5 Unbiblical Churchisms (5/5)

“It’s not that big a deal”
This is a common saying among the church that shows that we are far from a Berean society (Acts 17:10-11). Let’s go to the word to see what it says.

This tends to be less of a “churchism” per se, but more of an unbiblical mindset I regularly see in the church (the people). This is a pretty wide topic, so I think I’ll break it down to 3 major areas that this phrased is used with.

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Cussing:

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I would say this is the most prevalent one (at least in the people I know). If I was to ask the average Christian if cussing was wrong, the resounding answer would be “Yes!” However, if I ask if it is always wrong, in every situation, the answer quickly changes. I have gotten answers such as:

• “I don’t cuss, I just have some cussing in my writing. That’s different, I’m just documenting the moment.”
• “It’s different (than regular cussing), it’s situational. Are you telling me there’s no way you would cuss if you were getting shot at?”
• “I think cussing is normally wrong, but sometimes there isn’t any other way of saying something; cussing just fits.”

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29

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Sex Scenes:

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This one is incredibly prevalent and one I have struggled with for years. People (Christians and non-Christians) constantly want to go see a new movie. I think the story looks great and the effects are top-notch, but you notice that the rating is inevitably ‘R’. That means right off the bat, there WILL be cussing and 9 times out of 10 there will be at least one scene with partial nudity or at best (and I use that saying loosely) they are covered by a sheet. God has brought me to the point where I just don’t watch movies anymore. That kills one source of lust and temptation right at the core.

“My son, give attention to my wisdom, Incline your ear to my understanding; That you may observe discretion And your lips may reserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey And smoother than oil is her speech; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.” Proverbs 5:1-5

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Anger:

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Before I came to know the Lord, my anger was an all-consuming rage to which there was no end. It was only by God’s grace that I was kept from murder and great wrath. At the moment of my conversion, God removed that rage (nearly without exception). So, when I meet a Christian who struggles with this, I tend to have a hard time understanding how they can seem to think of it as anything less than their utter destruction.

“This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” – James 1:19-21

Although, there are numerous others that I could mention, these are the ones that irk me the most and baffle me that they are so easily brushed off as nothing more than lacking in positivity rather than being seen as sin that needs to be dealt with*.

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* There is a chance that this post has probably rubbed a few of you the wrong way, but please know I only say this because I care about your holiness and desire to see you “conformed to the image of Christ” more each day.