men and wearing chains

[Amyhoff]

1 minute ago, believeinHim said:

I wouldn't suggest them. I would think twice before approaching a man with a chain, as well. 

I wouldn't suggest them. I wear a medical ID alert bracelet, and a medical ID alert necklace when I am out and about. 

I would not suggest them. I am a Gentile, and a strong Trump Supporter,

And I would not suggest them. FWIW.

Trump 2024!

[Mr. M]

36 minutes ago, other one said:

be careful, you can take that weaker brothers just about anywhere you care to go.   I've seen it used to try and convince people back under the law.

While what you describe would be error, Paul's concern for the 'weaker brother' in no way contradicts his warning against reverting back to the Law of Moses. This is the sound counsel of the Holy Spirit for discipleship.

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,

but also for the interests of others.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?  And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

On the other hand, we do not have to accommodate a weak brother to the point of disrupting fellowship.

Romans 14:

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, 

but not to disputes over doubtful things. 

But then he goes no to say

7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 

Romans 15:

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the

scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, 

leading to edification.

 

[TrueFollowerOfChrist]

On 3/28/2023 at 12:15 PM, Ghostdog said:

i got a wolf pendant from a friend and i dont know if i should get a chain for it i know some christians say that the only jewery a man should wear is a wedding ring but if i dont use the pendant why keep it?

There is nothing wrong with wearing jewelry. I wear a cross and am proud of it. I also wear a wedding ring. Scripture doesn't say a ring is fine and everything else is wrong. Wear whatever you want and ignore immature believers who try to trip you up with legalism.

[kwikphilly]

4 hours ago, farouk said:

@kwikphilly Thanks for the 'like'; it's indeed hardly deniable that in some neighborhoods all (meaning all) the young men pierce their ears.

Yes it's true,alot of what people comment is the way it is out there in the world....

I like what MrM posted as I actually was accused of supporting these things( tattoos &:ear piercings)and breaking God's Law.....Yet,I've never condoned or condemned the practice of either- I say that it is between " you" and God.We are not bound by the Laws of Moses and I think we Understand God's Commandments " IF' in fact,we Love Him...hmm

It's never good to condemn someone, especially from assumption....My own tattoos & piercings was long before I had any Conviction about the practice and I've considered a new one many times but have not acted on it -I heard something interesting today" a teacher always remains silent when his pupils are taking a test".....

I wouldn't do things the same had I known then what I Know now but that's not about breaking any Law as I am not under the Law - it is about witnessing for Jesus and refraining from all appearance of evil- still,I'd advise " not to" but would not think a thing against anyone who did so....that's just me,I'd prefer to look clean as the driven snow on the outside as Jesus Washed me clean in inside (in Spirit) 👍❤️

[Mr. M]

17 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

Yes it's true,alot of what people comment is the way it is out there in the world....

I like what MrM posted as I actually was accused of supporting these things( tattoos &:ear piercings)and breaking God's Law.....Yet,I've never condoned or condemned the practice of either- I say that it is between " you" and God.We are not bound by the Laws of Moses and I think we Understand God's Commandments " IF' in fact,we Love Him...hmm

It's never good to condemn someone, especially from assumption....My own tattoos & piercings was long before I had any Conviction about the practice and I've considered a new one many times but have not acted on it -I heard something interesting today" a teacher always remains silent when his pupils are taking a test".....

I wouldn't do things the same had I known then what I Know now but that's not about breaking any Law as I am not under the Law - it is about witnessing for Jesus and refraining from all appearance of evil- still,I'd advise " not to" but would not think a thing against anyone who did so....that's just me,I'd prefer to look clean as the driven snow on the outside as Jesus Washed me clean in inside (in Spirit) 👍❤️

