Tag: gender

The Bible on truth and feelings

Rev. Dr. Cecil W Thorn

In a world where emotions often take precedence over objective truth, Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:2 offer profound insights into how believers can navigate the tension between truth and feelings. Romans 12:2 emphasizes the need for a renewed mind through the work of the Holy Spirit, transforming not only our thoughts but our emotions to align with God’s truth. This transformation is an ongoing process facilitated by Scripture, prayer, and sanctification, challenging us to reject the world’s value system and embrace divine realities. In doing so, we are reminded that truth, grounded in God’s Word, is both objective and unchanging, offering stability amid the unpredictability of emotions.

Colossians 3:2 invites believers to set their minds on things above, pointing to the dual citizenship of Christians who live on earth yet belong to heaven. This heavenly focus is more than just an intellectual exercise; it offers emotional stability by rooting believers in the resurrection of Christ. The reality of Christ’s victory over death anchors believers in hope, making it possible to face earthly challenges with joy and peace. As our gaze remains fixed on Jesus, we find a foundation for our emotions, shaped by His unshakable love, instead of being controlled by fleeting fears or anxieties.

Together, these verses urge Christians to allow God’s truth to shape their emotions, rather than letting feelings dictate their worldview. By recognizing that emotions are a natural but secondary response to truth, believers can find a deeper and more stable foundation for emotional health. Through aligning our hearts with God’s Word, we learn to worship Him with all of our being, cultivating a life that reflects the reality of our heavenly citizenship and resurrection hope. This theological framework not only stabilizes emotions but also propels us toward spiritual maturity and Christlikeness.

Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Commentary Insights

  1. Conformity vs. Transformation
    • John Stott in The Message of Romans:
      “Worldly conformity is the default mode of the fallen human condition. The antidote is a Spirit-led renewal, which begins with a deliberate choice to submit our minds to the Word of God.”
    • Takeaway: To avoid emotional instability, we need to filter our feelings through the lens of Scripture.
  2. Renewal of the Mind
    • Matthew Henry’s Commentary:
      “The mind must undergo a spiritual transformation by understanding and meditating on the truths of God. This renewal is essential for discerning God’s perfect will and for acting according to it.”
    • Takeaway: Emotions can cloud discernment, but renewed minds enable clarity and alignment with God’s truth.
  3. Testing and Discernment
    • Douglas Moo in The Epistle to the Romans:
      “Paul’s language of ‘testing’ implies an ongoing process, not a one-time event. This involves applying God’s truth in real-world decisions and learning through experience.”
    • Takeaway: Balancing truth and feelings requires active engagement with God’s will daily.

Colossians 3:2

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

Commentary Insights

  1. Heavenly Perspective
    • William Barclay in Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians:
      “To ‘set your mind’ implies a habitual focus, requiring intentional discipline. Earthly distractions often shift focus to transient concerns, while heavenly truths anchor us in the eternal.”
    • Takeaway: Feelings are often shaped by earthly concerns, but a heavenly perspective provides stability.
  2. The Eternal Over the Temporal
    • Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible:
      “The Christian life is directed by higher principles and nobler pursuits. Setting the mind on ‘above’ means living in light of eternity, which naturally diminishes the sway of fleeting emotions.”
    • Takeaway: Truth rooted in eternity helps moderate emotions tied to temporary situations.
  3. Practical Application
    • John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible:
      “This verse calls believers to let their affections and desires be carried towards Christ and heavenly things, as opposed to worldly cares, which often distract and mislead.”
    • Takeaway: Our emotions should be shaped by our affections for Christ, not by worldly concerns.

Related References

  1. Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV):
    “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
    • Commentary (Matthew Henry): “Prayer guards the heart against the turbulence of emotions and aligns our feelings with God’s peace.”
  2. Psalm 119:105 (ESV):
    “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
    • Commentary (Charles Spurgeon): “God’s Word illuminates the path, providing clarity that emotions often obscure.”
  3. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV):
    “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
    • Commentary (Albert Barnes): “The believer must bring every emotion and thought into alignment with God’s truth, exercising spiritual discipline.”

Theological insights

Into Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:2, exploring their implications for balancing truth and feelings within a biblical framework:

Romans 12:2: Renewal and Transformation

1. Theological Implication: The Role of the Holy Spirit

  • The transformation of the mind is not purely a human endeavor. The Holy Spirit works within believers to renew their minds. This renewal aligns emotions and thoughts with God’s truth.
  • Key Reference: Titus 3:5 (ESV): “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
  • Insight: Renewal is an ongoing process facilitated by the Spirit through prayer, Scripture study, and sanctification.

