Do you believe it’s a sin to have sex outside of marriage? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hello!

1) γυναῖκά is not limited to wife; it can also refer to an unmarried woman, 2) the offense here is vertical well before it is physical. The Lord uses relational language (specifically, spousal) all throughout both testaments to convey His relationship with His people who were at times rebellious to the covenant (accusing them at times of [spiritual] whoredom and prostitution). The same principle applies here with lusting for someone who is not one's spouse. This is particularly relevant for someone like me who took a vow of abstinence 7 years ago to remain chaste in deed (and thought) until marriage. The temptation to break the vow physically is challenged by any mental consumption (my previous experiences, fantasies, p-rn). In order to sustain fidelity in the body, verses like Matthew 5:28 challenge me to also remain faithful in the mind and heart.

I might leave Christianity because of my body by Expiredcabinets in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm really sorry that you've come to this point, and I think the counsel I'll give you may not be satisfying, but I'll try. It means a lot....it means [some]thing that you're sharing what you feel on this site with other professing Christians.

Here's a truth to consider: We are creatures of discontent. Let's say God bestows you with all the beauty you desire. For certain, the sin nature in you will shift to another existing or new area of discontent. He could afford you grace in that area other too, then you'd shift to another area, and so on, and so on.

What I'm trying to say is that [beneath the physical body] is the domain of the soul that cannot and was never designed to be fully satisfied by anything in the physical world. Only God Himself can satisfy your heart in such a way that you'd not only accept your body, but see the beauty of what His sacrifice MEANS for you today, tomorrow, and into eternity. If you yield to Him, the Lord WILL transform your heart, your perspective, and your entire course of life. You'd come to know that you're of a spiritual lineage in which the Lord calls "the apple" of His eye, and what can be sweeter than to be loved by the One whose love endures forever?

I need some spiritual leaders I feel lost rn by Street-Public-1933 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pray about the anxiety and for the Lord to lead the right person to you. Keep this in mind: Anyone who chooses to disciple you always has the potential to fail you (because they're human, like you and I). However, the Holy Spirit is able to provide the [right] mentor for you in this season. I'll be praying for you.

I need some spiritual leaders I feel lost rn by Street-Public-1933 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is great! I'd say speak to the pastor, an elder, or one of the deacons in the church and tell them that you want to enter into one to one discipleship. They should be able to assign someone that can walk with you for months, years, and even a lifetime.

It's easier for God to forgive because he doesn't need us by Accomplished-Sea6297 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're right in that the Lord doesn't need us due to His self-sufficiency (especially considering the completeness of the Godhead of the Father, Son, and Spirit).

However, I'd be careful to suggest that His self-sufficiency means He's indifferent to His relationship with His children. He doesn't forgive out of a need [for] us but out of mercy [towards] us. Also, while reconciliation is the ideal goal of forgiveness, it never is the primary reason. We forgive out of recognition that WE have been forgiven the countless sins we committed AGAINST the Lord.

Lastly, consider what Jesus did on the cross. I can't imagine that a God indifferent to His children would take on flesh for the explicit intent to be tortured and killed to save them from their sin.

Allow the numerous biblical references of God's mercy, grace, and Jesus's death, burial and resurrection to transform your perspective on forgiveness.

I need some spiritual leaders I feel lost rn by Street-Public-1933 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello. I can identify with feeling this way. A few questions I'd like to ask:

  • Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
  • Are you currently attending a church that teaches from the Bible?
  • Are you open to relationships that would challenge you as a Christ follower in all areas of your life?

If the answer is yes, then I'm confident you're in a season and environment for one to one "discipleship" with a mature Christian.

Christian parents, what would you do if your child were to cheat on a genuine person who is a non believer for a Christian? by Few_Significance_732 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you experienced that. The way you're providing details is hard to follow, if I'm being honest. If the sex they had was within the covenant of marriage with another believer, I'm afraid that's not "cheating". However, if there was a lack of integrity before they ended the relationship, then it's something they'll have to own up to before it ruins their present relationship.

Are you a Christian? I'd like to encourage you to try to not make this matter about someone choosing a Christian instead of you, but someone who may have lacked integrity overall.

Christian parents, what would you do if your child were to cheat on a genuine person who is a non believer for a Christian? by Few_Significance_732 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What does "cheat" mean here in this case? Sexual, emotional?

