If it is not of God, then it is of this world and is against God. So....?

Question

So... where do we draw the line? Are we (believers) to take part in things that aren't "of God" but don't "appear" bad? Where do you draw the line with music and with TV and with conversation topics and places we go? What is the inbetween? How are we supposed to be "in" this world but not "of" it?

Dear The Hated Truth,
no judgement here at all.
Just a question. Kind of curious where people stand on this. But remember, we are to judge right and wrong, we are not to judge who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. No condemnation though. Everything with love and consideration.

angeltress, it's not that simple. The obvious is obvious and not dangerous. It's the things that aren't obviously wrong that trick us

Answer 1

Your question is a good one. I will pass a little advise along to you that was given to me. Quote: "Some people are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good." This isn't a criticism but a reminder....Jesus fellowshipped with folks that the religious leaders of His day wouldn't be caught dead with. We live on this earth (world) and that is a fact. Try not to get real caught up in the little things...there are much more important issues than what TV show we watch, music we listen to, ect. All these things will fall into their proper places if you are focused on what really matters. Blessings!

Answer 2

The Holy Spirit within will be the best way to know if you are participating in something offensive to God. Not all secular activity is detrimental. Much of it these days is. When you get that check in the spirit, it's time to change direction. You already are in the world, just don't do what they do. Be an example. Look at how many are looking for something lasting rather than the temporary things this world has to offer. There are a lot of people who want more and that's because we are created with a need for God. Why would God create us any other way. The world is trying to fill that void with their things but it won't work. Only One fills that need.


Phil 4:
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Answer 3

and what if there is is no god how can you be against nothing try thinking in terms of good and bad instead you will be received by a more mature and seriously intelligent group maybe not so much on YA but elsewhere. to start with such an intellectual farce is not only looking for trouble from fanantics but giving credtic to ignorance and confused thinking to a great extent . it's the conceptual idea of god that people are against not an actual god or else it would have been over right from the start so strike me down with lightening and send me to the fabled hell right now if don't have your wits about you.

Answer 4

I always ask the Holy Spirit about everything. He tells me and then this is what I do. We are going to be persecuted for the stand that we need to take. Don't worry about being popular, because once you really start listening and obeying, all hell will break loose against you. You must stand though, for Jesus.

Answer 5

JC, these are rather philosophical questions concerning faith. As a Catholic Christian, let me share with you my thoughts concerning your questions.

I believe your first question, concerning 'not of the this world' relates more to faith filled believers attempting to obey God's words/commandments. Human nature allows each of us to choose our own paths - either to the right or to the left. Going right assures us of meeting with God as we draw our last breath; on the other hand, if we choose to go to the left, then we allow darkness and it's evil to conquer us. Thus, if we allow darkness (some refer to darkness as the devil) into our lives, then we are 'of this world' and not of God's world .

So, you ask, where do we draw the line? Tough question and not easily answered. However, most of what surrounds us each day is not of God's plan. We are absolutely beseiged with suggestive sexuality in music and Television.
It's hard not to be exposed to this, It's equally as hard not to enjoy either of these venues.

Where to draw the line should be what's inside you. It's your conscience and your awareness of God that suggests how you handle things/situations you know God would find offensive.

We should be in this world enjoying the beauty God has given freely to us. For example, babies/children, nature, water, birds/animals, family/friends are all things of God - things that we can knowingly enjoy without hurting God. When we consider taking part in things that are not of God and 'appear' (and appear is the operative word here) to be okay/good (music, TV, conversations/places to go, etc), we are willingly expressing our approval of things that are not right - which are things not of God but of this world.

As far as the 'in between' question goes, I believe it's only Catholics that know this to be 'purgatory.' This is the place between heaven and hell where God sends us for purification of our souls that have sinned throughout our lives.

I suspect if you're asking these kinds of questions, you must really be trying to understand faith and how it relates to you and your life. It's not easy, but it seems you're trying to make sense of it all for yourself. This is a good thing, JC.

Answer 6

try looking up the "For The Strength of Youth" pamphlet on lds.org this will give you some pretty definate "lines" with regards to media etc that i follow... Be in the world but not of the world- are you LDS?

Answer 7

oooohhhh, this is a spicy one...if you're a true believer...
if you read the bible, God gave us common sense; the ability to reason and think, what seperates from animals...
you draw the line by examining. is it good for me? does it have any benefit for me?
we are "in " this world as living ON it...not participating in things that harm our bodies (think drugs, tattoos,etc.), and setting examples of our beliefs...
we're not "of" it i explained above

hope this helps...

Answer 8

"The just shall live by faith." "To the pure ALL things are pure"
"Judge not and you will not be judged". Stop judging every thing and everybody. Just start loving everyone with eyes of mercy, tolerance and grace. Be so Happy.

Answer 9

You might try using common sense...
If it looks like something "bad", and it sounds like something "bad"...chances are it is something bad.
Turn the channel, change the subject, go somewhere else...

It really is that simple.