Warning: session_start(): open(/var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80/sess_oqfenh6i9d548daej587ic7e3l, O_RDWR) failed: No space left on device (28) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2
Warning: session_start(): Failed to read session data: files (path: /var/lib/lsphp/session/lsphp80) in /home/kjv.site/public_html/Discussion-Thread/index.php on line 2 BIBLE DISCUSSION THREAD 182065
Does the Christian lifestyle evolve because the world has and what did Paul mean by not to be entangled in the pollutions of the world after you are saved? 2 Peter 2:20
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
As to the second part of your question, we are not to be conformed to the ways of the world, but to be transformed in our minds to have the mind of Christ, so that we will seek to do only the Father's will as He did. There are many ways to get entangled in the polluting ways of the world. One, by the company you keep. if you run with the sinners, sit around with the mockers, stand around idly with the scoffers, you will become polluted. If you hang out with those who's lifestyles are continually full of sin and rebellion towards God, you will become polluted by their disbelief, disdain, disregard, and disrespect for our Lord. If you continue to keep company with people you used to participate in sin with, such as drunkenness, you will be pulled back into this besetting sin.
Another way you can get entangled is by the media and entertainment you imbibe in. The Bible never recommends to use to be entertained. It doesn't forbid celebration or leisure. But Solomon said that all pursuits of enticements are folly. I don't think it is wrong to take in some entertainment-fine arts, sports, hobbies, etc. But we should not get too caught up in them because they are a bit addicting and so, draw us away from spending time with the Lord or other believers.
Another way you can get entangled is by what is called avarice, (the love of things). Accumulating more than one can reasonably utilize, (my tiger I am taming) or needing the newest commodity on the market, or settling only for the 'best" can lead us into sin. Where our treasure is there will be our heart. Jesus is most valuable treasure.
Learning to be content with what we need and not what we want is important. We cannot dismiss the power of marketing in our culture. Being conscious of this and working at being "unmarketable" (not being influenced by marketing strategies) keeps us content. I mean look at all of the storage business popping up all over!
I think you are asking if our life in Christ changes with the times as contrasted to the life in Christ in Biblical times. I think that, in a sense, we are ever learning more and more about God, His character, and His instructions to us on godly living. Applying these instructions to our lives has changed across time because civilization has changed over time. It does not mean that what God deems as right and wrong changes, but how apply we apply God's principles for godly living does. For instance, just in recent history. Christians needed to make decisions about the godliness of such things as dancing, playing cards, movies and hobbies (not saying these are right or wrong). Now we are faced with online games, social media, and other influences. We have cell phones now to do more than just talk with others. So, we need to prayerfully make decisions on how or if we will us these new inventions.
In times past, people got around by walking or horse and buggy, now we have cars and traffic laws. In times past, people set out for the new frontier knowing they may never see their families again who stayed back. Now we travel to and fro with ease. All of these things affect our Christian walk in some way. I am not sure if this answers to your question, but it is how I interpreted it. If I am way off, let me know.
In summary, I think God's commands for godly living are really timeless. And our relationship with God still falls along the same lines of faith, repentance, loving Him and others, using His Word to teach and guide us, praying to Him, worshipping Him with praise, songs, lifted hands, shouts, clapping, and even dancing before the LORD as David did so long ago. God neve changes, but what we make use of in our walk with Him can change. We have a complete Bible now, even online, and access to far more teaching sites online than ever before. We have more options within
our communities to meet for worship, Bible study, and fellowship.
Fully agree with what you've written, GiGi. The verse that came to mind as I read it, was 1 Corinthians 6:12: "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."
Apostle Paul would not have had an inkling what the 21st Century would look like in terms of lifestyle, products & services available & even the strengths & weaknesses of the Church, but his words still hold true for us even now. We are given much liberty for the exercise of mind & conscience to pursue many of the world's present offerings. We may even find many things that don't violate the Word of God, indeed not even mentioned, as so much was unknown then. But the question we need to continually ask ourselves must be, 'does what I want to do or have a spiritual benefit really meets God's Approval - will I need to lose some of God's Control over me so as to allow the thing I want, knowing that it might possibly gain control over me?'
I know that when we are truly sensitive to the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, we are left with no doubt as to what is acceptable to God - though sometimes the path ahead is a little unclear. When we live to please the Lord & not ourselves, then we will restrain our feet from that path & hold back until the way ahead is known. Proverbs 4:26; Psalm 119:105.
