Pondering — Living What You Believe
Living what you believe can be a difficult thing to do at times. There is often pressure from others. If those other people have a completely different view of the world it is not so difficult but what do you do when the pressure comes from those who claim the same worldview you hold? This is something that I have found to be a cause of stress in my life. Being a follower of Christ one would hope that others who follow Christ would be an encouragement to continue to live according to the scripture. This, however, is not always the case. Often times there is the thread of the cultural mentality of what is good or right for one may not apply to another. The question remains though, how does one reconcile this with absolute truth?
There are some things that are indeed not explicit in scripture but it does not mean that the scriptures are completely silent on the matter. Difficulty lies when those who claim to believe the same things find that one individual holds to a higher standard than the other. There is fault on both sides of the matter. Sometimes people can be too pushy with their convictions rather than simply explaining them and telling why they hold to those and then allowing the Lord to work. People should however feel free to share their convictions and to share them with zeal. Yet, often times, when people do share their convictions with enthusiasm, rather than prayfully considering what was shared, others will go on the defensive and cry judgement. This too is wrong.
Have you ever dealt with this? What are your thoughts? Is it easier to live what you believe with non-believers around than it is with believers? If so, why do you think this is? Do you feel that there is too much of the culture in the church which is trying to silence Christians who do hold themselves to a higher standard? Your thoughts………………………
Posted in Christianity, Conservative, Conviction, Pondering
November 24th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Meaty!
I find myself silent too many times; but not because I have nothing to share, its just that I avoid confrontation and conflict at all cost. This, for me, is bad. My convictions are very strong about what God’s word says about everything. Absolute truth IS the rule. God’s Word is the final authority and it should be so for every Christian. We are to have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
There are MANY things that I disagree with my Christian mother on, but I haven’t let her know that because, again, I don’t want to ruffle her feathers. I guess I fear not being able to effectively defend what I believe. That’s a personal thing that I need to work on.
I do find it a little easier standing on absolute truth with non-believers because it isn’t a battle of “who knows more about God’s word” (if that makes any sense). This keeps me mindful to stay in the Word as to not lead anyone astray.
I want to know God’s truth more and more, but without diligence in being a student of the Word, that’s near impossible.
It’s important also that I seek His truth out for myself and not depend solely on the words of others.
God reveals Himself and His truth all around us everyday.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Kela-
Thanks so much for sharing. It is good to know I am not the only one who struggles in this area. I think your point of remaining diligent to be in the Word is key!
November 25th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Have you thought about trying to dig into the Scriptures from a Hebraic point of view, learn the Hebrew Roots of Christianity? I think if you go down that road, you will find ALL of the answers to your questions, even the ones that seem grey. Granted, you won’t be shown everything overnight, but as YHWH sees fit for you to learn. But, it makes everything else irrelevant, what anyone thinks as nothing more than a fly buzzing around.
That being said, I am constantly in the crossfire of living Scriptures, as I am married to a non believer, and my parents, who live right next door to me, are your garden variety ‘there are many ways to heaven’ type people. They are constantly trying to correct me, or become quiet aggitated by my choices at times. Nearly all of my friends are Christian, and do not see, nor want to be shown, what I have learned in Torah (which I believe is ALL scriptures, both ‘old’ and ‘new’).
I’ve had these very same questions, and concerns all of my life growing up in the Christian church. YHWH has lead me through all sorts of things in life to show me certain Truths, finally bringing me to understanding His Word like I’ve never been able to before. And I am still on that journey, of course, growing each day.
My children are also solidly growing in Torah (YHWH’s Instructions) and Yahushua, and we strive to not be of this world, regardless of what other people think. It IS hard! But, the reward is so worth the effort.
Barucha to you and yours…..
YAHaloma k_frog100@hotmail.com
November 25th, 2008 at 2:08 am
Sadly, a few years ago when our family was going through the hardest turmoil we could ever imagine, it was our brethren in Christ who proved to be our ‘thorn in the flesh’. Sure, they all preached forgiveness, but when I attempted to live it (most difficult considering we went to church with “the other woman”) I was accused of all manner of things and was encouraged to divorce my husband, regardless of God’s viewpoint or even his willingness to restore himself to God and to our marriage. It was probably the single most defeating moment of my life to stand in front of a congregation of people who believed me to be crazy askibg for prayers for strength as I set out to do what they all believed to be folly. The lesson I learned through that horrible experience was that God wants us to see far beyond how mere mortals, our peers, expect us to live and to seek only His Will and live it out to the best of my abilities.
