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Q42. Darkened Culture


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  • 3 months later...
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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age?

The secular, non-Christian mindset of our age is one of every man doing what's right in his own eyes, without regard for moral laws. Without God in their heart, they are ignorant to the moral laws of God. In their minds they regard what they are doing as right and not anything immoral.

Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

Many are tempted to conform to secular values because they want to blend into the crowd. They do not want to be the one that stands out as different.

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Guest Tabatha

Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

Living " in the futility of their thinking " refers to the natural tendency of human beings to think their way away from God. intellectual pride, rationalizations, and excuses all keep people from God Don't be surprised if people can't grasp the gospel . The gospel will seem foolish to those who forsake faith and rely on their own understanding.

Why are we tempted to conform to it's values?

The world is getting more and more filled with offers to have fun, fun fun, electronics that offer people things they don't have to think on their own So much mind control Movies that bring such horror that it seems to reach the Adamic nature in people. The evil in Television and movies and DVD's pull the young away from the gospel. Parents have lost control of their parental rights. Computers are so full of deception. they lure the young and old from the truth. Online companion ship for the lonely. ***** for the young alurring and enticing people into pornographic things that makes the flesh feel good. So much in the world for the flesh. Rebellion lack of submission to the family values, Drugs to cotrol the mind. The world is in such a mess there really isn't much hope so people run to what ever will give them escape from reality. The only answer is for Christians to wake up and get out of their comfort zone and get the gospel truth to the people.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Not living by Bible principles. Walking in the way of unrighteousness. For many it is hard to change and easy to live as they want. Satan has some people blinded and they feel that they can live without God in their life.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

The Mortal Disease of the Intellect!

Reason, they say, is the ultimate truth

And the intellect is understanding.

Why then all these wars, with intelligent men

Their compatriots on death marches leading?

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We live in terrible times, growing worse each day as living becomes more difficult and the news more burdensome with war, famine, global warming, abuse of the poor. People seem to seek escape by pleasures of the flesh and the church compromises in order to keep the pews full. We have what is called "Christianity Lite" simply because of this. As a result, mainstream Christianity is in confusion which draws people to the enemy. For those who are not well versed in the Word, for those who cannot fight the good fight, fort those with the Holy Spirit dwelling in them or who have grieved Him into submission it is not difficult to fall into the many temptations available, finally into sin.

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We as Christians are called to be Light of the world. We are to show the people who have not received Christ as their Savior and Lord. We are to be good example to the world so that they may know Christ.

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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age?

Dead men walking! People have been lied to for so long they don

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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

"17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual **** for more." (4:17-19)

It's basically what's in it for me. I am what matters and nothing more. I need my needs met not yours. I deserve that not you.

We often get trapped in the same mind set given that is is easier to join in than fight the majority. We let our values go and become like the ones we are suppose to be trying to change. Instead of fleeing tempation we run to it so we can be part of the "in" crowd not an outsider. We look to others for our comfort instead of to the one who gives to all as they need and peace to those who digently seek Him.We remain slaves to self instead of servants of the Most High. Instead of seeking and saving the lost we remain lost. That's why Paul said come out from amoung them, we like Joseph must flee all temptation because of our sinful nature it is much to easy to fall. We must continue to seek frist the Kingdom and His righteousness then and only then can we remain IN Christ Jesus.

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Our age seem to be no different than the non-christian mindset in the study passage. They have made a choice. God has already told us that there would be those that would perish fron a lack of knowledge. Everything that looks good and feels good is not good for the flesh nor the soul. Satan come as an angel if light, until the picture truly unfold. In this time and age it seems as though everyone think they have their "right." In some cases yes, but what about the life that God want us to live, one that is pleasing to Him? The world gives a picture of you can have it all, but never showing or telling there is a high price to pay. We can't get caught up in the ways of the world even though we live in the world. We need to keep our mind on the things above. These are the things that are everlasting, all others or temporal.

Jesus is the true light, and he will show us the true path to follow, if we listen and be obedient.

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Todays non-believer has a distinct entrance into the same darkness available since the beginning. We live in a society with access to more of this same old darkness than ever. At your fingertips, in the privacy of your home are perversions, thoughts and beliefs around since the beginning - YET available in mass quantity at the speed of light.

Access is two-way, with both sound and sight available to adults and children. Darkness reigns supreme and is exalted - worshiped. Sin has our legal community behind it, endorsing and legalizing it.

