Do you want to have a cigar?
As I said before, 'it's personal'. I wasn't implying you have to be like me but you seem to be implying that I must be like you - otherwise I'm weak!
Not at all. You can be weak without trying to be like me.
I showed you where it was, for me! Somehow that bothers you even though you asked for Scripture
No, actually you didn't, and that has been the main point of my response. There's nothing in that passage about whether or not one can enjoy a cigar. There are general statements in the Bible about how we ought to care for our bodies for Christ's sake, and there are specific lists of morally objectionable activities (adultery, murder, etc), but there is nothing specific about the original matters that were raised (drinking and smoking). And there is certainly nothing in the Bible about some automatic abuse of a thing by the members because of the pastor. (Recall, “What the priest does in moderation, the lay person does in excess?”) That's all I was trying to say.
Now, if I had a piece of chocolate cake in the house, I'd have it - for some reason I think I deserve it right now! ;)
Ah, works righteousness. :-)
And I confess that I ate a pint of Ben&Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk tonight after supper. We all have what we affectionately call our “indulgences” and as long as it’s not every night after supper, I’m ok with it. Some people, however, have “addictive personalities” and for them one little drink turns into a binge so they cannot even have that one drink. The same with most every other thing in our lives that can control us.
Metmom’s original comment had to do with the example of pastors over their flock and how someone could rationalize or justify their actions based on the actions of one they look up to. Personally, I think someone in a position of this kind should be an example, and a good one, to all those within their service. We each have to answer before God for how we conduct our lives and those who are in ministry have a higher standard than we do mainly because of the example they set. I don’t think Metmom is trying to insist on anything other than this way of thinking regarding the impact we make on others who look up to us.