<![CDATA[Christian Forums - Christian Philosophy & Ethics]]> http://www.christianforums.com The forum to discuss philosophy and ethics from a Christian perspective. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:01:24 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.christianforums.com/style/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Christian Forums - Christian Philosophy & Ethics]]> http://www.christianforums.com Legalism vs Liberalism http://www.christianforums.com/t7418733/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:49:01 GMT At what point do we stand, where we do not ascribe so strictly to the scriptures, that we demand others follow the law, that not even we can follow ourselves, YET not so liberal as to devalue the very scriptures themselves as unprofitable? At what point do we stand, where we do not ascribe so strictly to the scriptures, that we demand others follow the law, that not even we can follow ourselves, YET not so liberal as to devalue the very scriptures themselves as unprofitable? ]]> chris777 http://www.christianforums.com/t7418733/ Good is good because...? http://www.christianforums.com/t7417771/ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:17:47 GMT This is an old chestnut, and you all that know some Plato will be familar with it as the Euthyphro Dilemma. But I make no apologies for posting it. This is a philosophy forum, believe it or not. And it's an important old chestnut.

Is the good, good because God wills it? Or does God will it, because it is good?

If the former, God could will anything to be good - another world might see cannibalism, adultery, and theft to be highly virtuous behaviour. In this case, God's will, and goodness in general, is an arbitrary whim.

If the latter, then there is some external force or power - the good, or morality in general, to which God is accountable. God is no longer a free agent, perfectly omnipotent. He is limited by some set of ethical considerations that precede Him in importance. In this case, our allegience should lie there, and not with God, as a mere intermediary.

The relevance to this forum? So often I see scripture quoted as indicative of God's will, as if that were sufficient to justify the relevant passage. Whatever God wills, as reported in the Bible, is automatically considered to be good, whether it actually is good, or not. It's not an attitude I have much sympathy for. I think the good can be justified on it's own merits, irrespective of both God and the Bible. If 'X' puts forward the position that adulterers should be stoned to death, and claims rightly that there is scriptural support for the sentence, and because of that scriptural provenance God must will it, and because God wills it, it must be good, then I still want to know: Yes, but is this actually good? And (importantly), why is it good?

The justification is vital, rendering both scripture and God properly accountable to us ordinary people. Otherwise, how are we to know whether God is good? If He is inscrutable, He might be evil, and we wouldn't know the difference. So, should no justification be forthcoming, then I will tend to the view that the prescription concerned is a mere matter of opinion, or a prejudice, and may not be good at all, despite it's scriptural status.

I do not for a moment believe that there is anything that God wills that isn't good, or anything good that God doesn't will. I just doubt the infallibilty of scripture as a representation of both the good, and God's will. For me scripture is secondary to my moral sense.

How is it for you?

Best wishes, 2ndRateMind. ]]> 2ndRateMind http://www.christianforums.com/t7417771/ Question To Educated Christians http://www.christianforums.com/t7417575/ Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:03:34 GMT Will we be capable of free-thought and or free-mind in heaven? Why or Why not? Please explain yourself in detail. Thanks Will we be capable of free-thought and or free-mind in heaven?
Why or Why not?
Please explain yourself in detail. Thanks ]]> ThirdEye90 http://www.christianforums.com/t7417575/ The death penalty http://www.christianforums.com/t7417354/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:14:26 GMT Does Jesus' life and teaching demonstrate that there is a better way than 'an eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth', a way that involves redemption and restoration, or should we continue to pander to ancient, and scripturally overridden, codes of justice?

I only ask because I hear on the news that the federal prosecutors of the alleged 9-11 perpetrators will be seeking the execution of certain Guantanamo inmates.

Best wishes, 2ndRateMind. ]]> 2ndRateMind http://www.christianforums.com/t7417354/ Drinking Habits http://www.christianforums.com/t7417105/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:40:38 GMT Hello everyone,

I would like some informed opinions on how I drink alcohol. I want to know if people think it is moral or not.

Some facts:
- I usually drink alcohol 4 or 5 times a week.
- When I drink alcohol, I usually become 'buzzed' or 'tipsy,' that is to say: I can still pretty much walk a straight line, but I am more chatty and social and open.

Occasionally, I do become intoxicated. I have not drank to the point of vomiting in a very, very long time. However, I have drank to the point of having an unclear memory of some things.
- I have never missed anything important due to it.
- I have not had sex or gotten into a fight, nor have I done anything too regrettable. I will admit that I have sung some very bad karaoke songs, and that perhaps a few times I may have been overly talkative or repetitive.

I have been in a culture for the last four years where drinking is not only acceptable but generally what people do at after work, etc.

I will admit: I had done bad things while intoxicated in the past, but I take great care to never get that intoxicated, but rather, I try to maintain a proper limit to make me feel flushed and more sociable and open.

I drink because I enjoy the taste and the feeling, much like someone else might eat certain food or exercise.

Is this unchristian? Or is this OK?

Or is this 'undesirable?'

I am curious on opinions.

I tow a pretty strong line in a lot of my Biblical interpretations and am not liberal in most views, e.g.: the Bible clearly is against promiscuous sex, homosexuality, wrath, etc. etc. and I do not engage in a lot of the prescribed things.

If there was one thing people would say I might do regularly and could prevent as immoral it would be this.

My theory: they speak out against alcoholism in the New Testament because it is destructive to be a heavy drinker and causes people to engage in all sorts of immoral activity.

I think of it as I think of marriage: sex exists only within marriage, and as such, alcohol should also only exist within certain limitations, and that is precisely to not get so drunk that you act immorally.

In the end, if I can consume alcohol responsibly, is there a problem? ]]> Verv http://www.christianforums.com/t7417105/ No joke http://www.christianforums.com/t7417016/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:40:09 GMT *God* can *deny* *nothing* *to* *a* *deray* *and* *should* *he* *ever*, *there* *is* *always* *the* *Devil*. :preach: God can deny nothing to a deray and should he ever, there is always the Devil. :preach: ]]> infinisynth http://www.christianforums.com/t7417016/ <![CDATA["Homosexual is natural therefore it's ok." it's a bad argument.]]> http://www.christianforums.com/t7416684/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:43:34 GMT Logical Fallacies Naturalistic Fallacy (http://www.logicalfallacies.info/relevance/naturalistic/) ^^^ This link will gives you a heads up. It just as nonsense as this argument. Steeling is natural therefore There is nothing wrong with steeling. Logical Fallacies Naturalistic Fallacy
^^^ This link will gives you a heads up. It just as nonsense as this argument.

Steeling is natural therefore
There is nothing wrong with steeling. ]]> super animator http://www.christianforums.com/t7416684/ Desired Gender http://www.christianforums.com/t7415892/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:42:33 GMT So I'm home still sick and there's not a lot on to watch. So I just saw the tail end of the show Born In Wrong Body. Kind of scary. One could be hitting on a guy and it could have been a girl. Or vs versa. Does this bother anyone else?

It's a very interesting topic. And "weird" to be able to choose between being a man or a woman. If a birth certificate says male....how can they ever be recognized as a woman? Even if they look like a woman through surgery....aren't they always technically going to be male? In my mind, yes. You can act any way you want. You can do anything you want. But you're still the gender you were born with.

And people who marry transgender....how does that work? How do people work through that in their mind?

Just because someone may walk like a guy.....doesn't mean they aren't a women. We all have akward things about us.

Which also brings up the thought of what happens when a child is born and the doctors really can't tell if they are male or female....that would be a hard situation to be in as a parent.

Anyways....this can be a very strange topic....

I'll just make sure I ask for a birth certificate before I start dating:P ]]> ~Beauty_from_Pain~ http://www.christianforums.com/t7415892/ Love the sinner? http://www.christianforums.com/t7415749/ Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:56:02 GMT The question I am about to ask is asked in all seriousness. It is not intended as a charge of hypocrisy or a claim that even Christians fail to measure up to their own standards. I believe that it is possible that there is a moral and theological answer to the question, and even if one can't find it, one can benefit from the self-examination and the prayer and meditation involved in the search.

So please don't get all defensive and snide, but rather share with my the results of your honest attempt to look at the question.

Neither do I want snide remarks from those who think that this question will "catch" or "expose" their adveraries. Snide remarks, by either side in any debate have a disconcerting habit of focusing threads in a new direction -- no, make that an old direction, one that has been debated endlessly with each side entrenching itself deeper, with no hope of understanding in sight. Please don't do that to this thread.

[End of the appeal -- on to the point of the post]

Many Christians say that they "hate the sin, but love the sinner." But while their actions clearly show the first, the second is not so obvious.

