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Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/30/2008 9:17:30 PM
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MyCatSmokey2006
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Recently, I've been throwing out some CD's videos and books with content that promote the things of this world, namely fornication, drunkenness, cursing and other such topics. I felt led to do this by the Holy Spirit based in part on other Christians admonishing words about this subject. I'm doing this gradually, because I'm having trouble convincing myself to get rid of my favorite items. I might add that I own these things. Also, I'm concerned that if I get rid of it all at one time and my Christian family members find out what I've done, then my sanity would be questioned and they might think that I'm "so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good."
I want to obey God and follow His leading. I believe that this is what He wants me to do. How can I explain to them my reasons for doing this without sounding like a "holy roller"? What Bible verses can I use to back it up?
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Melissa
<---Smokey
Tribute to a Good Friend (Blog Entry)
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/30/2008 10:17:36 PM
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PaleHawkWoman
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So, did you also toss out the works of William Shakespeare? Most of the tomes of classical literature and poetry? How about classic operas such as Aida and Madame Butterfly or Faust?
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/30/2008 10:33:58 PM
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TrustingGod
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MyCat, you go! It is difficult to get rid of things that you have "cherished"; however, if you are directed to do so by God then you need to do it! God will bless your obedience.
Don't worry about what your family thinks - let them see the fruit in your life!
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/30/2008 11:16:04 PM
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twinkleinhiseye
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I did the same thing about a year ago. Anything that I had packed away or was around that I hadn't previously noticed, I threw out. I didn't even want to sell it or give it to someone.
You aren't losing your mind, you are yielding to the Holy Spirit.
I also suggest after you have purged your home, that you pray over and bless your home ... each and every room!
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/31/2008 8:28:37 AM
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DaveW
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MCS2006: If the Lord impressed on you to get rid of those things, by all means pitch them.
HE says that for a reason, perhaps a personal reason for you. While there may be nothing overtly objectionable in a secular item of entertainment; if it becomes an idol in our heart, (and ONLY God can see what is truly in our heart) He will have us get rid of it because HE said "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exod 20.3) and to " ...abstain from things contaminated by idols." (Acts 15.20)
You should prayerfully examine why certain "cherished" items are so difficult to give up. It may be precisely those items that are the key to what God is trying to work into your own heart.
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/31/2008 9:00:35 AM
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Johnny_
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I agree with Dave, I think Acts 15:20 was a good verse. If the secular things you have contain inappropriate material or if those secular things have become an idol to you, then you should get rid of them. There is no question about it.
< Message edited by Johnny_ -- 10/31/2008 3:34:40 PM >
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/31/2008 10:27:59 AM
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Jhud
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From: Lake Wobegon
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quote:
Recently, I've been throwing out some CD's videos and books with content that promote the things of this world, namely fornication, drunkenness, cursing and other such topics. I felt led to do this by the Holy Spirit based in part on other Christians admonishing words about this subject. I'm doing this gradually, because I'm having trouble convincing myself to get rid of my favorite items. I might add that I own these things. Also, I'm concerned that if I get rid of it all at one time and my Christian family members find out what I've done, then my sanity would be questioned and they might think that I'm "so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good."
I want to obey God and follow His leading. I believe that this is what He wants me to do. How can I explain to them my reasons for doing this without sounding like a "holy roller"? What Bible verses can I use to back it up?
Well, I am not sure how your family would know unless you announced it; and if they happen to notice, it's a great opportunity to share the gospel with them.
_____________________________
Jack
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
- C.S. Lewis
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 10/31/2008 4:15:05 PM
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car2ner
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Just because it is secular doesn't mean it is bad. Getting rid of things that are questionable and turn your mind away from God is a worthy thing to do.
I agree that the family will be fine. Just do it and don't make a big deal out of it. Most of what we have is just "stuff" and we can live just fine without it.
_____________________________
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"May your days be long and your hardships few".
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/13/2008 7:30:19 PM
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Holiday
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I respectfully submit an alternative view on this.
