Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

  Z     As example, what celebrities or public 
  Z      figures would you say are vane to the point of being in sin? 
    
    Ahhhhhh....this is a powderkeg I'm not touching! :-)

re.0

>What practices would you consider to be vane

Watching which way the wind blows.

8*)

    RE: .0

    Anything that sets you apart, that puts up barriers between
    you and your fellow human beings.

    In short: arrogance.

    Tom

    Is alienation from others the problem with vanity, or something along the 
    lines of "self worship"?
    
    -dave

    Is there a difference?

    Well, often people get caught up in vanity as a means to become MORE 
    popular with others, not less.  It seems to be more of a competative 
    thing, as in...  "I'm a better choice for a mate over Mr.X because I've 
    got bigger muscles or whiter teeth or a nicer car".   A goal of this
    sort of thing seems to be to portray an image of superiority.  Getting
    caught up in this sort of activity and taking a great deal of pride in 
    the results is... well... is that self worship?
    
    Vanity has been called one of the 7 deadly sins.  Where did this notion
    come from?  WHat did Jesus have to say about the subject?
    
    -dave

    Well, Jesus was a proponent of separation; therefore, vanity wouldn't
    apply here.

>    Well, Jesus was a proponent of separation; therefore, vanity wouldn't

    ??????????????????????????????

    Separation from whom?  Tax collectors?  Prostitutes?  Righteous
    people?

    How can you love someone if you separate yourself from them?

    "Whenever there are two or more of you..."

    Tom

 ZZ    How can you love someone if you separate yourself from them?
    
    No, I didn't actually even imply this.  I was attempting to refute your
    definition of vanity.  Jesus himself said, "Therefore, come out from
    among them and by ye seperate."  In this context, Jesus was making a
    distinction between fellowship and being of the world.  
    
    Scripture teaches us also, in regard to fellowship..."Be not unequally
    yoked with non believers, for what fellowship hath righteousness with
    darkness...?"  
    
    Even at the end of scripture, Jesus gives a stern warning to all who
    may turn to him..."Therefore, come out from among her, and partake not
    of the plagues of her abominations."  I believe "she" as mentioned in
    Revelation is the whore of Babylon, false religion.
    
        "Whenever there are two or more of you..."
    
    Yes, this is true.  Jesus Christ is speaking here of individuals who
    are likeminded, gathered together in prayer.
    
    "For wherever two or more are gathered in MY NAME, there I am in the
    midst of them."
    
    I believe that we are called to minister to all.  I believe we are to
    be a testimony to all.  I believe we are to fulfill the social gospel
    as a witness to the world.  I don't believe however, that tolerance is
    a requirement of love.
    
    -Jack

>    definition of vanity.  Jesus himself said, "Therefore, come out from
>    among them and by ye seperate."  In this context, Jesus was making a

    Sure, you can be different, just don't put yourself "above"
    others.

>    I don't believe however, that tolerance is
>    a requirement of love.

    :-)  Intolerance doesn't work too well.

    I believe we must accept the other person, but have healthy
    boundries, whatever is appropriate for us now.

    When we are strong enough in our faith others cannot be a
    bad influence on us.  Other, not so strong, need to be
    more careful.

    Tom

    Z    When we are strong enough in our faith others cannot be a
    Z    bad influence on us.  Other, not so strong, need to be
    Z    more careful.
    
    Well, that may be true...but not always!  Lot for example, built his
    tent outside the city of Sodom.  Within a relatively short amount of
    time, Lot not only lived within the city of Sodom, he was considered
    one of their chief elders!
    
 Z   Sure, you can be different, just don't put yourself "above"
 Z   others.
    
    Yes...absolutely.  Gee, I'm glad nobody in this conference does such a
    thing!!
    
    Rgds.,
    
    -Jack

re .0

     Dave,

     Vanity dictionary definition defines as "vain pursuits", in the book
     Ecclesiastes Solomon a person whom had everything and could do very
     much as he pleased, at the end of it all said that it was vanity or
     a "striving after the wind".

     This world has much to offer, for example once one has saved up to
     buy the latest PC. One soon finds out that there is a bigger and
     better one quickly comes available. Trouble is one could soon be
     fully occupied in the vain pursuit of always having the latest and
     greatest model. Rather than being content with what we have.

     For a Christian their main goal in life in putting kingdom interests
     first (Matthew 6:33). But talking to people, it is noticeable that
     professing Christians will atmost reserve one hour a week for their
     worship. Even this for many is conflicting with their recreational 
     pursuits and many who profess a faith may only attend once or twice 
     a year. God knows that persons need recreation but when it becomes 
     the main thing in their hearts then it is a sin for them.


     Hope this helps

     Phil.

     btw could someone please tell me were the "seven deadly sins" comes from?
     

>     btw could someone please tell me were the "seven deadly sins" comes from?

Maybe Dante' (seven levels of Hell).  I believe that Acquinas played some 
role in this.  

Lemme see....
 Lust, Sloth, Greed, Vanity, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony   (I think)

They all seem to address matters of worldly living.  Surprized that there's 
nothing in there like "Blasphemy" or "Idolitry" or anything that's in the
realm of lack of proper recognition of God.

-dave

    Perhaps it is the ( 7?) things God finds abomidable in Proverbs.

    
    I suspect its a fabrication of the Roman church with loads of meaning
    in the word "deadly".  All sin is deadly, including the ones off the
    list of seven, according to the Bible and all men are dead in trespasses 
    and sin until regenerated and born again by the Holy Spirit through 
    faith in Christ.
    
    jeff

    So is there anything "wrong" with vanity?  Practically everyone
    practices it to some degree. Is that living in sin?  
    
    Seeking personal admiration, praise (worship?) from others by brandishing 
    one's accomplishments, possessions, body, etc... might well be considered 
    an act of sin.  But what of the lesser acts, like wearing jewelry or
    something on that order?  Is that evil?  
    
    What's the difference that makes the difference?
    
    

The problem with vanity, or put in today's terms, selfishness,
is that it means that I put me first.  The sin is that God 
calls us to put Him first.   Since we can't both be first, we 
have to make a choice.  Christians have to choose God's
way over our own way.

The other problem with selfishness is that it means that I put
my interests first, over other people's interests.  Again, the
Bible teaches the opposite.

Apply this however you like, as far as actions go, but the 
crucial test is our attitudes.  Approach an action with a selfish 
motive, and it's vanity.