Heavenly minded no earthly good?

In my short nineteen years of being saved one of the things I've noticed is christian "buzz" phrases. One of those phrases is "Don't be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good." Now I know that in one sense, this makes sense. However, I have seen it used against christians by other christians who really don't know what they are saying. Often the one saying it is actually,"So earthly minded they are no earthly or heavenly good." The way I have seen it abused is let's say there is a brother who is really set apart unto God. He witness all the time, Prays' reads the word dose'nt partake of the wordly,"lust of the flesh ,lust of the eye's boastfull pride of life" stuff. Well then a christian who is more of a partaker of those things in his misguided thoughts of "I will win them by partaking with them" (ex. going to bars, going to R rated movies, Hitting the rock concert scenes, etc etc. And when I give those examples I mean getting drunk or buzzed, actually enjoying the filth on the screen or really enjoying that Def leppard concert etc.)He is the type who will look at the more set apart brother and say "Ah he's so heavenly minded....." and then will say He's not reaching them like I am. Well guess again.

The scriptures are repleat with, "seek first the kingdom of God" "set your mind on things above not on things of the earth" etc. God is basicaly declaring that if you are truley heavenly minded you will be of the utmost earthly good!!! One of my/our problems is we are not always heavenly minded or walking in the Spirit. We are not always " approaching the throne of grace in our time of need,(which is in heaven).

Well I know that somebody will want to take issue with this post. I hope I am wrong. if this post is a "doudtfull post" then perhaps it should be ignored As opposed to festering arguments. I won't be offended if this post is ignored. But if there is anything true in it for anyone then take it and be blessed and keep on going with God! God bless, John

Not me. I'm on your side.

Take it a step further... How can you be of any earthly value to the Lord unless you are completely heavenly minded?

"Let this Mind be in you as it was in Christ Jesus".

If you have His Mind then you will know the "Shepherd of your soul"

:-)rm

MrBillPro wrote:

Ormly wrote:
Not me. I'm on your side.
Take it a step further... How can you be of any earthly value to the Lord unless you are completely heavenly minded? :-)rm

Jesus was both Heavenly minded and earthly good.

What part did I get wrong??

MrBillPro wrote:

Ormly wrote:
What part did I get wrong??

You got no part wrong, I was just using what you said to set up what I said, sorry I guess I should have posted this in that post also, maybe I need to elaborate a little more in my posts but I am just a good old country boy from Texas but I try my bestest. :-?

Whew!! You had me worried for a while :-D

PaulWest wrote:
Hey, while we're on the subject, what about this beauty:

"I'm just a thief-on-the-cross Christian."

I had a guy tell me that while using swear words and telling dirty jokes. His point was God accepts him [i]just like he is[/i], like God accepted the thief on the cross. No need to change and try to be a phony religious person.

The difference between this guy and the [i]real[/i] thief on the cross, was a cross. Both were thieves, but only one was on a cross. I've actually heard this sorry phrase a few times, and each time it was spoken, the person saying it was living in clear rebellion to God. I'd wager the same with most people who remind us: "Don't be too heavenly-minded." What! How can a born again person say such a thing! All I want to [i]do[/i] is be more and more and more heavenly minded! What else is there to set your mind on? The corruptible things of clay and flesh? Mortal vanities?

If you get a true heavenly vision, the Spirit will direct your attention back down here to where lost sheep perish. No one will have to remind you.

But isn't that whole mindset of the contempary church in music and dress?

More than once brother Paul, while ministering on the streets I've been told,"Hey man God hates the sin but he LOVES the sinner" .The meaning that they were putting across to me was I can sin,(on purpose) and it's o.k. God understands so there's no need to repent...gotta go dude"

This is another saying that while in a sense true it is not beneficial to use it as a buzz phrase. It is so easily redefined in the persons mind as meaning something faaarrr from what the speakers original intent was.

I suggest the more biblical John 3:36 ...those who beleive not, the wrath of God abideth upon them." God bless, John

thingsabove wrote:
More than once brother Paul, while ministering on the streets I've been told,"Hey man God hates the sin but he LOVES the sinner" .The meaning that they were putting across to me was I can sin,(on purpose) and it's o.k. God understands so there's no need to repent...gotta go dude"

This is another saying that while in a sense true it is not beneficial to use it as a buzz phrase. It is so easily redefined in the persons mind as meaning something faaarrr from what the speakers original intent was.

