No, you can't

[Angela Georgantas]

Lately I have been seeing a lot of places where people are just saying NO. No, you can’t eat that. No, you can’t celebrate this holiday THAT way. No, you can’t listen to that music. It makes me think of Colossians 2:21-23, “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” I think as soon as people start just putting their foot down, other people are going to trip over it. Past the biblical non-negotiables, it is up to each of us to be in communion with God to ask what will please Him for his/her life.

Am I alone in noticing this trend?

[Louise Brislane]

I haven’t noticed it in my part of the world yet! which is a relief really. Got it all the time many years ago when young but that generation have gone & my generation are now the old generation in our churches so much more liberal in our viewpoint. My goodness if any woman wore pants in church or the minister wasn’t in suit & tie, you would be pulled up. What went on in your home was your own business unless you let the cat out of the bag. What I also didn’t realise back then until later was that a lot of those same men were also masons through the week! Interesting when I think of it today…

[Vlad]

No I am sorry to say that I see very little of this trend in my neck of the woods. For the most part the world I live in is more like a free for all by the scripturally ignorant, or spiritually corrupt hearted that know enough scripture to frame ideas and moral standards to suit their fleshly fancy. Proverbs 11:1 says “a false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is His delight”. …what is a just weight?? Well that is part of the process of spiritual growth when one is born again, filled with the H. Spirit, studying God’s word and seeking Him in prayer for understanding and wisdom as to how it applies to one’s personal life. However, determining just what is non-negotiable biblical issues and matters requires maturity which often includes Christian brothers and sisters that are not “newbies” to the faith to assist us with study and prayer. While there is an abundance of biblical text that does address this broad subject, one very short book of Titus is a good place to start in forming solid principals and doctrines for what is up for consideration and meditation on this subject matter, in light of the full council of God’s word and the fact that there are standards laid out regarding wise recommended requirements for certain positions of authority and leadership that may not be a strong mandate for those young or weak in the faith. I do certainly understand your point and question and it is well taken. I have lived in both the life crushing legalism that consists of man made commandments for the doctrines of men as well as God has “given us a ticket to ride” so just do as though wilt because He is just all about fuzzy forgiving love no matter what. — No repentance required— Prov. 14:12 “there is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end therof are the ways of death”. May God give us wisdom and confirmation to know how we personally apply this instructions to us and when we are to say no at His command. Cheers!

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