Private convictions?

[Guest LadyC]

What do you think of Jerry's comment?

 

"We must not seek to bind the consciences of other believers with the private convictions that arise out of our personal walk with God. Even if you believe God has led you in developing those convictions, you still must not elevate them to the level of spiritual principles for everyone else to follow." - Jerry Bridges

 

 

What are some example of private convictions?

 

God bless,

GE

oh, i see this and hear this all the time! even here at worthy! examples include convictions about women wearing pants; women wearing makeup; having a glass of wine; playing a game of cards (even a game of solitaire) the eating of certain foods; observation of the sabbath.

 

i totally agree with jerry bridges. we must obey the conviction of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but we must NOT presume to do the Holy Spirit's job on our neighbor's life. God may not have the same requirements for the next person that He has for you, or for me. God may require you to abstain from wine, but may give His blessing on your brother even as he enjoys a beer. and if God does NOT want your brother drinking wine or beer, trust me.... God's quite capable of convicting your brother without your assistance

[missmuffet]

 

Maybe legalism can become confused with convictions??

That is a good point and I agree that this can happen. In a round about way here is a story.

 

A family had Sunday lunch together for years, it was a family custom. Every time they had a leg of lamb they would cut off about 6 inches of the lower part of the leg before putting it in the oven. One day one of the kids asked, "why do we cut the lower piece off mom?" She could not answer, and nor could anyone in the family, they just always did it.

 

Until a few months later when a long lost family member was invited to lunch. He saw them cut the lower piece off and laughed and said "just like great grandma used to do".  They asked him if he knew why and he replied that great grandma's oven was too small to take the whole roast.......

 

So legalism is born......

 

That is interesting

[Guest Butero]

What do you think of Jerry's comment?

 

"We must not seek to bind the consciences of other believers with the private convictions that arise out of our personal walk with God. Even if you believe God has led you in developing those convictions, you still must not elevate them to the level of spiritual principles for everyone else to follow." - Jerry Bridges

 

 

What are some example of private convictions?

 

God bless,

GE

Rather than address examples of private convictions, I would suggest we first consider if Jerry Bridges is even right?  His comments are only his own personal opinions, and I would bet that if we listened to him teach long enough, we could find a place where he is guilty of teaching his personal beliefs and telling others they need to follow them?  There are few ministers I know of that don't push tithing, or sowing seed.  Where did the term "private convictions" come from?  I have never seen it in the Bible.  What makes them "private?"  I find this word interesting, as it is a departure from "personal," which is what most people have used in the past.  If the Lord reveals something is wrong to me, it is not "private."  Others don't have to follow it, but in no wise am I to look at it as private.  I reject the entire comment.  I would like examples of ministers that follow this kind of teaching in absolute consistency?  When you think you found one, let me see how long it takes before I can find them teaching personal convictions.  I haven't come across anyone of yet that doesn't, at least among evangelicals. 

[GoldenEagle]

Another quote from a man I respect:

 

“One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up. That is not the Christian way. An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons--marriage, or meat, or beer, or the cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning.” -C.S. Lewis in 'Mere Christianity'

[simplejeff]

On 6/23/2013 at 11:25 AM, Butero said:

Rather than address examples of private convictions, I would sugg His comments are only his own personal opinions, and I would bet that if we listened to him teach long enough, we could find a place where he is guilty of teaching his personal beliefs and telling others they need to follow them?  There are few ministers I know of that don't push tithing, or sowing seed.  Where did the term "private convictions" come from?  I have never seen it in the Bible.  What makes them "private?"  I find this word interesting, as it is a departure from "personal," which is what most people have used in the past.  If the Lord reveals something is wrong to me, it is not "private."  Others don't have to follow it, but in no wise am I to look at it as private.  I reject the entire comment.  I would like examples of ministers that follow this kind of teaching in absolute consistency?  When you think you found one, let me see how long it takes before I can find them teaching personal convictions.  I haven't come across anyone of yet that doesn't, at least among evangelicals. 

YES!  Affirmative! And you would lose your bet! His life and his teaching were solid, tested and proven. (He recently passed away).

  (but NOT as quoted in the OP;  which is apparently out of context and lost its meaning - (it was about PEANUT BUTTER originally! ) )  ......   And not as rendered by some of the posts in the thread.

Note again it was NOT HIS OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS ,  but SOUND IN LINE WITH THE BIBLE, as following examples also show:

Here's available other quotes from one of his books: (I think 70 quotes;  ALL BIBLICALLY SOUND , GOOD and TRUE)

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/252777-the-pursuit-of-holiness

[ricky]

This is an old thread but I will reply anyway, I think the "Billy Graham rule" that a male shouldn't be alone with a female. While this is a sound conviction for some people, for others it could be a hindrance to ministry, as some women may feel safer talking to a pastor 1 on 1. Of course this is a case by case bases and takes some trust on both sides.