The easiest way to see this is to consider a young man or woman you have just lead to Salvation and welcomed into the Fellowship of Christ. Would you say, "congratulations, let's go have drinks to celebrate"?. Not at all legalistic, just the need for mature believers to set a good example, but more importantly, to not lay a stumbling block before someone. Or if they asked, "can I still go out to the clubs with my friends?" You would not say "oh no! that is absolutely forbidden!" Of course not, but you would offer the advice of seeking out new relationships in Christ. We all know that the possibility exists that we may have left all to follow Christ, even family. Would you fail to offer the sound counsel of the Gospel, not to mention the teachings of Christ to His disciples, because you think someone is accusing you of being legalistic? There is an excessive sensitivity to that, in spite of the fact that Paul even says that the Law is a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. The exercise of liberty in Christ is in direct measure to the maturity of the believer, hence he makes it clear:

Galatians 5:

1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

From this, and all the other scriptures I have presented, I am not sure how this can have any more clarity. All opinions aside...

[kwikphilly]

19 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

The easiest way to see this is to consider a young man or woman you have just lead to Salvation and welcomed into the Fellowship of Christ. Would you say, "congratulations, let's go have drinks to celebrate"?. Not at all legalistic, just the need for mature believers to set a good example, but more importantly, to not lay a stumbling block before someone. Or if they asked, "can I still go out to the clubs with my friends?" You would not say "oh no! that is absolutely forbidden!" Of course not, but you would offer the advice of seeking out new relationships in Christ. We all know that the possibility exists that we may have left all to follow Christ, even family. Would you fail to offer the sound counsel of the Gospel, not to mention the teachings of Christ to His disciples, because you think someone is accusing you of being legalistic? There is an excessive sensitivity to that, in spite of the fact that Paul even says that the Law is a schoolmaster to lead us to Christ. The exercise of liberty in Christ is in direct measure to the maturity of the believer, hence he makes it clear:

Galatians 5:

1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

From this, and all the other scriptures I have presented, I am not sure how this can have any more clarity. All opinions aside...

I'm not sure why you're quoting me because basically it's exactly my sentiments,either I'm not very clear on my stance or you've quoted me in agreement.... some times it's hard to tell,especially after this day(it's been a doozy,lol)

With me personally being accused of breaking a Levitical Law,it's quite absurd .....however,every Law Written was Written for the good of men- it's quite obvious,even the dietary restrictions,God Made these bodies,He Certainly Knows what will keep it healthy - nothing Written is of no value

But I was not born a Jew,I never was under that yoke to begin with,I certainly couldn't fall back into what I never Knew ....right?

God's Blessings,Love Kwik

[Mr. M]

4 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

I'm not sure why you're quoting me because basically it's exactly my sentiments,either I'm not very clear on my stance or you've quoted me in agreement.... some times it's hard to tell,especially after this day(it's been a doozy,lol)

With me personally being accused of breaking a Levitical Law,it's quite absurd .....however,every Law Written was Written for the good of men- it's quite obvious,even the dietary restrictions,God Made these bodies,He Certainly Knows what will keep it healthy - nothing Written is of no value

But I was not born a Jew,I never was under that yoke to begin with,I certainly couldn't fall back into what I never Knew ....right?

God's Blessings,Love Kwik

Sorry, I responded to you because you mentioned me in the post, and indicated you had read my post, which actually included relevant verses. Your post was fine. My focus, going back to the beginning was that it is not so much wearing a chain or jewelry. It is about displaying an image. You could carry this over to an understanding of why many tattoos are unacceptable, they can offend others. So many offered the opinion that how our actions effect others doesn't matter, it is between you and God. This is a blatant contradiction to what Paul has taught in 1 Co 8, Romans 14/15. Gal 5, and Philippians 2/3. How our actions effect others is a central issue for the body of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 

Our brother GD has an image of a wolf displayed over a Native American dream catcher. This does not offend me in the least, but I would be remiss if I did not point out the pagan nature of these images/objects, and the potential for offense to the weak of conscience. It is about being zealous for the truth, and for the good of others.

[Mr. M]

On 3/28/2023 at 12:02 PM, Mr. M said:

Not about "jewelry", but an image, the significance of which is in the eye of the beholder.

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

If you are comfortable with possibly offending a weaker Christian, follow the previous advice. If you are at all concerned with what Paul teaches repeatedly, then refrain, or be careful when you allow yourself to take on any outward display.

