Nagging Question..........

[irishcowboy]

I think you have the answer in your very question: Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man?

I would say that being offensive to your fellow man IS offensive to God. It's not the physical cleanlyness but the attitude or where one's heart is.

But her attitude is not what's offensive, Hupo. Do you mean that I should overlook the outer appearance and concentrate instead on this woman's heart?

Well, it takes two to tango.

I find all too often in my life that when I feel offended, there is something in me that isn't right. Something I don't like.

All too often it has nothing to do with the "offending" person at all.

God wants us to have a heart for each other. If I don't wash for a week and then go visit someone in their home, it would be offensive, and God would let me know that most likely. If I got lost in the jungle. Didn't wash for a week and someone found me and took me to their home. They wouldn't be offended by my smell. In both cases the smell is the same....bad.... but the offensive issue is not there. How come?

I beg to differ, hupo. I don't have anything within myself that causes revulsion when confronted with filth; other than I don't think others should be subjected to our laziness and lack of caring what anyone thinks. I do have a heart for this person and I'm still trying to figure out how to help I truly believe she's without a clue about what other's think and say about her. It's a shame because she isn't accepted by a lot of people because of her appearance and living conditions.

i remember a young lady that stopped and asked me and a friend if we might have a little loose change that she might buy an apple or two..... you could smell this lady a half block away... we said no, we do not.... she started to walk away, and we both looked at each other and almost in unison, we said that we had something better....

we took her to FURRS cafeteria.... all you can eat buffet....after a very short time talking with her while we traveled to the cafe, the odor became none existant to us..... we had a wonderful lunch and well, we had plenty of elbow room, for no one came close to us... we had good conversation, and after that we took her to the shelter where she could get cleaned up and get some medical attention.....

a very pleasent young lady, not a druggie either, just some one that lost everything and no one to look after her or help her back to her feet.... she was trying to get back home to colorado from sandiego...

mike

[MeCajunboy]

This has been really bugging me lately......I'm not even sure why but I need to put it to rest.

As a Christian, how important is it to be clean? I mean literally clean; i.e. keeping your house and property clean, bathing, wearing clean clothes. Is it wrong for people to come to church unwashed? I'm not talking about in Bangladesh or somewhere; I mean right here, someone who doesn't HAVE to reek of B.O. or wear stained clothes but apparently either doesn't know better or doesn't care. Is it okay to not care because pride is a sin? Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man? Don't laugh; I am serious! And no, I'm not considering confronting anyone with their lack of hygiene and sqalid living conditions; that's not my place.

I'm going to defer to those of you that are much better versed in scripture than I because I seriously can't figure this one out.

OMG! forgive me but does anyone study the Bible? Simply go to the back of your book and search the word "cleanliness!" I think you'll find quite a bit on the subject. Remember, your body is a Temple, and if you expect God to live within you , you'd sure better give HIM a "Humble abode!" And a lot is said for one who does not keep his/her personals clean or is not organized or is just plain lazy. Granted, what you can't help can be forgiven and understood. Like someone who works hard and sweats or gets dirty, but only that should be for a brief time. Nobody's perfect, but you don't have to spend a bunch of money on expensive cologne. Moderately priced cologne works just fine, especially in the south, where it can get pretty hot and sweaty.

Blessings

Cajunboy

[hupo]

This has been really bugging me lately......I'm not even sure why but I need to put it to rest.

As a Christian, how important is it to be clean? I mean literally clean; i.e. keeping your house and property clean, bathing, wearing clean clothes. Is it wrong for people to come to church unwashed? I'm not talking about in Bangladesh or somewhere; I mean right here, someone who doesn't HAVE to reek of B.O. or wear stained clothes but apparently either doesn't know better or doesn't care. Is it okay to not care because pride is a sin? Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man? Don't laugh; I am serious! And no, I'm not considering confronting anyone with their lack of hygiene and sqalid living conditions; that's not my place.

I'm going to defer to those of you that are much better versed in scripture than I because I seriously can't figure this one out.

OMG! forgive me but does anyone study the Bible? Simply go to the back of your book and search the word "cleanliness!" I think you'll find quite a bit on the subject. Remember, your body is a Temple, and if you expect God to live within you , you'd sure better give HIM a "Humble abode!" And a lot is said for one who does not keep his/her personals clean or is not organized or is just plain lazy. Granted, what you can't help can be forgiven and understood. Like someone who works hard and sweats or gets dirty, but only that should be for a brief time. Nobody's perfect, but you don't have to spend a bunch of money on expensive cologne. Moderately priced cologne works just fine, especially in the south, where it can get pretty hot and sweaty.

Blessings

Cajunboy

What about all the people in the world who have no access to, or knowledge of, cologne?

What happens when one's smell is offensive to some but quite acceptable to whatever culture they happen to be in?

Garlic is real smelly isn't it? Personaly, I love the taste AND smell of garlic. But I wouldn't use it in this forum unless I knew everyone here loved garlic

God bless

[Marnie]

I think you have the answer in your very question: Is it offensive to God to be physically offensive to your fellow man?