Some of the things the Bible teaches about love include:
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 5:43-46

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 6:27-38

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
(Emphasis mine)
How do you reconcile these verses with the behavior often seen by Christians? Actions which have sometimes been labelled "tough love," which often come across as hurtful and sometimes even hateful.

How do distinguish between loving but "tough" behavior and hurtful and hateful behavior? Especially when you can't "get into the head" of the one who claims his actions are loving despite their immediate impact?

And what about the second to the Great Commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself"? Are these actions the ones we would want to endure if someone is convinced that what we are doing is a sin? ]]> OllieFranz http://www.christianforums.com/t7415749/ suicide http://www.christianforums.com/t7414561/ Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:29:53 GMT My main question is: As a true Christian, if you commit suicide, are you given a one-way ticket to hell?

I've done quite a bit of online researching here and there. I've also asked my pastors at my church for their point of view. Of course, they all said "YOU GO TO HELL!" Based on basic knowledge of the scripture and the simple research I've done, I believe that if I were to kill myself at this moment, I would go into heaven. Committing suicide is an act of selfishness. Selfishness is a sin. A sin can be forgiven.

Please share some of your answers to this extremely controversial question. I really am curious, too curious for my own good. ]]> knowing http://www.christianforums.com/t7414561/ Homosexual vs. gay http://www.christianforums.com/t7414277/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:54:53 GMT My opinion is irrelevant, but this was brought up at work not long ago, and I won't say what side of the debate I was on... but it certainly was an interesting debate. Here's how it goes, and I'd like to hear your input.

For each of the following examples, assume that all sex outside of marriage is sinful.

1: But what about non-sexual physical relationships. Are we to assume that kissing is a marriage-only activity? Yet, why are two guys making out viewed far less favorably than a young, dating, heterosexual couple?

2: Marriage must include both a man and a woman, in all bible accounts. However, there are PLENTY of cases throughout the bible of polygamy. So, for the sake of this discussion, assume all sex outside of marriage is sin, but polygamy is not.
-Assuming polygamy is acceptable, is it inherently wrong for the wives to love each other as well as the husband? An example of homosexuality (or more accurately "bisexuality") within a legitimate marriage.

3: (And this one is admittedly a long shot, but still interesting to consider) Homosexuality doesn't seem to be discussed in the bible for both sexes. The only examples site that it is wrong for "men to lie with men." Obviously "Men" here aren't a "gender neutral word for humans" ... otherwise, "human men" would be prohibited from lying with "human women." If, every negative example of homosexuality is male-specific... what makes female homosexuality wrong? There is a verse mentioning women "turning from what is natural" ... but this cannot be directly linked to homosexuality, as it could easily refer to beastiality, or any of the pagan practices of the day that mixed sexuality with the supernatural. It can't directly be pinned down to female homosexuality.


Most people argue against homosexuality speaking out against gay men... but the above three topics are definitely more of a challenge. ]]> The Gregorian http://www.christianforums.com/t7414277/ <![CDATA[Seek God's Will]]> http://www.christianforums.com/t7413295/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:57:34 GMT Word from God July 5, 2007 Child, many times I am calling people through my gentle words of warning, admonition, reminders yet many of them remain deaf. Just to call their attention, my hand at times is constrained to allow some situations in their lives that compels them... Word from God July 5, 2007
Child, many times I am calling people through my gentle words of warning, admonition, reminders yet many of them remain deaf. Just to call their attention, my hand at times is constrained to allow some situations in their lives that compels them to respond to my call. I allow suffering, trials, sicknesses, poverty and all manner of circumstances that try men’s souls. In spite of this, let me assure them that these things I allow in love, for the soul will never understand while having the best times in life that there is more to their earthly existence than the five senses can perceive. The soul forever seeks its source who is me alone their creator. Man’s journey through life is full of concerns. Their pervasive desire to go after money, fame, their worldly endeavors oftentimes sidetrack their truest purpose in their creation. Happiness in its purest form that the soul craves for, can only be possible through their intimate relationship with Us, Myself and My Son your Savior. True happiness in your earthly life can be yours if my Son Jesus and your I AM become a part of your daily existence for we know and can guide you to real sources of lasting happiness, a piece of heaven in your heart so to speak, until that very day that the literal heaven is opened up for you.
Everybody seeks what life has to offer and in store for them but if they simply make a decision to love rather than waiting to be loved then this love will come back to them in greater measure.
Seek not the applause of men in anything you do but only think whether your thoughts, words and deeds align with my will, then I tell you that there is nothing that you shall want, whether in this life of yours or in the next for I your Father will never lead you astray. I will bring you to a life that you will enjoy in eternity in a life without end.
Desire only to know my will, walk in my will, stay in my will.
Go in peace!
THE I AM ]]> pfrattali http://www.christianforums.com/t7413295/ <![CDATA["I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike....]]> http://www.christianforums.com/t7413115/ Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:28:52 GMT your Christ..."

Of course it was Ghandi... and we know how the story goes... but... How much valid would that be for "any" religion? About Hindu, Muslim or any ideology ideed? For in theory all ideologies stand but in practice they all fall short...as humans we are living in a fallen world.... :(

Let's examine how valid is this as a statment to "judge" Christians... and should we truly 'judge" them ... or judge ourselves in that sense? Is that what Christ would encourage us to do? Yeah we have to challenge ourselves to see if we are to par with the Christian messege and ideal...but is it a cope out in the final analysis? or a true valid statement... Thoughts? ]]> Philothei http://www.christianforums.com/t7413115/ if a Christian murders someone do they have to go to the police? http://www.christianforums.com/t7412948/ Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:15:42 GMT I was first going to ask *should* they go to the police but I think we will all agree that a Christian should go to the police The question is do they *have to* go to the police? For the sake of argument we are going to presume that this (fictional) person *is* a Christian. So, if a Christian... I was first going to ask should they go to the police
but I think we will all agree that a Christian should go to the police

The question is do they have to go to the police?
For the sake of argument we are going to presume that this (fictional) person is a Christian.

So, if a Christian murders someone do they have to go to the police? ]]> OpenDoor http://www.christianforums.com/t7412948/ How We Compensate When Disconnected from God http://www.christianforums.com/t7412708/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:57:19 GMT When we have lost connection (intimate & emotional) with God, we don't have His love flowing in and through us. His love is that which will truly fulfill and satisfy us deep inside. It is also that which gives us comfort and security.

How did we lose this connection with God? Through sin and wrongdoing. We have all sinned. We commit sin and we run away from God in terror because of shame or because we think He is out to condemn us. Many simply enjoy sinning and doing 'dark deeds' and love their 'independence' from God, and refuse His love. Instead, God wanted all along for us to turn back to Him in repentance and a humble heart, admitting our faults and weaknesses, asking for forgiveness, and be willing to 'sin no more'. Remember, Jesus Christ gave His life for us on the cross and through His sacrifice we have the remission of sins. You need to accept His sacrifice and receive Him into your heart.

God is not looking to condemn you, but He is looking to bring you back into friendship with Him. Ask God to forgive you from your heart and cleanse you. But you must also forgive others from your heart. Don't hold any grudges against anybody.



"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation." 2Cor 5:19



"For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believes in Him is not condemned: but he that does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." John 3: 17-20





What is the key to the Gospel of Jesus Christ? RECONCILIATION BETWEEN GOD AND MAN.
It's a sad fact that most people on planet Earth are running around disconnected from the True God. Many will not repent and turn back to God because they enjoy living in sin and darkness. They refuse to turn to the Light because the Light will expose their sin! But the consequence of this is extremely grave. Read the Word of God to see the final outcome of the unrepentant sinner. It's not good!

Because of our lost connection with God, we don't have what will truly fulfill us most - God's love and acceptance. As long as we remain 'disconnected' from God, we will be endlessly running, spinning our wheels, and never attaining true fulfillment.
God will always love you unconditionally. Nothing you have said or done, or will ever say or do, can cause God to stop loving you.
His love is always available to us, but our hearts must be open to receive it and we must also confess and turn away from all sin.


We compensate for the lack of God's love in our lives by seeking love, admiration, and acceptance from other people foremost, instead of God himself, the source of all love. This is why most crave fame and fortune. We want to impress others. We tend to be 'attention seekers' by showing off what we have or what we can do. All for a show, saying basically, "Look at me! Look at me!", "Admire me!". We are basically trying to fill a void that only God can fill.* We depend on other people to meet this need.


"And the Lord said, 'Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and you have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and you say, He has a devil. The Son of man has come eating and drinking; and you say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her children.' " Luke 7: 31-35




This is basically saying that men and women in this world are running around depending on one another TO GAIN FULFILLMENT in LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE. To be loved and admired by one another but not getting any satisfaction! Only God can satisfy our need to be loved and accepted. There's nothing wrong with being loved and accepted by others, but without God in your life, you will only receive a PORTION of what you need. You need to put GOD FIRST in your life.