32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

If this is true for something as mundane as food, how much more with regard to idols, which is precisely what an image crafted from a metal is according to scripture.

Psalm 135:15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold,
The work of men’s hands.

Personally, I could care less. My daughter was very fond of wolves, and had pictures of them in the wild that she thought were beautiful, so you could wear it to her birthday party and I would consider it a tribute to her love of wildlife. It is the weaker brother, or our Jewish brethren who may be more sensitive to idols than others that must be the concern. Here is Paul talking about what and where you eat lunch today, maybe a casino buffet?

Romans 14:

15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Before you decide, therefore, be sure you have no doubts. Have I given you pause? 

 

On 3/28/2023 at 12:07 PM, Mr. M said:

P. S. The wolf image you are using for an av is displayed before a Native American "spirit catcher", which many would consider a very pagan idea, since it is. No offense to me, I had a deep interest in all things N.A. in the past,    but for others...I am sure you have used that for some time and have not come to grief. It definitely looks cool. I prefer tigers.  

At least one brother got it!

On 3/28/2023 at 1:10 PM, Vine Abider said:

And this is also my general principle to live by, summed up in 2 questions: 1) All things are lawful, but is it profitable?  2) Will it stumble someone?

For instance, I have an drink in the evening before dinner a few times a week.  My preference is rum and diet coke, because it's one of the only things that doesn't bother my sensitive sinuses much (wine or beer cause me to get quite stuffed-up).  It used to be that when I was at the grocery store, I would hide the rum as I thought other Christians might judge me for it (since it's "hard" liquor).

Now I don't care about that - the judgment is on them, as I don't believe God cares whether I have one drink (unless drunkenness occurs).  However, then I got light that the bigger issue is if it might stumble another.  Therefore I conceal that kind of purchase for the sake of my brothers & sisters.  (although these days the Christians I know are all pretty much past that)

 

[kwikphilly]

17 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Sorry, I responded to you because you mentioned me in the post, and indicated you had read my post, which actually included relevant verses. Your post was fine. My focus, going back to the beginning was that it is not so much wearing a chain or jewelry. It is about displaying an image. You could carry this over to an understanding of why many tattoos are unacceptable, they can offend others. So many offered the opinion that how our actions effect others doesn't matter, it is between you and God. This is a blatant contradiction to what Paul has taught in 1 Co 8, Romans 14/15. Gal 5, and Philippians 2/3. How our actions effect others is a central issue for the body of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 8:12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 

Our brother GD has an image of a wolf displayed over a Native American dream catcher. This does not offend me in the least, but I would be remiss if I did not point out the pagan nature of these images/objects, and the potential for offense to the weak of conscience. It is about being zealous for the truth, and for the good of others.

Yes,I agree -However ,I do say " it is between you & God"but that has never been without my advice ,lol 

I've seen many a tattoo representing unGodly things,my own adult son found a drawing he liked and asked me to make a few changes to it - as he was considering it for a tattoo,when I told him what it actually was symbolic of he was appalled and said" Well,how about if you change this and change that"

My reply was " How about you change your mind ,pray about it" He Knows how I feel about getting tattoos and I was not a good example except to share the regrets..... He didn't get it but he did get others before that,now he has his regrets!

No,I'd love to be a shining example with no scars from the past- I think they are a hindrance just the same as I believe all sins of the flesh are,drinking,smoking, profanity .....but someone always asks,thank God and we have the opportunity to share the Good News!

Note to add: I wonder how many judged the outside & didn't ask- food for thought,right?

 

[kwikphilly]

14 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

 

At least one brother got it!

 

I didn't see that part( dream catcher) - I thought he said it was just a wolf or head of a wolf .. I've got tons of horse jewelry,but Im an equestrian I wouldn't wear a unicorn ( don't like horns )or a horse on a dream catcher ....

The reason I don't like horns is because a horn is representative of something Italians wear to ward off " the evil eye"... It's very superstitious and occultist,not good(they use evil against evil- the very opposite of God's Word)