tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post7058696116047524641..comments2023-10-26T06:01:01.167-07:00Comments on WideOpen - Jeff Myers: "Vices" and ModerationJeff Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13360301384753597682noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-19781847314110347452008-07-17T20:42:00.000-07:002008-07-17T20:42:00.000-07:00I'm pretty sure God wan't thinking of coffee when ...I'm pretty sure God wan't thinking of coffee when talking of moderation. It's kind of like sex. There are some things that are only better with quantity.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09712245594585574154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-84116217767665041572008-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:002008-07-16T07:11:00.000-07:00In fairness, almost anything we consume that can b...In fairness, almost anything we consume that can be addictive, be it illegal drugs, caffeine, cigarettes, etc, has a mind altering affect. The neuro-receptors of our brain determine these things. I am a smoker, and there are certain receptors in my brain that crave nicotine throughout the day, and oftentimes their is a psychological addiction based on certain activities (ie- waking up and smoking, having one with my morning coffee, or the very occasional beer)<BR/>It seems to me that Brian is of the Nietzschean school of thought with his relative morality argument. Beware, that's a strange road to go down, and if you don't exercise moderation in your absorption of his words, it could lead you to the ultimate fascist mindset of making ones rules as you see fit for the moment, with no underlying principles with which to guide you.Mookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01073027586188784701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-80728244298393083922008-07-15T21:02:00.000-07:002008-07-15T21:02:00.000-07:00Yeah... what Jason said! My goal as a Christian i...Yeah... what Jason said! My goal as a Christian is to be "Christ-like". I certainly can't surpass that. He has extended grace to me that I don't deserve and I'm thankful that no matter how hard I may try - I don't have to earn it by following the letter of the law!! I will, however, in response to his abundant love, do my best to live a life that is pleasing to Him according to scripture. I'm also thankful for His Holy Spirit's guidance to show me through scripture what is appropriate and what is not. It's not my job to listen to other people, but to listen to God's word.Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18315105045872646373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-22515524055834350742008-07-15T19:46:00.000-07:002008-07-15T19:46:00.000-07:00Brian, you ought to listen to a song titled "A New...Brian, you ought to listen to a song titled "A New Law" by Derek Webb. It's off his "Mockingbird" album.<BR/><BR/> Brian, you ought also read Rev. 22:18 pertaining to the dangers of adding to God's Word...not pretty stuff.<BR/><BR/>Matt. 11:19 makes it clear that Jesus did drink during His ministry here on earth, though not a drunkard as the pharisees claimed. <BR/><BR/>So go have fun holding up a standard of righteousness that Jesus Himself did not attain to.<BR/><BR/>JasonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-46227463533694638412008-07-15T16:05:00.000-07:002008-07-15T16:05:00.000-07:00Brian,Wow, this is a hot-button issue for you isn'...Brian,<BR/><BR/>Wow, this is a hot-button issue for you isn't it? Concerning truth, I ABSOLUTELY believe in the absolute truth found in God's Word. However, the issues I'm speaking of for the purposes of this post are those issues that are either not addressed in Scripture or are not clearly addressed in Scripture.<BR/><BR/>To this end I believe that the Holy Spirit can impress upon you the importance of abstaining from certain behavior that He may or may not impress upon me. I believe the Holy Spirit wants to help us guard ourselves in the weak areas of our lives. For instance, I had a friend who was a talented guitar player, but when he accepted Christ he felt strongly he needed to give up the guitar. For him, the guitar was an idol in his life and a painful reminder of his rebellious life without Jesus. It was a clear decision to him. I even tried to talk him out of this decision, but he assured me this was the Holy Spirit protecting him from wandering from God. I on the other hand don't have the guitar "baggage" of my friend and enjoy playing - even to the glory of God. <BR/><BR/>Our lives, circumstances, DNA, weaknesses, and cultural settings are all unique. I believe God considers that when he reveals his will and direction for our lives to us. What God will never do is tell a person that it's OK for them to disobey a clear principle of Scripture because of their circumstances. That's where people stumble into the realm of making the truth relative vs. absolute.