Non-Beneficial Practices

[Mayflower]

So I believe this way:

"All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up." 1 Corinthians 10:23

Discussing this elsewhere, we were talking about how adopting certain worldy or pagan practices push out godly ones. @Hidden In Him

What are some things beneficial versus what is not in the Christian faith? Do you think that origins hold any bearing on things today as Christians?

For me, things like Easter, I have given up bunnies and eggs. We called it Resurrection Sunday!!! Halloween I completely given up. But we keep Christmas. I know a few who do not do Christmas though, because of certain pagan origins...

Yoga is one I don't know much about, but probably best to steer away from. I love Zumba.

We are also surrounded by worldy media/music/movies... So where do you draw the line in what to allow and not allow in your home? What if anything do you believe could open up doors to demonic oppression as far as using things from other cultures and different practices. (Not about the use of tongues or charismatic practice please).

How has giving up non-beneficial practices the world participates in effected your spiritual walk if any?

 

[Downunder]

How has giving up non-beneficial practices the world participates in effected your spiritual walk if any?

One activity I have given up is buying X-lotto tickets and doing Keno draws to hopefully win big money. Foolish and of the dark side.
Now I am content with my finances and frugal lifestyle, and rely greatly on prayer for all our needs, both material and spiritual.
Housing, clothing, food and transport are the required basics. There is always money for our many bills and accounts; and still some left for pizza.

 

[Downunder]

We are also surrounded by worldy media/music/movies

When I was converted and came to the Lord I tossed out all the marijuana and the paraphernalia, and later tossed away my entire rock'n'roll music collection into a wheelie bin.
No more cigarettes and no more alcohol.

 

[Hekuran]

When writing to the church in Philippi (which was evidently more stable and healthy than the Corinthian church) Paul's advice is to focus on whatever is true, good, noble and lovely. I think it's more practical, healthy and effective to focus on the perfection in Jesus that we are heading towards rather than concentrating on the sinfulness we want to leave behind.

So as to avoid confusion, I'm not suggesting we go easy on sin, just that that better way to cast off sin is to devote our minds to things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

 

[JerryfromMass]

So I believe this way:

"All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things build people up." 1 Corinthians 10:23

Discussing this elsewhere, we were talking about how adopting certain worldy or pagan practices push out godly ones. @Hidden In Him

What are some things beneficial versus what is not in the Christian faith? Do you think that origins hold any bearing on things today as Christians?

For me, things like Easter, I have given up bunnies and eggs. We called it Resurrection Sunday!!! Halloween I completely given up. But we keep Christmas. I know a few who do not do Christmas though, because of certain pagan origins...

Yoga is one I don't know much about, but probably best to steer away from. I love Zumba.

We are also surrounded by worldy media/music/movies... So where do you draw the line in what to allow and not allow in your home? What if anything do you believe could open up doors to demonic oppression as far as using things from other cultures and different practices. (Not about the use of tongues or charismatic practice please).

How has giving up non-beneficial practices the world participates in effected your spiritual walk if any?

I follow as best I can what a very wise man once told me, namely: If you can imagine Jesus literally and physically sitting with you, or walking with you, or driving with you, or talking with you, etc., ask yourself this: Would HE approve of what I'm watching, or what I'm celebrating, or what I'm talking about, or what im doing, or where I'm going, or whom I'm with, etc? Then, of course, there's all of what goes through my mind on a daily basis. Traditions of men have permeated civilization for centuries, and we are at the apex. Therefore repent, always repent, live a life of repentance, of holiness, of always thinking of Jesus, and think about what he meant whe he said repent (teshubah in Hebrew): change your mind and turn to God and away from whatever it is that is a stumbling block to the truth and to your growth as a follower of Yeshua. Blessings to y'all.

 

[Reba1]

Around the early 60s is was by some church standards a sin to go to the movies. Being the sweetheart of a teen i was i asked are the movies safer then parking at the beach to watch the moonlight on the waves? Mom in her God given wisdom ( Mom went Home to Jesus 1 year ago today ) said almost exactly what @JerryfromMass 's wise man once told him,,,, It is such a simple message it has been a large part of my life kept me out of really bad trouble not always but most often.

 

[Sue D.]

@ JerryfromMass -- yes. WWJD in any situation. Repentence is fine, but if a person is truly living a life of WWJD -- there shouldn't be that much To be repenting Of, should there? Doesn't living a life of repentense suggest that a person has been doing lots that needs to be repented Of?

Now, Maybe a person would be having the mind-set of doing 'whatever' in Spite of imagining Jesus being right there beside them -- doing that stuff Anyway. THEN there would be a need for continual repentence. But there would not really Be repentence because repentence is the idea of turning Away From questionable activities.