2. Theological Implication: Truth as Objective, Feelings as Subjective

  • In a world that often elevates feelings as truth, this verse reorients believers toward God’s objective standards. Emotions, while valid, must submit to the truth found in Christ.
  • Key Reference: John 17:17 (ESV): “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”
  • Insight: By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we safeguard against the instability of emotions and embrace God’s unchanging truth.

3. Eschatological Perspective: Preparing for Eternal Life

  • The renewal of the mind prepares believers for living in the kingdom of God. It transforms our temporal perspective into an eternal one, shaping both thoughts and feelings to reflect heavenly realities.
  • Key Reference: 2 Peter 3:11-12 (ESV): “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God.”
  • Insight: The renewal process is part of the believer’s preparation for eternity, requiring a deliberate choice to reject conformity to the world.

Colossians 3:2: Heavenly Focus and Emotional Stability

1. Theological Implication: Dual Citizenship

  • Believers live as dual citizens—earthly inhabitants with heavenly identities. Fixing our minds “on things above” acknowledges our true home and ultimate allegiance.
  • Key Reference: Philippians 3:20 (ESV): “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
  • Insight: By focusing on eternal truths, we cultivate emotions that align with our heavenly citizenship.

2. Theological Implication: The Resurrection Perspective

  • Paul’s command to set our minds on heavenly things is rooted in the reality of Christ’s resurrection. This resurrection guarantees our future glory and gives us a basis for hope and emotional stability.
  • Key Reference: Colossians 3:1 (ESV): “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
  • Insight: Emotions grounded in resurrection hope resist being controlled by earthly fears or anxieties.

3. Christ-Centered Theology: Fixing Eyes on Jesus

  • To “set your minds on things above” is ultimately to fix your heart and mind on Christ, who embodies truth and stability. He serves as the anchor of the believer’s emotional and spiritual life.
  • Key Reference: Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.”
  • Insight: Fixing our gaze on Jesus reshapes emotions such as fear, anxiety, or anger, replacing them with joy, peace, and hope.

Emotional Application Through Theology

  1. God’s Truth is Absolute: Unlike human emotions, which are often inconsistent, God’s truth is firm and reliable. Trusting in His Word stabilizes our feelings.
    • Isaiah 40:8 (ESV): “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
  2. Feelings as a Gauge, Not a Guide: While feelings can indicate what’s happening in our hearts, they should not dictate decisions. Instead, we test them against Scripture.
    • Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
  3. Aligning Emotions with God’s Truth: Feelings should be directed toward worship and reliance on God.
    • Matthew 22:37 (ESV): “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Practical Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life do you feel emotions overpower truth? How can you invite God’s Word into those areas?
  2. Are there specific “earthly things” that dominate your thoughts? How can you shift your focus to “things above”?
  3. How do you currently discern God’s will in your decision-making? Could your process be more Scripture-centered?

My Thoughts

Today, many young adults are discussing gender as something fluid, determined by feelings rather than biological reality or truth. This perspective suggests that gender can change based on personal emotions and experiences, which deviates from the foundational truths about identity as revealed in Scripture. It promotes a subjective view of self, where feelings are prioritized over objective realities, leading individuals away from the clear, unchanging truths of God’s design for humanity.

This mindset is a deception that undermines the truth of God’s Word, aiming to distort our understanding of identity and purpose. By embracing this fluid approach, individuals are led astray from the stable, timeless truth that God has established. It becomes increasingly important for believers to stand firm in the objective reality of God’s truth about gender, as revealed in the Bible, and to resist cultural pressures that promote confusion and instability in this vital area of life.

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Eight billion people in the world

Rev. Cecil Thorn

I heard this from an individual. And I wanna find out what you think he meant by it?

“There are 8 billion people in the world and all of them. We’re born of a woman.”

What do you think this comment meant?

Send me your response below and I will email you back my answer.

How can Christian men become masculine and vulnerable with their emotions?

Rev. Cecil Thorn

There is a war on masculinity, and everywhere we look—on every front we hold sacred—we can see the painful reminders of this collapsing order. The chaos and crisis we are experiencing today should be a signal for men everywhere to rise up; to fight to preserve our way of life by once again walking the ancient paths. But this isn’t a journey that need be taken alone.

