fangurl, I haven't, since I'm not a "real Christian" and I don't really have any Christians knowing about my self harm. But I do think about it myself and then I am like: "self harm is just as bad as doing drugs, smoking, eating unhealthily and drinking alcohol. God will forgive people who do these things, so will He forgive me."
I once had a private conversation with a big believer, who went to church at least 3 times a week and on Sunday twice and who reads the Bible from beginning to end and back again. He said that I'm a bad person, for not honouring God's work. I asked him if he drove a car, his answer was yes. I asked him if he drank alcohol, he said occasionally. I asked him if he writes on paper, he said yes. I asked him if he takes the Bible seriously and his answer was ofcourse! I told him to stop judging me, because only God can and that he can't ever tell me that I'm not honouring God's work for destroying my body, since he's doing the same and he's destroying nature as well with his car and in order to make paper, trees have been cut down. I told him I was no better than him, since I do all these things too, but that he's no better than me either, since he's judging me and not even practising what he preaches.
This is something I am struggling with right now. I am considering asking a professor as he always opens the floor to questions before class begins (Christian college) but I don't want to open myself up like that.
There are many Scripture references about honoring your mother and father. Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20, and many others in the OT and NT alike.
However, what if your parents are your abusers? Certainly you should no longer allow yourself to live in an abusive environment? I no longer have contact with either parent due to their abusiveness. Where does that leave me with regards to Christianity?
My father was physically abusive, so I can relate.
I interpret those scriptures to mean that we treat our parents with respect, and obey them as long as what they are asking does not go against God's laws.
And, it will at some point be necessary to forgive them...
Indeed, but I don't necessarily equate forgiving them with putting myself in a place to be hurt again. I can forgive someone but that doesn't mean forgetting.
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." - Anon
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. " - FDR
^^ Yeah, I've forgiven my father, and I have contact with him now, but I'm careful... I do not hold any bitterness against him anymore, and I treat him as if he'd never sinned against me (because that's what God does for us) but I am careful...
"I believe in God...even when he's silent" unknown
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: home
I am currently:
[quote=Salanna;1544481]Welcome! it's always nice to have new people here.
I like your username, but I wonder if they'll let you keep it... I remember a few months ago someone's username had a reference to God/Jesus in it & they made her change it...
Arrrrggg....I hope not! I don't want to change it.
Its easter.
I should be happy cos im thankful for what Jesus did.
Im not. Im depressed as anything. I dont even know why!!!!!!!!!!!
Im a selfish b****.
All i feel like doing is SI'ing. I must be sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry to be so down everyone,
Happy Easter
Last edited by silentgirl : 12-04-2009 at 04:52 AM.
Reason: edit
fangurl, I haven't, since I'm not a "real Christian" and I don't really have any Christians knowing about my self harm. But I do think about it myself and then I am like: "self harm is just as bad as doing drugs, smoking, eating unhealthily and drinking alcohol. God will forgive people who do these things, so will He forgive me."
I once had a private conversation with a big believer, who went to church at least 3 times a week and on Sunday twice and who reads the Bible from beginning to end and back again. He said that I'm a bad person, for not honouring God's work. I asked him if he drove a car, his answer was yes. I asked him if he drank alcohol, he said occasionally. I asked him if he writes on paper, he said yes. I asked him if he takes the Bible seriously and his answer was ofcourse! I told him to stop judging me, because only God can and that he can't ever tell me that I'm not honouring God's work for destroying my body, since he's doing the same and he's destroying nature as well with his car and in order to make paper, trees have been cut down. I told him I was no better than him, since I do all these things too, but that he's no better than me either, since he's judging me and not even practising what he preaches.
Of course God will forgive you if you ask for forgiveness, and repent. ((alleluia))
And of course the man you talked to is no better than you, he's a sinner, we're all sinners. No matter what the sin, we're equal in God's eyes.
But I have to point out that cutting down a tree isn't a sin.
Hurting our bodies is, because our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and we were bought with a price, so we are must glorify God in our bodies.
(Personally) I don't think self-injury is always a sin. It can be, but I don't think it is by necessity; I Cor 6:19 I think doesn't apply. A very strict and literal interpretation of that worse could be used to condemn a lot of things that aren't sins, that's why I think it can't be taken to fully apply to SI.
All that said, even though I don't think it's a sin, I think God would greatly prefer if we used other things; friends, prayer, church community, etc, to help us through difficult times. Self-injury is not the best solution to any problem, but I don't think it's a sin. I've done it maybe two or three times in about 2 years, so it's not that I'm trying to justify my actions, it's just what I believe.
Again, all my opinion, but I don't think we as Christians should feel guilty for it. I know many will disagree with me on that, and again I'm not saying people should continue doing it, just that I don't think it's necessary to put guilt feelings on people for something that does not incur guilt.
happy easter everyone.
i am particularly happy today because last night a friend was received into the Church. she took a long time over it but eventually decided. it reassures me that we can all reach God, no matter where we start from :)
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
(Personally) I don't think self-injury is always a sin. It can be, but I don't think it is by necessity; I Cor 6:19 I think doesn't apply. A very strict and literal interpretation of that worse could be used to condemn a lot of things that aren't sins, that's why I think it can't be taken to fully apply to SI.
All that said, even though I don't think it's a sin, I think God would greatly prefer if we used other things; friends, prayer, church community, etc, to help us through difficult times. Self-injury is not the best solution to any problem, but I don't think it's a sin. I've done it maybe two or three times in about 2 years, so it's not that I'm trying to justify my actions, it's just what I believe.
