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Heb 10:26

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jakfr0s:
  Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,


  Hi all, I just got through reading, Despising the Word of God Biblestudy April 2008, and in it Ray says quote; " if you sin willfully, willingly, knowingly, wantingly after you have come to the knowledge of the truth, there is no more sacrifice for you (Heb. 10:26)."

  I dont completly understand this. I hear over and over people saying God is dealing with our sins one at a time and its a work in progress. It actually feels like He deals with our sins not just one at a time, but two or three at a time, maybe more.

  Maybe im wrong or misunderstanding Ray, but he also seems to be saying that if we continue to sin after we have come into the knowledge of truth, then we will be cut off.

   I guess my problem is Im still smoking cigarettes, willingly, wantingly, and knowingly. But Im also praying daily that I quit. I know God is in total control and im right where He wants me to be.

  I guess one could say Im lacking in faith in this area. Is it even possible, to be lacking in faith to conquer in one sin, but to be stronger in faith to conquer in another sin?

  I have to admit that the more I smoke the stronger the guilt and shame. Is one of the deciding factors for me to quit smoking going to be overwhelming guilt and shame? I mean is that how God, in part Judges us? I know grace (divine influence) and chastening has alot to do with it.

  Im not even sure I know exactly what is means to have knowledge of truth. I have an idea, but Im not a hundred percent sure. Im also not even sure I have such a knowledge.

  I hope Ive made sense, and I would really appreciate some insight into this cause its kinda confusing, and to be honest a bit discouraging.

              Your Friend in Christ, George D.   



 

   
 

gmik:
Hi George.  I understand your dilemma.  I have no great words of wisdom for you.  I just wanted you to know you are not alone!  We all have our burdens whether it is smoking or whatever.

Is smoking a sin, or just an unhealthy habit??  Of course we all want to stop, but if we don't/can't then the Lord isn't allowing us to at the present time.  Just keep praying but don't beat yourself up spiritually about it.  We all keep trying to kick the beast off the throne!!

AK4:
http://bible-truths.com/email16.htm#drinking

Try that link Patik.

Also i remember reading something Ray wrote saying about saying if you are feeling guilty about a something then thats the Spirit working in you to help you quit, but you wont quit whatever it is your doing until God wants you to stop.  (paraphrasing).

Also try to remember Patik---thats why we have Grace---ITS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US TO BE SIN FREE!
Try reading Romans 7 & 8--especially Romans 7:14-20

Basically its saying you've been buried with Christ and sin, but our flesh still exists and even though I have my mind set on Christ and i try with all my being to do what he commands, this dang on flesh of minE(addictions or the like) keeps pulling to do what i HATE.  Now as long as I hate this particular sin and would whole-heartedly want to repent of this then its not you that is doing it so to speak.  You are going through a judgement and eventually you will get past that sin, God willing.

So you might not be WILLFULLY committing that sin. 

Someone correct me if im wrong, but I Hope this helps,

Anthony

indianabob:
Friend George,

I don't have an answer, just some history and a question.

Ask yourself WHY you take the pack of cigs out and light one up.
Do you perform a ritual such as pounding the pack on your other hand to compact the tobacco before opening it?
Do you usually go for a cigarette right after a meal to have with your coffee or just as you begin to drive to work or especially when you begin a long conversation with a smoking friend?  There are clues to why a person smokes and sometimes it can help to examine our history.

When I began smoking I was always short of money and it became a habit to wait until a friend offered me one of theirs.
I did the same thing with beer.  I would go to the tavern after work for a burger, fries and a beer and then straight home.  UNLESS a friend offered me a cigarette or another beer.  I would usually say "no thanks I need to get home", but if they offered to buy the beer and keep the pack of cigarettes on the bar, I would stay for a while and listen to their sad story that I had heard before.  I guess I was learning to be a social worker/psychologist, but it kept me within my spending budget.

My point here is that sometimes we can light every other cigarette without even having a desire for it; just habit.

After eight years of smoking, at age 29 I became very sick with bronchitis and couldn't smoke for about a week.  Couldn't sleep lying down in bed.  Along with the serious warning from the family doctor and the realization that this was going to kill me much earlier than I preferred and the pleading eyes of my daughter Karen who had severe allergies, I was able to quit.
I don't remember kneeling down to pray about it, but I did talk with God in a manner of speaking, so maybe God had a hand in it.

I hope my history will be of some help even if it is just to say we understand and "feel your pain".

Thanks for sharing your struggle and please be patient with yourself as you grow in grace and knowledge.

Bob




--- Quote from: Patik on August 03, 2008, 02:48:16 PM ---  Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,


  Hi all, I just got through reading, Despising the Word of God Biblestudy April 2008, and in it Ray says quote; " if you sin willfully, willingly, knowingly, wantingly after you have come to the knowledge of the truth, there is no more sacrifice for you (Heb. 10:26)."

  I dont completly understand this. I hear over and over people saying God is dealing with our sins one at a time and its a work in progress. It actually feels like He deals with our sins not just one at a time, but two or three at a time, maybe more.

  Maybe im wrong or misunderstanding Ray, but he also seems to be saying that if we continue to sin after we have come into the knowledge of truth, then we will be cut off.

   I guess my problem is Im still smoking cigarettes, willingly, wantingly, and knowingly. But Im also praying daily that I quit. I know God is in total control and im right where He wants me to be.

  I guess one could say Im lacking in faith in this area. Is it even possible, to be lacking in faith to conquer in one sin, but to be stronger in faith to conquer in another sin?

  I have to admit that the more I smoke the stronger the guilt and shame. Is one of the deciding factors for me to quit smoking going to be overwhelming guilt and shame? I mean is that how God, in part Judges us? I know grace (divine influence) and chastening has alot to do with it.

  Im not even sure I know exactly what is means to have knowledge of truth. I have an idea, but Im not a hundred percent sure. Im also not even sure I have such a knowledge.

  I hope Ive made sense, and I would really appreciate some insight into this cause its kinda confusing, and to be honest a bit discouraging.

              Your Friend in Christ, George D.   



 

   
 

--- End quote ---

Dave in Tenn:
I loved that email, Anthony, the first time I read it.  It made me cry and smile then as it has again.  What a gentle spirit Ray has with people...admirable and hopefully imitatable (with sufficient practice).  He neither condemned nor condoned, but shared the scripture, some wisdom, and pointed towards a higher spiritual understanding. 

I can't add to it, George.  Only that I agree that the feelings/thoughts you have on the subject are from God and of God.  Whether you struggle mightily or it falls away matters very little.  Both are at least akin to miracles dealing with this thing. 

Maybe we should open a 'smoking cessation' sub forum here.   ;D

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