John Lovell – check out his book on Amazon

It’s important to clarify that vulnerability is not inherently incompatible with masculinity, nor is it contradictory to Christianity . In fact, many Christian teachings emphasize the importance of emotional honesty, vulnerability, and compassion. However, there may be concerns about how to balance traditional views of masculinity with emotional expression within the context of Christian upbringing. Here are some suggestions:

  1. Lead by Example: As Christian parents or mentors, demonstrate healthy emotional expression and vulnerability in your own life. Model open communication, honesty about feelings, and seeking support when needed.
  2. Teach Emotional Intelligence: Educate young men about emotions, their purpose, and how to recognize and express them in healthy ways. Emphasize the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding others’ feelings.
  3. Encourage Communication: Create a safe and non-judgmental environment where young men feel comfortable discussing their emotions and seeking support when they need it. Encourage open communication within the family and community.
  4. Challenge Gender Stereotypes: Challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes that suggest men should suppress their emotions or appear invulnerable. Teach that true strength includes the ability to be vulnerable and seek help when necessary.
  5. Provide Positive Role Models: Introduce young men to positive male role models who demonstrate both strength and vulnerability, whether they’re figures from history, literature, or real-life examples in the community.
  6. Affirm God’s Love and Acceptance: Teach young men that their worth and identity are rooted in God’s love and acceptance, regardless of societal expectations or cultural norms surrounding masculinity.
  7. Encourage Healthy Relationships: Teach the importance of healthy relationships built on trust, respect, and emotional intimacy. Emphasize the value of vulnerability in deepening connections with others.
  8. Address Toxic Masculinity: Be proactive in addressing attitudes or behaviors that perpetuate toxic masculinity, including aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression. Teach young men to reject harmful stereotypes and embrace a healthier, more balanced view of masculinity.
  9. Provide Supportive Resources: Offer resources such as books, workshops, or counseling that can help young men explore and navigate their emotions in a healthy way within the framework of their faith.
  10. Pray and Seek Guidance: Pray for wisdom and guidance in raising young men who embody the values of compassion, empathy, and emotional resilience. Seek counsel from trusted spiritual leaders or mentors within the Christian community.

By integrating these approaches, Christians can help nurture masculine men who are not afraid to be vulnerable with their emotions while also embodying the values of faith, strength, and compassion.

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How do we disciple people that are LGBTQ+, SSA or have gender dysphoria to the way of the cross?

Rev. Cecil Thorn

Discipling individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, SSA  or experience gender dysphoria requires sensitivity, empathy, and respect for their unique experiences and perspectives. It is important to approach this topic with love, understanding, and a willingness to listen. Here are some considerations when engaging in discipleship:

1. Educate yourself: Take the time to educate yourself about LGBTQ+ issues, SSA and gender dysphoria, and the theological and cultural perspectives surrounding them. Understanding the complexities and nuances will help you approach discussions and discipleship with greater empathy and knowledge.

2. Build a relationship: Focus on building a genuine and authentic relationship with the person you wish to disciple. Seek to understand their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. Show respect for their dignity as a human being and avoid approaching them solely as a project or problem to be solved.

3. Active listening: Be a compassionate listener. Allow them to express their thoughts, emotions, and questions without judgment. Create a safe space for open and honest dialogue, where they feel heard and valued.

4. Love and acceptance: Emphasize the unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus Christ. Emphasize that their identity and worth are not solely defined by their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather by being made in the image of God. Reinforce that God loves all people and desires a relationship with them.

Loving LGBTQ+ and SSA (same-sex attracted) individuals within the context of God’s plan involves treating them with compassion, respect, and dignity, just as we should treat any other person. It is important to understand that while certain scriptural passages address same-sex relationships, there is ongoing theological debate and interpretation regarding their application to contemporary understandings of sexual orientation and gender identity. However, there are scriptural principles that guide us in loving all individuals, including those who identify as LGBTQ+ or experience same-sex attraction. Here are some key scriptural references and principles:

1. Love your neighbor as yourself: Jesus emphasized the commandment to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31(KJV)). This includes showing kindness, respect, and compassion to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

2. The Great Commandment: Jesus taught that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31(KJV)). These commandments apply to all people, irrespective of their sexual orientation.

3. The example of Jesus: Throughout the Gospels, Jesus exemplified love and acceptance toward individuals who were marginalized or ostracized by society. He demonstrated compassion and reached out to those who were considered outcasts (Luke 15:1-2(KJV), Luke 19:1-10(KJV)).

4. The Golden Rule: Jesus taught the principle of treating others as we would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12(KJV)). This principle applies to how we interact with LGBTQ+ and SSA individuals, showing them the same respect and dignity we desire for ourselves.

5. God’s love for all: Scripture repeatedly affirms that God’s love is inclusive and extends to all people. John 3:16(KJV) states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This includes LGBTQ+ and SSA individuals, who are equally deserving of God’s love and grace.

It is essential to approach these discussions with humility and an understanding that different individuals and faith communities may interpret and apply scriptural teachings differently. Engaging in respectful dialogue and seeking to understand the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ and SSA individuals is crucial in fostering love and compassion within God’s plan.

