A couple weeks ago Natalie and I were talking about compromise and justifying things.
I have noticed a ton of my friends in the past years get deeper and deeper into things they shouldn’t be doing! I realized that it all started from a little seed!
They were on fire for God and they let in just a little something and it grew and grew until now it’s effecting their everyday lives!!
Setting boundaries and sticking with them is so important! It’s one of the most important things you can do in your life! It’s a part of self control.
Whether it’s with movies, food, relationships, even the way you talk SET BOUNDARIES!!!
I have seen it happen way to many times where friends decide to say one little bad word…no big deal!! They think. Now they don’t care what they say!! Just from that little seed! Same with movies and other things! “Oh! This movie only has a little bit of ‘stuff’ in it…I can handle it!” Now they are watching some of the worst movies I have heard of! I’m not condemning them..because it’s their decision. But their decisions effect others and themselves!
Normally if you have to justify things for yourself it probably not the best thing to do! Trust me! Don’t start opening that door because once it’s open it just keeps getting bigger and bigger! Set guidelines for the things that you let in you! Remember that you are the temple of the holy spirit! What kind of house do you want to provide him with? One that is filled with trash? Or one that is clean!!?? Watch what you put in your eyes, ears, and even mouth! What goes in WILL come out!!!
I love you all!! I’ll try to post WAY more often than I have
8 comments:
Right on!!!
You have wisdom for your years!
Sarah, thanks so much for taking the time to be an encouragement to others! Please continue to be a shining light, and encourager.
Why do you always seem to post exactly what I'm thinking. And how do we get the rest of the world (or at least those closest to us) to see this!!?
I disagree with you on several points (but I will be brief)! I think there is a danger in not being human, and in trying to keep yourself from the world we live in. We cannot be Christ-like behind a wall of false protection... (which is rightly often seen as being holier-than-though Christians, which turns people away) we are called to be fully in the world, that love is the source and summit of our lives; and in this way, we become still set apart from it. We cannot be like Christ if we distain his creation... in fact, we are called to find Christ in the others, which I think is a huge point you also miss.
I also DETEST your "husband prayer" and I wonder why there is not such a similar "wife prayer". I think that in either case, you must remember that we are both called to be equally loving and obeying... it doesn't just go one way! This is indicative of past mindset that tends toward a co-dependency, which is never healthy. Please be careful of this. I only want to see the best for you and your ministry, but you seem to be out of touch with reality... don't miss the forest for the trees!
In the end, this sort of "worship" sets you up for dissapointment, because any love other than God is not going to be perfect and holy (for we all fall short of the glory of God)... so it's a no-win the way you've got it... your husband is going to be just as human and prone to failings as you are! I feel too as though you are being rather self-righteous on the whole about everything. This tends to push people away, instead of drawing them in... so take care!
~Rose
I am sorry if that was blunt, but I will remind you of something else that was on my mind... on the subject of love.
We must all be able to stand on our own before Christ and realize that we were made to be His loving/loaveable sons and daughters... (in his image) whether than entails marriage or not... (because you seem to rely on that so much), good times or not... do not be fooled, there is a high cost in disciplship! We are promised this, in fact: (Matthew 16:24) "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
Christ knows this, and bearing his own, knows the way... to love and truth... we are promised though that in these perils and low points, we shall never be alone, and that we will always be loved.
(We need to be in the world, and able to stand on our own two feet, without having to rely on a man (any man other than Christ Himself!)
Anything that would keep you from loving like Christ or being loved by Christ is a lie... and one should NOT dialog with lies, for Jesus' Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and "the truth shall set you
free" (John 8:32)...
~Rose
Yow, too right Sarah....
Eesh, it's too true. It's easy to justify and make excuses for looking away "for just a second" from the high standards we should have for our lives. Who we surround ourselves with plays a big part in what we allow. Everyone needs an accountability partner, someone who keeps the bar steady and refuses to compromise with you. I've noticed that once I let my standards drop, the ones who call me on it are few and far between. In fact, when we try to raise the bar back to it's original place, it may be pushing against some people to do so.
Very thought provoking, Sarah! We're glad to have you back! (We're praying for you!!!)
Hugs,
Sam
I just noticed what Rose said and I'd like to comment. I'm not trying to be mean or harsh or anything. I honestly don't see how your comment applied to Sarah's "Compromise" post. She was talking about having a fire for God that is fueled and fanned by high, Godly standards. She mentioned setting up boundaries and STICKING to them. At no point does she talk about drawing away from the lost and not associating with them.
The Bible tells us to be in the world but not of the world. I have many unsaved friends and they know I don't do certain things. They also know that I love them, and I'm not refusing to do these things to shame them. It's a choice that I have made for my life, because I want to live a life set apart for God. While my Christian friends may turn a blind eye to something I might be getting into, my unsaved friends are telling me, "Oh, you don't want to see that movie Sam, cause it has this, this, and this in it." I'm turning 21 soon, and my unsaved friends respect the fact that I'm having a "dry" birthday. The truth is, they want me to have high standards. I've been told that my lifestyle gives them hope for the youth of this world. I hang out with goths, emos, and MANY other types of people and I know they are drawn to me because of the light that is inside of me. Sarah wasn't saying judge anyone. She was saying don't dirty up your windows so that the world can't see the difference between you and them.
So, I guess I'm saying stand out. Something else that comes to mind, part of being human Christians is trying to be like Christ. We may fail several times and fall, but that doesn't mean that we aren't supposed to practice at being like Him. It's not a "false" front. It's just recognizing that if we try and fail, God still loves us and forgives us. Which means we can get back up on that horse and go at it again!!
Rock on Sarah!!
Well, hopefully we'll see a new post soon. It's been one month today. Bring it on Sarah!
Love ya
Dad
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