Again, all my opinion, but I don't think we as Christians should feel guilty for it. I know many will disagree with me on that, and again I'm not saying people should continue doing it, just that I don't think it's necessary to put guilt feelings on people for something that does not incur guilt.
In what situations would you consider SI to not be a sin?
and could you elaborate on what you said about 1 Cor. 6:19?
I think it's idolatry. We put our SI before God because we are using it for relief instead of looking to Him, and we put it before God in the sense that it is impossible to walk in an intimate relationship with God while living in that kind of sin.
And we become slaves to SI instead of to righteousness.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple016
Happy Easter guys :) today really hits home with me that Jesus bled so we don't have to 'he was pierced for our transgressions'.
YAY!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beautiful Letdown
Happy Easter. I have lyrics for you.
The church I visited today did that song, but it was a weird version...
"I believe in God...even when he's silent" unknown
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: home
I am currently:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ancalagon
(Personally) I don't think self-injury is always a sin. It can be, but I don't think it is by necessity; I Cor 6:19 I think doesn't apply. A very strict and literal interpretation of that worse could be used to condemn a lot of things that aren't sins, that's why I think it can't be taken to fully apply to SI.
All that said, even though I don't think it's a sin, I think God would greatly prefer if we used other things; friends, prayer, church community, etc, to help us through difficult times. Self-injury is not the best solution to any problem, but I don't think it's a sin. I've done it maybe two or three times in about 2 years, so it's not that I'm trying to justify my actions, it's just what I believe.
Again, all my opinion, but I don't think we as Christians should feel guilty for it. I know many will disagree with me on that, and again I'm not saying people should continue doing it, just that I don't think it's necessary to put guilt feelings on people for something that does not incur guilt.
I sort of agree with you. I always wondered if it was really a sin. I guess the reason I think it probably is, is because we are God's temple and he probably doesn't want us damaging it. But I don't think we should feel guilty either, even though I do. I think it's because of the way people treat cutters. They are so NOT understanding (usually) and they make you feel like a worthless human being. But I really like what you wrote. It sort of invoked some thoughts for me.
I don't mean to sound argumentative
But in a way, that's kind of like saying that stealing isn't always a sin
If you understand what I mean
Someone from church said to me yesterday that stuff like self harm and getting tatoos and that are like sinning because your body is supposed to be God's temple and He wants you to keep it pure
I can't really say much cos I'll just be a hypocrite but I just thought of that now
I hope that makes some kind of sense
I May Be Going Broke But I'm Never Broken Down
Less Than Jake <3
16.06.10 - The Day He Saved My Life
Love You Baban
<3
(Personally) I don't think self-injury is always a sin...I don't think we as Christians should feel guilty for it.
I think the verse that best applies here is...oh, where was it...1 Cor 8. I won't post the entire thing here, but I highly recommend everyone read it. Also, I forget exactly where, but Paul also says at one point that if you do something that violates your conscience, you are sinning--regardless of whether it is 'actually' right or wrong. So, to anyone reading this thread, please don't decide it's ok or not ok to SI based on what you read here. Spend time praying and asking God about it.
Oh! I found it. Romans 14.
Quote:
Originally Posted by luv0817
I agree with waiting in the dark, you definitely need to get out of any environment that's not good for you...God doesn't want us to hurt, it says that Jesus came to give us life more abundant-- if that's the "life" that I'm living at this moment, I'm not sure if I want more of it-- but, I'm hoping in faith that it's the life he has planned for me; one that I've not reached yet.
I've got this sinking feeling that what I'm about to say will be immensely unpopular...
We are called to be like Christ. He didn't exactly live a life of comfort. I wouldn't say God wants us to hurt, exactly, but...our comfort and happiness isn't His first priority. I mean, Jesus was beaten unrecognizable and nailed to a tree. Plenty of Christians have been martyred. The promise of abundant life is one for the next world, and also for this world in the midst of our pain and troubles. The spiritual world is full of paradoxes. So many times we say "God bless you" and the like to other Christians, but do we even understand what we're saying?
Quote:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:3-12
That's what it means to follow Christ. It's only when we die to ourselves that we find true life. It doesn't make sense on the surface, but then God never has chosen the smart or the strong...only those who will trust him.
Okay, end of immensely unpopular rant. :( sorry, guys.
um, all of the above with the caveat that i'm in agreement with Judaism here. the command to preserve life places pretty high on the list, so unless God specifically tells you to do otherwise...
Last edited by aquatickitten : 13-04-2009 at 08:37 PM.
I'm far too exhausted to find all the bible verses to back this up but some of the devil's best tricks are to convince people what they are doing is not wrong, its not a sin and it's not putting a block between them and God. But self harm will damage your relationship with God, you can build it back but it's not living for God. Self harm IS a sin, please don't try and convince yourself it is not, that will not help you. I have no problem in saying I know I am sinning everytime I self harm and I have done so for 5 years but thankfully by the grace of God I am 3 and a half months free and hopefully I will not go back to it. Self harm is a sin but Jesus came for the sinners, he died for us while we were and still are sinners romans 5 v 8 I think. He loves us and we should show that in our actions and words, is self harming showing Christ's love? I'm sorry this is blunt I'm just too tired to put it more softly and sometimes you just really need to know what God says rather than culture.
'The nights of crying your eyes out give way to the days of laughter' Psalm 30 v 5
1 Cor. 6:19 is often taken out of context. It is primarily in reference to sexual impurity. Whereas it does hold truth in other contexts, it cannot be used as an argument for self-injury being a sin as that was not the authorial intent.
Tangent over.
"When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." - Anon
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. " - FDR
it's always nice to have new people here.
