The Christian "Take" on self harming?

[michel]

This is obviously open to all Christians; how do you understand (or think) God would react to a person who self harms?

I was thinking in terms of the application of:-
Mark 9:42-44: But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’

It could be said that the person who self harms is (in effect) "Causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble".

What are your views, and why?

 

[jacquie4000]

This is obviously open to all Christians; how do you understand (or think) God would react to a person who self harms?

I was thinking in terms of the application of:-
Mark 9:42-44: But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’

It could be said that the person who self harms is (in effect) "Causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble".

What are your views, and why?

To me this passage means if you cause intentional harm to God's children. So unless you have physically or mentally abused them to make them self harm then I can not see how it would be your fault or that you would be held accountable for this.

 

[michel]

To me this passage means if you cause intentional harm to God's children. So unless you have physically or mentally abused them to make them self harm then I can not see how it would be your fault or that you would be held accountable for this.

But if I am one of God's creatures and I hurt myself, does that not come to the same thing?

 

[Buttons*]

But if I am one of God's creatures and I hurt myself, does that not come to the same thing?

I know that there are many views on this. I have a dear friend who either used to cut, or still cuts herself. This friend of mine, we'll call her Judy, realizes that God does not approve of her doing this. I think, though, that she resolved that as long as she repents and feels truly sorry for what she has done and still accepts Christ as her savior, that she'll be fine. So on top of feeling bad enough to hurt yourself, you have to pray for forgiveness.

Let me ask this: If animals are God's creatures... what are we doing killing and eating them? (is that not harmful?)

 

[michel]

I know that there are many views on this. I have a dear friend who either used to cut, or still cuts herself. This friend of mine, we'll call her Judy, realizes that God does not approve of her doing this. I think, though, that she resolved that as long as she repents and feels truly sorry for what she has done and still accepts Christ as her savior, that she'll be fine. So on top of feeling bad enough to hurt yourself, you have to pray for forgiveness.

Let me ask this: If animals are God's creatures... what are we doing killing and eating them? (is that not harmful?)

We do that because of the blasted tree of knowledge in the garden of Eden; how I long for heaven, where I believe there will be no need for hunger, nor to kill any crature or living thing.

 

[Wandered Off]

If animals are God's creatures... what are we doing killing and eating them? (is that not harmful?)

In the "Old Testament", God is said to have specifically commanded ritual killing of animals in part because he likes the way they smell burning.

In the "New Testament, we have:

And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils ... commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.