This might sound a bit like a debate but the question came across my mind when I was thinking about my own issues.
Im wondering in what ways people have ensured they are not isolating themselves and are participating with others in society while being a good Christian? Has it only really been possible through mixing mostly just with other Christians or has it been easy to find the right balance?
I have isolated myself for a long time but wish to make sure I start mixing with others though with that comes unhealthy temptations. Im single, a virgin and I don't mix with many people..I don't wish to stay like this but I wonder whether anyone here has successfully changed from being like I am now, to being someone who can participate in a lot of things without being tempted into sinning too much? I have a history of gender dysphoria and living a female to male transgender lifestyle which I am now repenting against so I would feel nervous and guilty about the potential of sinning again so soon
For a good portion of college, Ive identified as bisexual, up til last year. It has not been easy, but getting into your Word is what is going to transform you. I feel like that realm of LGBT, the huge common factor is the confusion of gender identity, so in that aspect I can relate to you. When I left, it was like a "now what? Where do I start? How does being me in this body suppose to work?". So for that, you need to be able to discern truth from lies, to know when you are vulnerable and your triggers. And be able to find some sort of group to sort things out. The goal with that is to eliminate the anxiety and fear of having thoughts. Do not fear thoughts, thoughts are nothing without desire and actions.Once I seperated my temptation from my identity, I was no longer a slave to it, and I saw it for what it is. You are saved, your past is over, that transgender part is dead, your identity is now in Christ. You are now what you are created to be, a woman, not some sexual classification foolishness, so strive to be comfortable and confident in it. Learn what it means to be a woman in Christ.
If anyone ask you who you are now, you tell them you are a woman. If they bother you about identity, tell them your identity is with Christ.Thats all people need to know and thats all that matters.
In terms of how to be able to co-exist with society.You have to first establish the things that you would and would not do. Some are more clearly stated than others. You also have to know what you would be tempted to do. But more importantly, don't lose sight of the kingdom.
You'll find that there are things that although you can do, it would not be wise to do. There are things that you just cannot participate in or you know that it will not glorify God. Remember the commission, to go out to all the world and preach the gospel, to make disciples. I feel when you organize your life with that goal, you end up talking with more non-believers than you think. But they will be meeting that are of quality.
You rep God wherever you go, and people have to see God through you. A good indicator is that they are not coming for you to do careless things, they see you as someone wholesome in their ways, and you spark deep conversations about the most important things in this life, like their soul, and why the world works the way it does, and what about this God that you talk about. when someone meets with you, and wants to talk to you, it has to be of an expectation that they will leave enriched.
So its important that you decipher the environment in which youre able to be a good witness to them. So that right there would eliminate things like clubbing, or bars, or parties that are rowdy, or gatherings that are about chaos. Your time is of quality. This frees you up to a whole range of things you can do and participate. When I witness those who are in sinful lifestyle, its like they repeat a vicious cycle of things they do, their world is limited to the small little god they made of theirselves. They only feel lead to talk to those that agree with them, that agree with their lifestyle.
But this walk with Christ is teaching me how to reach out to people period. My choices of what I want to do feels unlimited, im not bound to my own world, my heart is towards reaching out to as many. It pushes me to understand other people, their mindset, to desire to gain knowledge and examine myself. I volunteer more, I talk to people more, I'm challenge everyday on how to be a better servant. I also don't feel bound to career and jobs or location, because my view changed from my little world, to His entire creation, and there's loads of events, places, and organizations I can do to further the kingdom. I'm not idle. And I meet on people that I learn from, and that I can share my testimony and love of God to and again, make the time of quality.
So you are a child of God, your time is of quality, so be about creating and participating things that are of quality. My lifestyle before brought about very little value,it produced nothing but temporary things. But being about the Father's business and sharing it with others, you are like a spiring of water for everyone.
