Young People Seeking God

[GodsGrace]

I used to teach my religion kids that we're born with a God-shaped hole in our heart that only God can fill.

Young people are not getting sufficient teaching on moral values.

We, as humans, cannot function without an objective moral standard...

Or can we?

Are the commandments still valid?

 

[PrimFinallyFoundGod!]

Absolutely. Unfortunately when you're young you're trying to find yourself so you are impressionable and easily influenced, trying lots of different "trends" to figure out who you are. Religion is bashed online, by the media and parents of today aren't religious or interested in teaching their children about it.

When you are exposed to the internet with lots of tempting "exciting" things being normalised like promiscuity, identity politics and the ever expanding catelog of genders, mental illness being romanticised, Satanism or Paganism disguised as new age "Vibration/Manifestation/Worship 'the universe'" or direct Satanism which is "okay because you worship yourself and not Satan" "Witchcraft/Wicca/Pagan" or "Spiritual/New Age/ Chakras/ Psychic/Astral Projection"

I probably dont need to tell you all these things are not really very different to each other and often follow teachings from the likes of Alaistair Crowley (cant spell lol)

You being young, impressionable, often lonely and trying to find yourself will do these things. I believe this is Satan at work. These things are the modern "forbidden fruit".

The devil doesn't care if you think he is real or not. All he cares about is you do the opposite of what the bible says, knowingly or unknowingly.

I say this from experience of being this impressionable teenager once who delved readily into these things without realizing I was following the devil. I hadn't read the bible. I didn't know these "new" teachings are the reverse of it's teachings.

We are told sex work, sleeping around "scoring", watching porn and underdressing are "empowerment" and "normal" You shall not commit adultry. Lust is a sin. Women are to be modest and show their beauty through their obedience and love of God.

We are told abortion is empowerment. You shall not kill.

We have celebrities forced on us and worshipped. You shall not commit Idoltry.

We are told to worship ourselves and act on every single desire because YOLO. (Alastaire the Satanist says everybody is a star and must worship themselves) The bible teaches to be "meek" and not boastful.

We are told we are bad people if we have any slight problem with homosexuality. (leviticus 18 22)
(Also I'm not a homophobe for mentioning this because I do actually struggle with same sex attractions so I'm just being honest)

See? Satan is at work. He is using the youth to his advantage. They are becoming full on Satanists without knowing/meaning to. And even the self proclaimed Satanists don't realize because "I dont follow Satan I just worship myself"

I know I cited some stuff but I actually haven't read the bible or gone to church yet. I meet the priest this thursday, my bible is still on its way. I started reading genesis last night in bed (barely)

I've literally just tried to learn about religion as a whole especially Christianity and hung out on this forum. It is very easy to start to understand these things if you want to like I do. The problem is young people are brain washed into hating and disbelieving in religion as a whole.

You probably know this already I just want to share what I've learnt/realized.

Every night I pray to God and as well as asking for forgiveness and repenting, I tell him how much I want to know him and his word.

I'm a bit of a mess today for unrelated reasons so hopefully this post makes as much sense as I THINK it does lol apologies if it doesn't or I word something badly, I think you're a great person who has already given me great advice and welcomed me to this community <3

 

[Riven]

I used to teach my religion kids that we're born with a God-shaped hole in our heart that only God can fill.

Young people are not getting sufficient teaching on moral values.

We, as humans, cannot function without an objective moral standard...

Or can we?

Are the commandments still valid?

I believe that in the absence of an objective moral standard that morality itself becomes nothing more than an opinion.

If I believe murder is good and another person believes it is bad, what makes me wrong? The majority opinion becomes the "correct" one in the absence of objective truth.

This becomes dangerous if the majority in a society believe that murder is good. This is how you get to genocide and all the other atrocities that happened in the 20th century.

I use a simple metric to gauge a person's self awareness when discussing morality. I ask them "So, do you think people are basically good?" How they answer that question tells me a lot about them as a person.

 

[GodsGrace]

I believe that in the absence of an objective moral standard that morality itself becomes nothing more than an opinion.

Absolutely, this is true.
We have atheists like Sam Harris that are very nice persons and have good ideas. For instance, he believes we could get along well even without any religion because man would strive to survive and this would include the ability to be moral.

But who would decide what is moral and what is not?
And let's even assume someone could be so empowered,
how long would this morality from a human being last?
It certainly wouldn't be eternal.

And morals would become an opinion.
We almost have this today...everyone thinking their moral values are the correct ones,
based on only their own beliefs.

If I believe murder is good and another person believes it is bad, what makes me wrong? The majority opinion becomes the "correct" one in the absence of objective truth.

It could be the majority opinion, or, it could be the stronger of the two groups.
Did you read The Lord of the Flies? It addresses this directly.

This becomes dangerous if the majority in a society believe that murder is good. This is how you get to genocide and all the other atrocities that happened in the 20th century.

