Two things break my heart about making this post.
One is because I wish with all of my heart, that I were sitting in a room with each of you so that you see the love from my heart and the respect that I cherish in each of you here. I couldn't mean this more. I see each of you as Jewels which reflect not only the love of God, but the holiness which this world we live in lacks in abundance.
Which brings me to share that my heart breaks when we as Christians reflect the world which is void of the presence and holiness of God.
As Christians we have a commanded responsibility to set the standard of living and not compromise, not even by a shadow.
How can we bear witness to Jesus Christ and yet lend ourselves to such carelessness. Again, I say this lovingly. Without wrath and without doubting of anyone's integrity here as a child of God.
There are absolutely and positively and nor will there ever be a Godly justification, for a man and woman to live together as roommates. NONE!
If anyone says it is so, it is lying on God. For God says clearly that "He leads into the paths of Righteousness for His Namesake.
His Namesake! His Integrity as God! His Sovereinty! His Holiness! His Blood Covenant with us.
There is absolutely no way that God would lead anyone, to set up house in a manner such as this. Instead He will make provision for each one of us to live holy. And there are indeed other options, even if it means living where you don't 'want' to live, but at least you will not be in sin.
And it is indeed a sin.
How can we doubt that God would provide for us to not live even in the very 'appearance' of sin.
Does anyone really and truly think for one moment, especially with a Covenant Relationship with God our Father, that He would deny an earnest prayer such as:
"Father God, place me where my life gives you glory and will not cast a shadow upon my witness as one of your own."
Father God, your word clearly says, that you lead me not into temptation; that you deliver me from 'all' evil, even the appearance of such.
Father your word commands to not let my good to be evil spoken of. I am a gazingstock where others look to me as a light unto your path. Let my light shine for others to follow your straight and narrow path. In Jesus' Name, I honour you and pray. Amen and Amen. "
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Sheep Wool:
* Sigh * 
When do we stop playing games with God? When do we stop pretending that He hasn't given us the answers already about this and other similar situations. When do we stop 'lying' on God ?
When God says, to 'flee' youthful lusts. It's a given that He is also saying to not place ourselves in a position to yield to such.
No one can stand before God face to face and tell him that you will not be in a position of temptation. No one can stand before God face to face and say, Father, I had no other choice. No one can stand before God face to face and say, 'we're strictly platonic' with no intentions of taking it outside of that realm.
No one can stand before God face to face and say, Lord you gave me peace about this or His approval. It's lying. God has does not approve. It's lying to oneself to block the conviction that the Holy Spirit is grieved over this.
The truth about this is that is a
'human decision'; two people who have decided to do what they want to do and God's presence is not in it; neither His approval. The only thing that they have is God's grace, His undeserved, unmerited, favor and all because He loves you.
Don't justify the situation by saying,
God knows my heart in this situation.
Yes, indeed, you better believe He does know your heart; God also knows your flesh; therefore He may know your heart in this situation, but it's not with His approval. We can't pull our
'sheep wool' over God's eyes.
Men Know Men:
Any Father, be he Christian or non Christian, would not want, neither allow this living arrangement for his daughter. She can be 16 or 60, but her father will never approve.
Men 'know' men. And being alone with a woman in a live-in situation is only 'asking' for temptation to have it's way. A man's thoughts will 'wander'. It is a proven fact that men think about sex quite often and quite readily.
Living with a woman, a man is going to be quite 'aware' of her presence and quite aware of her presence as a woman.
He is vunerable by the slightest thing to arouse him, sexually. He's automatically going to wonder what his female roommate sleeps in. When he hears the bath or shower, his mind is going to wonder what she looks like naked.
When he sees her laundry, he's going to think about where it touches her body. When she wears a bathrobe, he's going to wonder what's under.
He's a MAN! And there is no one there to be accountable to except his flesh next to hers. Those will be his thoughts.
It really does not take much to get a man sexually stimulated or aroused. Anything from the sight of a woman putting on lipstick to the smell of her perfume or soap or lotion, even her shampoo, can stimulate a man and bring sexual related thoughts in his mind.
Men Know Men -- so does God. If an earthly father would not allow such a living arrangement for his daughter, how much more does God.
God knows the weakness of men and women when it comes to sexual temptation. It's in our nature as a man and a woman to be sexually attracted to one another. Afterall, He created and designed us as 'sexual beings' so that we would be fruitful and multiply; to replenish the earth with life upon life.
Do not deceive yourselves and say that the two persons are strong committed Christians and are accountable to God.
Ummm yeah? Not so.
They've already displayed their weakness and weakened committment to the Lord and the actively weakened yield to the Holy Spirit by placing themselves in this highly volatile living arrangement.
As humans we can have the very best of intentions, but in reality, if it's in sin's pathway, it's sin and it's also premeditated, watered, nurtured and brought forth.
This is not one's perception of impropriety...
This is not, judgemental ...
This is not a game ...
If other religions are strict about this, how much more we as Christians should be leaders in such. We are a holy generation, separated from the world unto God.
For His Namesake, is this how we misrepresent Him? Most surely this is a misrepresentation of a Godly standard of living.
Perception of impropriety?
The is beyond 'perception'. The inpropriety has already taken place.
We are to shun the very appearance of evil.
When do we stop playing games with Salvation? Placing ourselves in situations of compromise that Jesus paid the price for with His Blood...
This entire post is directed towards the issue and shared in Peace and Blessings... :Rose:
But I agree with Brooklyn South all the way. Is her male friend also a practicing Christian? If not, it's an unequally yolked situation that's a recipe for disaster.
ITA that the "appearance" may be a problem for some Christians, but I think the real problem would be what that arrangement would do to her Spiritual life, moreso than what it looks like to other people.
