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Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 6:07:49 AM
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mvic
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Someone at work said once: "Too much religion addles the brain!"
They were referring to a group of "Christians" (2 or 3 people) who never lost an opportunity to proclaim their religion. How God did this and that to them. How they were saved etc... etc ... Their religion was so much "in your face" whether you wanted it or not and was somewhat off-putting.
They saw "miracles" in the slightest event that might happen and it was obvious that their whole life, from waking to sleeping, was centred on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, praising etc ...
Now, I don't blame their enthusiasm ... but is it possible that some people take their religion a bit too far? To the point where it does "addle" their mind. After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Is this really what He wants?
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 6:26:06 AM
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glimmerinthedark
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Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
I believe that these people have a God given desire and passion for Him. Either that or they are trying to remove the speck from the eyes of people without noticing the log in their own. Doubt the latter though.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 7:28:08 AM
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JMCrwd
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I used to spend all of my time wishing I could be like someone else in my spiritual life, and to be honest I was miserable. God finally told me that I wasn't that other person I was trying to be like and I never would be. He wanted me to be like me and love and worship him in my way as long as I worshipped him in spirit and truth. Since I have started doing that I have been alot happier , it's still not the easiest thing but I am growing everyday.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 9:01:50 AM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1120
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Someone at work said once: "Too much religion addles the brain!"
They were referring to a group of "Christians" (2 or 3 people) who never lost an opportunity to proclaim their religion. How God did this and that to them. How they were saved etc... etc ... Their religion was so much "in your face" whether you wanted it or not and was somewhat off-putting.
They saw "miracles" in the slightest event that might happen and it was obvious that their whole life, from waking to sleeping, was centred on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, praising etc ...
Now, I don't blame their enthusiasm ... but is it possible that some people take their religion a bit too far? To the point where it does "addle" their mind. After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Is this really what He wants?
Actually, to live life and enjoy it is to be obsessed with God. And having our whole life, from waking to sleeping, centred on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, praising etc., is exactly what it is all about. And never loosing an opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus would ideally be the norm and not the exception for Christians.
The key word there is "opportunity". Opportunities are created by the Holy Spirit, not us. If a person is not asking for help, most times they will not accept it, and if you try to force it upon them they will simply rebel against it. And to be constantly parading your "spirituality", is more a sign of pride than of the humbleness that the Spirit produces within the believer.
I do not apologize nor hide who I am in Christ. The highest compliment I can receive is to hear someone say "there is obviously something different about you". That is a 'mind opening to the Spirit' moment for them, not brought about by anything I have done, but by the Holy Spirit through me to them as I simply be who I am.
Make no doubt about it, the world watches us. They see the hypocrisy, but they also see the reality...when it is there. When we are dependent upon Jesus, when we are allowing Him to shine through us, it cannot help but to illuminate those around us.
Let the only explanation for you...be Jesus Christ!
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 9:07:05 AM
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JimboFletch
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quote:
Now, I don't blame their enthusiasm ... but is it possible that some people take their religion a bit too far? To the point where it does "addle" their mind. After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Is this really what He wants?
This world is not a believer's home, we are travelers on our way to our eternal home with our Savior. To me, it's foolish to become too "obsessed" with this world, we'll be in heaven WAY longer than we will be here.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 9:22:51 AM
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AboundinginHisGrace
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I find myself kinda in their same boat. About 7 months ago my wife and I were going through some very tough times and I was forced to rely on God and only on God. Prior to that I was still a Christian but wasn't as dedicated as I should have been. Since about 7 months ago I have been on fire for God. My walk is so much stronger than its ever been. It is all I really want to talk about and read about, but you will find that even Christians don't mind you getting saved they just don't want you to get too saved . I just know what my God has done for me and I want to praise/bless him every waken moment of my life. I can't help it. It's just what I am supposed to do. Even if I wanted too I couldn't stop living for the Lord that changed my life. But the stronger your walk is with God the more people will dislike you (even some Christians). However, let the Holy Spirit guide your walk. It is easy to get judgmental of people. Not everyone is gong to get saved, so you just have to accept it sometimes that some people just don't care about Christ. You have to realize people who do not have Christ no matter what they are doing, it is what they are supposed to do. We can't change people only Christ can do that. It is our job to tell the Gospel, and it is up to Christ to do the saving.