I would say that being offensive to your fellow man IS offensive to God. It's not the physical cleanlyness but the attitude or where one's heart is.

But her attitude is not what's offensive, Hupo. Do you mean that I should overlook the outer appearance and concentrate instead on this woman's heart?

Well, it takes two to tango.

I find all too often in my life that when I feel offended, there is something in me that isn't right. Something I don't like.

All too often it has nothing to do with the "offending" person at all.

God wants us to have a heart for each other. If I don't wash for a week and then go visit someone in their home, it would be offensive, and God would let me know that most likely. If I got lost in the jungle. Didn't wash for a week and someone found me and took me to their home. They wouldn't be offended by my smell. In both cases the smell is the same....bad.... but the offensive issue is not there. How come?

I beg to differ, hupo. I don't have anything within myself that causes revulsion when confronted with filth; other than I don't think others should be subjected to our laziness and lack of caring what anyone thinks. I do have a heart for this person and I'm still trying to figure out how to help I truly believe she's without a clue about what other's think and say about her. It's a shame because she isn't accepted by a lot of people because of her appearance and living conditions.

Maybe I'm just splitting hairs, but if I am lazy and lack caring for others around me, then it is that very attitude that is offensive and not the actual filthiness.

You obviously have a heart for this person you mention. You say she isn't accepted. If she doesn't see this or care, that would be offensive to God. Not the actual state of cleanliness.

It goes without saying that if one cares, they would do something about their physical conduct. The caring (or not) is what counts with God. Don't you think?

A person can be physically ugly and it wouldn't be offensive in God's eyes.

"He has no form or comeliness and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men (Isaiah 53:2-3)

Okay, I have to jump in here because this getting ridiculous. The mere fact that the Word says that our righteousness was as filthy rags and is therefore displeasing to G-d is evidence that, at least on some level, G-d is not pleased with filth if it is equated with sin in His Word.

Y'all are really funny on what I would think is rather simple topic. Be clean, be neat and be genuine. Geeze, let's all just over-analyze the subject to death. lordamercy.

[Vickilynn]

Shalom Glory,

I hear your heart and your desire to help this woman.

What REALLY concerns me is that you said she has a small child? To tell the truth, if DSS ever walked into that house, the child would be taken away until the mom could clean up the living conditions.

I would encourage you to pray about the words to say to her and then, share your heart. Share how much you care about her and want to help her and suggest some things that might help. You said she works - her job puts up with this? I know you said she was called in, but I am concerned she might lose her job if it is really bad.

Have you actually seen the things you describe (used personals on the floor, etc.?) If so, this is much more than simply being ignorant of hygiene. I'm afraid this woman may need some real help, especially if she is caring for a small child. There are plenty of health risks involved in living the way you describe.

If you truly care about her and her child, PLEASE, pray the L-rd gives you the courage to do what He is leading you to do and that is to try to help her. He would not have put it so strong on your heart if you were to do nothing. I would approach it from the health and DSS aspect.

Consider this, if someone you knew was walking out in front of an oncoming bus, you would put aside your fear and try to stop them, right? This gal is a danger to herself, her child and to those around her. It's more than being "offended" by her small, it's being concerned about her well-being and the well-being of her child. Please, just DO it. Ask the L-rd to give you the words and speak to her, ASAP.

Oh, and perhaps your church could offer to come in and help her clean up her place. Talk about being a servant!

[irishcowboy]

has anyone here seen the movie or read the book called

A MAN CALLED NORMAN

if you have not, it would be a very good thing to do.

mike

[hupo]

Vickilynn !!

Your back. Good to see you around here again.

How about a topic on your trip?

Welcome back

[Vickilynn]

Vickilynn !!

Your back. Good to see you around here again.

How about a topic on your trip?

Welcome back

Shalom Hupo!

Thank you, it's good to be back, but I hated to leave.

I have a thread over in Doctrinal Issues / Hebrew Roots called "Anyone ever been to Israel?" See you there!

[Marnie]

has anyone here seen the movie or read the book called

A MAN CALLED NORMAN

if you have not, it would be a very good thing to do.

mike

Was that the movie based on Mike Adkins' friend?

[Iryssa]

Homeless people and people who live in third-world countries aside (yes, I understand why THEY wouldn't be able to wash)...I just think it's kinda a respect thing to keep yourself clean to the best of your abilities. I wouldn't want to put my friends in the awkward place of having to smell my B.O. all day. I'd be embarassed if I did. Yes, it's a cultural thing, but I don't see why it should be a problem for your everyday joe with access to a shower and soap to at least put a little bit of effort in.

I wouldn't go to a job interview smelling like I hadn't washed in a week. I wouldn't throw a party for my friends smelling like I hadn't washed in a week (they'd still love me, but I still wouldn't do it). I've worked construction, so I know what it is to get dirty and smelly because of my job...but I would shower once I got home. It's a self-respect thing, for me.

And just so everyone knows...there are quite a few all-natural deodorants (no chemicals) out there. Ask your local naturopath.