Missing old lifestyle?

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

What do you think Jesus thinks/feels towards someone who has given up the LGBT lifestyle for Him but misses it intensely/feels longing for the "old days" because of how happy they made that person? And now they're "living right" but completely miserable and feeling bitterness towards a God that does not approve of such love?

Aside from the issue of homosexuality (cause I know that's a loaded gun in a forum like this) Fill in the blank with whatever sinful thing you may have done before(partying, drinking to drunkenness,drugs,destructive relationships, inappropriate content..etc) --my real question is, if youve given something up for Him (truly no longer engaging in it) but miss it fiercely, do you think Hes angry? Sad? Does/could He punish for such longing for that which is sinful? Or do you think He could/would just be happy that you gave it up at all?

SportsJunkie25 · Sep 20, 2014

I think it's completely natural to miss whatever lifestyle you've given up to pursue the Lord. (If giving up worldy pleasures was easy, everbody would do it). And, I don't think God is mad or sad because you feel that way... It's all about baby steps. You may miss your old lifestyle right now, but one day, you will suddenly realize a couple of months have passed and your desire to engage in your former lifestyle is unappealing.
*I'm speaking from experience.

GuusVA · Sep 20, 2014

the article below I think is a great story on how we grow in faith. Start feeling God's love and not its Don'ts but his Do's.
Its natural to miss old lifestyles, and Satan will definitely tempt you with them. God for sure isn't mad because of it. He might be sad if you pursue that instead of him! Try to bring it to the Lord. when I stopped some of my sinful acts I would fall back into them occasionally till I put it a 100% in God's hands and I think that is really important for us..

God is ready to help you out of this Just ask him to..
As SportsJunkie25 said its about baby steps. You need to take it all one step at a time.. don't make them too big

article

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

SportsJunkie25 said:
I think it's completely natural to miss whatever lifestyle you've given up to pursue the Lord. (If giving up worldy pleasures was easy, everbody would do it). And, I don't think God is mad or sad because you feel that way... It's all about baby steps. You may miss your old lifestyle right now, but one day, you will suddenly realize a couple of months have passed and your desire to engage in your former lifestyle is unappealing.
*I'm speaking from experience.

Thank you for this

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

GuusVA said:
the article below I think is a great story on how we grow in faith. Start feeling God's love and not its Don'ts but his Do's.
Its natural to miss old lifestyles, and Satan will definitely tempt you with them. God for sure isn't mad because of it. He might be sad if you pursue that instead of him! Try to bring it to the Lord. when I stopped some of my sinful acts I would fall back into them occasionally till I put it a 100% in God's hands and I think that is really important for us..

God is ready to help you out of this Just ask him to..
As SportsJunkie25 said its about baby steps. You need to take it all one step at a time.. don't make them too big

Thank you, too! And for the article

Tammy · Sep 20, 2014

bellemare said:
What do you think Jesus thinks/feels towards someone who has given up the LGBT lifestyle for Him but misses it intensely/feels longing for the "old days" because of how happy they made that person? And now they're "living right" but completely miserable and feeling bitterness towards a God that does not approve of such love?

Aside from the issue of homosexuality (cause I know that's a loaded gun in a forum like this) Fill in the blank with whatever sinful thing you may have done before(partying, drinking to drunkenness,drugs,destructive relationships, inappropriate content..etc) --my real question is, if youve given something up for Him (truly no longer engaging in it) but miss it fiercely, do you think Hes angry? Sad? Does/could He punish for such longing for that which is sinful? Or do you think He could/would just be happy that you gave it up at all?

Such a good question!

I believe that God wants us to find happiness in serving Him. He doesn't want us to feel FORCED to serve Him....but to serve Him out of LOVE for Him. The more we love Him, the LESS we will love the things of this world and all the sin this world contains.

Read the last part of Romans Chapter 7:
(Rom 7:21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

(Rom 7:22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

(Rom 7:23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

(Rom 7:24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(Rom 7:25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

And the first part of Romans Chapter 8:

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

(Rom 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Rom 8:4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

(Rom 8:6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(Rom 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(Rom 8:8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

(Rom 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(Rom 8:10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

If a person is longing to go back to their life of sin, I believe that they are in the Romans 7 Man experience....they are having a "wretched" experience...they are not experiencing the victorious Christian life that God has for them. Notice the first verse in Chapter 8: "There is therefore NOW no condemnation....." meaning BEFORE, in Chapter 7, there was condemnation. The man in Romans 7 KNOWS what is right and is convicted of the truth....but he is not having victory in his heart....the man in Romans 8 knows what is right and is having victory. The Romans 7 experience is a stepping stone in the right direction for sure...but it is not where we are to stop in our walk with the Lord.....we want to come to the place where we HATE SIN and WANT NOTHING to do with sin and sinful things...it is THEN that we will be safe to save.

Steeno7 · Sep 20, 2014

bellemare said:
What do you think Jesus thinks/feels towards someone who has given up the LGBT lifestyle for Him but misses it intensely/feels longing for the "old days" because of how happy they made that person? And now they're "living right" but completely miserable and feeling bitterness towards a God that does not approve of such love?