< Message edited by AboundinginHisGrace -- 6/6/2008 9:31:33 AM >
_____________________________
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 9:41:14 AM
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Kat_D
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Jesus Christ is the source of all joy for the Christian. We are no longer to follow the edict, "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we may die." Our enjoyment of life is no longer what we live for...we now have a higher purpose and calling than those who do not know Him:
2 "For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing... 13 Be at peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." -I Thessalonians 5
So, according to those Scriptures, yes, we are to be obsessed by God. Some Christians may be over-zealous in doing that, and it can be off-putting to some, but it is the will of God for us. He should be our primary focus 24/7 and if it is offensive to some, so be it. That is likely conviction. Jesus Christ is, and always will be, a "stumbling block" and "foolishness" to those who do not know Him. (I Corinthians 1)
Actually, the real problem is not that we who live out our faith have "addled minds." We are not confused! It is those who live outside the faith whose minds are "addled." As well it should be! 
< Message edited by Kat_D -- 6/6/2008 9:50:07 AM >
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 9:45:28 AM
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rcjames
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Now, I don't blame their enthusiasm ... but is it possible that some people take their religion a bit too far? To the point where it does "addle" their mind. After all, life is for living. To be enjoyed. Not spent 24/7 "obsessed" with God.
Is this really what He wants?
I guess the point I don't understand about your post is that you seem to make "Life is for living. To be enjoyed" mutually exclusive from one's faith. I just do not see it that way.
I don't think anyone has anymore "Fun" than I do, and everything I do is Christ centered.
Now maybe it is "Religion" you are talking about and not Faith.
Thanks
RC
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 10:01:47 AM
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SuspenseWriter
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Good point, RC. On February 15, 1975 I abandoned "religion" when I gave my heart to Jesus. I don't regret getting out of that mud pit for one second.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 10:08:03 AM
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JimboFletch
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From an email devotion I received this morning:
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . Matt. 6:19-20
A man once asked D. L. Moody, "Now that I am converted, have I got to give up the world?" Moody replied, "No, you haven't got to give up the world; if you give a good ringing testimony for the Son of God, the world will give you up pretty quick."
This conversation echoes one that took place over two thousand years ago in Judea between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler. Hearing that he must sell his possessions and give to the poor was simply more than he could bear, so he forfeited his "treasure in heaven" for temporary treasures on earth (Matthew 19:21-22).
The lure of the world is like a strong undertow, relentless in its pull toward certain death. This is why it is so critical that we, as Christians, keep our mind's eye fixated on the eternal treasures we lay up for ourselves every time we choose to give up worldly pleasures. By doing this over and over, we will gain strength in our stand against conforming to the world and become more like Christ every day.
Brother, let me say this to you: You are on one side or the other. - Samuel Porter Jones
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 10:39:04 AM
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blue1914
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
They were referring to a group of "Christians" (2 or 3 people) who never lost an opportunity to proclaim their religion. How God did this and that to them. How they were saved etc... etc ... Their religion was so much "in your face" whether you wanted it or not and was somewhat off-putting.
I guess I would ask-exactly what is the off-putting part?
The part I bolded is really at the key of this all "...whether you wanted it or not...". Is it just that these people were being annoying? I really like chocolate chip cookies, but if I walked into an office and someone shoved one in my face every day, I would be annoyed-not because of the cookie, but because of their approach. Is that the case with these co-workers-do they "badger" people in general, or is it just that in normal speech situations almost always they turn the discussion spiritual?