We each inherited a piece of the Fall in the Garden. We each are 'naturally' attracted to darkness. My inheritance from God gives me the power to reject darkness by making the right choice. The victory is ours - if we choose it. My eternal victory because of Jesus ...gives me a "Joyful Heart".

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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

"17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual **** for more."

The mindset of our age is so darkened, completely without light. We believe that we see the light because we attend services on Sunday and this is all we need, but if one is to ask themselves am I truly getting all that is needed? I watched a program last night on tv that took you into the life of Joseph. That was a beautiful story of love, hatred, jealousy, forgiveness, suffering, deceit....etc. But in the end Joseph was the victor, he maintained his faithfulness toward his God, the God of what his father had taught him, even though he was an Egyptian slave he remained true to the God of his father. He forgave his brothers of their wrongs with love and understanding of why they did what they did in the end. The Egyptian way of life did not change Joseph because his loyalites were true to his father and his father's God. He did not bow down to the Egyptian idols or their false (God) kings as he said "even if it meant death, he was never to bow down to another God." This man did not have the internet, or the vast means of communications that we have to day and he didn't trade his poor life for the rich life of the Egyptians. He remained true no matter what the cost. He was not rebellious, or felt that God had allowed this to happen to him so he might as well change and conform to the news ways of the Egyptian with their false Gods and a heart that was filled with darkness and evil ways. He remained true to his God the one and only God and his life was truly blessed all the way to the end.

We are tempted to conform to the darkness because we see it as the light. We are being deceived by the prince of the air. We believe that the things that the way that we live our lives in this world to day are exceptable to God and we know deep down inside that they are not. We are not blinded to the truth, we choose not to see the truth, we believe we have "time" to get it right. We tell ourselves that God wants us to have all these things that are pleasing to the body and the soul. But we know, everyone knows inside that we are on a path of complete distruction.

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1)The non-believer has no concern about God. Most non-believers just live life to the fullest with no Godly concerns. "If it feels good", do it is what most non-believers would say. Non-believers have a closed mind and a very hard heart. Many non-believers are very evil and ready to hurt whomever gets in their way.

2) People have every opportunity to view sinful things in their own homes, internet, many TV shows that are no more than pornagraphic material. Getting involved with non-christians and going to bars and drinking alcohol and sex parties...folks just let their mind get set on "there is nothing wrong". I'm not hurting anybody is what they think. What it boils down to is they think it is ok when it is just sin sin sin. Wrong thinking. Stinking thinking.

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I feel that the secular world has the mindset 'if it feels good do it'. more and more our leaders are going liberal in their thinking and passing laws to allow immoral and absurd things to happen.

We know in the scriptures how it tells us the signs of the last days to come;

2Timothy 3:1-4 " This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God"

Our 'age' is a selfish instead of being selfless.

We maybe tempted because we are fearful of persecution, don't want to upset anyone in case we hurt their feelings. Tis better we hurt their feelings with the truth now than let them spend eternity in hell

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The secular, non Christian mind set of the present age is as bad as that in the age Paul was. It is even worst now as there is so much evil in the form of blood shed, terrible sexual immorality, ritual that involves different type of worship and sacrifices (sometimes involving the use of human parts).

It is sad that some members of the body of Christ are also involved in some of such evil. In the case of sexual immorality, Satan has succeeded in bombarding even children of God through adverts containing pornograghic materials in papers, radio, television, internet and other media that it is becoming "toleratable" to commit such sim by the Christians.

We need the grace and power of the Lord God to stand firm and to resist the devil through prayers and meditation in His Word of God. May Gdo deliver us.

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The Blood of the Lamb awakens our spiritual senses to the "darkened culture" that exists all around us. Therefore, we cannot help but standout in a "darkened culture" when we stand for God and His Glory Power. God requires that we draw a Bloodline between us and the evil forces of the "darkened culture." Pray without ceasing and do God's Will; keep peace and love in your heart pouring out the Blood of the Lamb to sanctify and protect you from all evil, sicknesses and curses. Christ conquered satan at the cross with His Blood sacrifice. As an anointed saint, you must dedicate and purify your heart, mind, soul, spirit and body to become a prayer warrior of the Truth and the Way that occupies this Christ-conquered earth rescued and delivered from satan by the Power of God Almighty. We must battle with the enemy in His Name to keep what He has taken back for us.