I suggest the more biblical John 3:36 ...those who beleive not, the wrath of God abideth upon them." God bless, John

Not good to use it at all if can be understood that the "loved" sinner will one day, face God's judgment.
It should also put the cabash to that spoken by the "humble" Christian, "I'm only a sinner saved by grace".
:-(rm

Very good point Ormly. I will add to the overall discussion that we must be aware of how things are understood by others. The minister should always take the time to explain what he means and "what he does not mean" when he preaches on almost anything.

Walter Martin said in witnessing to a cultist, that you must first define your terms. A mormon will often shake thier head in agreement with you when you speak about salvation. This can throw the christian off,"what's going on here?"
However the Mormon has a diffrent definition and understanding of how one receives salvation than the true Christian has.

Similarly Finney when going to debate the local "universaist" laid some ground rules for the discussion. One was that they would stay on one topic at a time till it had been thouroughly delt with, then move to the next point. Within that Finney would define what is and is not meant in a certian teaching.

All that to get back to this. We must be aware that certain phrases we "parrot" to each other and to the sinner convey the wrong idea that God is ultimatly trying to get across. Having said all of this I acknowledge that I still fall short in this area from time to time. God bless, John

Thanks John, occassionally I come up with something that resonants, aside from your exception, not to often on forums.
However, when dealing with the Mormon, and I have from time to time, all one needs to quote from scripture is this verse:
".........that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established." Matthew 18:16 (KJV) [this verse many times elseware in scripture]

Question: Who were the witnesses with Joe Smith when he received the rose colored glasses or whatever it was he was supposed to have received?
......They leave very exercised.

Orm

I think that, 'Too heavenly minded and no earthly good,' is one of the most stupid things I think I've ever heard.

Now you may say, 'Hold on brother, isn't that a bit strong?' I don't think so. If you aren't going to be heavenly minded, then what are you going be? The only other option is earthly minded in my opinion.

The problem with present-day Christianity is that we are content with where we are. I am not. I am not happy with my current state of Christianity. I want to know God more. How do I do this? By being more heavenly minded.

crsschk wrote:
Would resist this but it needs to be addressed, again;

Thanks John, occasionally I come up with something that resonants, aside from your exception, not to often on [b]forums[/b].

Perhaps it's you?

Time and again, a little barb here, a snide comment there. Many a member here has asked you for a clarification on a matter and you either ignore it or belittle them. You come across as being above it all and above all, other than the rare exception in your estimation. Do you fail to recognize, with all the experience you have how much real help you could be providing to the body if it was bereft of this spiritual pride that you will not acknowledge?

More so, this is a privilege offered here to all, to learn and grow and fellowship. Has it escaped you that very ones you disregard are at various stages of this walk, this one included? You show little to no compassion nor consideration for the good people who come here to learn, share and wrestle with the great truths of the faith. Why not be of some help? There is an underlying bitterness and arrogance, a flippancy and spiritual pride just back of your comments almost without fail.

If this forum is so distasteful to you I suggest you start one of your own.

Phi 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

If this seems to be a bit too much to others out there, one of the reasons is from what we have experienced here in the past. When there becomes situations where members want to begin forming off into little clicks by those they agree with and denouncing those they do not, we will step in every time to break this up. It will not be tolerated here. This may or may not be the case in this instance and am insinuating nothing of the sort by that statement. But when the indications keep cropping up of even that possibility it will be addressed.

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Excuse me, but I used the word "forums", I've been on many through the years. You seem to want my comment to mean this one in particular. But thats OK. Though it is somewhat friendly, and it is, provided one doesn't go deeper than John 3.16 with hope of helping someone sort out the issues they present.

If you have an issue with me it isn't what you are calling, "my pride". I believe if you checked your "subjective-objective" meter you might find it needs calibrating.

I've done my darndest to address every issue objectively only to have the subjective one come against my objectiveness in an unrelenting way -- because it rubs them and they can't handle it.

Learn, that on [u][b]FORUMS[/b][/u], thats just the way it is. You never know who you are "subjected" to until they raise their voice.

:-(