5. Study Scripture together: Engage in a respectful study of the Bible together. Explore relevant passages and seek to understand their historical and cultural contexts. Discuss different interpretations and theological perspectives. Remember to approach Scripture with humility, recognizing that sincere Christians hold diverse views on these topics.

6. Encourage prayer and reflection: Encourage the person to seek God’s guidance through prayer and personal reflection. Provide resources like devotionals or books that address faith and sexuality/gender identity from various perspectives, allowing them to explore and discern their own understanding.

7. Provide support networks: Connect the person with supportive communities, such as LGBTQ+ affirming churches or Christian organizations that provide resources and support for individuals reconciling their faith with their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is essential to offer spaces where they can find understanding, fellowship, and guidance.

1. The Reformation Project (https://www.reformationproject.org/): The Reformation Project is an organization that seeks to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. They offer resources, books, and educational materials that explore the biblical and theological arguments for LGBTQ+ affirmation.

2. Generous Space Ministries (https://www.generousspace.ca/): Generous Space Ministries is a Canadian organization that provides support and discipleship for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. They offer small groups, retreats, and resources to foster inclusive and affirming communities.

3. Living Out (https://www.livingout.org/): Living Out is a UK-based organization that aims to help Christians who experience same-sex attraction live in accordance with biblical teachings on sexual ethics. They offer articles, videos, and personal stories from individuals who navigate their faith and sexuality.

4. The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender (https://www.centerforfaith.com/): The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender is an organization that seeks to provide a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and the Christian community. They offer resources, training events, and conferences for pastors, parents, and individuals.

8. Books and Authors:

   – “God and the Gay Christian” by Matthew Vines

   – “Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate” by Justin Lee

   – “Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians” by Austen Hartke

  – “Unashamed: A Coming-Out Guide for LGBTQ Christians” by Amber Cantorna

   – “Is God anti-gay: And other questions about homosexuality, the Bible and same-sex attraction”  by Sam Allberry

9. What Verses Does the LGBTQ+ Take Out of Context?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joY0xMlqs0s  by Dr. Bobby Conway

Remember, the process of discipleship is personal and unique for each individual. Respect their autonomy and personal journey, understanding that they may ultimately arrive at different conclusions. Focus on modeling Christ’s love and acceptance, and trust that God is ultimately working in their lives. 10.

10. Sins in the Bible: The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23(KJV) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”, It does not matter what sin or sins we have committed, God is still out there and He wants you to ask Him for forgiveness and for you to repent of your sins. Then God said “and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19b(KJV) and Hebrew 8:12(KJV) “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:42 (NIV)

Here is a list of sins along with corresponding scripture references:

1. Adultery: Exodus 20:14(KJV), Matthew 5:27-28(KJV)

2. Idolatry: Exodus 20:3-6(KJV), 1 Corinthians 10:14(KJV)

3. Murder: Exodus 20:13(KJV), Matthew 5:21-22(KJV)

4. Theft: Exodus 20:15(KJV), Ephesians 4:28(KJV)

5. Coveting: Exodus 20:17(KJV), Luke 12:15(KJV)

6. Lying: Exodus 20:16(KJV), Colossians 3:9(KJV)

7. Blasphemy: Exodus 20:7(KJV), Matthew 12:31-32(KJV)

8. Greed: Luke 12:15(KJV), 1 Timothy 6:10(KJV)

9. Pride: Proverbs 16:18(KJV), James 4:6(KJV)

10. Envy: Proverbs 14:30, Galatians 5:26(KJV)

11. Gluttony: Proverbs 23:20-21(KJV), Philippians 3:19(KJV)

12. Sloth: Proverbs 18:9(KJV), Romans 12:11(KJV)

13. Witchcraft/Sorcery: Exodus 22:18(KJV), Galatians 5:20(KJV)

14. Homosexuality: Leviticus 18:22(KJV), Romans 1:26-27(KJV)

15. Drunkenness: Proverbs 23:29-35(KJV), Galatians 5:21(KJV)

16. Hatred: Leviticus 19:17(KJV), 1 John 3:15(KJV)

17. Gossip: Proverbs 11:13(KJV), James 4:11(KJV)

18. Disobedience to parents: Exodus 20:12(KJV), Ephesians 6:1-3(KJV)

19. Divorce (without valid grounds): Malachi 2:16(KJV), Matthew 19:6(KJV)

20. Unforgiveness: Matthew 6:14-15(KJV), Colossians 3:13(KJV)

Additionally, we all need forgiveness and redemption are key aspects of the Christian faith.

Sins of the Bible: Where do you stand?

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