Taking "Judge Not" Out of Context...

[trouble13]

I wrote a devotion about the harm of pornography and a woman wrote and told me, "Judge not." She said I shouldn't judge people's choices in reading materials because that was God's job.

Her misunderstanding is common. Many people think that the Bible prohibits us from judging anything beyond our own sins.

But the "Judge not" passage (Matthew 7:1-5), when read in context, actually teaches us these points:

• Don’t judge others with a different standard than you judge yourself.
• Judge your own sins first, because unrepentant sin alters your "vision" (perspective).
• If you appropriately deal with your sins, you’ll be able to appropriately judge others effectively.

This passage prohibits hypocritical judging, not judging in general.

So why have we so easily accepted this "judge not" error?

Because Satan has been twisting Scripture from the beginning of time to confuse us and make us soft on sin.

But we can refuse Satan's counsel by checking everything, even out-of-context Scripture passages, against the full truth of God's Word.
https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2013/01/do-not-judge.html?m=1

It's what happens when people mistake an allegory for truth. Once you understand that religion is only an allegory things make more sense.

 

[Logician Man]

And he has...

How has Satan been twisting Scripture "since the beginning of time" ( from your OP ) when the Scriptures didn't exist when time began? They didn't even exist when you claim "time began for mankind."

 

[Daisy]

How has Satan been twisting Scripture "since the beginning of time" when the Scriptures didn't exist when time began? They didn't even exist when you claim "time began for mankind."

I just told you how...time as we know it began with mankind...Satan told Eve she would not die but she would be like God...twisting everything the Scriptures tells us even before it was penned...there is no immortal soul, Eve did die, and there is no one like God...

 

[Logician Man]

I just told you how...time as we know it began with mankind...Satan told Eve she would not die but she would be like God...twisting everything the Scriptures tells us even before it was penned...there is no immortal soul, Eve did die, and there is no one like God...

Mankind, according to the Bible, was created on the 6th day. Is it your contention days 1-5 were 'without time'?

 

[Daisy]

Mankind, according to the Bible, was created on the 6th day. Is it your contention days 1-5 were 'without time'?

Time began for man when he was created so in the sense the OP is expressing, yes, that is when time began and when Satan began to plot his schemes...he wanted what God had, for mankind to serve him, rather than God...

 

[Logician Man]

Time began for man when he was created so in the sense the OP is expressing, yes, that is when time began and when Satan began to plot his schemes...he wanted what God had, for mankind to serve him, rather than God...

OP isn't addressing "when time began for man." OP is addressing "Satan has been twisting Scripture since the beginning of time." ( see OP content for validation )

 

[Daisy]

OP isn't addressing "when time began for man." OP is addressing "Satan has been twisting Scripture since the beginning of time." ( see OP content for validation )

We'll have to disagree...I understand the OP differently...time, for man, did not begin before man was created...the expression, "since the beginning of time" is a hyperbolic phrase anyway, not meant to be taken literally...I've used it often myself...

 

[Logician Man]

We'll have to disagree...I understand the OP differently...time, for man, did not begin before man was created...the expression, "since the beginning of time" is a hyperbolic phrase anyway, not meant to be taken literally...I've used it often myself...

Fair enough, and points for admitting you used "hyperbole" in your OP which is "not to be taken literally."

 

[Arlette]

OP isn't addressing "when time began for man." OP is addressing "Satan has been twisting Scripture since the beginning of time." ( see OP content for validation )

May I ask why you bother?

I feel sorry for Elora. Her religion has twisted humanity and this world into something ugly, something to be scared of

 

[Logician Man]

May I ask why you bother?

I feel sorry for Elora. Her religion has twisted humanity and this world into something ugly, something to be scared of

Elora and I are friends. We simply disagree on matters of religion/religious beliefs. We have our convos/debates, keep them civil, and once the convos are over, we agree to disagree, and move on.

 

[Questerr]

Elora and I are friends. We simply disagree on matters of religion/religious beliefs. We have our convos/debates, keep them civil, and once the convos are over, we agree to disagree, and move on.

You’re friends with people who engage in apologetics for slavery and child murder?

 

[NotreDame]

The above beckons the question as to why an Omnipotent God would allow "His Word" ( Scripture ) to be "twisted." Once "His Word" has been twisted, the path to truth is blunted.

The answer is free will. Yes, free will means God cannot zap people to do only what he wants. Shocking concept, i know.

 

[NotreDame]

That^ doesn't address that once God's Word has been "twisted", the path to 'original' truth is blunted with 'lies', leaving no path to 'original' Biblical 'truth.'

Ah, yes, this is true if one is to ignore the following facts.

1. The Bible was written in a human language.
2. The human language was Hebrew/Greek (Koine Greek to be precise).
3. Hebrew/Greek language has words much like the other human languages in existence.
4. Hebrew/Greek words have meaning, like the words in other human languages.
5. The meaning of Hebrew/Greek words have a limited range of meaning, just as words in other languages have a limited range of meaning.
6. The authors of the Bible chose Hebrew/Greek words to express their message, convey a point, articulate their thoughts.
7. By examining the meaning of those words, by examining context, word usage within the Bible, by examining other sources to discover how words were used to express a meaning, one can arrive at the “original” meaning with a high degree of confidence.

For the sake of simplicity, the original meaning of “Jesus wept” is easily discoverable. The original meaning of “do not murder” is easily discoverable.

