Posted on 06/09/2017 10:21:41 AM PDT by WhatNot
Ephesians 5:6-8
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
We must be as determined as Daniel to not partake in the sins of the culture around us. Christians must not join in the culture's sin that we may not share in its punishment. There's more than one way Christians can partake in sins of the culture, one way is living a sinful lifestyle, but another is to consent or encourage it.
Psalm 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Hollywood movies are saturated with the occult and it's widely known that people who produce those films are steeped in paedophilia. Sadly, many Christians go to see these films and in return contribute to the bank accounts of some extremely evil people. American pop culture is a street sewer flowing with corruption, garbage and filth. While living in this strange land Christians need to ask themselves "What would Jesus do?" Would Jesus go to this movie, I took my family to? Would Jesus be watching this episode, I'm watching on T.V? Would Jesus listen to this music, I'm listening to on the radio? American culture to Bible Christians is an alien nation, a nation that has an unquenchable thirst for violence, sexual perversion and wickedness. Before partaking or encouraging others in it, ask yourself WWJD?
It makes me appreciate the Amish and other groups who completely bypass our "culture". Even things that are not obviously wicked, like Disney movies, tend to have lots of new-age messages and other conditioning in them.
There is also the message of the "stars" themselves. It seems like Disney has a regular assembly line of pre-teen pop-tarts. They are all cute and wholesome at age 12 when they get their big start. Then the progressively become more degenerate so that around 18 they go completely bonkers dressing like strippers, getting publicly drunk, dating inappropriate guys, pretending to be lesbian, etc.
So, to some girl who started loving that star at 8 or 9, they are at a very impressionable age of 14 or something and think: Well if Pop Tart can do drugs, wear almost nothing, and date thugs -- so CAN I !
In other words, the entire culture is debased.
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>> “Before partaking or encouraging others in it, ask yourself WWJD?” <<
The Gospel of Matthew tells us WWJD.
I seriously do not believe he would set foot inside any mainstream church, for all the iniquity practiced there, and promoted in the denominational literature.
We need not even pause to consider what he would do with our schools and movie theaters.
Matthew 7:21-23 says it all.
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It sure is, and its finding its way into decent Christian circles. It's getting more difficult to find a good church nowadays, one that doesn't have a Rock band leading worship services or Church congregation that hasn't given into social pressures to be more accepting of the world's standards.
Amen.
Fortunately I retired a few years before they started to fire people for expressing their public convictions on issues such as homosexuality (all brands), abortion, liberalism (in government and in our churches) and issues regarding race.
It is a shame that today we Christians no longer enjoy our first amendment rights.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that we are muted though.
Today I went over to my local library to pick up some material for my daughter. As I approached the building I noticed a table with books on it and two women sitting in a chair. On closer examination I discovered that the books were “Jehovah’s Witness” material. I asked if the books were associated with the ladies to which they responded that they were.
I went into the library and conducted my business and then called for the Director of the library. I asked her, since those folks had a right to be out there - do I have a right to do the same? She said, “Of course! as long as I did not harass anyone I had the same first amendment rights as they have.”
So, I went out and pulled out my Bible and commenced to preach (well, quoting Ephesians 1 which I had memorized). The ladies soon were joined by a man that stood with them for awhile until they left. Then he took over their post. I continued to quote God’s Word. After awhile he packed up his goods and moved down the sidewalk where he commenced to make a few phone calls. After a little while another vehicle pulled up and he loaded up the books and they left . . . BUT . . . he went out to his car and watched me for over an hour as I continued to stand there and give out God’s Word - as is my right.
I suspected that he was waiting for me to leave so that he could jot down my plate number. After and hour I entered the library to speak to the Director.
“Remember that thing about not harassing people?” “Sure”, she said, “well, they left but one of them (a guy) has been sitting in his car watching me for over an hour . . . I suspect he wants to gather some personal information from my vehicle.”
“Do you want to file an incident report?” “Nope”, there is no real basis that I can prove - no crime in sitting in your car for over and hour with your hands gripping the steering wheel - but the suspicion is very great that it was harassment.”
Lord willing, the group will not be permitted to hawk their wares on the library property again - unfortunately the kingdom hall is right across the street.
ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GOOD DAY!
Sounds like a VERY good day :)
But as far as the conduct of the government it seems to me it was quite properly neutral. You don't want the library to forbid the Jehova's Witnesses for pamphleting out front, do you?
The library can’t stop them any more than they can stop me . . . unless they decide that a rule was broken - that of harassment. If so, most decidedly.
Ultimately, however, I would that God would shut them down . . . permanently.
The good thing is that a sinner heard the gospel from Ephesians 1. A seed has been planted. He saved a hard-nosed Mormon - ME - He can do it again!
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