> General Discussions
It "aint" about feelings...
Patrick:
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
--- Quote from: Ray ---"God is in total control of our destiny. God determines which trails we will go through; how severe they will be; and when we might have victory over them. We can "try" according to our own ability to overcome, but for the most part, we are too weak. We can keep ourselves from doing certain things, but not others.
So what is one to do? PRAY!
Yes, I know you've done that many times, but you never quit. God knows our state. It seems logical to think that if God wants us not to sin, and if we deeply desire NOT TO SIN, then surely He would be quick to grant such a wish. But this is not the case.
There may be numerous reasons for this:
It builds patience; we feel guilty and guilt can be a good thing as we eventually shame ourselves into obedience; we not only need to desire to stop whatever we know is sin, but we need to come to hate that sin, and the more we are plagued by it, the more we tend to hate it; our sin proves to us in undeniable terms that we really are powerless over our own behavior; it drives us to throw ourselves on God's mercy.
Sometimes we can come to believe that God has given up on us, or maybe we aren't even being called by God to be an overcomer of sin. This is not true. God is calling you alright-your request for spiritual help is proof of this. There is not, however, a secret formula for overcoming sin of any kind.
We do not conquer all our sins just because we desire to conquer them, but we are to "grow" toward that goal. If you recall from my LOF series, "grace" is used as a verb in that it "teaches" us by life experiences how to live a godly life in this wicked world. Grace is not just an act of undeserved mercy by God, but it (grace) is also His way of teaching us through what most of us know as "the school of hard knocks."
We never become sinless, but we do reach the place that Paul stated that sin no longer has "dominion over us" (Rom. 6:14).
--- End quote ---
I pray this helps you and others; it sure has helped me with many of my struggles.
Beloved:
you said
I see myself fighting against the cares of this life sometimes, i.e. trying to make ends meet.
It also occured to me that I've been lusting after money, (although I have none) just like a rich man (who has plenty). LOL, I'm just as guilty of allowing money to butt into my walk with God as a rich man who lusts for more of it. I had to repent on that one.
(Pro 30:7) Two things, have I asked of thee, withhold them not from me, ere yet I die:
(Pro 30:8) Vanity and falsehood, remove far from me, Neither poverty nor riches, give me, Feed me with the food appointed me:
(Pro 30:9) Lest I be full, and deny, and say-Who is Yahweh? or lest I be impoverished and steal, and do violence to the Name of my God.
beloved
charrie:
--- Quote from: aqr on January 08, 2009, 01:27:41 PM ---
Hi Marques, Kat, Steve,
Thanks for the Scriptures and reminders, i agree in all points.
Hi (jg) aka joe,
I have been where you are many times. In fact there are times it gets so lonely
everything seems to be pressing me down. Early on i had the same questions you
ask and had no one (physically) to help or answer with Scriptural support. So left
to myself i would start thinking (is there really a God). That i am here today typing
is Testimony to the Fact (Yes He Is And He Cares) because in spite of my doubts
and many mistakes and grevious sins; God Still Dragged me here.
John 6:44:
No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65:
And he said, Therefore said I to you, that no man can come to me, except it were given to him of my Father.
John 10:29:
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
I Corinthians 10:24:
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
george. :)
--- End quote ---
George
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
LOL
I know you meant well being, George, but it sounds funny the way you put it
Charrie :-*
aqrinc:
Hi Charrie,
That is the Scripture and It is perfectly stated.
I Corinthians 10:24:
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Let no man seek his own (wealth), but rather be the instrument for another (many) to gain that wealth.
Since this is Spiritualy understood in total context of 1st Corinthians:10 read it again. I have read this
verse many times before and thought exactly like you do now, until a few minutes before the post you
quoted from. It is very much in keeping with Edifying the brethren by our words and deeds rather than
seek gain for ourselves.
george. :)
cjwood:
--- Quote from: Patrick on January 08, 2009, 02:28:26 PM ---2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in the grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
--- Quote from: Ray ---"God is in total control of our destiny. God determines which trails we will go through; how severe they will be; and when we might have victory over them. We can "try" according to our own ability to overcome, but for the most part, we are too weak. We can keep ourselves from doing certain things, but not others.
So what is one to do? PRAY!
Yes, I know you've done that many times, but you never quit. God knows our state. It seems logical to think that if God wants us not to sin, and if we deeply desire NOT TO SIN, then surely He would be quick to grant such a wish. But this is not the case.
There may be numerous reasons for this:
It builds patience; we feel guilty and guilt can be a good thing as we eventually shame ourselves into obedience; we not only need to desire to stop whatever we know is sin, but we need to come to hate that sin, and the more we are plagued by it, the more we tend to hate it; our sin proves to us in undeniable terms that we really are powerless over our own behavior; it drives us to throw ourselves on God's mercy.
Sometimes we can come to believe that God has given up on us, or maybe we aren't even being called by God to be an overcomer of sin. This is not true. God is calling you alright-your request for spiritual help is proof of this. There is not, however, a secret formula for overcoming sin of any kind.
We do not conquer all our sins just because we desire to conquer them, but we are to "grow" toward that goal. If you recall from my LOF series, "grace" is used as a verb in that it "teaches" us by life experiences how to live a godly life in this wicked world. Grace is not just an act of undeserved mercy by God, but it (grace) is also His way of teaching us through what most of us know as "the school of hard knocks."
We never become sinless, but we do reach the place that Paul stated that sin no longer has "dominion over us" (Rom. 6:14).
--- End quote ---
I pray this helps you and others; it sure has helped me with many of my struggles.
--- End quote ---
patrick,
thank you so much for posting that section of teaching from ray. God knew that i needed it, and i thank Him for (once again) using a brother (or sister) in Christ to help me see things more clearly.
claudia
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