Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2008 12:07:19 GMT -7
1 John, Chapter 1 verse 8 says
If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
I offer this verse as a challenge to anyone who claims to live in total victory over sin. Either the verse is wrong (which of course cannot be) and some of us can live without sin, or it is right and those who claim they live without sin are deceived.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2008 1:00:54 GMT -7
There are none born of the earth sinless but Christ, and anyone who would say they are – is a liar. But this is no reason to stop washing our robes and making them white in the Blood of the Lamb.
The problem with repetitive sexual sins is that we are letting sin reign and have dominion over us. We are commanded by the Apostle Paul, to not let these things happen. We are not told we will be sinless – we are told not to let it reign and have dominion over us.
In Romans 6:11-13 We are to consider ourselves as dead unto sin in our deeds and alive unto God and as a result not letting sin reign in our mortal body that we should obey its lusts. This is our job: to not let sin reign. It is also our job to not yield our members unto sin but yield unto God. This is being under Grace – because only Grace can accomplish this in us – that sin will not have dominion over us. And we are made to understand that excusing sin because we are under Grace is forbidden by God because we are then the servants of sin and not obedient unto righteousness. And Paul assumes this is true of Christians and thanks God that they are not sin’s servants.
This begs the question that if we are sin’s servants then where is our Christianity? This is why sinful Christians (not sinless – but full of sin) have moments of condemnation. They are walking after the flesh and not the Spirit. This is the fullness of Romans 8 which describes us as walking in the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus and not after the flesh – minding the things of the flesh. To be carnally minded is death – it is at enmity with God and not subject to His laws – and cannot please God. This is why there is such condemnation and defeat in the Christian who remains carnally minded – they are not pleasing to God. This is being a part of the Church that Jesus warns in Revelation that He will spew out of His mouth. The Spirit of God is not dwelling in the fullness and we live after the flesh. We are to, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body. Thus we should not walk around in a haze of condemnation – but get rid of the evil desires of our hearts and be renewed in our minds.
We are given further instruction by Paul in Ephesians 4 and 5: To walk worthy of our calling in all lowliness and meekness. We are told about the perfecting of the saints (which is a process) until we all come into unity, a perfect man, in the stature of the fullness of Christ. Then we are no longer children carried about by deceptions but are a fit part of the one body of Christ. And so . . . we are told to not walk in the vanity of our mind – having our foolish heart darkened, alienated from the Life of God by ignorance, and given over to lasciviousness. We are to put off the old man which is corrupt through deceitful lusts.
Here is a bold nugget of wisdom for those in bondage to sexual sin: (and this is not meant to be mean – it is simply the truth that will set free if it is followed) you’re walking in the vanity of your mind; your heart is darkened (you love unrighteous things); you are in ignorance of the truth and given over to lasciviousness. I had to face these same things about myself. Remember: we are not talking sinless but avoiding being sinful (sin-filled).
So if we are told to put off the old man, corrupt by deceitful lusts, and be renewed in our minds, and put on the new man: it is possible to do. Not sinless, but neither walking in a sinful life.
And we are told this is possible: by simple things such as put away lying and speak truth. These are things we can do – not lie. We are told that if we are angry to let it go. If we used to steal – simply don’t do it – labor for what you want and give to others. These are things we are told to do – but you cannot not steal if you do not also stop coveting other people’s goods. We are not to speak corruptly and to put away bitterness and all its hateful things. We are counseled to be followers of God and walk in love.
But! But! But! Fornication, all uncleaness, and covetousness: let it not once be named among you. How is going back again and again to molesting ourselves with masturbation come anywhere close to not being named once?
And then we are severely warned: that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor a covetous person who is equaled with an idolater hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. This alone should put pornography dead out the window. If it doesn’t, there is something severely wrong with our Christianity. We are told: Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things (fornication, uncleaness, covetousness, whoremongering, filthiness, and the dirty talking and jokes) the Wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
If it were not possible to live without these sins, we would not be told to be not partakers. But when we are, we are classed as disobedient children and subject to the wrath of God. This is exactly why we feel condemnation when we walk after the flesh – our conscience condemns us because we are not living right. But we are told to come to the Light and have our deeds manifest. And we are told that it is a shame to speak of those things which are done of us in secret and we should be reproved for it.
Guitarist and fellowmen: These are the truths that will set you free. You are not required to be sinless – but you are required to put away the old man and not follow deceitful lusts. You are required to not let fornication and filthiness be not once named among you. You don’t lie and don’t steal - (except many do lie about their p/m to others around them for fear of exposure and being caught) – neither should you masturbate. So if you continue to walk in this sin again and again and again. You need to humbly ask God to show you exactly why and be prepared to see, face, and acknowledge what is in your heart that keeps you carnally minded and walking after the flesh.
It is possible to walk in Victory over these things and we are meant to. The Gospel of Salvation is from our sins – not “and keep them.†Remember “not sinless – but neither sin full.â€
John was also the one who wrote that if we say " I John 2:[3] And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His Commandments. [4] He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5] But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the Love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him. [6] He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.
He also wrote that if we love the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (vanity), that we do not love the Father. This speaks of the heart. Again, we need to examine ourselves truthfully and with courage in the Mercy and Faith of God. God is Merciful unto the humble and contrite and giveth them an abundance of Grace.