My convictions about a lot of things are contrary to what even my closest friends’ convictions are in the ‘grayer’ areas, but it was my experience with the rejection of the church while I was doing what I **knew** to be right that taught me the most about how much weight to give those differences.
November 25th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Anon- thank you for contributing! I agree ALL scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16)unfortunately many even those who say they believe this often dismiss the old testament as well.. “old” and do not hold it in as high esteem as the new. Living in obedience to the Word is definitely worth it! IT is difficult at times and unfortunately often times those who should be encouraging us to run the good race are often those who are discouraging. Just as Kris wrote…
Kris- Thank you for sharing your experience. Your example is unfortunately the perfect picture of what I was trying to get at. I am sorry for the struggle you have gone through and yet thankful that the Lord allowed this to be a time of growth in your Christian walk.
November 25th, 2008 at 3:33 am
I agree with what you are a saying. I have a lot of friends that are into the whole “emergent church” movement. Kind of the “let’s interpret God to fit our needs” and make God out to be so warm and fuzzy(which He is and isn’t!) Unfortunate. I have several convictions that I hold onto that other people just don’t get–types of tv programs I choose not to watch and they think are fine, choosing to dress more modestly(yet fashionably
), protecting my children, etc. Anyway, I find that I actually become more judgemental of people when I am dealing with other Christians than non-Christians. I get more frustrated with the Christians that aren’t getting it rather than those who are lost. It’s frustrating. I don’t want to judge, but I also want them to understand what scripture says!
November 25th, 2008 at 4:47 am
Shannon–I understand what you are saying as well. I think it is difficult for us to share those convicitons with zeal because many Christians do take it as judgment, I believe that we must examine our own hearts before we share and make sure our motives are correct. If our motives are to glorify God by sharing His truth, to be an example, and sometimes to be “fruit” inspectors (are they living like Christ, is there fruit of that in their life) then we are not being judgmental even if they claim that we are…many times people will play the judgment card as a way of deflecting attention back to us rather than having to face a possible area of sin in their own lives.
November 25th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Yes, many people don’t realize that at the time that 2 Timothy was written, the ONLY scriptures that were available was Torah (OT)!! The Torah was THE guide to life, always has been, and even the apostles lived it, and taught it. But so many want so desparately to do away with Torah, and don’t pay attention to the fact that even Yahushua LIVED Torah, and that we are to live as He lived. But, how on earth do you explain that to someone who is so blinded by the illusion that Yahushua ‘abolished’ the Torah, that they almost depend on that illusion, because they can’t face that they don’t live according to the word? I don’t judge people, it’s not my place, but I WEEP for them, when they can’t see the mistake they are making. I want badly to help them see, but I also have to remember that *I* don’t save people, only Yahushua can do that. All I can do is plant the seed, either by example, or good conversation (avoiding it getting ugly if at all possible), and letting YHWH tend to it.
Shalom….
YAHaloma (who signs in as Anon, cause I can never remember my account info for the blogger)
November 25th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
HI, MamaArcher. It has been sometime since I have visited your blog. Probably since right before you moved to Alaska. You must have already had your baby? Hope all is well. I appreciated your post. I just posted on something similar and I invite you to read about it when you have the time. I titled it “The Rules.”
Frankly, it seems that it is a common problem of man, I think. But I have noticed that, convictions run very similar in people of like passions. And this is said, across the border of denominations.
By the way, remember the widget you used to show the time left till the baby was born? Where did you get it? Im expecting again, and thought it would be nice to put on my blog.
Sincerely,
Linda
November 25th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Congratulations on the baby! I knew
the baby was due soon or had already been born. She’s beautiful.
Sincerely,
Linda
November 26th, 2008 at 1:26 am
I think what I have discovered that what has been the hardest to deal with is when God moves you in a different direction than that of your long-time Christian friends. For years, we had no problems. But once we started homeschooling and also (around the same time) moved to a more conservative church we started experiencing distancing from our friends of 10+ yrs.