This isn’t to suggest the Bible lacks ambiguity. Rather, I’m refuting your notion of “leaving no path” to “original” meaning/truth in the Bible. Simply, the “no path” claim is baseless.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Because Satan has been twisting Scripture from the beginning of time to confuse us and make us soft on sin.

How have we been soft on sin?

 

[Questerr]

How have we been soft on sin?

By not having the government kill homosexual people. You know, the “godly thing to do”.

 

[Arlette]

How have we been soft on sin?

Eating ham sandwiches

 

[lwf]

lol...sounds like a judgement...

Only saying the Pharisees were rebuked for defending their right to judge others based on their own interpretation of the holy books.

Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Your judgement was against the author of 50 Shades of Gray (and pornography in general.) Who did she victimize by writing erotic fiction?

 

[Daisy]

Only saying the Pharisees were rebuked for defending their right to judge others based on their own interpretation of the holy books.

Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Your judgement was against the author of 50 Shades of Gray (and pornography in general.) Who did she victimize by writing erotic fiction?

Well, since you insist on going there...this article is on porn specifically but the same can be said for erotic fiction...

How does pornography affect individuals?​

WHAT EXPERTS SAY: Pornography is highly addictive, with some researchers and therapists even likening it to crack cocaine.
Brian,* who was hooked on Internet pornography, relates: “Nothing would stop me. I felt like I was in some sort of trance. I would literally shake and develop pains in my head. I struggled to stop, but years later I was still addicted.”
People who indulge in pornography often cover up their habit. They are secretive and deceitful. Not surprisingly, many suffer from feelings of isolation, shame, anxiety, depression, and anger. In some cases, they even develop suicidal tendencies. “My mood became self-absorbed and desperate,” says Serge, who downloaded porn to his mobile phone almost daily. “I felt worthless, guilty, alone, and trapped. I was too embarrassed and scared to seek help.”
Even a fleeting or accidental brush with pornography can have a negative impact. Testifying before a U.S. Senate committee, Dr. Judith Reisman, a leading researcher on pornography, said: “Pornographic visual images imprint and alter the brain, triggering an instant, involuntary, but lasting, biochemical memory trail [that is] difficult or impossible to delete.” Susan, 19, who was exposed to pornographic Web sites, relates: “The images are engraved on my mind. They pop up unexpectedly. It feels like I will never completely be able to erase them.”
THE BOTTOM LINE: Pornography enslaves and wreaks havoc on its victims.—2 Peter 2:19.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013562?q=porn&p=sen

 

[American]

The above beckons the question as to why an Omnipotent God would allow "His Word" ( Scripture ) to be "twisted." Once "His Word" has been twisted, the path to truth is blunted.

It's called Free Will, people are picking the team they want to be on.

 

[Arlette]

Well, since you insist on going there...this article is on porn specifically but the same can be said for erotic fiction...

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013562?q=porn&p=sen

Oh now it's what experts say. What does "God" say about porn?

 

[lwf]

Well, since you insist on going there...this article is on porn specifically but the same can be said for erotic fiction...

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2013562?q=porn&p=sen

If we expand the definition of addictive to include things that don't create an artificial chemical dependency, then a lot of things can be addictive. Television is addictive. Video games are addictive.

Yet when consumed in moderation by the majority of society, they harm no one. I would argue that pornography is no more sinful than any other form of entertainment. Anything can be taken to extremes. That doesn't automatically mean it is harmful when consumed responsibly and in moderation.

 

[Arlette]

If we expand the definition of addictive to include things that don't create an artificial chemical dependency, then a lot of things can be addictive. Television is addictive. Video games are addictive.

Yet when consumed in moderation by the majority of society, they harm no one. I would argue that pornography is no more sinful than any other form of entertainment. Anything can be taken to extremes. That doesn't automatically mean it is harmful when consumed responsibly and in moderation.

I agree. The sensible thing to do is to watch Jesus porn if you are into watching porn

 

[RAMOSS]

Yes, it does...with Satan being allowed to prove himself...you know that old saying...give a man enough rope and all...the truth is still there...

Christianity gets Satan all wrong. The way that Christian imagined him is quite wrong.

 

[bomberfox]

Ah, yes, this is true if one is to ignore the following facts.

1. The Bible was written in a human language.
2. The human language was Hebrew/Greek (Koine Greek to be precise).
3. Hebrew/Greek language has words much like the other human languages in existence.
4. Hebrew/Greek words have meaning, like the words in other human languages.
5. The meaning of Hebrew/Greek words have a limited range of meaning, just as words in other languages have a limited range of meaning.
6. The authors of the Bible chose Hebrew/Greek words to express their message, convey a point, articulate their thoughts.
7. By examining the meaning of those words, by examining context, word usage within the Bible, by examining other sources to discover how words were used to express a meaning, one can arrive at the “original” meaning with a high degree of confidence.

For the sake of simplicity, the original meaning of “Jesus wept” is easily discoverable. The original meaning of “do not murder” is easily discoverable.

This isn’t to suggest the Bible lacks ambiguity. Rather, I’m refuting your notion of “leaving no path” to “original” meaning/truth in the Bible. Simply, the “no path” claim is baseless.

The response you are posting to is taking the argument that Elora made for the sake of argument.

 

[bomberfox]

If we expand the definition of addictive to include things that don't create an artificial chemical dependency, then a lot of things can be addictive. Television is addictive. Video games are addictive.

Yet when consumed in moderation by the majority of society, they harm no one. I would argue that pornography is no more sinful than any other form of entertainment. Anything can be taken to extremes. That doesn't automatically mean it is harmful when consumed responsibly and in moderation.

The bible and religion can be addictive