Issues of Worldliness

[14dimaspartak]

Cigarettes are addicting because of nicotine. Addiction is a sin. What does this man not understand? It's not difficult whatsoever..

[thejaguartakedown]

theese guys are wussys VVV

[DougCameraMan]

Jesus was in the world, but not of the world. The difference is who you love and serve, God or money (the material world).

[KIZERVONZINGER]

We all need a balance I love my worldly friends but I am not about to do what they do, I love my gay family member because God loves the Sinner but hates the Sin, I am not their judge because God tell me not to judge that is between the sinner and God. You can be a good Christian in this World as long as you have a strong foundation you will have no fear of any one or any thing . We Should Never Judge any one.

[desasterz]

Repent Simon Coward!!!

[Pfsif]

Your church? Now that really wrong!!!! Fill that church up with unregenerate freaks and you'll be sooooo coooool.

[devanaire]

you are a pharisee! Woe to you. He's reaching the lost. I'm sure you think you are soooooo Godly in your holy bubble. You know ppl like you put Jesus on the cross.

[allykat012]

no actually, it was probably people like you...who condemn others but you are most likely already condemed....Jesus believed in showing love and compassion towards others not condemning but rather helping others....

[devanaire]

@allykat012 we're not supposed to condemn the sheep, but examine the bible how Jesus spoke to the Pharisees! We are not supposed to speak to Pharisees the same way we speak to the sheep. Read how Jesus spoke to the self righteous legalists.

[devanaire]

@allykat012 You need to watch the video "How Sharp Is The Edge" because it seems to me that you don't know how Jesus spoke to the Pharisees. There's a difference between how you talk to different people. Watch that video for enlightenment.

[hisbabygirl1227]

the bible says to be IN this world but not OF this world. as long as what you do is for the glory and the purpose of Christ, then you are not of this world. you are of the greater good!

[waluum]

@hisbabygirl1227 Driscoll brought up a few examples: sexual practices, excess indulgence, tattoos, piercings, body modifications, cosmetic enhancement/surgery, worldly movies, worldly music, etc. Can any of these be done to the glory of God? If so, how?

[hisbabygirl1227]

@waluum i think you completely misread/misunderstood my comment. We are to live in a way that is pleasing to God. Obviously, most of the things you listed are not or would not be pleasing to God. I stated that if what you are doing is for the glory and purpose of Christ, then you are not of this world.... you are living for Christ.

[waluum]

@hisbabygirl1227 I apologize for misinterpreting you, but it sounded ambiguous and I think it's important to draw clear lines on these sorts of issues. Too much unnecessary division, and empty unity, results from lack of clarity.

[cali25309]

these are things the Lord tests christians with everyday..some abide some don't yet they feel they're true followers of the lords commands...read your bible and you will find the truth thru the Lord

[XpheenyX]

This guy freaking rules.

[bigpap90]

i think the question is not is it worldly but does that person doing it have a repentant heart toward Jesus? We all have different convictions by the HOly Spirit and we all make mistakes; we all continue to grow with God, but the question is is God doing a work in your heart as you open the scriptures and disect the Word and become more Christ-like. Be patient with everyone were all fighting the good fight!

[laurencecooper]

useful

[shellieida]

Is this guy a Pastor? Godly and Worldly!! No Questions, just read the Bible!! duh!

[ticklemeearmo]

ya, but people aren't reading their bibles. and many who read it do not STUDY it to have deep understanding of theological truths. because of that, it leaves much decision in the hands of people from cultural backgrounds, different tastes, and preferences deciding what's sin is, or isn't.

[irgunlehistern]

silly stuff

[thereguritence]

This video is one of the most amazing ironies on Youtube. Here is the guy called "Mark the cussing pastor" in the book by Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz, talking about worldliness. Driscoll has a somewhat of a reputation for joking in the pulpit, but he really seems like the joke in this video.

[VindinBinDwinjy]

@thereguritence How so? If you believe the Bible then he didn't say anything that should be taken as a joke.

[Conail23]

in the King James Bible new wine is wine...so Jesus didnt necessarily make booze, the wine could have been new wine which we now call grapejuice...

[irgunlehistern]

Yep... all in the greek!!

[irgunlehistern]

Jesus hung with them... but never did what they did.... He never sinned. Also, last time I checked... I'm no Jesus, and if I hang out too much with the world... I am going to do what they do, I will sin eventually... And if anyone thinks they are stronger... they are deluded. The Bible calls us to separate ourselves from the world. Be in the world, but not of it.

[Skam127]

Amen: live as a holy nation (pretty much sums up 1 Peter.

