Perhaps I’m just not understanding your message very well. I wasn’t trying to slam you in any way, just trying to express my position clearly.
Sometimes people need shunning and shaming to understand that their behavior and words are unacceptable in human society. Love doesn’t always mean hearts and flowers. Man, Jesus Christ himself used very harsh words and behavior at times when needed! He whipped the money changers and kicked over their tables! He called the Pharisees whited sepulchers and, IIRC, compared them to snakes.
Was he not loving in those instances? He did what needed to be done both to try to wake them up to their wrong doing and wrong mentality, and also as an example to everyone else to watch their step!
If I didn’t understand your comments, go ahead and try again.
Another point is that people do not change unless and until they realize that they are on the wrong path, that there is something wrong with THEM. As long as a person thinks that the reason he/she is unhappy or frustrated is OTHER people, or society, then he will never look into his own heart and his own life and see where HE went wrong. Always other peoples’ fault.
So tough love is helpful to get people, such as homosexuals and those who push that agenda, that the fault is within themselves. Currying favor with them, kowtowing to their demands, only increases the sickness, which is now spreading all over the world.
It’s cultural suicide and insanity to surrender to their demands.
(thanks for the kinds words, Pro! Every now and then I just have to let fly...)
Those harsh word are resevered for the "Sons of Perdition" (SOP)and should not be confused with those who are going through the refiner's fire!
Not all bankers are SOP nor are all those who are afflicted with SSA.
Militant Gays would be considered SOP becasue they want to control and over throw good!
With those who are afflicted yes they need to hear sobering language and at the same time know there is a hand waiting to pull over from the darkside!
Once they are made aware than we must be patience as long as they are striving to over come and the comes through the enabling Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. and should they stumble they are not to berate themselves but have courage to continue to study the scriptures feast up,on the words of Christ knowing it might not happen here but to continue on the road of recovery and the Lord will be with them!
The Lord knows our Hearts and Minds and if one is sincere in their walk or jouney.
If we are the eyes and ears, arms and legs for the Lord here on earth we should use them to conform and to encourage these souls to stay the course and not judge them, that is the Lord commission if any are not sincere it is not place.
The Lord has given us the discernment to know the different between the SOP from those who are in bondage!
I really wish you would ponder this more because there are two elements at at work here!
Unconditional love is such a healing balm.
People change their lives because they feel the unconditional love the Lord, not because some group is coercing and shaming them into it, those methods are never real, nor long lasting!
Be it sexual or some other vice the results is the same for all those who are in bondage (be they unclean or call it perversion, it is all the same) and the Savior council us in how we can be of service to or fellowman to uplift and strengthen their walk
Winning the Battle Against Pornography Rory Reid
This is a 54 min talk about 25 mins into the talk a vital componet is spoken about...
Guilt, Shame and Godly Sorrow"
1- Guilt says my behavior is bad
2- Shame says I am bad
3- Godly sorrow or remorse is different
Godly sorrow is a gift of the spirit it a deep relization that our actions have offended the Father and our God it is a sharp awareness that this kind of sin has caused our Savior who knew no sin even the greatest of all to endure agony and suffering and bleed at every pore for our sins.
Once this awareness is awaken than one has a broken heart and contrite spirit this is the prerequisite for true repentance.
Many individuals shame themselves thus impair themselves from the process of feeling this Godly sorrow for their sins.
Godly sorrow is humbling NOT humiliating it a catylist for a transformation of creating for a lasting change.
As one listens to the talk they will see how the opposition can thwort the process of healing. There is so much to listen too in understanding Gods ways vs man limited ability to correct.
The enabling power of the Lord atonement must be allowed to be received, the scorn of men only impedes the process!
Once they are made aware than we must be patience as long as they are striving to over come and the comes through the enabling Power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. and should they stumble they are not to berate themselves, but have courage to continue to study the scriptures feast up,on upon the words of Christ knowing it might not happen here but to continue on the road of recovery and the Lord will be with them!
If we are the eyes and ears, arms and legs for the Lord here on earth we should use them to conform comfort and to encourage these souls to stay the course and not judge them, that is the Lord commission if any are not sincere it is not place.