I use a simple metric to gauge a person's self awareness when discussing morality. I ask them "So, do you think people are basically good?" How they answer that question tells me a lot about them as a person.

That's interesting.
How do you do that?
IOW, how does one judge by the answer....
I mean, I think people are basically good, but full of the sin nature and they do harm whether or not they mean to.
We're all born bad and lost but TRY to be good.
And it depends on whether you mean socially or spiritually.
Most don't go around getting doped up, drunk, stealing, etc.
But that's "good" only in a societal way...

 

[Hidden In Him]

I used to teach my religion kids that we're born with a God-shaped hole in our heart that only God can fill.

I hope I am not getting too far away from the direction you may have wanted to go in with this thread, but regarding the above, maybe the best way to fill that void is with an experiential form of Christianity rather than a predominantly theoretical, philosophical or moral one.

I say this because I attended an on Fire service last night at my wife's Hispanic church, and they had a visiting prophet who was just nailing it all over the place. He even briefly prophesied something over me that no one but God knows, and when I have the time and can get my wife to let me see her Facebook page, I'll write up a thread on it. But the kids were being seriously effected, and I think that's what True New Testament Christianity does to people, no matter what the age group. I think He ultimately still wants to fill people with His Spirit, as a proof of His existence and His love for them, and His power to touch them in a tangible way.

And I think with the above comes a sudden desire not only to know God's moral standards but seek to fulfill them, and therein lies the problem with speaking of moral standards among the unsaved. Deep down many of them don't WANT any, at least not those that might infringe upon their own personal lifestyles.

 

[Riven]

That's interesting.
How do you do that?
IOW, how does one judge by the answer....
I mean, I think people are basically good, but full of the sin nature and they do harm whether or not they mean to.
We're all born bad and lost but TRY to be good.
And it depends on whether you mean socially or spiritually.
Most don't go around getting doped up, drunk, stealing, etc.
But that's "good" only in a societal way...

The idea that humans are basically good runs contrary to historical fact. I think anyone that believes people are basically good should study history and take a look in the mirror.

Even the ones we assume to be the most harmless amongst us are capable of committing atrocities. It doesn't have to be a military campaign. It can be a school shooting. Most school shooters had no prior history of violence. People look at these events and they just shake their head.

They can't understand how someone could do such a thing. It's because they have this false belief that people are basically good. Once you understand that it's exactly the opposite, the world makes more sense. So does God, and why we need him in order for morality to make any sense in this world.

 

[GodsGrace]

The idea that humans are basically good runs contrary to historical fact. I think anyone that believes people are basically good should study history and take a look in the mirror.

Even the ones we assume to be the most harmless amongst us are capable of committing atrocities. It doesn't have to be a military campaign. It can be a school shooting. Most school shooters had no prior history of violence. People look at these events and they just shake their head.

They can't understand how someone could do such a thing. It's because they have this false belief that people are basically good. Once you understand that it's exactly the opposite, the world makes more sense. So does God, and why we need him in order for morality to make any sense in this world.

I'd rather talk about the sin nature in man because that's what I understand. This affects mankind and his reaction to everything that happens.

The school shooter is one and the students are many. So this idea of good and bad means nothing.

The problem is that every kid in that school will tend toward sin. Some more, some less. Jesus said there is none good but our Father in heaven.

And even those that think they're such good persons will also cause grief to others, maybe not even intentionally.

My point is that I dont understand why the answer to your question is relevant,,,non believers all think they're good people.

 

[GodsGrace]

I hope I am not getting too far away from the direction you may have wanted to go in with this thread, but regarding the above, maybe the best way to fill that void is with an experiential form of Christianity rather than a predominantly theoretical, philosophical or moral one.

I say this because I attended an on Fire service last night at my wife's Hispanic church, and they had a visiting prophet who was just nailing it all over the place. He even briefly prophesied something over me that no one but God knows, and when I have the time and can get my wife to let me see her Facebook page, I'll write up a thread on it. But the kids were being seriously effected, and I think that's what True New Testament Christianity does to people, no matter what the age group. I think He ultimately still wants to fill people with His Spirit, as a proof of His existence and His love for them, and His power to touch them in a tangible way.

And I think with the above comes a sudden desire not only to know God's moral standards but seek to fulfill them, and therein lies the problem with speaking of moral standards among the unsaved. Deep down many of them don't WANT any, at least not those that might infringe upon their own personal lifestyles.

First, I think a person has to already be born again to have the above experience.

Second, not every born again believer has such an experience!

Third, this is highly unlikely for 10 to 12 year olds. I had kids that were atheist already. I had kids that were watching ADULT movies already and talking openly about it as if it were the most natural thing to do.

I wish there would be a world wide revival.

 

[Riven]

I'd rather talk about the sin nature in man because that's what I understand. This affects mankind and his reaction to everything that happens.