[VindinBinDwinjy]

@irgunlehistern Tell me then, how do you plan to fulfill the Great Commission? Seems like you would have a hard time preaching the gospel to all men if you refuse to be around them. ALSO: Show me the verse that says "separate yourselves from the world."

[irgunlehistern]

@VindinBinDwinjy 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, Check out verse 17, "Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." As for the great commission: Jesus' words in John 17:15-17 is clear that we are in the world but not "of the world" we are sanctified, set apart spiritually from it. I preach the gospel just fine... I just make sure that the World isn't in me.. that I remain holy, by the power of God's spirit this is possible.

[VindinBinDwinjy]

@irgunlehistern Yes, in this verse Jesus says don't touch unclean things. Also, I understand the be "in" and not "of"". That said, Christians need to be careful not to be off putting to the world in their attempts to not become a part of the world. Too many Christians get a smug, self-righteous arrogance in their efforts to remain apart from the world.

[irgunlehistern]

@VindinBinDwinjy I agree 100% that we are not to be smug, self-righteous, & arrogant towards the world. But you know what is funny? There are a lot of post modern churches that are smug, self-righteous, & arrogant towards those who do not sport the hipster look, or wear cardigans & v-neck white t-shirts. I think the cure for being smug, self-righteous, & arrogant is found at the foot of the cross and being a jerk can happen in any body of believers.. hipster or not.

[irgunlehistern]

@VindinBinDwinjy Love them, but still practice holieness. is all I am saying...It can be done!

[flashbuilding]

Did Jesus Christ have a Back Street Boy Haircut, and gel and shit. That is worldly.

I hate this man for talking for God and Jesus. Big Danger, do not listen. No man can speak for some being they never correspond with.

[Skam127]

But he can read and analyze the bible then tell us what he thinks about it.

To me he makes alot of sense in talking about our contradictions and how we can accept some sin (such as gluttony) but we are highly critical of others.

While I don't agree 100% with what he says; he makes a very very fair point.

[m1garand00]

its more the attitude of the world that is worrying as we are selfish and Satan uses things that are less shocking, Satanists are just entertaining Satan. he wants to deceive and make us get stuck in the money and mostly he likes to decieve Christians into putting the message across very and Satan likes people who get decived by Christians.

[Brentzzxx]

more Joel Osteen please.......:-)

[geuzer]

chosen whilst we where still sinners not after we become good enough to be accepted by God

[GregShuttleworth]

I do agree most of what he said but not all. Hats off for this guy. Most pastors would throw up having to talk about issues like this.

[77benster]

I think he might be struggling to find some balance. The way he's presenting his ideas come across as a cop-out to actually dealing with unhealthy habits. Tat's? Are you serious man? Dude, it's marking up your body to embarrass you when you stop smoking dope! Smoking 'll kill you! Those are just stupid things. Address real issues man!

[differous01]

It only sounds like a cop out if you think of Mark as adressing xians who want to indulge. But it's a different story when I consider the way some xians I know evaluate others. Not having tats does not mean OF ITSELF that I can look down on those who do have them as worldly. I may simply be worldly in more subtle ways: The reason I do not drink is not to make myself feel superior to drinkers, it is to ensure I do not cause former alcoholic brethren to stumble. A principle set out in Romans 14.

[saskatoonsafetyguy]

I'm going to go out and buy some smokes!

[differous01]

In a growing church I would expect to have people outside smoking. The call is "upwards and onwards" for ALL of us as our faith permits, they will give up when they have faith to do so. Considring where some of our smokers have come from (heroin addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, prison, homelessness...) if they are with us and only smoking they are moving in the right direction.

[jacklynbrown]

Thanks gr8 to see an american addressing these things

[rozzerallen]

Very True, Mark. That's an excellent perspective. Those are the issues. It would be nice to have expansion to your answers.

[Svhsgirl]

Hm..I like Mark Discoll but I don't agree with cigarettes not being a sin. Cigarettes can be considered a false god..they have to have it..there addicted to it..sometimes its like they can't live without cigarettes.

[puremutt]

We should remember that smoking is as bad or worse for our bodies than not recycling is for our planet. We should care for the temple (our bodies) AND God's footstool (Earth). Obviously, smoking isn't the only thing we do that destroys our bodies (if only) but my comment is intended to address Driscoll's.

[puremutt]

It's sad how today if someone actually has an opinion (like Discoll)on something, he's labeled as "judgmental". Is it wrong for us to actually have a viewpoint and speak about it? Even if nobody else agrees? Or if it's not politically correct? Good grief! I'd rather hear someone that I disagree with tell me their view than have them cop out with some lame fuzzy postmodern "we're all ok so don't judge me"-type of response.

