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Amusements and Jewelry

Amusements and Jewelry

What kind of amusement, recreation, and jewlry is appropriate for Christians in light of Ezekiel 16: 10-14  (Many Christian Churches do not support the wearing of Jewelry, is this a conflict?)

I work with the youth of our church and would like address the above concerns biblically.


Thanks for your questions. The primary goal of parenting and education is to use our adult influence to help our children develop Christlike character. Understanding that each human being, since Adam sinned, is born infected with fear and selfishness, we realize our children need influences to bring them to love and trust in God. We, as mature Christians, understand that feelings or passions lead to temptation (James 1:14) and truth heals or sets free (John 8:32). Thus, we realize that the Holy Spirit works to bring each of us to a true knowledge of God. Anything which tends to obstruct the true knowledge of God works to our and our children’s eternal demise.

With this in mind, we understand that more than specific behavior or activity is involved. The critical issue is the underlying reasons and motives for the behaviors.

For instance, 2000 years ago the Jews knew that the Sabbath was God’s holy day. But they failed to understand the truth about the Lord of the Sabbath and therefore, even though behaviorally conformed to Sabbath observance they crucified Christ. The specific behavior is not as important as the underlying mindset and heart attitude.

Far too many parents and teachers obstruct their children’s view of God by making arbitrary rules to conform to cultural standards without actually providing underlying reasons or principles for those rules. This is most commonly seen when it comes to jewelry. The Bible does not teach it is sinful to wear jewelry. The Bible teaches that selfishness, self-exaltation, self-aggrandizement, self-promotion, haughtiness, arrogance, pride etc. is sinful. We are to love others more than self. When jewelry is worn as a means of aggrandizing self, when jewelry is worn as a means of exalting self, when monies are diverted from helping others in order to exalt self the problem is not the jewelry but the selfish heart which doesn’t love.

I know many prideful “Christians” who criticize those who wear jewelry because “jewelry is sinful”. Yet these same “Christians” spend tens of thousands of dollars on watches, furs, cars, artwork and other means of adorning themselves. Some even make self the center by being so plain, bland, and frankly unattractive that they stand out of the crowd as the one “most self-abasing” reminding me of the man who said, “I am humble and proud of it.”

I have seen faculty at Christian universities drive young people from God by their unloving and even cruel treatment of a student wearing a $10 pair of earrings. When I think of how Christ treated the woman caught in adultery, I have no doubt He would not condemn a young lady for wearing a $10 pair of earrings.

So, what is the issue? Christians are to be like Christ. They are to stand apart from the world. They are to live lives to the beat of love’s constant call and be so contrary to the world’s value of promoting self that people stop and take notice.

If jewelry confuses the issue and causes the truth about God’s character of love to be obscured or somehow undermines our ability to witness faithfully about God then we must evaluate seriously why wear it? But, I will say with conviction, our separation from the world is not primarily seen in our clothes or adornments but in our character. Our lives are to be beacons of Christlike grace, love, goodness, and self-sacrifice so that people will see our good works and praise God in heaven. I have seen Christlike love in persons wearing jewelry and I have seen Satan’s selfish heart in the condemning preacher or teacher who berates a teenager wearing stud earrings.

Regarding games, it is also about character development. Chess and checkers and certain card games require strategizing, planning, patience, and anticipation and the playing of these games can assist in developing these abilities. Games can also teach lessons of cooperation, socialization, self-discipline and grace, both in winning and losing. All of these are lessons of life which can be valuable tools for a mature individual.

The danger in games is when the end goal is “winning” and promoting “self” at the expense of the other party. Many games inherently lean toward the destruction of the other party in order for self to win. This can, if not guarded against, tend toward strengthening the selfish drives and the “win at all cost” tendencies thus undermining mature character development.

Parents and teachers can mitigate against such tendencies by focusing on the relationships with those playing the games, esteeming how one plays rather than winning the event, having debriefing discussions after the game is over, teaching values of honest participation rather than winning at all costs.

So, in my view, the issue is character development, becoming like Christ and not specific games or behaviors but rather the underlying heart attitude which leads to those behaviors.

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Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 10

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B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 8

Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

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Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 62

I would like to express my thanks to the C&R team for creating a platform from which people can learn to trust in God and grow. My life is a witness to the effectiveness of this ministry. Without believing the truth about God as you have shown, I don’t know what my life would be like. I had given up on God helping me with certain sins – it was all useless. Given that the scripture is clear and God is so good, how could I have betrayed him so many times? I was a yo-yo christian; spinning up and down. My faith and enthusiasm was driven by discoveries/threats that prophecy is about to be fulfilled. But when I watched your “Healing the Mind” seminar, it was like a light finally went on. I could see God had no plan to hurt me, the danger came from sin, and that He is working to protect me and strengthen me. Thank you for allowing God to use you. The message God gave C&R saved my life!

Antony N. – Hobart, Australia

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa