I am guessing that we'd all be having even bigger problems if we watched a Britney Spears videos, and didn't have a few lustful feelings arise.
These feelings have been provided to us for a reason. Such feelings are a blessing, and to not have them would be the curse.
Interesting, I thought that lust was one of the seven deadly sins.
Sometimes, Christians have a tendency to stress their virtues to a worst effect than the vices that they were designed to control.
To live a life centred primarily on satiation of appetites does indeed lead to death. This is one of the lessons of the Garden of Eden. Our will is a muscle that must be exercised through developing the proper amount of control and self-discipline and even sacrifice.
The appetite is not the end, in and of itself. If temptation were the sin, that would make even a sinner out of Jesus.
Yet, following the thoughts of such a saints as Bernard, and one is led to an understanding of how the love called eros, is but another aspect of agape. Sexual love leads to love of life, and beyond to love of the Creator who created us male and female.
Maybe try listening to Christian music instead? I haven't seen any Christian music videos, so I wouldn't know if they are wholesome or not. Has anyone seen any Christian videos to comment?
__________________ If the wrinkles MUST be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old. ---James Garfield
Sometimes, Christians have a tendency to stress their virtues to a worst effect than the vices that they were designed to control.
To live a life centred primarily on satiation of appetites does indeed lead to death. This is one of the lessons of the Garden of Eden. Our will is a muscle that must be exercised through developing the proper amount of control and self-discipline and even sacrifice.
The appetite is not the end, in and of itself. If temptation were the sin, that would make even a sinner out of Jesus.
Yet, following the thoughts of such a saints as Bernard, and one is led to an understanding of how the love called eros, is but another aspect of agape. Sexual love leads to love of life, and beyond to love of the Creator who created us male and female.
I would agree, but eros is not the same as lust. And Christ practiced all of the virtues and noticably absent was "the virtue of eros". The Theotokos is also praised as virtuous for not practicing this "virtue".
Eros is just a shadow of agape, as well as the other types of love mentioned, filial? etc.
Maybe try listening to Christian music instead? I haven't seen any Christian music videos, so I wouldn't know if they are wholesome or not. Has anyone seen any Christian videos to comment?
I have seen G-rock and other music video shows on TBN, and of course there will be nothing that will tempt you. Unfortunately, they are rarely on, so this is a poor alternative to MTV and secular music videos.
Also, lust is a powerful thing. It does not justify in watching Britney Spears and thinking about her sexually. If it causing you to sin, do not watch it. It is much easier than plucking out your eye (not meant literally).
I have seen G-rock and other music video shows on TBN, and of course there will be nothing that will tempt you. Unfortunately, they are rarely on, so this is a poor alternative to MTV and secular music videos.
Also, lust is a powerful thing. It does not justify in watching Britney Spears and thinking about her sexually. If it causing you to sin, do not watch it. It is much easier than plucking out your eye (not meant literally).
thanks everyone here for your support, it never ceases to amaze me how great you all are!! I do not feel I am being judged here, but guided.
__________________ Today Americans would be outraged if UN troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will pledge with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.
- Henry Kissinger in an address to the Bilderberger meeting at Evian, France, May 21, 1992. -
- "We shall have a World government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World government will be achieved by conquest or consent." James Paul Warburg, February 17, 1950, before the U.S. Senate-
I find it interesting that everyone hops in with "Your interpretation is wrong, here's mine; it's right"
Rather than giving you my interpretation of the scripture straight out of the chute, I'd like to ask you this: Is YOUR interpretation of that scripture indicating to you that you should not watch Britney Spears videos? I'm willing to put up dollars against donuts that your not going to find a theology book out there that says "Mark 9:47 is dictating that Revelations12_12 should not watch Britney Spears videos in the year 2005". Thats is NOT to say your interpretation shouldn't be that. When you read that passage and the witness in your heart tells you "Dang, thats about me & the lust I feel when I watch those videos"...well, my brother, you know what you have to do at that point. It's a matter of chosing to obey or disobey what The Word is telling YOU.
Now for my interpretation of the scripture (and the ones before/after it that directly relate)....of course, my interpretation is 100% correct, just like everyone elses *laughs*
Mark 9:43 "If your hand offends you, cut it off...."
