Hunting on the Sabbath?

[monty690]

My, my, my. I haven't personally met anybody from this site but I'm happy to know that I've got so many Brothers in Christ on here. I'm sure there are many more too. My hat's off to those of you who spoke your beliefs/convictions. I don't hunt or fish on Sundays.

[Tennessee Lead]

StruttinGobbler3 and Tennessee Lead can you pray for me that I will maintain my focus on God during each turkey season and the remainder of my days ? I want to sincerely thank y'all for the truths each of you shared in your post. I'm praying for you two as well.

Yes sir will gladly offer up prayer


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[Tennessee Lead]

Just curious and not meaning any disrespect whatsover,but do you have to go to church in order to be a good Christian? I believe in God,spread his word on occasion,pray,and do my best trying to live life by the 10 commandments although not perfectly all the time. I rarely go to church and if I didn't work Sundays I wouldn't have a job anymore and kinda like the profession I'm in. Also if givin the chance and im not working i hunt every Sunday i can.I probably need a few prayers sent up for me if you fellas get a chance..(Serious)

I believe we are commanded as posted above not to forsake the assembling of one another
I will be praying for you and that your career will allow you the chance to worship on Sunday morning.


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[dejake]

Lots of good comments, thanks.  I can and do worship Him when I'm in the outdoors, but to be honest, it's the hunting that grabs my focus.  That's what I'm struggling with, and you, brothers, have helped put that in perspective.  As I grow in Christ, sometimes things seem so simple, and others seem so complicated.  Maybe that's how he nudges us to find the answers in His Word.

[The Cohutta Strutter]

StruttinGobbler3 and Tennessee Lead can you pray for me that I will maintain my focus on God during each turkey season and the remainder of my days ? I want to sincerely thank y'all for the truths each of you shared in your post. I'm praying for you two as well.

Yes sir will gladly offer up prayer.   Thank you.


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[StruttinGobbler3]

Lots of good comments, thanks.  I can and do worship Him when I'm in the outdoors, but to be honest, it's the hunting that grabs my focus.  That's what I'm struggling with, and you, brothers, have helped put that in perspective.  As I grow in Christ, sometimes things seem so simple, and others seem so complicated.  Maybe that's how he nudges us to find the answers in His Word.

That's the thing about it, my friend. Too many people see Christianity as a list of dos and don'ts, or fear they will have to give up their hobbies, etc. Walking with Christ is not religion, its relationship. Christ wants to be your closest confidante and friend. As the Scripture says, Christ is the "friend that sticks closer than a brother". He doesn't want to take joy away from you. As He Himself said, "I have come that they might have life, and life more abundantly". He wants you to include Him in your outdoor pursuits and passions, and that includes turkey hunting. Best of luck this season.

[MickT]

Lots of good comments, thanks.  I can and do worship Him when I'm in the outdoors, but to be honest, it's the hunting that grabs my focus.  That's what I'm struggling with, and you, brothers, have helped put that in perspective.  As I grow in Christ, sometimes things seem so simple, and others seem so complicated.  Maybe that's how he nudges us to find the answers in His Word.

If you are "hunting" as church but not focused on Him, I think you have your answer. Also remember that the worship isn't just for us- it is an opportunity to draw near to Him and thank Him for all the ways we have been blessed. It can be difficult to focus on what we need to during worship, I know. I have a 3 year old. Instead of trying to make hunting my church, I use those quiet mornings to read the Bible. I carry a small New Testament in my pocket and I can focus on what I'm reading in the tree stand or blind much more intently than I can at the house. I think part of it is there isn't anything else I need to be doing in that moment except listening for footsteps or a distant gobble.


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[Greg Massey]

Lots of good comments, thanks.  I can and do worship Him when I'm in the outdoors, but to be honest, it's the hunting that grabs my focus.  That's what I'm struggling with, and you, brothers, have helped put that in perspective.  As I grow in Christ, sometimes things seem so simple, and others seem so complicated.  Maybe that's how he nudges us to find the answers in His Word.

If you are "hunting" as church but not focused on Him, I think you have your answer. Also remember that the worship isn't just for us- it is an opportunity to draw near to Him and thank Him for all the ways we have been blessed. It can be difficult to focus on what we need to during worship, I know. I have a 3 year old. Instead of trying to make hunting my church, I use those quiet mornings to read the Bible. I carry a small New Testament in my pocket and I can focus on what I'm reading in the tree stand or blind much more intently than I can at the house. I think part of it is there isn't anything else I need to be doing in that moment except listening for footsteps or a distant gobble.


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Agree with you .. that's why i always carry mine...

[Remturkey]

One of the best threads I've ever seen on OG.  Sunday turkey hunting became legal here about three years ago but I've never went.  My Dad always told me that the Lord gives you 6 days of the week to hunt you can give him one to worship and reverence him.  I understand that some guys the only day they have to hunt is Sunday and I have no problem with it as I think it is each person's choice.  Very nice to see I have like minded brothers in Christ here on OG. 

[Fatbeard]

I do opening weekend I have had the desire to be chasing turkeys since the season ended the year before. I almost always go the whole weekend. Not many after that unless we are on a draw hunt and out of town. Been a whole lot of times I have killed a bird right off the roost on opening Sunday and made it to church before my family

[Rzrbac]

I have a mini Bible that goes with me on all my hunting trips deer and turkey season. I keep it in a zip lock bag and read it all the time setting in the deer stand or again a tree turkey hunting. You don't have to wait until Sunday just to study the Bible....Nothing like nature and the good book....

Me too!  Always have one in my vest and whatever pack I'm using.

[Doekila]

This can be a controversial topic to be honest. As a born again Christian man, here is my take. The Sabbath is actually an Old Testament concept. According to our calendar, I believe the actual Sabbath would actually fall on Saturday. Our relationship with Christ under the New Covenant is not based on one particular day of the week, rather an ongoing personal relationship that should be interwoven into our daily lives. Sunday seems to be the day that the Christian church has selected to be our official day of worship, as well as Wednesday evenings in more recent times. The real issue here is not whether you are at church once a week, but rather are you living for Christ and communing with Him each day? Personally, I see no issue with hunting/fishing before or after services on a Sunday, as long as you're not placing your hobbies above your worship in the list of priorities. Anything we place a higher value on than Christ can become an idol in our lives, hunting and fishing included. A lot of people don't like to hear that, and I'm probably stepping on some toes here. However I've been guilty of everything I've listed for you. Even recently I've noticed my priorities getting a bit out of line, and that's something the Lord has pointed out to me these past few weeks. It happens rather easily. So the real question is not whether it's wrong to hunt before or after church, which in my opinion it is not, but are you placing Christ as your top priority? Hope this reply gives you some insight.

[MDSTRUTNRUT]

Come out to Oak Ridge Baptist in Salisbury we have 3 services on Sunday and we go to the 1200 noon, time for an AM or PM hunt LOL.  In my part of MD we dont have Sunday hunting for turkeys but do have some for deer.   Have gone hunting on Sunday but make it to church, fortunate to be able to hunt near home.   I feel like it's all about priorities, we dont miss church (often), dont miss smallgroup, talk to God daily, read my Bible so dont see it a big deal to me.  If it got in the way of my walk with God then it would be a problem!   The Holy Spirit will let you know if it's a problem for you.   GOD BLESS   

[Bolandstrutters]

I'd rather spend the day in gods great outdoors doing what I love then a church full of judgmental people. 

[JLH]

Move to Maryland where that choice is already made for ya.....no matter what your beliefs are.

You can buy all the beer and booze... heck, even the casinos and strip bars are open.....but a man can't go in the woods and hunt (in most counties) on a sunday.