Why is 'American Idol' one of the top rated shows on TV? Why are so many trying to get on the show? Think about it.

We try and fill a longing which only God can fill. If we take it to the extreme, we eventually become arrogant, selfish, spoiled, dictatorial, controlling, abusive, 'heartless', and basically obnoxious to everyone around us. We want to 'get' more than we want to 'give' ! We tend to want worship and adoration from others. We want to become 'as a god', so to speak, because the attention and admiration 'feels good'! But it's a downward spiral. The need for others to 'praise us' becomes an addiction. We will want more and more, but it will never satisfy. Only God's love will satisfy. Pride comes before the fall. If you seek out praise and admiration from other people before you seek out God's love for you, you will get yourself into big trouble.


"Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 6:26





We spend the majority of our lives trying to 'show off' and promote ourselves, all in selfishness, to gain approval from others and not realizing that God is the only one who can satisfy that hunger to be accepted and loved. Man is not perfect and our approval should only be sought in God, not man. Man will not fill your need for acceptance!* Man does not know how to love unconditionally because man is basically selfish and self-centered.

The entertainment industry is built on this. The sports industry is built on this: man seeking approval and honor from man. People trying to impress one another with their talents, their 'song and dance'; all for a selfish cause of filling the void in their hearts for the love and attention they crave, that only God's love can fill. And when fame fades away, then what? Will your life be over? Is your life founded on popularity? Your foundation should be on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He is the only way.
Women, why are most of you hung up on make-up and jewelery? Men, why are hung up on money, flashy clothes and fast cars? All for show!


Jesus said:
"How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only?" John 5:44



When we focus on trying to gain man's approval above God's approval, it blocks our faith and trust in God for our lives. We end up living stressful and unfulfilled lives. Do you have children? Love on them with your attention and love, not material things. Teach them to turn to and worship God. The more you do this, the less trouble you will have with them, and they will have, when they're older.

Why do you suppose many of these 'stars' in Hollywood and the music industry have the need to get plastic surgery? They see their attractive bodies aging and wrinkling and their fame going down with it. Old means less attractive. Less attractive means more rejection. Fear of rejection. Nobody likes rejection! Nobody wants to become a 'has been', right? Why do politicians and presidents seek a legacy? The need for glory and acceptance from man, and a need to become immortalized in some way.

Why do you, o famous person, seek to be idolized by the masses? First, idolatry is a sin. Second, fame will fade and then who will you rely on for love and acceptance? Where will it come from? Is it founded on God's love?

Why do you, not so famous person, seek to be rich or seek to 'keep up with your neighbor', to avoid looking lower because you have less or of lesser quality? Are we so superficial? Should we compare ourselves with our neighbor by the 'things' we have?


"And he said unto them, 'Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.' " Luke 12:15

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but trust in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy." I Timothy 6: 17

"Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Phillipians 2: 3 - 4





Seek God and you will receive an eternal legacy in Him and in His way! Overcome this world's ways and become a pillar in His Temple! Stop being an attention seeker... be a God seeker. We all came into this world with nothing, we all leave with nothing.

God sees us all equal in his eyes. Every creature created to be loved by Him without condition and without measure! Don't you know that God has given us ALL things in Christ and therefore there is no need for envy or jealousy? It's a waste of energy. Think about it.

Get out of the trap of always trying to be a 'people pleaser'. Once you get a revelation of God's love for you, your striving to try to prove something to others will stop. We argue and bicker with one another because we seek to 'defend ourselves' and try to be right in others' eyes. We don't want to come out looking 'lower' than them and feeling rejection. We're always trying to 'save face' with one another, all for the purpose of avoiding embarrassment or rejection. This has been ingrained in us since childhood, so it isn't easy to overcome. We need God's help to overcome the fear of 'what other people think', so we need to seek God daily.

We let pride get the better of us and seek to exalt ourselves above our fellow man. The more a man allows himself to feel rejected by another man, the more pride he will fall into. All because we care too much about 'what other people think!' The more you realize and receive God's love for you, the less proud you will be.

Are you rejected by everybody? So what! God never rejects you, but loves you unconditionally and without measure. This is all that counts. This is all you need to know. All else does not matter! God's love will keep you secure.

Once you see the light in this, a great burden will be off your shoulder. Watch and see how much stress and anxiety is reduced in your life! ]]> pfrattali http://www.christianforums.com/t7412708/