Questions about Idols?

[Mediakira]

Does anyone know much about idols, and such?

I'm really big on movies, video games, and music. I don't know what Christians should be watching. Pretty much now days, not having any of these are if you want to get into Heaven. As, and artist. I'm really into these things, and I'm a sucker for shiny trinkets, and Christ is asking me to get rid of ungodly things, and fast. So, what things are not good for me? If you asked me might be 80% of my things might have to go. What should I keep and not to keep? In my family we don't really have a good since of what is morally good for at all.

I mean my father has allowed me to watch an rated R movie when I as 3-5 years old. And, not really cared, and took my sister to the store to get beer in the middle of the night, in her night gown.

So, you know where I'm leading with this.

So, how can I remain an artist, and follow the simple guide lines? So, I'm used to watching things that don't follow the Bible, because I had a faulty Bible as a kid, and didn't understand what was said half the time. It was like a different language. But I do like the amplified Bible of King James, It really helps me. But I'm stiff not sure what to hang on to. Can someone help me on this? Please? It would help, I'm really being pressured on this, please no misleading conducted and attack. Just help me on this lesson, so, I can feel at ease. Please!

 

[Alive_Again]

It's good to have a "house cleansing". The TV, radio, etc., are gates and can allow evil spirits into our homes and they will set up camp unless we close the doors and don't allow them entry.

If you can't watch something with Jesus, you shouldn't watch it at all. If it has foul language, fleshy scenes, murder and violence, horror flicks, etc., you should keep it out of your house.

If you're feeling convicted about the stuff you watch and listen to, start reducing what you know is wrong first. Stuff with magic and sorcery, vampirism is a big no-no.

When God started to call me back from a big backsliding, I had hundreds of CDs and rare recordings, DVDs, videos of concerts, etc. These bands were pretty corrupt and worldly. I knew if I wanted to stay free, they had to go. I would consider this when the Holy Spirit started to "woo" me". I had huge directories of mp3s (entire band catalogues). I started to delete a few directories of stuff I didn't really listen to a lot. I came back later and deleted one band and I started feeling better. I zapped a couple dozen CDs worth of mp3s and I started feeling a lot better! I deleted a couple of hundred concerts and I could see that I could do this! A few days later I knocked off a couple more favorite bands. In a week or so, I had almost all of it gone. I took the discs over to a friend and sold them for a pretty small sum. I took DVDs and books to half price books and got a paltry amount. I tossed a lot of collectibles and converted some autographed things into offerings.

I started to think more clearly.

You would do well to renounce verbally your involvement with certain types of music and movies. Put a name on the theme and renounce it. Evil spirits have names according to their assignments. Bind up spirits of divination, magic, mind control, ungodly sex, murder, and violence, etc. Make a list. Renounce them and call them out by name in the name of Jesus. That's how you take authority over wicked spirits. Use the name of Jesus.

Devils are legalists. If we give them a legal right to oppress us due to partaking of their defiled stuff, they move in and oppress. They are defeated foes. Read in the Bible what it says about the name of Jesus and binding and loosing. Resisting the devil after submitting to God.

If you've never done this before you can make up a long list. I had one after years of backsliding. I was a mess. You can be free of all of that and ask God to cleanse you in His blood. Ask Him to free you of the junk they bring that defiles. Use the name of Jesus. Apply the blood of Jesus over the doorposts of your house (verbally and in faith).

You can pick up a book on this or find some teaching on the Internet. There's probably some on Youtube as well.

Verbally renouncing forms of sin (specifically) means you're repenting of involvement in those activities.

Here's a good standard of behavior on what goes into your ear, eye, and mouth gates.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Phil 4:8-9

Worldly music is laced with traps to get you to speak things contrary to the will of God for you life. Plus, God has other plans for our lips. Praise, thanksgiving, speaking His Word, words of love, etc. We must count the cost of following Him and make the quality choice you're talking about and getting free of the sins that so easily beset us.

You're looking into making good choices. I commend you to follow through. Get some teaching about it that is scripturally based. Get into spiritual warfare, because you're picking it up whether you're ignorant of it or not.

You can use your artistic gifts for the Kingdom of God.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, Phil. 4:8-9 is very good to read and to meditate on, asking God to teach you and lead you (as with all of His Word). We need to walk in pureness (holiness) and honor God in all that we say or do or think.

 

[asiyreh]

Med you're probably better taking this one to the theology section. Idolatry can be tricky. I tend not to give advice on this as I come from an RC background and I'm really against it. Most Christians seem to appreciate Christian art though. Take it to the theology section those guys will love a thread like this.

 

[travelfan]

Also, as the Holy Spirit transforms you, I think you'll find that the music and film you like will change as well. I used to love violent hip-hop and I was worried that God would "force" me to give it up. But as I let Christ transform me, I found myself sick at the filth of what I was listening to. Might I suggest a media fast? This has been so helpful to me on the past. For 30 days, listen to only Christian music, only view Christian sites, only read Christian books, etc. Let the Holy Spirit change you. When you come back to non-secular media, I think you'll find your views change, and you'll have the discernment to see what is healthy. It's not about forcing your taste in art to fit Christ, it's about letting Him change you in every aspect of your life, and embracing the resulting changes in your taste.

