The desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes and the showy display of our means of life can make a person lose their spirituality. This applies to all, not just a select few. However, if we are confusing something a lot of people think about the Witnesses, that they deny themselves certain things like, beer, then it's probably due to rumour and mis-heard stories. If you don't know the Witnesses well, ask them next time you see one or see one posting on the Forum.
Pretty much, if you were married and it's something you wouldn't want your wife to know that you do... it's probably a sin.
(assuming your spouse isn't just unreasonable, and assuming a healthy relationship) If you have to lie about drinking alcohol... it's sinful for you. If you have to lie about listening to certain music, it's sinful for you. If you have to lie about what you fantasize about while masturbating, it's sinful for you.
If you're comfortable with your spouse knowing it, it's USUALLY not a sin.
I use spouse instead of grandmother because sex is not a sin in the right context.... and you are not going to want your grandmother to know anything about your sex life with your wife/husband.
Also... keep in mind, everything can be taken to an excess... there is NOTHING wrong with alcohol in itself. Jesus' first miracle was turning water to wine. Jesus' last real discussion with the apostles, Jesus instructed them to drink wine, and keep doing so in remembrance of him. But abusing alcohol is wrong. There's nothing wrong with taking pain killers... as long as they're not abused. There's nothing wrong with strawberries... but I've heard of people eating too many and getting sick... although a bad idea to eat too many, it's probably not "sinful" unless you intentionally harm yourself or others via strawberries.
Last measurement: If it strengthens your relationship with God... it's likely to be good. If it weakens your relationship with God, it's likely to be evil.
There's nothing wrong with TV... but if what you watch causes you to swear out of control, and hurts your spirituality... what you're watching, or how much you watch it should be adjusted.
When in doubt, pray... Of course it could be my imagination, but I've had plenty of times praying for clarification on an issue and often before I finish my sentence silently in my head everything just makes perfect sense and I think of a point of view I've never even considered. I wouldn't claim that God's "Directly speaking to me" like you hear on the radio where some pastors talk about how "I was talking to God and God said 'chuck, listen, I want you to tell the people...'" ... That's a lie, I don't believe God talks to people so directly at the moment... but I don't think it's uncommon for God to help people understand things.
yea... long story short... JW's definition of "sin" isn't unreasonably strict. Read your bible, pray, let your conscience guide you and you probably won't go wrong... and if you honestly tried and were wrong, God will forgive you.
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
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Last measurement: If it strengthens your relationship with God... it's likely to be good. If it weakens your relationship with God, it's likely to be evil.
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That is just so true, thank you, if we always could keep that in mind our world and lives, and the lives of the people around us, would be so much better! SY
One thing to remember is that the conscience is a powerful thing. Remember, the first covenant was written in stone. The new covenant is a law God wrote "on the tablet of [our] heart[s]." People know what's right and wrong... although too many ignore their conscience and deny the law they know.
__________________ John 17:1-26
Galations 5:19-25 1 Corinthians 13:1
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