About 5 years ago, I DESTROYED all my secular music CDs. I also went through a period of casting off books and clothes and all that that I felt God disapproved of.
Now, I have a different point of view on this. I feel like at the time I did these things, I was somewhat in the dark about salvation and felt like me doing all these things were things I HAD to do in order to keep my salvation.
I am not saying that the OP is experiencing this dilema. I am putting this out there to confess that several of the things I did for "holiness" - were things I was really doing to try to keep my salvation. By the way, I went around telling people that I did these acts as well, probably to look spiritual. I think that when I was acting in this way, what it took was a realization that I cannot please God apart from faith in Christ, so going around tossing this and that from my apartment was somewhat misguided.
Now, that being said, I would not personally have an item of pornogrpahy in my house nor would I have liquor, but some worldly music I enjoy, such as folky, country music and some rock music as well. So porn and liquor is where I draw the line. I also do not own guns, nor do I feel the need to. But rock and folk music I enjoy. So now we are really splitting hairs. Should all the Christian gun owners out there get rid of their guns because I don't want one?
I hope you all see where this is going. We need to spend time being thankful that Christ did what we can not do, be thankful EVERY DAY for that - and stop trying to make doctrines about what type of CD's we listen to or what kind of art we have on the wall, etc.
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 1:46:27 AM
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saraimay75
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Now I know you don't mean for everyone to do what you are doing.
I can't do it. I need my textbooks for classes.All of them secular. There are many books that I want to buy that are secular. They are children's books. I am going to be a preschool teacher.
_____________________________
God love admiration . . . I think it annoys God if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.
~Alice Walker~
http://360.yahoo.com/saraimay75
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 10:29:18 AM
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floydette
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quote:
ORIGINAL: elastic
one of my favorite things to do as a teen was to go to those bonfires where people were tossing out their worldly things like books and music. i would try to rescue things that interested me and bring them home. let me know if you are going to have a bonfire and if you have anything good, i'll be glad to take it off your hands.
That would be more environmentally friendly than sending CDs to landfills or burning them - just think of the toxins...
Do you suppose global warming has been caused by bonfires of CDs? 8-tracks for sure....
_____________________________
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 11:53:20 AM
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P31W
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MyCatSmokey2006
I think what you are doing and the way you are going about it is very normal. It's part of the sanctification process we christians go though while here on earth. Most of us don't have a Paul experience rather after we are saved we begin to become more and more aware of the things in our life that are not line with God's Word and our Spirit moves us to change in a righteous direction.
You are doing great! I never make bold announcements to anyone about what I have seen in my life and work to do away with or change. It does however come up in normal conversation with other Christian friends and we just share how we "all" are doing these sorts of things. Removing sin or things that cause us or others to stumble or a part of a past we don't want to think about is just normal for a born again believer.
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 12:18:44 PM
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floydette
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yea, I gotta agree with P31W (I know, it is amazing). sometimes it is best just to do what you feel you need to do and leave it a private matter. If things come up, you can always say it was something you felt you needed to do to move along in your journey of faith and leave it with that.
_____________________________
“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 2:48:59 PM
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P31W
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quote:
I gotta agree with P31W (I know, it is amazing).
faint and fall out. 
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/14/2008 2:50:34 PM
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floydette
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roflol........
did you go pentecostal?????? you know, with all your fainting and falling over.... lol
< Message edited by floydette -- 11/14/2008 3:07:39 PM >
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“The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.” Henri Bergson
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/15/2008 2:21:02 AM
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JumpyJimmy
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PaleHawkWoman
So, did you also toss out the works of William Shakespeare? Most of the tomes of classical literature and poetry? How about classic operas such as Aida and Madame Butterfly or Faust?
The point she was trying to make was that there are many things that we consider a normal part of today's society but are not "christian". In my experience sometimes we can confuse what the "spirit" is telling us with a "religious zeal". Be careful because the devil isn't the obvious he is in the subtleties of life.