 

[nancy44]

I love you... You are mine...
Your name is written upon My heart.
Your prayers are precious to Me.
Your life is in My hands.
I am always with you.
I am nearer to you than your own heart.
I gave My life so that you might live forever with me.
So can I ask you to be mine?

-Jesus-

 

[vjcoppola]

I think you are on the right path. You know stuff has to go. Thank God.

How to discern? What stays and what goes? What do I do with my talents.

Remember, God is Holy. You were created in His image and He wants you to be holy too. Strive to be Christ like. That is where our real freedom is. Live in the Spirit, not in the flesh.

Ask the questions:
Does this glorify God?
Does this bring me closer to God?
Does my art glorify God?
Is this how a Holy person behaves?

May God bless you with His presence and understanding

 

[Peripatetic]

What can be an idol to one person can be a part of a healthy, balanced life to another. Movies, video games, and music can all be just fine in moderation if they don't come between you and God.

What is appropriate and how often we should do it may be dependent on the person. Romans 14 talks about "disputable matters" that can be sinful for one person but not another depending on their convictions. His examples are things like eating meat and drinking alcohol, but I believe that different types of TV, movies, and video games apply here too.

I'll give a few examples in my life:

I used to enjoy horror movies, but later felt a conviction that they weren't good for me. I'm not legalistic about it, but I almost never watch them anymore. However, I acknowledge that some Christians can watch them without the same conviction that I have.

On the other hand, I can listen to secular rock music with no convictions (as long as the lyrics aren't offensive). I know that some people only feel comfortable with Christian or Classical music, and I respect that.

My personal view on video games has more to do with time than anything. Playing games with my kids has given our family valuable time together and good memories. I'm a night owl, but I don't play video games late at night anymore because other things are more important to me.

Your results may vary.

 

[Matariki]

An idol from the Christian perspective is essentially something that you deem to either be more important than God or equal with God.

I do like the analogies of 'what would Jesus do?' and 'does this glorify God?', because they remind me of what is morally wrong. Its good to also get into the habit of asking yourself 'why this wrong?' or 'why is this right?', I know some people like to leave at 'because God said so', but I think its also important to understand why 'God said so' so you're able to have greater appreciation for God's commandments.

 

[Mediakira]

Right now, I have been put under pressure, about how I'm really taking care of myself. I have been holding my childish ways for far too long. I thought I was putting too much stress upon it. But of course that could be it. If your overburdened like a hoarding pack rat. But I think, I was hold on to past dreams that where too unrealistic.

I have held on to my entertainment things, as a way of learning to my future career. But as I was looking into my past work. My work is to ugly to be anything under God's eyes. I didn't know my work was that bad. But, I was trying to make it into a perspective of someone who is not a Christian to understand the works of God. But, at this moment. I'm waiting, for His approval. Or, His perspective, since it was based on His ways anyway. I might end up changing many things. It's meant to scare the non-Christians into believing. But I can wait. I'm sure, God has a better thing in mind. He did create me. lol

Watching "Chicago Fire" this month. Has, made me think too. I didn't know, how bad I was into the creative outlet. That, I have put myself, hidden away from reality. I believe, God was trying to get me to pull out, so I can see a better perspective, of what God was trying to get through to me. Thanks to God, He is not done with me yet. I realize I have addictive personality disorder. I think I know what it is. I read it before. I believe it was created by abuse, and mistreatment as a child. It took me a while to get out of it. Today, it finally made me realize what was happening. Perhaps, this lesson would keep me from getting back into this horrible habit.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Martin Luther once commented (I'm going by vague memory here) that whatever is most important to us is our god. Thus an idol is that, other than God, that occupies the place of chief importance in our lives. It's what we dedicate our foremost thoughts to.

Anything can be an idol. Our jobs, our families, hobbies. Perhaps more pernicious though is that even our religious ambition(s) can become idolatry.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Girder of Loins]

Martin Luther once commented (I'm going by vague memory here) that whatever is most important to us is our god. Thus an idol is that, other than God, that occupies the place of chief importance in our lives. It's what we dedicate our foremost thoughts to.

Anything can be an idol. Our jobs, our families, hobbies. Perhaps more pernicious though is that even our religious ambition(s) can become idolatry.

-CryptoLutheran

QFT

 

[asiyreh]

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2

 

[Mediakira]

Martin Luther once commented (I'm going by vague memory here) that whatever is most important to us is our god. Thus an idol is that, other than God, that occupies the place of chief importance in our lives. It's what we dedicate our foremost thoughts to.

Anything can be an idol. Our jobs, our families, hobbies. Perhaps more pernicious though is that even our religious ambition(s) can become idolatry.