If it's the latter, I guess the "word in season" might be something to pray over, but more to the point one might ask what is really annoying about what they are doing-is it the fact that they have a faith or that it's such a big part of their life? I'd probably guess that what annoys people is the fact that they are seeing a mirror of sorts (perhaps what they should be or want to be)-and as one who isn't always pleased with the results in the mirror , I can tell you, it's always a lot easier to attack the mirror than what the mirror is reflecting.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 11:23:11 AM
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iamjc-s
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If you had some old friends and you made a new friend, would you not want your old friends to also become friends with your new friend so you could all hangout & do things together?
If Jesus is their new friend, this could be what they're trying to do.
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On the other hand, there is such a thing called a spirit of religion that is from Satan, where people are focused on being religious instead of focusing on the Heavenly Father & his Son - Jesus, 1st & foremost.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 11:30:48 AM
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Miril
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I am in the same boat that it is a relationship and not religion.
From an email devotional I received this morning:
You Can Know God Intimately
Bishop Keith Butler
"That I might know Him more deeply and intimately - that I may know the wonders of His Person..." Philippians 3:10
In the book of Revelation, you can read about the angels, the seraphim and cherubim that fly around the throne of God and are before God's face. They go around the very circumference of the throne, behold the face of God, and fly around the throne again and again (see Rev. 4:8).
The Scripture tells us that every time they see God's face, they say, "Holy." They go back around and see the face of God again and each time they see something new, and they say, "Holy." Then they fly around again and see something else new they have not seen before, and they say, "Holy is the Lord!"
Man, they've been flying around that throne for billions of years, but every time they come around and see the very face of God, they see something deeper in God! They see something more intimate in God. They see something that makes them say once again, "Holy is the Lord!"
Well, some folks only get around once. They get saved, and that's it. And even that revelation of God the Creator begins to slip from them after a while, and they begin to wonder if their experience is real. That is because they have not seen the multi-faceted face of God Almighty. They have not understood that there's a deeper understanding, even of El Shaddai, than just that He is the God of more than enough.
He is the God who is everything you need Him to be. And the way to know that for yourself is to spend time with Him - in the Word of God and in prayer. Spend time meditating in the Word of God and He will show you more of Himself. Then every time you get before God you will say, "Holy." Then you will go before Him in prayer and you will say, "Holy." You will be driving in your car and you will say, "Holy." You will get to know God more deeply and intimately in the wonders of His person.
Scripture References: Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 4:8
HOLY HOLY HOLY IS THE LORD! Praise God 
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 12:34:01 PM
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mvic
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Thank you all for your posts - I feel humbled that you took the time to respond and to share and witness your Faith.
To quote URForgiven "there is obviously something different about you". May you be always blessed.
I feel that the problem with these 2 or 3 people is that their "religion" (as opposed to Christianity) pervades their every conversation. Let me give an example: If they were talking about Mr X, and at that same moment the phone rings and it is Mr X, they would say "God made him ring ..."
Now this may be so, or it may not. It's not for me to say. But I see others at work look at each other and snigger.
As a Christian I try (and often fail) to "live" my Christianity rather than go around publicising it from the roof tops. I feel (perhaps wrongly) that these people, with their comment about Mr X are doing a dis-service to Christianity rather than "helping it along". The sniggerish reaction from others is proof of this.
RCJames is right. You can be a Christian and have fun. But I suppose that these people are portraying more their "religion" rather than their "Faith" (Christianity). And that is what is off-putting.
As Blue1914 put it: they are shoving chocolate chip cookies at everyone whether they want them or not. The reactions from others is to smile, look the other way politely, snigger or look up to the sky in exasparation. And I suspect Jesus is a little embarrassed by the result. But who am I to say?
Thank you again all for your replies.