And, yes, we Are to realize that some things are Not going to be beneficial to do. And when we Do mess up, we Can and Should ask forgiveness.

 

[JerryfromMass]

@ JerryfromMass -- yes. WWJD in any situation. Repentence is fine, but if a person is truly living a life of WWJD -- there shouldn't be that much To be repenting Of, should there? Doesn't living a life of repentense suggest that a person has been doing lots that needs to be repented Of?

Now, Maybe a person would be having the mind-set of doing 'whatever' in Spite of imagining Jesus being right there beside them -- doing that stuff Anyway. THEN there would be a need for continual repentence. But there would not really Be repentence because repentence is the idea of turning Away From questionable activities.

And, yes, we Are to realize that some things are Not going to be beneficial to do. And when we Do mess up, we Can and Should ask forgiveness.

Yes, Sue,

Always confess and seek forgiveness every time we miss the mark, Amen: whether it's blurting out a cuss word or whether it's a covetous thought that simmers in the mind, or any thing else we do, say, or think that is sinful.

But repentance should be a routine exercise for the believer. For example: if you happen to be in conversation and someone in the loop begins to gossip. Repent of engaging that person in gossip. Or if you decide to watch a movie that was highly rated by someone you know, and not long after watching it you hear the actors throwing around a-bombs. Or s-bombs, or f-bombs, repent of watching that movie. The list can go on, but I think you get the idea. Repent is simply to change your mind and say "NO" or "YES" when appropriate. Blessings.

 

[Reba1]

We are also surrounded by worldy media/music/movies... So where do you draw the line in what to allow and not allow in your home? What if anything do you believe could open up doors to demonic oppression as far as using things from other cultures and different practices. (Not about the use of tongues or charismatic practice please).

So wish i could do this simple things 100% i dont
I keep messenger gave up facebook
Will not shop amazon
Giving up FB was very liberating.
We do not have the movie channels on TV
Lost family and friends because i am LOUD and clear about the evils of abortion.
Holding a standard in face of homosexuality i came to realize i need the same standard for the other sex sins.

 

[Bill]

One activity I have given up is buying X-lotto tickets and doing Keno draws to hopefully win big money. Foolish and of the dark side.
Now I am content with my finances and frugal lifestyle, and rely greatly on prayer for all our needs, both material and spiritual.
Housing, clothing, food and transport are the required basics. There is always money for our many bills and accounts; and still some left for pizza.

I have told people for years how to win the lottery it's actually quite easy.

First you go out and buy a big piggy bank. Then every time you even think about buying a lottery ticket you take that money and you stuff it into the piggy bank after about a year your break open the piggy bank and wha-la you just won the lottery

 

[Bill]

@ JerryfromMass -- yes. WWJD in any situation. Repentence is fine, but if a person is truly living a life of WWJD -- there shouldn't be that much To be repenting Of, should there? Doesn't living a life of repentense suggest that a person has been doing lots that needs to be repented Of?

Now, Maybe a person would be having the mind-set of doing 'whatever' in Spite of imagining Jesus being right there beside them -- doing that stuff Anyway. THEN there would be a need for continual repentence. But there would not really Be repentence because repentence is the idea of turning Away From questionable activities.

And, yes, we Are to realize that some things are Not going to be beneficial to do. And when we Do mess up, we Can and Should ask forgiveness.

I think repenting is a good practice to do. Often we read in the scripture of those who repent, we see it often in the Old Testiment.

Jesus taught us the Our Father , " forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us "

I know in my prayer i stand before the Father and am washed in His forgiveness

 

[Bill]

The holidays, as with all things, if they bring you closer to love , joy , anything in God . Then enjoy it

 

[Downunder]

Lost family and friends because i am LOUD and clear about the evils of abortion.
Holding a standard in face of homosexuality i came to realize i need the same standard for the other sex sins.

It is only when one stands up for righteousness that those who are not with you come out of the woodwork - and a man's enemies shall be those of his own family

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

 

[Sue D.]

Yes, Sue,

Always confess and seek forgiveness every time we miss the mark, Amen: whether it's blurting out a cuss word or whether it's a covetous thought that simmers in the mind, or any thing else we do, say, or think that is sinful.

But repentance should be a routine exercise for the believer. For example: if you happen to be in conversation and someone in the loop begins to gossip. Repent of engaging that person in gossip. Or if you decide to watch a movie that was highly rated by someone you know, and not long after watching it you hear the actors throwing around a-bombs. Or s-bombs, or f-bombs, repent of watching that movie. The list can go on, but I think you get the idea. Repent is simply to change your mind and say "NO" or "YES" when appropriate. Blessings.

So -- you're suggesting that any time that 'we' find ourself engaging in something we shouldn't do and stop and go do something else -- that we're supposed to 'then and there' repent and ask forgiveness?! How about when I Do find myself doing something that I shouldn't -- that I simply change the channel or go do something else. The Holy Spirit is telling me to change course. In my heart I'm acknowledging it's wrong and change course. Isn't that the same thing?