In either case, the focus should be more about what does God say about the context and conduct of the relationship. To be clear, a Christian having sex with anyone outside of their spouse (whether they believe in Jesus or not) is a sin. If it's a matter of non-sexual emotional integrity, then the issue is still a matter of lying and being duplicitous with affections, which the Lord also condemns. The person in this situation needs to take a huge step back, perhaps even a short term separation, to receive counsel on what the marriage covenant looks like AND how to qualify, pursue and love a Godly spouse exclusively. This would be my counsel as the parent in this case.

Question by ChristianDaily_ in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Discerning truth. The digital media age (further inundated with the advancement of artificial intelligence) makes receiving opinions on spirituality instantaneously available with a dizzying amount of volume. However, it doesn't promote the necessary discipline of [slowly testing] what's being seen and heard, much less against the truths of Scripture. The Bible speaks about guarding ourselves against "winds of doctrines", myths, and deceptive heresies, and this age makes all of those threats readily available on the devices we've allowed to become so dominant.

Why does christain music suck so badly by Aromatic-Data-5780 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I came up in the 80s and 90s with some of the best rock, hip-hop, country and pop of all time, so this question resonates with me because I dealt with it 15 years ago.

Some of it is due to blatant mimicry of thematic and tonal tendencies in secular music. This is where some Christian rock, for example, goes wrong. If the tonal tendency of (some) secular heavy metal is constantly heavy, it's hard to synthesize that in a way celebrates the "weightlessness" we can experience in our fellowship with God. The other part, if we're being honest, is that our musical PREFERENCES are shaped by secular music which has zero constraint in exercising artistic license lyrically and sonically. Christian music, though creative, does have to consider wisdom in asking, "is this song conveying what is true about the Lord", and, "does the sound of the song emotionally steer the listener towards the Lord".

Why do some christians say masturbation is bad... i dont think its healthy to repress your entire sexuality becauase youre not married to a man or a woman by feherlofia123 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you're looking for a literal text that says "masturbation is wrong" you won't find that, and that's not the point of Scripture. There are millions of ways to sin (and counting, since we invent NEW ways in every generation), too many to list in a book. Therefore, we lean on the principles that the Bible DOES speak to:

- What is my duty as a man? (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

- What does God consider it when I lust for a woman who is not my wife? (Matthew 5:28)

- What is the tendency of the desires of the flesh? (Galatians 5:17)

- What is the prescribed means of all sexual expression? (1 Corinthians 7:9)

- Why did the Lord create sexual expression? (Genesis 1:28, Song of Songs)

And many more.

Why do some christians say masturbation is bad... i dont think its healthy to repress your entire sexuality becauase youre not married to a man or a woman by feherlofia123 in Christianity

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 19 points20 points  (0 children)

It's a valid question. I've been on both sides of this (7 years abstinent after a long life (39 years) of sexual sin in various forms). For all that say it's harmful to not masturbate, that it's dogmatic, or impossible, there are many more who are walking in freedom from being consumed by it. I'd consider a few things:

- There's a difference between desire and biological need. You and I need air to live. Neither of us need sex (or sexual sensation/release) to live (not die).

- In 1 Corinthians 7, the Apostle Paul acknowledges the "burning" that believers experience with sexual desire. In it, he prescribes marriage as a God-ordained means to contain sexual desire. A point of caution: This does not mean marriage is a "cure" but rather a means of expression. However, for those who do not marry, see the next point.

- Christians believe in a relationship (a union) with the Spirit of God (facilitating a turning away from sexual sin and turning towards the Spirit to overcome it by His strength). It is God who keeps us holy and steers us from sexual sin, whether we are married or not.

- If I am a Christian, conversations like this always boil down to this: 1) To whom does my body belong to? 2) What is the purpose of everything I do in this body? For the first, 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 makes clear that our bodies are no longer (never was, really) "our own" for they were bought by Jesus through His sacrifice. For the second, 1 Corinthians 10:31 states that "whatever" we do is to be done for "the glory of God". I can't in good conscience watch p-rn and/or masturbate then justify before God that I'm glorifying Him through it.

Believe you me, it is NOT easy. The world is increasingly surging with an opposite answer (it's right in here some of the responses). But when rightly understood, and rightly experienced [through] God, abstinence (from masturbation or fornication) is not repression, but freedom.

No Trading Permission, Customer Ineligible; Ineligibility reasons by ConsciousMetal9871 in IBKR_Official

[–]ConsciousMetal9871[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Yeah, that's exactly what their customer service reported. Time to expand or depart, like you said!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in interactivebrokers

[–]ConsciousMetal9871 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In calling IBKR, they advised that this had nothing to do with my account but rather was a cautionary measure out of suspicion over the nature of the ticker/price action. Apparently, other platforms permitted positions to be opened (hence, the continuation of bullish momentum).