Bad habits

[Stan]

You would think by reading some adventist books, and media. that being a Christian is all about overcoming bad habits. ie smoking drinking etc.

Thoughts?

[John317]

The relationship is, as Christ said, "If you love me, you will keep My commandments." That relationship should be clearly stated in Seventh-day Adventist literature. It doesn't do any good to break habits if we're not connected closely to Christ. In fact, in the long run, without Christ it doesn't matter if we do those things or not. Most people go back to their bad habits-- or pick up others-- without a strong, constant relationship with Jesus.

[Gail]

It should be about overcoming bad habits like gossip and mean-spiritedness, people abuse and neglect, greed, etc. the sins you CAN'T see as much.

I would think that if a person could gain freedom from the pain this world holds, he would jump at it! Wouldn't you?

[Gerr]

You would think by reading some adventist books, and media. that being a Christian is all about overcoming bad habits. ie smoking drinking etc.

Thoughts?

Aren't those the only sins that count? And don't forget jewelry!

[cricket]

I tend to think of the "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" as a promise, rather than a command in and of itself. Recall, "If you build it, they will come." I know that's not a biblical statement, but it's the way it's worded that reminds me of the biblical promise.

To me, it translates: If you (build a relationship with me), (keeping my commandments) will come.

Anyway. Yep, you would think that Christianity is all about fixing the bad habits--if all you ever read were the magazines and the books.

[Gail]

I think that if God helped me quit drinking that would be something to praise Him for...

Actually, he did, for me- both drinking and smoking.

So now what? :)

[Gail]

And thinking back about it, that was a lot easier than some of the other bad things I've struggled to give up/hang on to over the years. I feel like I'm still having to start with Square One every day!

[abelisle]

I think the real underlying reason for so much introspective soul searching (which is inherent in being consumed with breaking a habit) is the focus on looking inward rather than outward. A desire for spiritual purity which is becoming a prerequisite for someone who is a member of the remnant church rather than displaying more love for others as a result of the self-awareness that comes from those who experienced being saved by grace.

Notice our new President's push for revival and reformation in an about face from last year's "Reach Up, Reach Out, Reach Across". Quoting Bonnie Dwyer: "Rather than being concerned about serving the needs of the world, we are focusing on each other with a critical eye."The love that can truly bring revival is actuated by service to others as EGW so eloquently dealt with in her book Education. An over emphasis on breaking bad habits is an over emphasis on self - clearly not a character trait promulgated by our Savior.

Alex

[Gail]

True... but before I felt I needed a Saviour the inward things didn't bother me. They bothered me when I saw them in others, though!

[John317]

...Notice our new President's push for revival and reformation in an about face from last year's "Reach Up, Reach Out, Reach Across". Quoting Bonnie Dwyer: "Rather than being concerned about serving the needs of the world, we are focusing on each other with a critical eye."The love that can truly bring revival is actuated by service to others as EGW so eloquently dealt with in her book Education. An over emphasis on breaking bad habits is an over emphasis on self - clearly not a character trait promulgated by our Savior.

Our new President's push is the right one and I believe the whole church should listen to what he's saying. I believe God is working through Him to bring a message to our church that we all need to hear and put into practice in our individual lives.

There's no reason not to be able to do both of those things at the same time. Ellen White never indicated that in order to be actuated by service to others, we must forget about overcoming sin and separating sin from ourselves, or place less emphasis on it. See GC 479, 483 ff

Do you believe the president's policy will lead to over-emphasizing character building to the exclusion or neglect of seeking to serve others?

I see the emphasis on character-building as being in harmony with our doctrines of the Three Angels Messages and the Investigative Judgement. The Health Message, also, is a necessary part of those fundamental beliefs of the church.

[Bravus]

[Stan]

When I think about the good Samaritan story

Unconverted said

"What will happen to me, if I help him, might cost me something or they might use my taxes"

The Converted said..

"What will happen to him, if I do nothing?"

(Paraphrased by me.)

any relation to any political party is just coincidental.

[Stan]

my point being... what has more value a habit free person, or a smoker who helped him?

Not saying he was a smoker... but too often we view on how good we are to ourself, not a difference we make in others...

Thoughts?

[Dr. Shane]

The awesome thing about the Adventist church is we focus on both the inward man and reaching out to others. And we do both with zeal. That is the way it should be. No sense in sitting on the fence. Give it everything, full throttle.

[Tom Wetmore]

I think it deliciously ironic that the Billy Field's appearance in the video seems so squeaky clean. To look at him screams, "Who is this nice boy?" in contrast to the lyrics about bad habits. He looks like someone that many fathers would think safe enough to trust with their daughter on a date.

[Tom Wetmore]

The outward focus has the wonderful benefit of tearing us away from our unproductive navel gazing. That ultimately helps us forget about those bad habits. What happens when you forget about something? It becomes less important to you. That is why you forget it. What happens to things less important to you? You stop dwelling on them and will be much more likely give them up, leave them behind, stop doing them.

It is like the simple exercise of forcing yourself to stop thinking about the pink monkey by doing nothing else but trying to stop thinking about it. Try as you will, the pink monkey stays on your mind. But if instead I ask you to focus your attention on a good meal and your best friend, the pink monkey is easily forgotten.

[Twilight]

Is it the same thing to focus on Christ within as to focus on self?

Is it the same thing to listen to Christ leading within as to listen to self?

They are not the same thing it seems to me...

But if we focus within, on Christ's leading, it will enable us to express that outwardly.