[jdfain]

I like this guy!

[GitarrPwnz]

This guy didn't even answer anything though. He didn't bash anyone... I don't understand your point.

[celaird]

I don't attend church, I'm not a big fan of this Driscoll guy and I am sickened by most of what I call religious fundamentalism. But after reading your reply and others like it, I realize that religious fundamentalists clearly don't corner the market on hating judging and defaming their fellow man.

[Owensprt]

"The Word does address ciggerette smoking. It's a drug. A worldly drug."

Caffeine is also a drug by classification so if by your definition a lot of Christians are in sin by drinking coffee. Same with any prescription painkiller whether its prescribed by a physician or not. Tylenol is a drug also. So you may want to ponder that before you go tossing Christians into the lake of fire.

[GitarrPwnz]

He didn't condemn anyone. You're reading way too much into this if you think that's what he's doing. People are asking these questions and he's giving his opinions that he applies for himself. These are some hard questions to answer and he's not just coming on giving his opinion for no reason, I'm sure he gets asked this kind of stuff all the time.

[rizzuto10]

Come to think of it, CS Lewis drank wine and smoked pipes and cigars with his buddies (includding JRR Tolkien) and talked about theology at the "Eagle & Child" pub in Oxford, England. Interesting...

[neilmarcusrichardson]

Not everything Lewis did or believed was automatically Biblical. For example, he was sympathetic to the idea of purgatory and in his book 'A Grief Observed' I personally think he oversteps the mark in expressing his outrage at what God has allowed happen.

[rizzuto10]

I'm glad someone finally called out gluttony. Reminds me of that South Park "Anti-Smoking" episode with Rob Reiner. I like that this Driscoll guy makes us rethink how people call one thing sin and but ignore other things because of the preestablished social systems on 1900's Christianity.

[HateEverlasting]

I would rather have a cig smoker with a nose job who realizes they are not perfect working at my church then your typical judgmental, prideful, pharisaical doosh that we typically see running churches these days

[gailowens]

Amen to that!

[HateEverlasting]

I would like 2 suggest that eating fast food every day is just as bad as smoking I would also like 2 suggest that coffee is also a addictive drug which many churches gladly offer for free. Mark is not justifying anything he is simply making the point that many "Christians" like to condemn others N order 2 make themselves fell better meanwhile ignoring their own flaws.

[gailowens]

I think Pastor Mark is trying to engage with people; He is trying to say that some of us cHristians are isolationists not seperationist.

[Rivkah21]

What does worldliness mean? Like the world. You shouldn't want to or try to imitate the world. It says in Ephesians 5 to be imitators of God.I John 2 says that we should not love the world or anything in it. I think Driscoll is trying to excuse the way his church functions. Jesus didn't become like the Pharisees or sinners, he didn't change or try to make people like him better or more willing to accept the gospel, or even try to make people comfortable.

[roninjapanTV]

Mark is not Jesus...he is just a normal guy with a lot of wisdow.dont compare anyone with Jesus..you gonna lose your point.

[Rivkah21]

We may not be Jesus but we should be like him. If our actions don't line up with Christ there is a problem. Especially as a pastor who should be blameless. I'm sure he is really wise and knowledgable but I find it difficult to respect a preacher of the gospel who attempts to mirror the culture. I can't stand it when preachers try to be "modern", "hip", and "cool". Just doesn't seem godly.

[levelwithme]

The Word does address ciggerette smoking. It's a drug. A worldly drug. And in Rev.21:8 it says "sorcerers" shall have their part in the lake of fire. Sorcery isn't wizardry. It's people who use drugs and do drugs. The scary part is, many will see smoking as not a sin because it's legal. God's Word still stands.

[veritasvos]

"These are the issues, and they tend to get fought over generational lines." He was simply stating the issues of worldliness that our generation is dealing with right now. He was not endorsing and or condemning any of them.

[speedy3816]

Exactly.

[saved600]

It is clear that there is a total lack of wisdom here. Many times I hear people try and justify their sins and worldly desires by using twisted scripture on what Jesus did or did not do. We are not to be conformed to the world contrary to what this man is teaching.

[LuisLeones]

These really aren't hard issues. As Jesus said, be holy as God is holy. Just look to the root of the issues that he claims the Bible is silent on.

[LuisLeones]

Smoking is a sin because it destroys the body, it's just like gluttony. Plastic surgery is rooted in pride therefore it is also a sin.

[speedy3816]

Question:

Is plastic surgery always rooted in pride? You sound very confident about that statement. You also sound like a person that would jump to judgement without investigation. Just my 0.02

[Daninkorea]

good to see some wisdom