God bless.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 4:32:14 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: AboundinginHisGrace
I find myself kinda in their same boat. About 7 months ago my wife and I were going through some very tough times and I was forced to rely on God and only on God. Prior to that I was still a Christian but wasn't as dedicated as I should have been. Since about 7 months ago I have been on fire for God. My walk is so much stronger than its ever been. It is all I really want to talk about and read about, but you will find that even Christians don't mind you getting saved they just don't want you to get too saved . I just know what my God has done for me and I want to praise/bless him every waken moment of my life. I can't help it. It's just what I am supposed to do. Even if I wanted too I couldn't stop living for the Lord that changed my life. But the stronger your walk is with God the more people will dislike you (even some Christians). However, let the Holy Spirit guide your walk. It is easy to get judgmental of people. Not everyone is gong to get saved, so you just have to accept it sometimes that some people just don't care about Christ. You have to realize people who do not have Christ no matter what they are doing, it is what they are supposed to do. We can't change people only Christ can do that. It is our job to tell the Gospel, and it is up to Christ to do the saving.
I know what you mean AboundinginHisGrace. This is familiar ground. Praise God - only He can work all things together for good (Romans 8:28). Hallelujah.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 6/6/2008 4:39:03 PM >
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 6:21:44 PM
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SonInMe1
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I think there is value in witnessing to people in a way that is effective.
Christianese is not an effective witnessing tool. Using all the church language or talking in King James english.
Always spiritualizing every evnet just to talk about your religion...it doesn't smack of a love for God. Its smacks of pride in who you are, not in who God is.
I dislike church addicts. Those who promote their church over all else. Always talking about their church. Always promoting it. This is a symptom not of a zealous convert but of a church worshipper, someone taught to fill the seats of the church, not win souls for Christ.
The best effective witness, in my opinion, isn't talking about Jesus, its living Jesus. Bashing people over the head with bible verses and religion and church and of course....RULES.....will not lead too many to Christ.
Living a life of integrity, love and following Jesus will. Certainly we are never to deny Christ before men but there is a pride line we should not cross.
I try to live my life as the "best christian" I can and when an opportunity to share about Jesus or a biblical truth comes up...and they always do....then I will say something. If you live your life in integrity, they will listen. If they know you, have experienced "life" with you, they will listen.
If you go up to essentialy what is a stranger and beat him over the head with christinese and religiousosity, he will turn you off.
You must invest into someone.
You must live a life of integrity.
The witness will come from these.
< Message edited by SonInMe1 -- 6/6/2008 6:27:46 PM >
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 6:53:15 PM
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mvic
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SoninMe1,
You make my point exactly and better than I would have put it: "The best effective witness isn't talking about jesus, it's living Jesus". I couldn't agree more.
The people I described in the Opening Post, although they may mean well, and I don't doubt their integrity (even though I might find them a little off-putting) will ,and do, effectively turn people off by their continuous talk about religion - e.g. attributing a coincidental phone call from Mr X to the fact that God asked him to phone.
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RE: Too much religion addles the brain ! - 6/6/2008 7:09:27 PM
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deliveredarling
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There is two sides to this coin MVIC.
One is that their behavior is about them, not you. Nor is it a reflection of you or any other Chrisitan. You might think that it is. non-Christians say all the time that it is Christians that turn them off. the truth is that they are not ready or willing to give God a chance and this is their excuse.
You do not have to be around it. Meaning that YOU have the ability to tune it out, ignore them.
Two, why do some of us have to be the party poopers, the balloon busters? If someone spends every minute of the day focused on God- Praise God for their discipline. Thank God that these few have moved to a maturity level that this world effects them less and less. may all of us get to that point sooner. If it turns you off, figure out specifically why it bothers you. I'm talking about going deep within side of you, not just looking at the surface annoyance and see if you don't just come up with a truth about yourself.
(This is in no way a criticism or harsh wording to you. I mean it sincerely to be helpful in my life. I have often found when something annoys me terribly, it's because I am looking in the mirror of circumstance)
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Luke 8:16
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