It's such a sad thing, when 2 Peter 2:20 (as Charles shared) becomes the undoing of the spiritually insensitive & the easily deceived. There must have been many so duped in the early Church that warranted much teaching & warning by the epistle writers. Falling into such deception is made so much worse than when we were once led astray at the beginning; to save the body from being destroyed because of ungodly living ( 1 Corinthians 5:5), must have been the predominant burning desire for those early Church fathers, as it ought to be for God's servants now, warning us who might also be ensnared by worldly offerings.
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning."
King James Version (KJV)
As to the second part of your question, we are not to be conformed to the ways of the world, but to be transformed in our minds to have the mind of Christ, so that we will seek to do only the Father's will as He did. There are many ways to get entangled in the polluting ways of the world. One, by the company you keep. if you run with the sinners, sit around with the mockers, stand around idly with the scoffers, you will become polluted. If you hang out with those who's lifestyles are continually full of sin and rebellion towards God, you will become polluted by their disbelief, disdain, disregard, and disrespect for our Lord. If you continue to keep company with people you used to participate in sin with, such as drunkenness, you will be pulled back into this besetting sin.
Another way you can get entangled is by the media and entertainment you imbibe in. The Bible never recommends to use to be entertained. It doesn't forbid celebration or leisure. But Solomon said that all pursuits of enticements are folly. I don't think it is wrong to take in some entertainment-fine arts, sports, hobbies, etc. But we should not get too caught up in them because they are a bit addicting and so, draw us away from spending time with the Lord or other believers.
Another way you can get entangled is by what is called avarice, (the love of things). Accumulating more than one can reasonably utilize, (my tiger I am taming) or needing the newest commodity on the market, or settling only for the 'best" can lead us into sin. Where our treasure is there will be our heart. Jesus is most valuable treasure.
Learning to be content with what we need and not what we want is important. We cannot dismiss the power of marketing in our culture. Being conscious of this and working at being "unmarketable" (not being influenced by marketing strategies) keeps us content. I mean look at all of the storage business popping up all over!
I hope this is helpful. Other comments welcome!
I think you are asking if our life in Christ changes with the times as contrasted to the life in Christ in Biblical times. I think that, in a sense, we are ever learning more and more about God, His character, and His instructions to us on godly living. Applying these instructions to our lives has changed across time because civilization has changed over time. It does not mean that what God deems as right and wrong changes, but how apply we apply God's principles for godly living does. For instance, just in recent history. Christians needed to make decisions about the godliness of such things as dancing, playing cards, movies and hobbies (not saying these are right or wrong). Now we are faced with online games, social media, and other influences. We have cell phones now to do more than just talk with others. So, we need to prayerfully make decisions on how or if we will us these new inventions.
In times past, people got around by walking or horse and buggy, now we have cars and traffic laws. In times past, people set out for the new frontier knowing they may never see their families again who stayed back. Now we travel to and fro with ease. All of these things affect our Christian walk in some way. I am not sure if this answers to your question, but it is how I interpreted it. If I am way off, let me know.
In summary, I think God's commands for godly living are really timeless. And our relationship with God still falls along the same lines of faith, repentance, loving Him and others, using His Word to teach and guide us, praying to Him, worshipping Him with praise, songs, lifted hands, shouts, clapping, and even dancing before the LORD as David did so long ago. God neve changes, but what we make use of in our walk with Him can change. We have a complete Bible now, even online, and access to far more teaching sites online than ever before. We have more options within
our communities to meet for worship, Bible study, and fellowship.
Apostle Paul would not have had an inkling what the 21st Century would look like in terms of lifestyle, products & services available & even the strengths & weaknesses of the Church, but his words still hold true for us even now. We are given much liberty for the exercise of mind & conscience to pursue many of the world's present offerings. We may even find many things that don't violate the Word of God, indeed not even mentioned, as so much was unknown then. But the question we need to continually ask ourselves must be, 'does what I want to do or have a spiritual benefit really meets God's Approval - will I need to lose some of God's Control over me so as to allow the thing I want, knowing that it might possibly gain control over me?'
I know that when we are truly sensitive to the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, we are left with no doubt as to what is acceptable to God - though sometimes the path ahead is a little unclear. When we live to please the Lord & not ourselves, then we will restrain our feet from that path & hold back until the way ahead is known. Proverbs 4:26; Psalm 119:105.
It's such a sad thing, when 2 Peter 2:20 (as Charles shared) becomes the undoing of the spiritually insensitive & the easily deceived. There must have been many so duped in the early Church that warranted much teaching & warning by the epistle writers. Falling into such deception is made so much worse than when we were once led astray at the beginning; to save the body from being destroyed because of ungodly living ( 1 Corinthians 5:5), must have been the predominant burning desire for those early Church fathers, as it ought to be for God's servants now, warning us who might also be ensnared by worldly offerings.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?