<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13360301384753597682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-50081068822486678592008-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:002008-07-15T14:51:00.000-07:00Doesn't the truth then become relative rather than...Doesn't the truth then become relative rather than absolute? Drinking in moderation is fine for some individuals but a sin for others depending upon "what is practical in our individual lives?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-23057943723815926432008-07-15T14:05:00.000-07:002008-07-15T14:05:00.000-07:00Brian,As far as illegal drugs becoming legal, I'll...Brian,<BR/><BR/>As far as illegal drugs becoming legal, I'll let you work that one out with the Holy Spirit. Is it possible to do illegal drugs in such moderation that they don't alter your mind? Not that I'm aware of. I don't think anyone's smoking pot because they enjoy the taste (but maybe I'm wrong).<BR/><BR/>A person is definitely drunk if they are over the legal B/A limits. Again if you've had enough alcohol, that you're impaired or altered in any way, I would define that as drunk. There are wine and beer lovers out there that appreciate the taste that have enough self-control to have a drink and stop. There are also people out there that are three-sheets-to-the-wind after one drink and they should just abstain.<BR/><BR/>The truth is that sometimes there are no neat, black/white answers. Sometimes God leaves us to use good judgment that we get from His Word, the Holy Spirit's leading, and what is practical in our individual lives.<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13360301384753597682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-86515227778540635672008-07-15T12:51:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:51:00.000-07:00So if our government ever legalizes marijuana then...So if our government ever legalizes marijuana then it will be ok for me to occasionally smoke a little pot as long as I do it in moderation? The Bible does not say anything about marijuana so as long as it is legal it is ok in moderation?<BR/><BR/>What about the second paragraph of my first post. How do you define drunk?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-32904975700304461682008-07-15T12:32:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:32:00.000-07:00Brian,You should apply moderation to those things ...Brian,<BR/>You should apply moderation to those things that the Bible is silent about and abstinence to those things that the Bible says to abstain from. You should also follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life on issues, too. Those issues you listed in the first half of your first paragraph are to be completely abstained from because the Bible is quite clear that they are sins. Other things we should abstain from are those things that are government says are illegal (i.e. - illegal narcotics, etc...), because we are to obey the laws of our governments.<BR/><BR/>The whole point of my post was that as Christians we need to try to reach a place where we are free from addictions of any kind. If your method of freeing yourself from the addiction of harmful substances or behaviors is total abstinence, then more power to you. But I believe we have the freedom in Christ to exercise moderation as well.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the input.<BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13360301384753597682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-73473839879915478962008-07-15T12:03:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:03:00.000-07:00Now you're calling me a coffee addict aren't you? ...Now you're calling me a coffee addict aren't you? Guess what, you're probably right!Dorthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17893009309872153731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27835654.post-62199906200259174372008-07-15T11:20:00.000-07:002008-07-15T11:20:00.000-07:00What else can I do in moderation? Can I cheat on m...What else can I do in moderation? Can I cheat on my wife as long as I only do it once or twice a year and don't get addicted? Is it okay for me lie, gossip, steal, lust, etc. as long as I only do it in moderation? Drinking seems to be the only thing people think is okay in moderation, but wrong when done in excess. Are there other things that are okay to do moderately, but become sin when done in excess?<BR/><BR/>We agree that being drunk is wrong. How do we define what "drunk" is. Do we go by the states legal blood alcohol limit? Is one beer okay, but 2 beers excessive? Some people get a buzz after just a little alcohol while others can drink much more before getting a buzz. Is drunkenness defined by how well you can handle your alcohol? I think God expects us to use some common sense. The Bible is very very clear that drunkenness is wrong. I think we can draw the conclusion that we should avoid the beverages that cause us to become drunk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com