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Post by purinheart on Apr 18, 2008 5:48:23 GMT -5
I would like to ask you please what the truth of the matter is when a person, a woman, disagrees with her pastor about such issues as plainness of dress, hair length, etc. and chooses to be more conservative than her pastor preaches is necessary (he said the "if a barn needs paint" thing the other day in a Bible study). If his wife has short hair, makeup and jewlry and I think this is wrong, and I also choose to be the only one in 300 people that covers her head, is this a type of rebellion because of the verses that say to respect the teaching of our pastors? I guess I am kind of independent, because I only really care what God says, but maybe that's not respectful of my pastor. Or maybe I'm doing what the Bereans did, but there is no way I can leave this church because of my family situation. Thanks for your help.
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Post by Brother Ben on Apr 18, 2008 11:42:28 GMT -5
Some differ with me on this issue, but the way I understand it, one is to obey authority until they ask you to sin against God's will and it's relationship to your conscience. If something is clear scripture and it is a conviction you have, then to change because man says to is to sin against the truth and your conscience. However, if something is a secondary issue that has no scriptural support behind it, then one is free to do what would be best for that particular case.
In this case attitude can be everything. One can differ with a sweet Christian attitude and make even his enemies (your pastor is not your enemy) to be at peace with you. If, however, your pastor decides he is going to make an example out of you, then you might have to suffer reproach for Christ's sake, you wouldn't be the first.
Bro. Ben
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Post by George on Apr 21, 2008 11:38:09 GMT -5
Please allow me to chime in here. I believe Brother Ben to be exactly correct. The pastor of the Church is supposed to be preaching and teaching God's Word and not interjecting his own personal ideas. Please understand that the personal ideas do have merit unless and until they are in conflict with the Bible. This situation is very similar to the discussions we have had concerning women and submission to their husbands. The woman is to submit to the authority of the man because the man is supposed to be doing things in accordance with the teachings of God. When a husband asks a wife to do something that is out of line with the scriptures the wife has the responsibility to serve the Lord and not the man.
When you are convinced and convicted the way you are conducting yourself is in accordance with scripture then by all means carry on. You see peace is a part of the fruit of the Spirit. You cannot achieve peace until you are in line with the prompting of the Spirit. Recall this:
(Isa 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
In Christ, George
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