Here is the list
Acts 15:20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
This was the answer to the early church to those who wanted the gentiles to obey the laws of Moses. That was not Gods direction yet there is lots of great wisdom in adhering to these basic things. The culture was full of idolatry. As a Christian now, we are to be different. We serve the Living God. Dont pollute yourself by joining with idols of any kind. Its not that those false idols are real. John ends his letter on, children, keep yourselves from idols. So check, got it! Next, keep away from sexual immorality! Sounds right! What exactly is it though? Any sexual act, relationship, outside of the marriage boundaries. The word actually is pornia, where we get porn from. Its images and acts and ultimately these acts were done as worship to their pagan gods. "Oh, Im not about that, its just love", or "its okay to look, just don't touch." Both those views are wrong! Sin begins in the heart. Looking upon and lusting after will consume your life and you wont be able to break free of its chains. As a Christian, we have no business in this area. Finally, things strangled and from blood. We are to be about life, not death. As a Christian, do you think its ok to promote death? Would Jesus? Life is in the blood. Blood has an interesting effect on us, doesn't it? I'm a lightweight, but even drawing blood, can make one lose consciousness. Theres nothing wrong with giving or taking blood, I only use this as an example of bloods effects on us, but the societies we live, whether its movies with goar and blood or guts, or wars, action films where human life is of no value at all. There is this strange fascination with killing and blood. Don't let your life be polluted any longer. Obviously, there are professions in this world that one cant avoid such, thank God for those who save lives and put their lives through such trama. I don't believe one ever gets over traumatic scenes which can and often require counseling. But, I believe, this speaks about the Christian that seems to be infatuated with blood and death for some reason. Our Father in heaven doesn't lead us here. You would do well to avoid these things.
This isn't an unreasonable list. It seems wise and practical. The Christian would do well to keep this sound biblical advice.
This was the answer to the early church to those who wanted the gentiles to obey the laws of Moses. That was not Gods direction yet there is lots of great wisdom in adhering to these basic things. The culture was full of idolatry. As a Christian now, we are to be different. We serve the Living God. Dont pollute yourself by joining with idols of any kind. Its not that those false idols are real. John ends his letter on, children, keep yourselves from idols. So check, got it! Next, keep away from sexual immorality! Sounds right! What exactly is it though? Any sexual act, relationship, outside of the marriage boundaries. The word actually is pornia, where we get porn from. Its images and acts and ultimately these acts were done as worship to their pagan gods. "Oh, Im not about that, its just love", or "its okay to look, just don't touch." Both those views are wrong! Sin begins in the heart. Looking upon and lusting after will consume your life and you wont be able to break free of its chains. As a Christian, we have no business in this area. Finally, things strangled and from blood. We are to be about life, not death. As a Christian, do you think its ok to promote death? Would Jesus? Life is in the blood. Blood has an interesting effect on us, doesn't it? I'm a lightweight, but even drawing blood, can make one lose consciousness. Theres nothing wrong with giving or taking blood, I only use this as an example of bloods effects on us, but the societies we live, whether its movies with goar and blood or guts, or wars, action films where human life is of no value at all. There is this strange fascination with killing and blood. Don't let your life be polluted any longer. Obviously, there are professions in this world that one cant avoid such, thank God for those who save lives and put their lives through such trama. I don't believe one ever gets over traumatic scenes which can and often require counseling. But, I believe, this speaks about the Christian that seems to be infatuated with blood and death for some reason. Our Father in heaven doesn't lead us here. You would do well to avoid these things.
This isn't an unreasonable list. It seems wise and practical. The Christian would do well to keep this sound biblical advice.
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Amen! All very true! As for the blood and gore, that makes me think of Halloween. Many think it's ok, "we're not dressing up in scary things. " "it's just fun innocent stuff for the kids." But in reality, all of that has meaning in the occult, no matter how "innocent " the costume. It all is part of partaking in the things offered to idols. One would do good to study the origins of it all (even the carved pumpkins) and make a decision for themselves. Ultimately once you know, you can't unknow and you now have a choice to make. I say all that to mean, this stuff sneaks in. Just like the "I can look, just don't touch." No, the heart of the matter is the matter of our heart. And Satan is a great deceiver. It will appear innocent or "ok." But is it?! What does God's Word say?? THAT is our standard.
True. These things were straightforward, black and white things. Yet the grey areas of life, well, we should seek to know why we do what we do, such as celebrations of holidays and such. The list is endless and takes a lifetime walk in the Spirit to disifer. All the holidays, outside of Thanksgiving, are pagan in nature yet one can celebrate Jesus and life instead, and not the pagan origin. The only original holidays from the bible were the 7 feasts of Israel. I dont seek to put legalities on anyone, but you strike a good point. If you want to know truth more, you have to apply yourself and study. In everything we do, may it bring glory to God! The question I ask myself, will this action, or deed, or thought glorify God? If not, why would I want to do so? We live in a very tricky environment where the deceiver lurks around trying to devour. We live for Jesus!
True! And this is why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It's the only one that hasn't been paganised or commercialized. Thanksgiving....simply being thankful to God for the blessings He's given you.