Our non-Christian neighbors just see us as “nice” but different. LOL. Our Christian friends seem to take us as an affront to their way of life regardless of how gently we share our convictions when asked.
November 26th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Hi there~
I find that the older I get the less it bothers me….about fellow followers haveing a differnt veiw of THE WORD or simply having their opinion of it. Others are not at the same spot in the path as I.
I just keep quiet most of the time….if they ask me about something,I tell in very few words. I gave up trying to CONVINCE people of things,only GOD can lead them.(plus it put me in a foul mood). Why should my HAPPINESS suffer because they did not know God the what I did? Its there loss.
I am Catholic and Quiverfull….our faith teaches that NFP is the only exeptable birthcontrol, and only to be used durging certain times…not all the time. Only 1% of Catholics use NFP and 1/2 that number are QF.using nothing at all. That is SAD and hard because most see me as a fool….telling me what the WORD “really” says!
I’m with you girl….it may be expectally hard to hear people critisize after just having a baby.
You are propley tired and have hormones going. I will pray.
Know what you are doing is right… relax and be joyful,that is what GOD would want. Don’t let others steal your JOY.
Congrats on the new little one~
Blessings,
Georgiann
November 26th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Hi,
I started to post a comment but this turned out too long. So I put it in my blog instead. http://www.catsandcarrots.blogspot.com
Blessings,
EstonianWife
November 26th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Daisy–you wrote “Our non-Christian neighbors just see us as “nice” but different. LOL. Our Christian friends seem to take us as an affront to their way of life regardless of how gently we share our convictions when asked.”
I too have noticed this.
Georgiann-
you wrote- “I gave up trying to CONVINCE people of things,only GOD can lead them.”
I agree, only God can convict people, it is frustrating though to see people so closed off to the Spirit when it comes to things clearly displayed in Scripture. I was not NECESSARILY referring to the matter of having children, though that is one area
I do end up discussing with people because they are often curious about our family. I have also seen this attitude displayed when it comes to many different issues within the christian life.
Estonian Wife– I will poop in and read your blog post!
November 26th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
i AM SO UNBELIEVABLE SORRY!!! iN THE LAST COMMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE “O”…
POP IN, POP IN, POP IN!
PLEASE FORGIVE ME, I WISH I HAD AN EDIT BUTTON FOR THOSE COMMENTS!
November 27th, 2008 at 12:32 am
ROFLOL. Glad we all have bad editing moments.
November 27th, 2008 at 6:32 am
Hi there again~
I forgot to give you a BIG THANK YOU for doing the QF blog roll….its has be a blessing in my life to have contact with other like minded folks! I think the blog roll has attributed to me being more relaxed…not so uptight of those Christians that don’t get it.
I know what you mean though…it seems to happen on other issues as well. Its seems most people do like to pick and choose from the bible.
God knows the over all plan. So we must rest in HIS care that he will lead us and them to where we are suppost to be!
Blessing and Prayers,
Georgiann
November 29th, 2008 at 3:15 am
It is always amazing to me that as Christians we can be so hateful. (I am NOT referring to your blog entry when I say this!) I have been accused of “yelling” at people or being too “black and white” or too “OT”. When the truth is, so many Christians are ignorant of what is taught in the Word! And then, they get ugly when you tell them the Truth. But the gospel of Christ is a stumbling block to those who don’t believe. And unfortunately some of those who don’t believe are sitting in the pews with us.
I have really enjoyed this post and others’ responses to it. It is comforting to know that there are other people who struggle with these issues!
In Christ Alone, mel
December 24th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Paul spent a great deal of time on this in the Scripture because it was a problem since the beginning. There were a group of Christians that believed that new converts had to become full Jews. Even though the Apostles stated that this was wrong, there were still those that sought to follow the law.
That’s why, in Romans 14, we have quite the discourse on what is and what is not sin.
Is it easier to live with non-believers? Yes and no.
Yes, in that there’s an expectation of being different and living with standards.
No, in that we can find that we live secret faith if we’re not careful.
The truth is that, while needing to maintain our standards, we must follow God’s commands to speak the truth in love, and only say that which is edifying to the hearer.
This has got to be high on the list of sins that the church currently tolerates, and yet if it were fixed it would radically change the practice of Christianity today.