Today, points are shared on courtship and dating within church settings, smoking and tobacco use, and worship among minors and youth. Also, there is more on freedom of foul speech. A “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using the ID “Paul” (Level 1 with 24 points, a member since September 05, 2014) posted the following:
A weird situation at open air youth worship?
Last weekend me and my girlfriend attended an open air youth worship service. We stood towards the back and she lit a cigarette a little way into the service. She asked the two or three young people standing next to us if they minded her smoking and they were OK about it. They were probably 12-15 year olds maybe? - one good thing was they had excellent singing voices.
THE BATTLE AXE: Freedom of Foul Speech (09/10/2014)—(5.) In order to introduce change, cleansing, healing, hope and a new quality of life, Jesus Christ addressed many of the life experiences and struggles for mankind that generate and continue bitterness, despair, fear, pain, and wretchedness. Included are sexual appetite, divorce, duty, fornication, indebtedness, marriage, parenting, prostitution, and same sex relationships. Believers understand that their choices for their own verbal behavior, and what they say out of their mouths, should agree with and show others their willingness to acknowledge the presence of Christ in their lives. Being mature and having authority over himself, Jesus may have dealt with many who used cursing and swearing on a daily basis (e.g., the Scriptures report that Peter denied Jesus with foul language before he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, who anointed him to preach that day). However, there is no indication that Jesus allowed the infirmity and weakness of other men to contaminate or corrupt his ministry to mankind, his prayers, or his usual day-to-day behavior and speech. In respect to Jesus, believers all follow the rule that ones speech is offered in sacrifice to GOD, and should be “seasoned with salt” (i.e., healing intent, humility, innocence, respect, purity). See again Leviticus 2: 13, Mark 9: 50, Matthew 5: 10-11, Matthew 18: 5-7, 1st Corinthians 10: 23 and Colossians 4: 5-6, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order. (1st Corinthians 14: 33-40, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: When Children Embrace Church? (08/18/2014); Condemned by the Church? (08/19/2014); Why the Gospel for Our Children (05/13/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Weed and Godly Wisdom (09/15/2013); The Limit to Believing? (09/16/2013); Issues for Children’s Church (04/06/2013); Outgrowing Childhood Prayers? (04/07/2013); A Spirit Church? (04/04/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Attending Church? (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012)
“Paul”, here are a few points important to Christian believers that may help you fit in more correctly and not feel weird again when you next are with those who gather to worship Christ as redeemer and savior:
(1.) Dating is an aspect of courtship wherein two persons develop, and examine themselves and one another through a relationship that may result in marriage. They may share in various social settings that allow quiet exchange, laughter, expression of their goals, hopes and visions of the future, displaying their present commitments as well as promoting aspects of their deepest beliefs. Correctly understood, a date to share religious experiences, and introduce ones companions to their own faith community is also an invitation that they continue in Christ. Even where the dating or friendship eventually may be broken off, the relationship with Christ can be eternal.
(2.) Your friend’s use of tobacco was unfortunate, because smoking is a behavior that to many signifies boldness, defiance, lack of self-control and self-discipline, lack of sound knowledge regarding health, nastiness, pride, rebellion, and selfishness. (There is a danger from second-hand smoke: where you can not keep the smoke from your own lungs, you can not keep it from defiling and soiling others either.)
(3.) It is not wrong to attend church when you have questions that may only be answered there. Many attend services in the same spirit as Moses, who only turned aside for the burning bush from curiosity, not because he wanted a prayer or worship break. Only those who are sincerely seeking instruction and sacred knowledge will experience the spiritual benefit and growth provided by GOD through the Holy Spirit. They will have prepared themselves to display peculiar attitudes and behavior such as cooperation, courtesy, giving, humility, respect and self-denial.
As we observe another anniversary of an attack upon America by those pursuing a faith that exalts death and destruction for the unsuspecting, there is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) The situation you described was not simple. Even in a crowd, where one may be anonymous and unknown, mature and young adults will be held accountable, and are expected to set an example for minors and teens. Asking their permission is inappropriate, for often children are unaware of dangers involved with adult behavior. Bullied, immature, intimidated, and unprepared, children can not always effectively rebuke the behavior of those who should know better.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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