Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/24/07 09:28:50 PM |
Age 40, AR |
I totally agree with you Shane. Your article reminds me of what Phillipians 4:8 tells us; "whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Guarding our minds against evil, filth and wickedness requires we not watch or read such material. This is wisdom. Another way I test what I should allow into my mind is to remember that as a Christian, my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (ICor. 3/16, ICor. 6/19. II Cor.6/16) and therefore since the Holy Spirit lives in me, I consider whether or not what I'm watching/reading/thinking about is something that He would want to be present for? Does such material offend or please the Holy Spirit in me?
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/24/07 07:00:50 AM |
Age 38, IA |
Awesome article Shane,
Having 4 children of my own I cross that bridge frequently, sometimes as christains I think we take our walk for CHRIST for granted!!{Huge Mistake}Legalism; what's that GOD has laws and commandments anything outside of that is mamon and lawlessness,. PLEASE!! refer to Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it,and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. GOD dosen't want a lukewarm CHRISTAIN!! Where would I be if it weren't for the LOVE and GRACE of CHRIST??, for me probally DEAD!! Thank you for saving my life JESUS. "GREAT" article Shane. Todd
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 09:27:05 PM |
Age 42, CA |
Timely article, Shane! I have a Christian friend who accuses me of being a legalist. This article explains my position much better than I can. Thank you for defending my position!
Jessica
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 04:59:01 PM |
Age 39, TX |
Legalism is when you say that if someone doesn't follow your plan they are not saved or God is not angry. I can set very high standards for myself and my family and that is not legalism(I know that isn't what gets me into heaven). I can also encourage others to set high standards for themselves and that isn't legalism.
Great Article. We must become Holy as Christ was Holy. It is a choice(or 10,000 little choices a day).
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 11:24:34 AM |
Age 49, TX |
There is also a big difference between legalism and discernment. Hebrews 5:14 says "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses [faculty of mind] exercised [disciplined] to discern both good and evil.". In the context of this article discernment calls for an examination of one's self...unfortunately we often don't do that and end-up either branding someone a legalist because their desire to follow Christ convicts us of our own sinful actions or we won't re-examine our practices in light of Scriptural principles to see if our heart is deceiving us. Legalism exalts self while true discernment admits one's sinfulness and discriminates between the operations of the heart and Spirit.
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 11:14:17 AM |
Age 19, DE |
I completely agree with the importance of guarding the gates of our mind, eyes, and ears from the evil things of this world. Scripture says that it is not even right to talk about those things done in darkness. As a student at a Christian shool with high standards of conduct, I am constantly kept in check with what I allow to enter my mind. Legalism and thinking oneself to be more "spiritual" than someone else is a danger to be carefully guarded against. Scripture says that he who thinks himself more mature or spiritual than another shoul "take heed lest he fall." We must have a humble spirit, knowing we are saved by grace alone, and consistently listen to the Holy Spirit pointing out areas of sin in our lives. We must hold a high standard of purity not only in our actions, but in our thoughts; and not to tear another down by flaunting our own "spirituality," but to encourage one another to love and good deeds, that the world may see and glorify our Father in Heaven.
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 08:08:22 AM |
Age 54, KY |
I appreciated this author's excerp. It was timely and encouraging to me. I think he is hitting the nail on the head. I'm reminded of the children's song we sang, "Be careful little eyes what you see (little mind what you think; little feet where you go; little tongue what you say; little hands what you do)....for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little eyes what you see." 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/22/07 07:52:59 AM |
Age 60, MO |
Shane, thank you for this short, but succinct discussion. It is an important one to have us in right standing before Jesus, otherwise we could end up like some in Matthew 7, when Jesus tells them He never knew them. I was involved with a group of people for a few years who disallowed wedding rings because they were jewelry. They had very rigid requirements for the women to dress "appropriately" and mandated "head coverings" for their women. What you have stated as things we need to keep from our eyes is correctly termed wisdom. "I am the Vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, will produce much fruit: for apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
It is amazing the number of Christians who believe it is up to them to produce fruit. This teaching is, to them, like trying to force a square peg through a round hole. They become obsessed with making something happen, thinking it is all up to their effort, their willpower, their determination, to grow up into Christ. To suggest that they cease from their labor is to make light of all their hard work up until now, and this offends them! They begin in the Spirit, but look to the flesh (self-effort) to complete the work. That is not the Christ-Life! The fruit will come of its own accord, provided we abide in Him.
George Cancilla
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Re: Legalism vs. Wisdom
| Posted On: 02/21/07 08:39:01 PM |
Age 48, CA |
Great article. It really gets to the heart of some issues that I have to deal with in some Christian Brethren! Especially what Shane said about, "Nowhere do we read in the Bible where legalism refers to being cautious with what we allow to enter our minds." Excellent comment. We can draw and expand on this statement to help Brethren who struggle and not see that if they compromise by what they put in their minds,e.g. going to bars where the dancing is now mild to flat out porn movements with the body or music that does not glorify God,etc,etc. One definition of Glorifying God is to shed light on his attributes, certainly what we are seeing in Hollywood does not do this 98 or 99% of the time. This article will help Christians living in our culture to see if they are living Holy before God. Keep it up Shane.
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