Interpretation: Hand = actions or works. If your actions are leading you into sin, stop them. Better to do less and not sin, than do more plus sin.
Mark 9:45 "If your foot offends you, cut it off..."
Interpretation: Foot = location, where you are physically. If where you are is leading you to sin, don't be there, or don't go there anymore. It is better to go fewer places and not sin, than go more places plus sin.
Mark 9:47 "If your eye offends you, pluck it out..."
Interpretation: Eye = what you look at. If what you are looking at causes you to sin, quit looking at it. It is better to see less and not sin, than see more plus sin.
That's my personal interpretation of the passages. These interpretations have helped me lead a more pure life and therefore I will continue to embrace them, regardless of what someone else claims is "the right interpretation". If I sin less because of the way I see the scriptures, then its between God and me whether it was "word for word correct and valid".
May His Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, brother.
T777
P.S. The seven deadly sins someone mentioned a bit ago. Just out of curiousity....what chapter and verse can I find those in?
__________________ If you don't hate me yet...just wait a few posts. Keep your "-ists" and "-isms" to yourself. THE ONLY BOX I PLAN ON FITTING IN, IS A COFFIN.
I find it interesting that everyone hops in with "Your interpretation is wrong, here's mine; it's right"
Rather than giving you my interpretation of the scripture straight out of the chute, I'd like to ask you this: Is YOUR interpretation of that scripture indicating to you that you should not watch Britney Spears videos? I'm willing to put up dollars against donuts that your not going to find a theology book out there that says "Mark 9:47 is dictating that Revelations12_12 should not watch Britney Spears videos in the year 2005". Thats is NOT to say your interpretation shouldn't be that. When you read that passage and the witness in your heart tells you "Dang, thats about me & the lust I feel when I watch those videos"...well, my brother, you know what you have to do at that point. It's a matter of chosing to obey or disobey what The Word is telling YOU.
Now for my interpretation of the scripture (and the ones before/after it that directly relate)....of course, my interpretation is 100% correct, just like everyone elses *laughs*
Mark 9:43 "If your hand offends you, cut it off...."
Interpretation: Hand = actions or works. If your actions are leading you into sin, stop them. Better to do less and not sin, than do more plus sin.
Mark 9:45 "If your foot offends you, cut it off..."
Interpretation: Foot = location, where you are physically. If where you are is leading you to sin, don't be there, or don't go there anymore. It is better to go fewer places and not sin, than go more places plus sin.
Mark 9:47 "If your eye offends you, pluck it out..."
Interpretation: Eye = what you look at. If what you are looking at causes you to sin, quit looking at it. It is better to see less and not sin, than see more plus sin.
That's my personal interpretation of the passages. These interpretations have helped me lead a more pure life and therefore I will continue to embrace them, regardless of what someone else claims is "the right interpretation". If I sin less because of the way I see the scriptures, then its between God and me whether it was "word for word correct and valid".
May His Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path, brother.
T777
P.S. The seven deadly sins someone mentioned a bit ago. Just out of curiousity....what chapter and verse can I find those in?
I spent some time thinking of a response to this post.. all I can think of is thank you.
__________________ Today Americans would be outraged if UN troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful! This is especially true if they were told there was an outside threat from beyond whether real or promulgated, that threatened our very existence. It is then that all peoples of the world will pledge with world leaders to deliver them from this evil. The one thing every man fears is the unknown. When presented with this scenario, individual rights will be willingly relinquished for the guarantee of their well being granted to them by their world government.
- Henry Kissinger in an address to the Bilderberger meeting at Evian, France, May 21, 1992. -
- "We shall have a World government, whether or not we like it. The only question is whether World government will be achieved by conquest or consent." James Paul Warburg, February 17, 1950, before the U.S. Senate-
I spent some time thinking of a response to this post.. all I can think of is thank you.
Well, you are most welcome, brother.
Be blessed.
T777
__________________ If you don't hate me yet...just wait a few posts. Keep your "-ists" and "-isms" to yourself. THE ONLY BOX I PLAN ON FITTING IN, IS A COFFIN.
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