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/15/2008 5:47:13 AM
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tomhillbilly
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Totally acceptable to decide what things you want to have or not have in your life.
related question: you mentioned christian family members thinking you are a "holy roller" Do your family members do things you have been part of in the past that you dont want to be part of anymore? are you hesitant that your life choices may offend and possibly alienate them?
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/15/2008 7:36:01 AM
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humbleinspirit
Posts: 17768
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: Just Outside of Boston
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MyCatSmokey2006
Recently, I've been throwing out some CD's videos and books with content that promote the things of this world, namely fornication, drunkenness, cursing and other such topics. I felt led to do this by the Holy Spirit based in part on other Christians admonishing words about this subject. I'm doing this gradually, because I'm having trouble convincing myself to get rid of my favorite items. I might add that I own these things. Also, I'm concerned that if I get rid of it all at one time and my Christian family members find out what I've done, then my sanity would be questioned and they might think that I'm "so heavenly minded that I'm no earthly good."
I want to obey God and follow His leading. I believe that this is what He wants me to do. How can I explain to them my reasons for doing this without sounding like a "holy roller"? What Bible verses can I use to back it up?
I went through a period of purging, which I called "The great record break of '88!" Now whether I would do the same now, I do not know. In any case I think it is healthy to look at what we have that influences us and take an account and count the cost, both figuratively and literally.
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/15/2008 10:32:13 AM
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StephK
Posts: 2237
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From: Southwest Louisiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DaveW
MCS2006: If the Lord impressed on you to get rid of those things, by all means pitch them.
HE says that for a reason, perhaps a personal reason for you. While there may be nothing overtly objectionable in a secular item of entertainment; if it becomes an idol in our heart, (and ONLY God can see what is truly in our heart) He will have us get rid of it because HE said "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exod 20.3) and to " ...abstain from things contaminated by idols." (Acts 15.20)
You should prayerfully examine why certain "cherished" items are so difficult to give up. It may be precisely those items that are the key to what God is trying to work into your own heart.
Well said. I got caught up in the hype back in the late 80's and got rid of it all. It wasn't from conviction but following the herd. There are things that I am convicted of and it's not a problem to let them go. Knowing the difference is the key.
_____________________________
Stephanie
The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left.
Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is. ~ Ecc. 10:2-3
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/15/2008 11:57:02 PM
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MyCatSmokey2006
Posts: 3166
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I thank you all for your advice and encouragement. I'm still getting rid of some of these things without too much trouble. I did tell one of my family members about why I was getting rid of them, but she said that I didn't need to because God gave us the gift of music or something like that. I'm still following what I feel God is leading me to do and that is to get rid of the things that cause me to idolize people or ideas instead of focusing on my heavenly Father.
Some of the music I had trouble giving up included Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, both of whom are my favorite country singers. Their songs get my mind off track though, so that's why I got rid of them.
Other music that I had no trouble getting rid of was my Kendalls CD's and records, with the songs "Heaven's Just A Sin Away" and "It Doesn't Feel Like Sinning To Me" on them. I felt the Holy Spirit's conviction when I played those songs, so I decided to get rid of them, along with lots of other music glorifying fornication, etc. It's hard getting rid of my favorite music, but I'm doing it to glorify God and that's what matters to me the most.
_____________________________
Melissa
<---Smokey
Tribute to a Good Friend (Blog Entry)
MY CAT POST
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RE: Getting Rid of Secular Music, Videos and Books - 11/16/2008 7:46:56 AM
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Cloak
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I applaud you for what you're doing MyCat!
However, I believe that God can exist even in secular matters as long as they do not promote things unbiblical. He can exist in Shakespeare's works and many others artistry and literature stuff. In fact many poets, scientists and artists were believing Christians and their works were manifest of their own beliefs. So before we condemn every body, we should be judicious. For the record, secularism and doubt can exist even in Christian places.
As long as you feel that the Holy Spirit is putting this on your heart, just follow along with your heart.
Yes, the Bible states boldly: "Do not be conformed with this world, but be transformed...."
_____________________________
Blessings!
And My God shall meet ALL Your Needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 19)
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