Important Question for me?

[Guest Sane]

I know since I've joined I haven't posted since I posted my introduction but:

I feel that I've become tolerant in my walk with Christ. I feel that I've opened myself up to things that I stopped doing (listening to other Christians say that its okay to do or listen to or watch this and that) and it's affecting my bond with the Lord.

I feel I'm not where I should be since I first gave my life to the Lord. At first it was different, now it's just there and I don't want it to be that way but now it is.

Any advice on how to help me out here would be much appreciated.

I understand that some of you if not all of you will probably raise an eyebrow and say, "Well didn't he just say that's how he got to where he is?"

Yes but I feel that now that I'm confessing my dilemma, and have been praying on this for quite sometime that the Holy Spirit will guide me in the right path.

I just want to see if some of the solutions I've come up with may help me and my family.

1. Television and Movies? Should I ban MTV and wipe it off of my cable? (this is killing us) I've already gotten rid of several stations (HBO, CINEMAX, SHOWTIME, etc. etc.)

2. How do you go about cutting off the stuff that holds you down without completely living in a box from the world?

3. Music...music is a hard one....the secular music I use to listen to really had an influence on me....and I like good old southern style baptist style choir gospel music and your occasional contemporary gospel...I have my limits...but on road trips I can't listen to the same song over and over and over again...how do some of you guys deal with gospel vs. secular?

All to heck with it let me just be frank: I AM QUESTIONING MY SALVATION AS OF A FEW WEEKS AGO...when it actually started...I can't remember...but anytime I get fearful of the Rapture or etc. etc...then theres a problem....and I don't know if I should rebuke this feeling because Satan may be playing a trick on me...or to better myself....or blame it on the the little bit of influence that I let creep back into my lifestyle...

what do to what to do?! Jesus HELP ME!

[WayneB]

Brother Sane,

You aren't going through anything that the I (and the rest of us) haven't been through. Just as Paul and Silas told the jailer, if you believe in the Lord Jesus Chirst you are saved.

Acts 16:25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" 29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household."  32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family.

Paul told the Romans, "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." [Romans 10:9,10]

Praise God that you are secure in the arms of the Father. What you are now experiencing is something called "sanctification", a term for the process of spiritual growth. Once rebron, we start at the beginning as an infant and through prayer, reading God's Word, fellowship with other believers and so on, we grow and remain in the state of growth for rest of our physical life. It is an exciting adventure --- but remain faithful. God will be with you every step of the way.

A good booklet by a great man of God, brother Bill Bright, titled "Have you made the wonderful discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life?" is a good resouce. It explains to concept of sanctification better than I can. It can be found on-line at the follwing site.

http://www.greatcom.org/english/spirit.htm

God Bless you brother,

Wayne

Final Note: Don't get too hung up on gospel vs. secular music and so. Bottom Line: If it interferes with your walk, cast it aside. If it doesn't and you aren't convicted of it, don't fret too much about it... or else you could get overwhelmed with legalism. You will find many good discussions regarding those life questions right here on Worthy Boards. ENJOY brother! Jesus said His yoke was not a burden.

[tsth]

All to heck with it let me just be frank: I AM QUESTIONING MY SALVATION AS OF A FEW WEEKS AGO...when it actually started...I can't remember...but anytime I get fearful of the Rapture or etc. etc...then theres a problem....and I don't know if I should rebuke this feeling because Satan may be playing a trick on me...or to better myself....or blame it on the the little bit of influence that I let creep back into my lifestyle...

what do to what to do?! Jesus HELP ME!

Dear Sane,

I will be frank as well..........you are doubting, because you don't sound as if you are following. Do you love the Lord and His Word, and are you in fellowship with Him? That has a major bearing on how you are feeling about your salvation. If you are not taking up your cross and following Him daily, (staying in His Word, praying, serving Him), then you will ultimately begin to question your walk.

I would suggest that instead of staying in the world, i.e., music, MTV, movies, etc., you might focus on the Word, the Bible, and see how you feel after spending quality time with the Lord in His Word and prayer, it will have a bearing on whether or not Satan is able to attack you and make you feel weak and vulnerable if you are indeed a child of God, or......it will compel you to surrender to the Authority of God, through His Son Jesus Christ, The Word, and die to yourself.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[nebula]

Hey, Sane!

(I'm on a time schedule, so forgive me if I'm repeating what others have said for lack of time to read their responses.)

I have a similar struggle with what it means to be "in the world and not of the world" when it comes to such cultural practices as movies and music. Well, not so much music, but definantly TV and movies. If I lived alone, I know I wouldn't be watching some things I do for the sake of participating in activities with my family members. (I'm the youngest.) And of course, even in social contacts, if you consider how much conversation goes on that has some movie basis to them, where would you be if you had not seen any of those things?

Yes, it it tough to sort.

When does entertainment move from being fun to being filth?

And where do you divide keeping yourself pure with "being so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good"?

Now, I would hate to think that your questioning of your salvation comes from your movie/TV/music struggle! Salvation is not based on works - you do believe that don't you?

