• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Status
Not open for further replies.

ToxicReboMan

Always Hungry for Truth
May 19, 2005
1,040
84
42
Texas
✟1,619.00
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Single
Hello AquariumGirl,

Verse one is basically saying do not do your good deeds with the intention that people might notice your righteousness. If it just so happens that you want to help a poor person for example and there happens to be people around that might notice it is fine as long as you are not doing it with the motive to look righteous before others.

Verses 5 and 6 are similar. Do not pray in front of other people just so they can see you praying. That does not mean all prayer is only to be individual and private. Group prayer is good and encouraged. People praying in church might be doing it for different reasons. We can't read their hearts though. Only God can do that of course. It all depends on the motives/intentions of your heart. I hope that helps and makes sense. Peace be with you
 
Upvote 0

rshanen

Member
Apr 25, 2007
59
3
Visit site
✟22,695.00
Faith
Non-Denom
I agree with ToxicReboMan. You have to know what is motivating yourself or what the spirit is that is leading you to do something. If you wish to be mighty in the eyes of man by being perceived as a person of great spiritual strength, you might get up and say some long winded prayer full of strength and power. All the people in the church might admire your grasp of scripture and your brilliance, but that is all the reward you will get. It is nothing in the eyes of God because it was motivated by the vanity or ego of the individual. Prosperity preachers love this type of theater and drama. That is my understanding, hope it helps.
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.