IF we are -- in fact -- following the WWJD -- recipe -- then there shouldn't be a necessity For all the 'repenting' and turning away From.

Unless a person is concerned that a unrepented sin -- upon a sudden death, would end up with that person in hell. That the unintentional sin would end up being a person's 'downfall'. ?!

 

[Mayflower]

Yes, Sue,

Always confess and seek forgiveness every time we miss the mark, Amen: whether it's blurting out a cuss word or whether it's a covetous thought that simmers in the mind, or any thing else we do, say, or think that is sinful.

But repentance should be a routine exercise for the believer. For example: if you happen to be in conversation and someone in the loop begins to gossip. Repent of engaging that person in gossip. Or if you decide to watch a movie that was highly rated by someone you know, and not long after watching it you hear the actors throwing around a-bombs. Or s-bombs, or f-bombs, repent of watching that movie. The list can go on, but I think you get the idea. Repent is simply to change your mind and say "NO" or "YES" when appropriate. Blessings.

Repentance comes easily after my mind has been made up about something. It is those things that I like that I am not all that convicted of that are harder to put away. I have this game for example, called Fallout 3. My inward struggle with games like this and games like Skyrim, are there are plain evil quests in it. It is just like the world, only in a video game. You can choose right and wrong. It has slavery where you can enslave people, but you can also choose to destroy the slaver faction completely. Be the hero in the game. To destroy the dark brotherhood and avoid the quest with demonic lord's. I haven't fully made up my mind to change it, but I think I am probably going to get rid of it. It helped me in a sense at first I think, because it completely woke me up. I played the most evil character I could to try out those quests. But it was not fun to me... I honestly couldn't believe what I could or could not choose to do. Now I can choose all right and completely destroy the evil when I play. I just do not know if this is beneficial free time or if I want my kids to play this when they are older.

 

[Bill]

So -- you're suggesting that any time that 'we' find ourself engaging in something we shouldn't do and stop and go do something else -- that we're supposed to 'then and there' repent and ask forgiveness?! How about when I Do find myself doing something that I shouldn't -- that I simply change the channel or go do something else. The Holy Spirit is telling me to change course. In my heart I'm acknowledging it's wrong and change course. Isn't that the same thing?

IF we are -- in fact -- following the WWJD -- recipe -- then there shouldn't be a necessity For all the 'repenting' and turning away From.

Unless a person is concerned that a unrepented sin -- upon a sudden death, would end up with that person in hell. That the unintentional sin would end up being a person's 'downfall'. ?!

The Lord would say to me , when he would call me to do spiritual work. If i was stuggling , " ok you messed up, right now you have work to do. But we will talk later"

So i dont think God keeps our feet to the fire, as long as we understand, and acknowledge our sins. But we should get into a habit of being before God , being sorry for any offences, and recieving His Love

 

[Mayflower]

So -- you're suggesting that any time that 'we' find ourself engaging in something we shouldn't do and stop and go do something else -- that we're supposed to 'then and there' repent and ask forgiveness?! How about when I Do find myself doing something that I shouldn't -- that I simply change the channel or go do something else. The Holy Spirit is telling me to change course. In my heart I'm acknowledging it's wrong and change course. Isn't that the same thing?

IF we are -- in fact -- following the WWJD -- recipe -- then there shouldn't be a necessity For all the 'repenting' and turning away From.

Unless a person is concerned that a unrepented sin -- upon a sudden death, would end up with that person in hell. That the unintentional sin would end up being a person's 'downfall'. ?!

"I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God."
2 Corinthians 7:9‭-‬12 NASB1995


I think it is better to just change something then to say "I am sorry" and not do anything. But I do tell God I am sorry as something convicts my heart.

 

[Bill]

For myself though, the Lord did tell me more recently. That i need to be more mindful , for my sins cause effects to others.

 

[Sue D.]

@Mayflower -- sounds like you're answering your own question. Sounds like something that needs to be thrown out. It sounds like it's putting You in charge of your own destiny -- which we aren't.

We need to realize that God is our Father and knows what is best for us.

So -- is it 'beneficial' free time ? Doesn't sound like it. What Else could you do in your free time? I'm speaking from vantage point of being in my 70's. Go on walks? So much has been closed down due to COVID, it's hard to know what Is available -- reading good literature. It depends on what you're located as to what's healthy and beneficial to do. Find a local church group to inter act with.

 

[Mayflower]

For myself though, the Lord did tell me more recently. That i need to be more mindful , for my sins cause effects to others.

What is scarey is having kids and knowing they are watching everything you do. Lord willing, we will train them up right.