of all of the above. I could never be that girl. Whenever I was I felt unhappy. I actually felt less in the light. I dont know why. Maybe Im making lame false excuses, I dont know.

What do you all think honestly? Help. I do want to please God, I love him, but is that really whats he wants?

[Guest man]

What do you all think honestly? Help. I do want to please God, I love him, but is that really whats he wants?

The Lord searches the heart and He knows where you are in regards to Him.

Having this or that will not determine whether or not you get into the Kingdom.

It is the condition of the heart that is important. That is what He looks at.......nothing else.

[Deepblue]

Am I really supposed to totally strip myself of all that is not totally holy?

Are all of my rated R, PG-13, and even some PG films supposed to go out the door?

Am I never to watch something on TV that would potentially have swear words or sinful desires?

Is just about every song I listen to supposed to go out the door?

Am I not even to date a nice Christian guy that swears like most guys do and watches rated R movies?

Am I not even to date at all but just court a guy who wants to marry me?

Am I never to wear short shorts in the summer?

Am I never to make a joke that the Lord would consider sarcastic ?

Am I never to spend too much money on things or food lest I be a glutton or an idoler.

Etc, etc, etc, etc.

Just how far am I to take this? All of the above things make me a little happier. They make my life a little more bearable. I know Christians who have rid themselves of all of the above. I could never be that girl. Whenever I was I felt unhappy. I actually felt less in the light. I dont know why. Maybe Im making lame false excuses, I dont know.

What do you all think honestly? Help. I do want to please God, I love him, but is that really whats he wants?

Hi, I don't want my answer to feel like a finger pointing post, because I am in some of the very same struggles myself at the moment. Bad spending habits especially. I don't know about the short shorts thing, but men are extremely weak to lustful temptation of the flesh, believe me. Perhaps if they lust it's their own issue, but the way a woman dresses still can be a temptation. I'm sure in the Bible it talks about not doing anything to cause others to stumble. Also, God wants the best spouse or boyfriend for you. A Godly man. I'm not saying because someone curses or uses bad language all the time means they are not saved, but you'd have to wonder where they are in their walk, and if you'd wanna get deeply involved with someone like that at that time.

I listen to a lot of secular music. But I always check the lyrics. I make sure there is no blasphemy or irreverent lyrics to God. I mean...if an artist made a song insulting your mother, why listen to one that insults and offends the creator? And I really don't watch any television shows. But if a TV show has something like sexually explicit content, the devil and I both know that is my big weakness. I wouldn't want to dig myself in a ditch. It's a place that with lustful struggles I have been in enough.

Again, I find myself feeling like I struggle with some of the above things you mentioned more than any Christian. But I realize I still need a lot of forgiving and changing by God.

[Nyoka]

man had it right when he said that God searches our hearts. All I would like to add to this is that following Jesus is about relationship. It is about allowing God to shine a light in our lives and then doing what He tells us to do. God will show us if He wants us to get something out of our lives or to change a behavior in our lives. God may show you through His word or through people but however it comes it must be taken back to Him in prayer to make sure we understand and are following Him the way He wants. If in your heart He is your Lord and Savior then you have already pleased Him.

Remember as Christians we start out as babies knowing not very much and as we spend time with Him we learn and grow and slowly our lives will change and line up more and more with His will. This takes time though and, imho, will never be complete until we are with Him. If He has not told you to get rid of those things yet then I wouldn't worry about it. Just be willing in your heart to give them up if He asks you to.

[Dougmo60]

We struggle against God that is the nature of man. I would take all the things you mentioned and look it up in the Bible and see what the Word has to say about it. Then make your own judgment this is between you and God you need to also pray that God will give you the answer's you seek.

Doug

[damo1]

high gods precious child

get to know who he is spend the time you have reading the bible pray for mature christians to be added into your life as friends avoid immature christians gods precious child you need real people who will not lead you down the path i was on once

dont hang out with christians who play church or are good at being holy but lack showing compassion

the holy spirit wil show you what you have to let go of you are a young christian you need to get to know who your father is

dont worry and dont let it eat at you

when i got saved gods precious child god showed me what i had to get rid off i am a star treck next generation fan i even like star gate

i still go to the movies but i decide which films will be good for me

the disciples were off the world when jesus picked them they behaved as they were off the world often jesus had to rebuke them

you get to know who god is gods precious child he wil do the rest dont let immature christians who realy dont care tell you what you should be getting rid off

i have an x box when my son comes over we spend a fair bit of time playing his new games and he trys out my x box games i have had christians tell me to get rid of my x box and the games i have brought i have even had a christian tell me to get rid of my tv my computer and my mobil phone and the car that was just given to me

their are fruit loops among us who wil harm you and they will lead you astray

the law kills but the spirit gives life

just be very care full gods precious child who you open up to and who you alow to spaak into your life

damo1

[Believer1997]

When we give our heart to Jesus - we have a desire to do His Will and it is good that you are questioning yourself and trying to evaluate your life. None of us is perfect and we all fall short and sin. God wants your heart - he wants your faithfulness and your love. He wants you to live your life as much in His Will as you can.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness

Ephesians 5:5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person

[BFP]

But it's not about you! None of us are perfect! God will change you and mold you to be what HE wants you to be. Yes, there are certain things to avoid as a Christian because they are hurtful to the spirit and they block the Holy Spirit from being able to do His work in you...but it really isn't a checklist...it's about obediance. When your spirit doesn't feel good about something, pay attention...that is about it! (and I will add that very few of us are in tuned to our spirits full time, but we do know when we aren't, things just don't seem to go right and the joy kind of goes away)

[OneLight]

As our physical bodies resemble what we eat and how we take care of it, the same for our spirit. We feed our spirit sin, and it becomes sin. Remember, God will guide you if you allow Him to. Listen to His leading and obey. I am not a legalistic believer, but sin is sin. Turn away from the flesh.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

[GodPreciousChild]

thanks everyone, i think im starting to understand thinga better