We are called by God to stand out and separate ourselves from the "darkened culture." A righteous path is a straight one, filled with God's blessings and love. The more we separate ourselves, the more we understand the "darkened culture's" influence on our oneness with God. We know as believers that nothing in this world is more important than our relationship with God Almighty.

Peace and love, God bless and protect...Amen!

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If it feels good, do it. Wanting to please themselves no matter what or who they hurt. Not believing in God or what He can do for them. Pure ignorance and hardened hearts as to anything of God. Living in darkness with sexual loose behavior.

We have to put off the old self and put on the new holy, righteous self. They are having a good time and tempts us to fall into our old sin. It's what we are use to and familiarity is welcome.

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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

A lot of people have become a acceptable society, where they just want to accept everything without hurting others feeling

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Today the dark world is living life with no hope. They are prideful, self-seeking, and seek to get what they want when they want it. They are totally blinded by "things"-- attractions by satan. They are blind. Right is wrong to them, wrong is right to them.

We're tempted to conform because we see it on tv, movies, is generally accepted by those who are not saved around us each day, and some are made laws by our congress & those who are of the world. We swim in it each day and it is a daily struggle to stay pure & be light.

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Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis,how would you describe in your own words,the secular and the non-christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its value?

There is alot of pride and being lovers of themselves and in this world,the things that went on in the days of Paul is now up till today,is still occuring.There are people who are mockers and are doing whatever they want and think that God is not going to anything that Christians profess,like in the days of Noah.The people of the secular world have there eyes blinded and their ears dont want to hear,the people are under the sway of the wicked one and they live in all the drugs and drinking,etc to make themselves feel like they are on top of the world.We are tempted to conform to this world because we figure that it cannot hurt us like if we listen to a rock song or we drink an acholoic beverage then we think that it cant hurt.The devil does not want us at peace,he wants us to go back and to doubt God like the Israleites in time of Moses

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Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

The secular mindset of our age is backwards. It is true to what you said regarding our mindsets toward sexual immorality. It seems like it is normal, okay and accepted to partake in any type of sex outside of marriage. Our society is declining morally and it is accepted as normal behavior. I believe why many Christians are tempted to conform to its values because we live in a society that accepts this type of behavior. It is all around us. I believe nowadays, our churches are focusing more on teaching and preaching prosperity and blessings and kind of getting away from the pick up your cross and follow me teaching, which would involve denying and crucifying your flesh.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

The mindset of the secular world is very darken and backard.. I is all about self. They have the mindset of anything goes, if it feels good do it! It is not even safe to turn on your TV today, because sex is everywhere or half naked men/women are on it. Today people do not have the fear of God. :(

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In this present age, we ban God from the classroom and courts. Praying and reading the Bible in school is illegal.

Sexual prominscuity is considered an alternative lifestyle. Ditto for homosexuality.

It's ok to teach children about sex, but teaching them about the Bible is taboo.

If someone commits a crime he can blame his behavior on that fact his parents didn't buy him a bicycle when he was 5 years old or his younger sister got the bigger piece of cake.

This present age is all about self-gratification. I'll get what I want it when I want it and I don't care who gets hurt.

Plus we live in an "I want it now!" age. People pay extra for 2 hour photo developing because they can't wait for next day prints.

Or they shell out an extra fee for rapid refund because they can't wait a few weeks for their tax refund money.

I think one of the reasons Christians are tempted to conform to the value of this present age is, the desire to be part of the crowd.

Or we don't want to be thought of as freaks or weidos.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Q1. (Ephesians 4:17-19) Using Ephesians 4:17-19 as a basis, how would you describe (in your own words), the secular, non-Christian mindset of our age? Why are we tempted to conform to its values?

The secular, non-Christian mindset of our age is rejecting the God in them and hardening their heart to follow God

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  • 5 weeks later...

Desensitized - the mind is desensitized because of continued exposure to sin. It's on our TV, in our news, in the grocery store - you can't get away from it. Try to find a "family friendly" check out lane at the local grocer - it's not easy - instead there is lots of skin and lots of gossip.

Every time we expose ourselves to sin, we become a little more desensitized. That is why the bible tells us to know sin is there, then stay away from it, don't bring it into our homes, don't bring it into our lives. That is very difficult when one is unequally yoked. It's easier to conform to its values - just let it go because it's not worth another argument. A person gets tired of trying and at times it's only God's strength that carries you through the day.

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