Try this maybe. Before yiou turn the TV or radio on or see a movie, ask the Lord to watch/listen to it with you and grant you wisdom and understanding to see/hear/know/perceive His perspective on what you are watching/listening to. It may suprise you!

I know there is one show that a certain family memeber was watching that I initially had misgivings for, but ended up seeing because it's easy to do that in a household. But the Lord would teach me lessons through what I was watching. It was weird!

Does that sound good to you?

[BroChuck]

Greater is who is in you than who is in the world.... you are experiecing growing pains ..we grow thru times like these thats how The Lord makes us stronger ......... Love ,,, Your bro in christ

[Hvnly1Rose]

Sane,

Be encouraged, we all know what you are going through and it is a daily struggle for many of us. Let me tell you there are many Christian music artists that you will enjoy listening to and be uplifted in the process. This was a concern for us when my husband was saved....he too needed to substitute his secular artists with Christian ones....he listened to the sample CD's at Christain bookstores as well as asked other Christians what is out there that is comparable to what style he likes....which is many. There are still some secular artists that have songs that are not against what the Lord whould have you expose yourself or your family to. You still get your music man! Be excited! As for movies and TV....that is hit and miss. I totally agree with what neb said:

Try this maybe. Before yiou turn the TV or radio on or see a movie, ask the Lord to watch/listen to it with you and grant you wisdom and understanding to see/hear/know/perceive His perspective on what you are watching/listening to. It may suprise you!

I know there is one show that a certain family memeber was watching that I initially had misgivings for, but ended up seeing because it's easy to do that in a household. But the Lord would teach me lessons through what I was watching. It was weird!

There are many seasoned Christians here on the worthy boards take everything into consideration and ALWAYS pray about it so God can give you the dicernment to make the right decisions.

If you have any questions on music that you can listen to daily don't hesitate to email me.

Gods blessings and wisdom be poured out on you and your family.:a2:

Rose

[RGR]

As for the secular music, let me tell you, I've been down that road before (a great song by Hank Williams with some good meaning!)!!!! First and foremost, if you're convicted, don't do it! Plain and simple on that. However, many times legalism gets mistaken for conviction. I done the same thing myself when I first started back living for the Lord. Simply put, I have not one iota of a problem with decent, clean secular music. MTV, on the other hand, is probably something I would ditch. This is the playground of the kissing non-cousins Madonna and Britney Spears!!! Again, this is a situation in which you need to pray and possibly even talk to your pastor and/or trusted Christian friend.

My love first and foremost is gospel music. However, I can't stomach a big majority of what makes it's way onto the radio these days. Too contemporary for my blood!!! If you have a turntable, start searching flea markets/thrift stores for LP's of groups such as the Happy Goodmans, Hinsons, Dixie Echoes, etc. if you want gospel only!!!

[ginakay]

Sane, I think some soul searching is good for us . We are supposed to examine ourselves and be sure we are still in the faith.

You are still depending on Jesus for your salvation, it is His gift to you, you have accepted. Keep thanking Him for it.

As for your walk in the world but not of it--as others have said we all work this one out. For me (the bookworm) it was my reading material. At one time I thought this would never be resolved. Amazingly the Lord does transform even the desires of our hearts. Just keep letting the Holy Spririt speak to you. Tell the Lord all about any struggles you are having. If an area of your life seems out of control just tell Him about it. Just keep on talking to the Lord and listening to the Holy Spirit. Take time to be in the Word and let that speak to you as well.

Its a wonderful walk with the Lord, an adventure!

[Fewarechosen7F]

Hello Sane,

You said:

anytime I get fearful of the Rapture or etc. etc...then theres a problem....and I don't know if I should rebuke this feeling because Satan may be playing a trick on me...or to better myself....or blame it on the the little bit of influence that I let creep back into my lifestyle...

what do to what to do?! Jesus HELP ME!

Hello Sane,

We have all "been there, done that." If you are questioning your salvation because you are fearful of the rapture, then there can be no other reason than that you are afraid -- that you are not going in it. Fear of the rapture indicates fear to face God because of the sin held within the heart.

That sort of thing is the prompting of the Holy Spirit upon your conscience. Trash all of the filth that has filled your life, and replace it with virtue. You can find good music and movies that proclaim moral excellence.

It's not easy as first, but it will be worth it.

[Guest Sane]

Everyone,

Thanks for your kind hearted reponses.

First, let me apologize for my late reply. (Network was going haywire at work, and with a daughter and wife at home waiting for me to walk through the door, let alone other things...my time has been limited lately)

Well...although I haven't set down with my wife yet and had an in-depth discussion about it. We had a brief one on one of my lunch breaks. I had a discussion with the Lord about it. I believe this is the first of many He and I will have about this problem.

Nebula, I love your suggestion and I'm going to do that. But I'm the type of person that analyzes everything I watch and listen too in the first place. I was raised in the church and was saved as a young boy. As I grew up I grew away, then I went back to the lord just last year along with my wife. I know the word, and how it applies to sin etc. etc. But I guess I never fully understood what a walk with God would take.

I explained to God that I was confused about myself, and that I needed help letting go of all the nonsense that I let back in. I believe he understands what I'm going through and between him and I, it'll all be worked out.

Thanks,

Roy