-CryptoLutheran

That's actually true. I had a addiction to the works that I was into. For many years. I didn't know it was actually becoming a poison to me. I actually lost my whole understanding of who I was meant to be. I have no desire to do any drugs, or liquor. But I had entertainment. And I was actually using that as my escape. So, yeah, it was bad. I actually try to use it as a job, and career. But as I was trying to do the work. I got sick. And it was good. Because I lost my reality. Not, good. lol

 

[ViaCrucis]

That's actually true. I had a addiction to the works that I was into. For many years. I didn't know it was actually becoming a poison to me. I actually lost my whole understanding of who I was meant to be. I have no desire to do any drugs, or liquor. But I had entertainment. And I was actually using that as my escape. So, yeah, it was bad. I actually try to use it as a job, and career. But as I was trying to do the work. I got sick. And it was good. Because I lost my reality. Not, good. lol

One of the things I wanted to take aim at is how often we as Christians often succumb to our desiring of personal righteousness or personal holiness. What I mean is that it is very easy for us, in desiring to live rightly (which is a good thing, we should desire--to hunger and thirst after--righteousness) to completely miss the point. And in our quest to reach a "personal holiness" we have obsessed over ourselves, our own works, our own ability and in doing completely look past the Cross.

Righteousness does not come by personal effort, but rather comes to us from the Cross of Christ. It is imparted to us, extra nos, "outside ourselves". Our eyes should be firmly on Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.

In so doing (these obsessed pursuits to a personal holiness) we sometimes get caught up in bizarre patterns of legalism: don't watch movies, don't dress this or that way, don't listen to this music, do this, don't do that. We create artificial codes of personal holiness which do nothing for us except to either feed and inflate the sinful ego or else bring us an overwhelming dread as obstacle after obstacle is put between us and the free and unconditional mercy of God.

But when we see Christ, freely given to and for us, and that righteousness does not come by our works but by the imputed mercies of God who gives us faith; we rather than obsessing over our quest toward a personal holiness instead rather focus on the Crucified Jesus who is for us and with us. In this we can find a liberated life dedicated to truly good works that benefit our neighbor--feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, serving and loving and being kind. Works of faith, flowing out from a grateful heart in thanksgiving to God. Works that do not improve our position before God, but rather works that show forth the goodness and mercy of God toward others.

The idolatry of a legalistic mind is a uniquely religious sort of idolatry, and is why it is so pernicious. A good desire--to be righteous--is twisted by our sinful flesh into an idol which puffs ourselves up leading to haughtiness, pride, and the very opposite of righteousness. But when we look upon Christ, the Son of the Living God, our idols are burned up in the fires of grace.

So we ought always keep focused on Christ, who freely offers Himself to us. Remembering that this Christian life is never about us going up, it is not about ascending a ladder; but rather it is always about God who has come down--who always comes down--to us, meeting with us in mercy.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Yahu]

Does anyone know much about idols, and such?

I'm really big on movies, video games, and music. I don't know what Christians should be watching. Pretty much now days, not having any of these are if you want to get into Heaven. As, and artist. I'm really into these things, and I'm a sucker for shiny trinkets, and Christ is asking me to get rid of ungodly things, and fast. So, what things are not good for me? If you asked me might be 80% of my things might have to go. What should I keep and not to keep? In my family we don't really have a good since of what is morally good for at all.

Now material things shouldn't be more important then Yah but that is NOT what scripture is generally talking about when dealing with idols or idolatry. People tend to carry those teachings to an extreme IMO.

Idols had to do with worship of spiritual forces, ie the pagan deities and was heavily involved in witchcraft. The old testament was primarily dealing with the Canaanite idolatry/paganism and the new testament about the Greek paganism.

 

[trulyconverted]

Dear Mediakira,

When one is made born again by God, everything becomes new. Most of the things we love, do not matter anymore. We do not need to struggle as to what to do or not to do because the Holy Spirit in us will be there to guide us, in the truest sense of it.

I think we need to get back to the basics. We need to be converted by God first to actually start a Christian life.

 

[Peripatetic]

When one is made born again by God, everything becomes new. Most of the things we love, do not matter anymore. We do not need to struggle as to what to do or not to do because the Holy Spirit in us will be there to guide us, in the truest sense of it.

Some of your wording here needs to be clarified. You said, "most of the things we love do not matter anymore". While it is true that *things* should no longer be loved as idols, they certainly still matter and we can love them in the looser, enjoyment sense of the word. If a non-Christian "loves" Jazz music, coffee, Star Wars movies, and adventure novels, that doesn't need to change when they become a Christian as long as they are enjoyed in moderation.

Also, you said that we do not need to struggle as to what to do or not to do after conversion. While the Holy Spirit and scripture will guide us in many decisions, there are many where we will continue to struggle. All Christians still have conflicting ideas because we are still influenced by the world and emotions that don't come from God. I wouldn't want new Christians to think they don't have the Holy Spirit simply because they still struggle with decisions, ethics, etc.