Aside from the issue of homosexuality (cause I know that's a loaded gun in a forum like this) Fill in the blank with whatever sinful thing you may have done before(partying, drinking to drunkenness,drugs,destructive relationships, inappropriate content..etc) --my real question is, if youve given something up for Him (truly no longer engaging in it) but miss it fiercely, do you think Hes angry? Sad? Does/could He punish for such longing for that which is sinful? Or do you think He could/would just be happy that you gave it up at all?

God doesn't tell us what not to do as a prohibition against good times. He tells us because He knows us, He created us and He loves us and He only wants the very best for us.

If you are still thinking of your former lifestyle as something you 'gave up' for God, then obviously you think there was something of value in it. We don't give anything of value to God. It is not God who needs anything from us, it is we who need everything from Him.

You are like the Jews who grumbled in the desert for forty years. An entire generation died in the desert, longing for the slavery they once had...when just across the river Jordan lay a land flowing with milk and honey that God had given to them.

But they would not enter in.

tturt · Sep 20, 2014

ask Yahweh for Godly sorrow.

graceandpeace · Sep 20, 2014

First, there is no such thing as an LGBT "lifestyle."

Second, we are all sinners. I don't find it helpful to wonder about the specifics of sin or projecting potential "feelings" on to God. I think what really matters is whether we trust in Christ, & whether we are forgiving others as He has forgiven us.

yuppers · Sep 20, 2014

Being someone who used to do drugs in school I used to always be at friends houses and having a good time. When I decided to make a change to follow gods way I had to let ALL my friends go. I still haven't been able to make any friends yet, and it's almost been 2 years. I struggle sometimes with how boring/ dull my worldly life is and how much fun I had in the past. But then you have to remind yourself this world/ lifetime is only a tiny bit of what's to come. If you give up your sinful ways you'll be storing up your treasures in heaven. Stay strong, stay on the straight and narrow, and keep an eye on the light at the end of the tunnel.

Quasicentennial · Sep 20, 2014

Understanding Christ spirituality is like climbing your way upwards in the deep blue ocean for fresh air from the atmosphere that is so full of oxygen:.
I believe sexual love was never meant to happen if Adam and Eve hadn't sinned in the first place. God's spiritual love would be so fufilling if Adam and Eve never met Satan at all and I wouldn't criticize God for not future-seeing Satan's evil intention to deceive the first adult couple into their first experience of fleshly desire:.
I would rather not say if God allowed Satan to deceive Adam and Eve, and if God did allow it to happen then Christ the Son of God in his future-coming Second Coming would be used like an emergency first aid kit to save mankind from global war terrorism from Satan's enemies:.
It almost seems as though God wants to know what Satan has up his sleeve to try and defeat God and invade heaven where the kingdom of God is an indestructible city of construction:.
Because God and now also Jesus have the power to see future reality events, knowing that Satan and his enemies will be defeated - it's as though Satan has already lost before he even makes his evil plan to defeat Christ's return on Earth.;'*';.
:liturgy:

susyan · Sep 20, 2014

I remember giving up something which I loved, because I knew that it grieved God. I was sad when I gave it up. But later on now I am truly delivered from that sin and cannot bear it any more. For this I am glad, it is like God has put His hatred of sin inside me and it has delivered me

You can share with Him about the longing for sin you have and tell Him that you welcome Him to remove it from your system, and He will be glad and wiling to do so. We can't do it on our strength, only He, Jesus, can, and He is waiting for you to ask Him. It may not be instant and every time it happens just keep asking Him. Soon you will realize it is all gone, and it is by His own working. Like someone said, baby steps. It's important you don't occupy your mind with sin but give it over to Him each time it happens. 2 Corinthians 10:5 is the key verse, please look it up

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

Such a good question!

I believe that God wants us to find happiness in serving Him. He doesn't want us to feel FORCED to serve Him....but to serve Him out of LOVE for Him. The more we love Him, the LESS we will love the things of this world and all the sin this world contains.

Read the last part of Romans Chapter 7:
(Rom 7:21) I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

(Rom 7:22) For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

(Rom 7:23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

(Rom 7:24) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

(Rom 7:25) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

And the first part of Romans Chapter 8:

(Rom 8:1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

(Rom 8:3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Rom 8:4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

(Rom 8:5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

(Rom 8:6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

(Rom 8:7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(Rom 8:8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

(Rom 8:9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

(Rom 8:10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

If a person is longing to go back to their life of sin, I believe that they are in the Romans 7 Man experience....they are having a "wretched" experience...they are not experiencing the victorious Christian life that God has for them. Notice the first verse in Chapter 8: "There is therefore NOW no condemnation....." meaning BEFORE, in Chapter 7, there was condemnation. The man in Romans 7 KNOWS what is right and is convicted of the truth....but he is not having victory in his heart....the man in Romans 8 knows what is right and is having victory. The Romans 7 experience is a stepping stone in the right direction for sure...but it is not where we are to stop in our walk with the Lord.....we want to come to the place where we HATE SIN and WANT NOTHING to do with sin and sinful things...it is THEN that we will be safe to save.
__________________
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matthew 24:44.

