How holy does my life have to be?

[Trusting Jesus]

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?

God isn't a killjoy But I can tell you that from personal experience the things you listed don't give true joy. As I have grown and matured in my own want with Jesus, the things you have listed have lost their appeal. They have been replaced with a peace and a joy that they could never give. Those this always left me wanting. We turned off our TV 10 years ago, and we do not miss it at all. We do rent movies and have a nice collection of DVD's. But we don't own any that we wouldn't feel uneast watching with Jesus in the room -- after all, He is with us always.

You just need to draw closer to Him and allow Him to mold you. Ask yourself if what you are doing or watching or the company you keep is for you or does it glorify God. This is a lifetime work. I know I slip and fail HIm, but I just try again.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[Guest]

Trust

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:23-24

And Trust

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Romans 8:26

And Rejoice

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Romans 8:15

And Praise His Holy Name Evermore

Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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.... I do want to please God ....

What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psalms 116:12-13

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

John 15:7-8

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psalms 119:11

>>>>>()<<<<<

Be Blessed Beloved Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Joe

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

[Guest yod]

If you are doing anything because you "have to" then you've missed the point. God isn't your "boss". He's a Father that loves you. Sometimes that means He showers you with joy...and other times it means He will bring correction.

Some of the things you mentioned raise red flags to me but it's not anyone else's place to tell you what to do. However, I do wish to remind you that Yeshua says we all must die to our own ways if we want to live fruitful lives. Many of the things you listed as if they were "fun" and don't want to give up are petty and worthless compared to His riches in glory. You are only asking for heartache if you choose your will over His.

So my suggestion is to yield to the small voice of the Holy Spirit when it comes, pray without ceasing, and allow Yeshua to live in you and through you.

And by the way...you are holy because He has made you holy. Nothing can change that but you can certainly go around acting as if you are not and harm the testimony of the Cross.

Blessings little sister!

[yesult]

Unfortunatly deliberate sin won't just harm our witness, it can prevent our access to the kingdom of God. When we become christians we choose to reject sin, step by step from out of our lives because it does damage. If our life becomes a list of all the things we're 'not allowed' to do, then we've missed the point of christianity.

Christianity isn't about us being 'good' so that God will accept us. It's choosing to reject bad, because it's bad. With Gods help as he leads us.

[lekh l'kha]

For me, I just wonder what's in the imagination of those who produce any movie:

"And the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Gen 6:5).

I may sound legalistic, but I think God sees the imagination that produces movies, books and theater shows.

He says to us.

"Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." (Pro 4:23).

And His apostle says to us:

"And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise,...

... think on these things." (Php 4:7-8).

I don't think that any of us manages to keep ourselves completely away from things that do not edify.

But I know for myself that I have two hungry dogs in my heart - the one that pants for the water of Life and Word of God, and the one that pants for worldly things.

The one I starve dies, and the one I feed gains the upper hand.

We need to ask Jesus to help us to "abide in Him", and He will abide in us.

I think the more we abide in Him and He in us, the hungrier our souls/hearts/minds will become for His Word and the things that are pure, lovely, etc, and the more we will be put off from the other things.

But there are two ways of doing this: A legalistic way, and a better way - the way that comes through a relationship with a living Lord.

That's how I see it - but I'm not pretending that that's how I always live it

lekh l'kha

[EricH]

We should always be growing in holiness

[tah]

Let's pretend you have a fiance who you really do love above all things and he did none of these things and wanted you to do none of them...

would you still marry him out of love for him and give these things up or would you call off the marriage..??

Just a thought for you...

Try reading Hebrews 11...

and having said that doing some of these things or not doing them is your choice..

(some I would say are sinful behaviors....like watching soft porn ....(r movies)

do you honestly feel this is ok to do???)

If you are doing them after God told you not to..well then it becomes sin for you..

I like this little scripture a lot..

Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

and here is a great one...

Neh 8:9 And Nehemiah, the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, This day is holy to Jehovah your God. Do not mourn or weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law.

Neh 8:10 Then he said to them, Go eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our LORD. And do not be sorry, for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.

Neh 8:11 And the Levites quieted all the people, saying, Be quiet, for the day is holy. And do not be grieved.

Neh 8:12 And all the people went to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words which were declared to them.

Lord bless you greatly in your walk ...

[south]

Just to add to what has been said:

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (Today's New International Version)

The Believer's Freedom

23 "I have the right to do anything," you say

[Fez]

1 Corinthians 10:31 (Today's New International Version)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Amen South, amen

[Christofine]

My response is not biblical but attitudes are the key I think.

eg. Am I wearing these shorts to show my legs or because the weather is hot ?

I used to wear clothes because they showed my body to its best advantage, not caring that it might inflame unwanted passion in others.

My motive was pride, one of the seven deadly sins. Pride could have me lead me into an extramarital tempation.

The seven deadly sins are joked about, however they are simply thoughts and desires we may have, which in themselves aren't sinful but could lead to sin.

For the record the others are, greed, envy, anger, lust, gluttony and sloth.

God bless

Yours in Jesus

Christofine