This is not a flame but it is on some of my favorite topics. The Bible verse you are referring to is Ephesains 5:18 and be not drunk with wine that it being in excess but be filled with the Holy Spirit. This was a struggle in my life that kept me from receiving Christ until my buddy Joe clarified this topic with me just by showing me that one Bible verse. he also told me it was OK to drink but not get drunk. But he also shared with me the scripture pertaining to causing a brother to stumble. After a few more e nights in the barracks before lights out he shared more scripture with me that led me to Christ and he prayed for me and with me and just was my friend until I sensed something good and powerful which was the Holy Spirit and received Christ. My parents were social drinkers and in church some the holy ones thought that was a terrible sin yet my mother was the one that showed me a good example of reverence to God. I am sorry to say though that she hated God just before she died.
I drank, I smoked pot but quit when I figured out the social culture behind the drug culture. I also hate the feeling of bering drunk or high but I kept getting drunk for social acceptance from my National Guard buddies when I got to my home unit until the Spirit convicted me of what I was doing. After that I became more involved in the children's ministry. I still sat down to a cold beer even after I was walking with Christ but never let it be apparent to my brothers and sisters in Christ. I drifted away from ministry and church involvement, became backslidden but never drank to get drunk again. As for the drugs I quit those when I signed up for the Guard.
At the same time a condition of heart burn kept getting worse and I stayed away from the beer even more. When I got a job that paid insurance benefits I saw a doctor. He diagnosed it as Gastro Esophogeal Intestinal Reflex Disorder (GERD). The prescription I take for this condition is Prilosec and Propulsid. The label says in big words do not drink.......
At the same time I came back to Jesus Christ and started attending Assemblies Of God. I considered it a message from the Lord to stop drinking altogether. The scripture to not to let my brother stumble kept ringing in my head. I miss the German beer but not as much as I like living the Spirit controlled life and being obedient to God. Although my spiritual life before the fall was good it is nothing like it is now I have never experienced so much peace and love and the awesomeness of Gods power.
Ephesians 5:18 means more than not getting drunk but what it also means is not to let anything in our lives have so much control over us that it keeps us from living a Spirit controlled life. This means obsessions and drugs and drinking. Those that cannot leave it alone shouldn't go near it and those that get sick from it is like staying away from spicy food (another thing I miss but will indulge once in awhile). If a tattoo is acquired from an obsession or from vanity, that person should consider it carefully and prayerfully.
I like a brother that will speak what he beleives is truth and not what he has been taught by religion.
Randall A Hermanson
Pioneer Commander
FCF 1998
OP#1 Woodstock Il
Regarding the young man, there is probably something
deeper than just getting a tattoo. Maybe some kind of
rebellion or seeking of attention. Prayfully consider
how to answer and council.You can now turn your flame throwers on<G>
Reading the post on this got me thinking. I am not
saying if this is a sin or not, but what about our moral
conscience? You know that inkling in your gut that says
"maybe I shouldn't do this" What about the Holy Spirit?
God gave a conscience for a reason. If this young man
did not "feel" this was wrong, then why the
confrontation of the Commander? Justification maybe? How
would you feel if your Pastor and the deacons all
decided to get tatoos?Some say that we are not under Old Test. law because
Jesus fullfilled the law. Well, what about the Ten
Commandments? Do we disregard the whole book of
Leviticus?How about it not being in Scripture? does this mean if
it is not in scripture then it is O.K. Marijuana or
cocaine are not in scripture, so can I use that? It says
"..don't be drunk on wine". Well, one beer is not going
to get get me drunk. What's to stop me of popping a
"cold one" at PowWow? If it is "wrong" does that make it
a "sin".....Moral Conscience!
Not trying to flame just spark thought. Being Mexican,
I'm pretty heat resistent. So I welcome all responses,
answers, and opinions. God Bless.Geno Plares
O.P.#178 NCal/Nev
San Jose,CA.
> The original question had to do with a trailblazer asking about tattoos and
> body piercing. The way I would have answered him is this. Son, what does
> your parents say about this. Now if they are against it then there is your
> scriptural reference. Children should submit to their parents. If again he
> asked me what I believed I would tell him.
> When my daughter first asked about this, About the age of 12, my wife and I
> said, "You are not old enough to do this, however when you get a few more
> years older you can do it. It was our belief that she would do it then
> because she wanted to and not because of peer pressure. I believe we allowed
> her to have her ears pierced at the age of 16.
>
> In a message dated 1/15/2000 7:53:28 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> > I am at a loss right know. I have been trying to find scriptural
> references
> > about body tattoos and piercing. I have a trailblazer who is intrigued by
> > this mutilation of the body and he was challenging me on the topic . I need
> > prayer and scriptural backing for this.
> >
> >
> > Russ Rice
> > Anchor of Hope Ministries
> > Lebanon Ohio
> >
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