Thank you!

znr · Sep 20, 2014

God is not angry toward such a person. Now, certain fundemrnwkrust (I'm not even going bother correcting that typo; the nuance fits)...certain groups of believers focus too much on homosexuality to the extent that its not healthy or even biblical.

I didn't give up the LGBT lifestyle for God. It came down to that I could no longer find peace anywhere BUT in / with God. The distinction being that I feel completed now and at peace.
God bless!

bellemare said:
What do you think Jesus thinks/feels towards someone who has given up the LGBT lifestyle for Him but misses it intensely/feels longing for the "old days" because of how happy they made that person? And now they're "living right" but completely miserable and feeling bitterness towards a God that does not approve of such love?

Aside from the issue of homosexuality (cause I know that's a loaded gun in a forum like this) Fill in the blank with whatever sinful thing you may have done before(partying, drinking to drunkenness,drugs,destructive relationships, inappropriate content..etc) --my real question is, if youve given something up for Him (truly no longer engaging in it) but miss it fiercely, do you think Hes angry? Sad? Does/could He punish for such longing for that which is sinful? Or do you think He could/would just be happy that you gave it up at all?

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

Steeno7 said:
God doesn't tell us what not to do as a prohibition against good times. He tells us because He knows us, He created us and He loves us and He only wants the very best for us.

If you are still thinking of your former lifestyle as something you 'gave up' for God, then obviously you think there was something of value in it. We don't give anything of value to God. It is not God who needs anything from us, it is we who need everything from Him.

You are like the Jews who grumbled in the desert for forty years. An entire generation died in the desert, longing for the slavery they once had...when just across the river Jordan lay a land flowing with milk and honey that God had given to them.

But they would not enter in.

I see what youre saying and agree. However when you are use to what you had and made a life (that you loved) of it, if someone comes along and says "leave what you know (even if its called slavery) for what I have", it suddenly doesnt feel like a gift but a weight.

What is a gift anyway? And if it causes the recipient more sorrow than good, is it still called a gift? :/

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

znr said:
God is not angry toward such a person. Now, certain fundemrnwkrust (I'm not even going bother correcting that typo; the nuance fits)...certain groups of believers focus too much on homosexuality to the extent that its not healthy or even biblical.

I didn't give up the LGBT lifestyle for God. It came down to that I could no longer find peace anywhere BUT in / with God. The distinction being that I feel completed now and at peace.
God bless!

Thats awesome to hear-thank you!!

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

susyan said:
I remember giving up something which I loved, because I knew that it grieved God. I was sad when I gave it up. But later on now I am truly delivered from that sin and cannot bear it any more. For this I am glad, it is like God has put His hatred of sin inside me and it has delivered me

You can share with Him about the longing for sin you have and tell Him that you welcome Him to remove it from your system, and He will be glad and wiling to do so. We can't do it on our strength, only He, Jesus, can, and He is waiting for you to ask Him. It may not be instant and every time it happens just keep asking Him. Soon you will realize it is all gone, and it is by His own working. Like someone said, baby steps. It's important you don't occupy your mind with sin but give it over to Him each time it happens. 2 Corinthians 10:5 is the key verse, please look it up

Thank you, Sus!!

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

graceandpeace said:
First, there is no such thing as an LGBT "lifestyle."

Second, we are all sinners. I don't find it helpful to wonder about the specifics of sin or projecting potential "feelings" on to God. I think what really matters is whether we trust in Christ, & whether we are forgiving others as He has forgiven us.

I say "Lifestyle" in that there is feeingl attraction to some one of the same sex and there is acting on those feelings:Two different things. One may not be able to resolve the attraction they may feel towards the same gender, but they do have the ability to choose not to engage or act on those feelings--Similar to a former drug addict or alcoholic who chooses not to put themselves in environments that would cause them to stumble..Or a straight man or woman choosing not to hang around the bar and club scene to stumble into inappropriate relationships outside of marriage. By "life style" I simply mean the conscious choice to engage in something. I agree on your points of trust and forgiveness though, thank you

bellemare · Sep 20, 2014

tturt said:
ask Yahweh for Godly sorrow.

Thats intense..and something I'd not ever thought to do. Thank you!

znr · Sep 21, 2014

No, you're not like the Jews who complained about everything. That comparison doesn't make sense. The Jews in the desert were an illustration of ultimate ungrateful thinking and intentions. You're just going through grief and confusion.

bellemare said:
I see what youre saying and agree. However when you are use to what you had and made a life (that you loved) of it, if someone comes along and says "leave what you know (even if its called slavery) for what I have", it suddenly doesnt feel like a gift but a weight. What is a gift anyway? And if it causes the recipient more sorrow than good, is it still called a gift? :/

Missing old lifestyle?

Newbie

SportsJunkie25

Guest

God's Warrior

Newbie

Newbie

Junior Member

Not I...but Christ

Senior Veteran

Episcopalian

Well-Known Member

Member

susyan

Guest

Newbie

Report THIS.

Newbie

Newbie

Newbie

Newbie

Newbie

Report THIS.

Similar threads