MennoNet.com

Self-deprecation - I'm as prone to sin as a woman (a reference to Genesis 3).

Tuvy wrote: ↑Tue Feb 25, 2025 3:12 pm It's definitely a balance. I think it's important to be genuine, but also to be mindful of the situation. There's a time and a place for everything, right?

Right!

I’m certainly very young and rather ignorant of modern society. People look at me like I’m crazy very often--trying to read the local Sunday paper didn’t work; trying to listen to the radio didn’t work, but thankfully, it expanded my horizons; and so on and so on.

I’m Catholic, by the way.

But sometimes Christians need to learn to do things not considered appropriate in the secular culture around us. I agree. Self-expression, especially in clothing choices and mannerisms, is all the rage now--sounds rooted in vanity since it highlights one's uniqueness. I'm not a flapper, so I prefer...

But sometimes Christians need to learn to do things not considered appropriate in the secular culture around us. I agree. Self-expression, especially in clothing choices and mannerisms, is all the rage now--sounds rooted in vanity since it highlights one's uniqueness. I'm not a flapper, so I prefer...

How much of this reluctance to show emotion is cultural? I’m not sure. I tend to express my emotions publicly but neither dramatically nor in a way that suggests a lack of self-control. I was once told not to cry/laugh hysterically, speak loudly, and the like in public, or else I might cause a scen...

I have always been a rather "emotionally expressive" person, but I used to resist all show of emotion if I could. I was very uncomfortable with showing emotion too ... though I did. I'm not good at hiding what I am thinking or feeling. I am very uncomfortable with crying, especially in pu...

I'm wondering how to flesh that out. How do I know what is appropriate and what is not? I assume you can't go overboard with the emotions associated with the fruit of the Spirit, but you have to be exceedingly careful with emotions bordering on the fruit of the flesh? Joy is less dangerous than ang...

Are there emotions that would be appropriate to show in public? Pride in your grandchildren? Love for your wife? Gratitude for God's blessings? Why do you equate showing emotion with lack of self control? Didn't Jesus show a lot of emotion in public? Didn't Paul express emotion in his letters? Yes,...

I would rather not show unrestrained emotions in public, not because I am male--thankfully that norm is outdated--but because it may be seen as a sign of weakness. If our emotions go out of control, they may fully remove our use of reason, which tend not to produce the righteousness that God desires...