The school shooter is one and the students are many. So this idea of good and bad means nothing.

The problem is that every kid in that school will tend toward sin. Some more, some less. Jesus said there is none good but our Father in heaven.

And even those that think they're such good persons will also cause grief to others, maybe not even intentionally.

My point is that I dont understand why the answer to your question is relevant,,,non believers all think they're good people.

Because the belief that people are basically good does not square with history. The opposite does. Quite well actually.

I don't understand why you're disagreeing with me. It seems like you're trying to say what I'm saying just in a different way.

 

[Hidden In Him]

First, I think a person has to already be born again to have the above experience.

Not so, my sister. The manifestation of genuine supernatural gifts, especially prophecy, can affect even the unsaved as well, and lead them to repentance, sometimes very dramatically.

This is what Paul was talking about in First Corinthians 14:

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one who believes not, or one unlearned, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all. 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is truly among you.

Second, not every born again believer has such an experience!

Yes, this part is unfortunately true, but part of the reason for it IMO is because we tend to make excuses for this rather than seeking God in prayer - especially corporately - for greater manifestations of His Spirit.

I judge no one over whether they have experienced such things or not, nor do I think anyone is an inferior believer just because they have not. But I do teach that the above is Christianity the way it was intended by God to be presented to the world, and the quicker we return to it, the quicker we will see greater results in the area of reaching the Youth. Studies and surveys show that they have become very weary of what people merely say these days, and are far more likely to believe in what is verifiable by evidence and experience.

I think the approach of "just believe in faith" doesn't work like it used to as much anymore, but then I don't think it was the approach they took during New Testament times either. NT Christianity was primarily evidential and experiential, rather than theoretical, moralistic or philosophical.

 

[GodsGrace]

Because the belief that people are basically good does not square with history. The opposite does. Quite well actually.

I don't understand why you're disagreeing with me. It seems like you're trying to say what I'm saying just in a different way.

I'm not disagreeing with you.
Yes, saying it on a different way.
Do you know what the sin nature is?
You might call it something different.

 

[GodsGrace]

Not so, my sister. The manifestation of genuine supernatural gifts, especially prophecy, can affect even the unsaved as well, and lead them to repentance, sometimes very dramatically.

This is what Paul was talking about in First Corinthians 14:

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one who believes not, or one unlearned, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all. 25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is truly among you.


Yes, this part is unfortunately true, but part of the reason for it IMO is because we tend to make excuses for this rather than seeking God in prayer - especially corporately - for greater manifestations of His Spirit.

I judge no one over whether they have experienced such things or not, nor do I think anyone is an inferior believer just because they have not. But I do teach that the above is Christianity the way it was intended by God to be presented to the world, and the quicker we return to it, the quicker we will see greater results in the area of reaching the Youth. Studies and surveys show that they have become very weary of what people merely say these days, and are far more likely to believe in what is verifiable by evidence and experience. I think the approach of "just believe in faith" doesn't work like it used to as much anymore, but then I don't think it was the approach they took during New Testament times either. NT Christianity was primarily evidential and experiential, rather than theoretical, moralistic or philosophical.

Need my computer.
Tomorrow.

 

[Riven]

I'm not disagreeing with you.
Yes, saying it on a different way.
Do you know what the sin nature is?
You might call it something different.

No.

 

[Hidden In Him]

No.

Some wax theological over a question like that, but if you want a head start, it basically just means it's in our nature to sin, like from birth.

 

[GodsGrace]

No.

It's imperative to understand the sin nature if we're to understand Christianity.
Trouble is, I'm on a cell and limited.
Could we continue tomorrow?

 

[Riven]

Some wax theological over a question like that, but if you want a head start, it basically just means it's in our nature to sin, like from birth.

We are born into sin. That's the gist, right?

It's imperative to understand the sin nature if we're to understand Christianity.
Trouble is, I'm on a cell and limited.
Could we continue tomorrow?

Sure.

 

[Hidden In Him]

We are born into sin. That's the gist, right?

A full discussion of this subject would be way beyond the scope of what I think Wondering probably intended for this thread, so let me just put it this way:

If you had two infants sitting face to face with one another, and you only fed them using one bottle, and only after both were already exceedingly hungry and crying for food, what would happen?

View attachment 15009

It's only a matter of time before some sort of scuffle would develop, because one wasn't happy that the other got the bottle this time. It's in the flesh. Our flesh doesn't like not getting what it wants, so before anyone has even told us anything about the rules of morality and decency and respect for others, we are already being tempted to bonk our neighbor over the head with a milk bottle and take him out.

That's a simplistic way of describing the sin nature, but it does the trick.

 

[Hidden In Him]

It's in the flesh.

 

[Hidden In Him]

Young people are not getting sufficient teaching on moral values.

The same could be said for pets, btw, but I digress. Goes to point, however ...

 

[Riven]

So basically human nature. And pet nature. Lol.