Posted on 12/14/2013 2:56:27 PM PST by InHisService
Yes, it does. It was many years ago now that I had a neighbor who was fascinated with mysticism and paganism which included the study of Christian beliefs. Not that he practiced it but just studied it as it related to beliefs and practices. He laughed at the duplicity of Christians with their incorporation of paganism. It was the first time I had to face what he was showing me. That was back in the early 80s. It forced me to understand if I was ever to witness to him or anyone with his understanding of paganism.
To say I was shocked at what I learned is an understatement. He and I spent many hours studying scripture together. Today he is a solid God fearing follower of Christ and can not be shaken. God sent him into my life and me into his.
In my household the Christmas tree and lights have absolutely no connection to paganism. If you have a Christmas tree in your home and use it for pagan worship, I will not participate. But there is a way for all things in heaven and earth to be sanctified and set apart for good use. I give thanks for the Christmas tree, for it reminds me of the tree of the cross whereby all of creation is made new. The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains. Paganism is nothing. It is defeated and dead in Christ. There is no room for it. I do not know it. But if you practice it, or practiced it formerly, and a Christmas tree causes you to worship Satan, then I suggest you stay away from them.
23All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. 27If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake; 29I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? -1 Cor. 10
Well, you certainly agree with the Catholic teaching. Don’t think you will impress those who know what paganism is. They know that most Christians are simply part of the pagan world.
I have Rush Limbaugh on; he’s talking about Christmas, and how the Godless left will never take it away from us. Someone better get to him, stat, and let him know he’s a heathen. /s
In what way?
Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)
He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning our backs on our God, inciting revolt and oppression, uttering lies our hearts have conceived. (Isaiah 59:12-13)
Let’s begin with the date. It’s common knowledge that the birth of the sun god is December 25th. The original Baal the sun god.
History demonstrates that the point of departure for every major apostasy in Israel and Christendom involved the commingling of worship of the true God with worship of Baal the sun-god.
The establishment of sun-worship by King Jeroboam marked the division of the kingdom and the beginning of Israel's apostasy,
The “way of the heathen” was tied to worship of Baal the sun god. Baal simply means master and was a title of many of the gods of the pagans. I Jeremiah we see the Israelites already worshiping with the cutting of a tree.
Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Sun worshippers since the time of Babel recognized this time of year in honor of their gods. The worship of Tammuz, as spoken of in the book of Ezekiel, is related to December 25th. The Roman sun god Mithra was born on December 25th. Constantine anyone? Check out the festival of natalis Invicti (Birth of the Unconquerable Sun), held on 25 December
Giving of gifts during the festival of Saturnalis. The bright red berries of the holly bush represented fertility in the depths of the dormant winter. The circle of the Yule or Christmas wreath represents the pagan “Wheel of the Year” or “Circle of Life”
Do a search and study on any of those or other “Christmas traditions”.
Great points, which all back up my opinion of Christmas. Thank you. Sorry you had to get into such debate with others over this!
I don’t believe in the last days thing. ... You said you’re sure. So why not give your money to the poor? Or blow it on a trip to Tahiti? You’re sure right? Do since you can’t take it with you you can always send me a check.
Been doing that all along. You hadn’t heard that scripture teaches that?
>> Or blow it on a trip to Tahiti?<<
So you’re one of the “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” crowd ey? You might want to look that up in scripture.
Luke 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
>> You’re sure right?<<
1 Thessalonians 4: 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
>> Do since you can’t take it with you you can always send me a check.<<
2 Peter 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
I didn't write the gospel of John. I just read it.
LOL!!! :O)
All these rest in the omnipotent, omniscience, and omnipresence of God. There is nothing that was made that He did not make. To say anything else is to deny God's power.
So your contention is that God created evil…..right?
Like I said. You need to re-evaluate what is meant by “made”. God did not “make” evil. God did not “make” demons. God did not “make” man sinful. I would suggest you run your “theory” by a competent Calvinist pastor before you continue to “preach” your theory.
Hosea 14:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him: I am like a green fir tree. From me is thy fruit found.
Once again...nothing is more pitiful than a declared 'atheist' obsessed with God.
Impressive. Very impressive.
Often people make claims and don’t actually provide the chapter and verse. Thanks.
Let’s begin with the date. And totally ignore this scripture: 5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Is there ANY day, acceptablt to you, that is not STAINED by some pagan using it?
I Jeremiah we see the Israelites already worshiping with the cutting of a tree. ...to get some wood to build an IDOL.
Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
True believeing Jews cut down TREES to use in building their temple.
Giving of gifts during the festival of Saturnalis. OOooooh! GIFTS! Matthew 7:11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 1 Corinthians 12:1 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The bright red berries of the holly bush represented fertility in the depths of the dormant winter. Oh NO!!! FERTILITY!!! Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
The circle of the Yule or Christmas wreath represents the pagan “Wheel of the Year” or “Circle of Life” So we can't use CIRCLES any more, either?? 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
It's no problem.
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