In Christ's Love,
Wilderness Voice
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2008 2:00:39 GMT -7
you know, i really believe that is a major problem with reaching others for christ. i think that some christians don't want to admit that they still struggle with sin & temptation and they are not real with others. they put on pretenses that they are perfect & therefore put out the wrong message about being a true christain. a true christian is saved by GRACE... if we could be sinless on our own, then why would christ have had to do what he did on the cross for us? we just can't be sinless. we should strive to be but it is impossible as long as we are bound by our physical forms. anyway, by not showing that we are still not perfect and showing the lost world that yes, we are still tempted by sin, and be REAL, we are putting out a false message. i think the world would take notice if we get honest and show them the truth. we aren't perfect, we need forgiveness and the only true hope we have is in christ alone.
bless you all,
sam
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2008 2:17:56 GMT -7
Wilderness Voice, you wrote this:
"You need to humbly ask God to show you exactly why and be prepared to see, face, and acknowledge what is in your heart that keeps you carnally minded and walking after the flesh."
I totally agree. But I didn't know how to do this. In spite of all my Bible knowledge and years spent in ministry and teaching the Bible to other people, I didn't know how to do this.
And that is why I am very grateful for Celebrate Recovery, because this is their specialty. The 12 steps help you invite God to show you why you are where you are, and help you see, face, and acknowledge what is in your heart, just like you said. Also the people seek to be open and transparent, the leaders lead in being vulnerable and honest about their own struggles, and that is such a blessing to me.
But in the middle of it, it is very hard. I'm struggling alot today, feeling ripped apart, wanting to run back to the old, but also wanting to get closer to God. Feelings are all over the place. Can't trust feelings.
sam, I also appreciated what you had to say as well.
Journey
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2008 4:34:43 GMT -7
Journey:
I will say a prayer for you.
When I found myself in those dividing struggles early on, I began to realize the amount of doubt and unbelief at play in my mind. I could feel the unbelief pulling at me saying basically "this is all in your head, no one struggles like this normally - it's only because you believe that these acts are wrong - if you just realized there's no such thing as God, or laws, or rules - you wouldn't have all these feelings of guilt and being torn." --- Anyway - something to that effect - and truly, almost inaudible - or not really words, just feelings.
But of course, this is the voice of the enemy and of our fallen flesh nature (sometimes both at the same time - a double whammy!) But through this too, God began to show me how much unbelief and doubt played a part in my continual falling into sexual sin. It was right up there with vanity and ego and rebellion. Just like the voice of the serpent to Eve: "surely God did not mean . . . " And we begin to doubt God. Doubts and unbelief cause a huge war to open within us and make us so suceptible to the effects of vanity: the substitute love of self, instead of walking in God's love. And then lust: the culmination of the mental fantasy that proves we're desirable, irresistable, etc., etc., wanting others to envy us.
These root sins: doubt, unbelief, vanity, pride, and rebellion weaken us and lend us to fall into lust. Lust actually seeks to prove out the others and creates a pleasure response when sinning. This is the dangerous pleasure of unrighteouness. Dangerous because it tends to make us not want to hear the truth. The truth deprives the pleasure and the ego satisfaction and makes us feel vunerable and fearful. (Our nakedness is discovered).
But, be much encouraged - once we've gone through that process, then we can be clolthed in Light and the darkness is not there. The burdens begin to lift off your soul and wonderful Love and Light flood in to take the place of despair and defeat. It does take time. Even after ceasing to sin in the same way, many avenues of thought and emotion and entanglements of wrong ideas and wrong mental pictures of self are corrected by God's Wonderful Holy Spirit. But it really does take time.
I'm happy that a group like Celebrate Recovery is doing some (or all) of this. I know Pure Life Ministries does also. They actually have live-in programs. A lot of their people have multiple problems with infidelity, drugs, etc. But the testimonies are utterly tremendous as these people live entirely different lives than they used to. That's me - transformed by God's Grace. And there is always more - always closer steps to take - but as we take them and continue to emerge from the battles - the Love Light is so sweet. Our Heavenly Father is truly Wonderful.
In Christ,
Wilderness Voice
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2008 11:26:46 GMT -7
Dear Wilderness Voice and others responding to my opening post on the topic. Thank you for taking so much time to answer this. Time is valuable and I'm glad that you all have answered sensitively, biblically and with love.
As far as sin goes, sexual sin is one of many that I battle with. Others include anxiety, anger and impatience so God has a lot of work to do with me between now and the grave, however near or far that might be.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2008 17:54:43 GMT -7
boy guitarist, you said a mouthful! We never know when we will die or how much time we have to "get right".
I love the vision of the liberated life which WV presents, and that love relationship with God is my joyous ambition.
In the meantime, I know that If I were to die today... I have to trust Jesus on the cross, and raised again as my intercessor!
No sin now! Love god now! Have faith now! But remember, God's mercy is for you now!! Jesus loves you now!!!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2008 0:47:44 GMT -7
Thanks, WV, for your last post here. I have copied it in the thread "Valleys" under Women Who Struggle because it spoke to me. And thanks for praying.
Journey
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2008 8:44:29 GMT -7
Bump up to go with another thread: Gleaning Wisdom Mark.8
[*][34] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.[/*] |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 10:24:49 GMT -7
This article was taken from the website of Pure Intimacy.Behind Sex Addiction is a Hunger for GodAddictive sex is one of many counterfeits we accept in place of a fulfilling relationship with God.
by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge(Moderator's note: I substituted the link to the article in place of its text, because it is illegal for BG to post other sites' copyrighted material without their permission. If anyone ever needs help to get an article you have found helpful linked, just drop me a PM and I will be happy to assist.) |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2009 15:22:19 GMT -7
Hi Truthseeker,
Thank you for your correction. No problem. 
|
|
