Gideon has sinned. And the truth still stands regardless.

Gideons300 · Jul 14, 2019

Hi guys. The following is a letter God had me write to a close brother in the Lord today. It was not a pleasant letter to write. Confessions never are.

Hello my friend. How is life "on the road again", as the country tune wafts in the background? I am sure you are getting a lot of riding in when you are off.

Things here are going well. Terry is in such good health that she has taken the two boys and flown to Dallas to see two of her three sisters and their families for two weeks. They both have grandkids there so the boys are eating it up having playmates all day. Plus, Terry gets to truly relax, with no stress other than bickering children, LOL.

Having some real quiet time here by myself has had its ups and downs, LOL. Thank God the up part came second, because the down part was horrible.

You are my closest spiritual brother. We have both been through a lot and God has mercifully led us down the path where we finally 'lit our lamps.' We do not deserve it, yet here we are. What an amazing God we serve.

So I hope you do not mind if I have selected you as my "confess your faults to one another" brother. I hope you feel the same, that, should the need arise in your own walk, you can lean on me.

So let me get straight to the point. Having an empty house, the devil began tempting me this week. I do not think I told you but I have smoked pot a good portion of my life. Started as a hippie, stopped for 25 straight years to raise my family, but then started again.

The old me loves being stoned. Heck, I lived in a commune.... in a cave! LOL.

But let me make sure you know that I am in no way making light of it. All sin has blackness and rebellion at its core. Perhaps for another, their heart might not condemn them for giving in to pot. and it would not be a sin. But there is no doubt it is for me. I know it is a sin for God has dealt with me multiple times about laying it aside and running my race with no hinderances, no crutches, no compromises, in full 'Yes, Lord" obedience.

There is also panother important aspect of this particular sin.... pot is a 'gateway' sin for me. It is an aphrodisiac to me for whatever reason, so the temptation to go back to inappropriate content and masturbation increases many times over when I partake.

Well, with an empty house, I fell and sinned this week. It sickens me, so in shame, I have brought it before God in confession, and received the forgiveness of the Lord.

Unfortunately, one thing we learn about Our God is how faithful He is to be a good Father to us. We both have learned that our God, as a good father always does, will chasten us in some manner, not because He is mad at us, but because He loves us! Chastening is the ultimate display of love when a Father is concerned about their child's well being when they need correction. God is a GREAT Father, lol. Trust me.

Part of that chastening? He has asked me I to confess my sin to a brother, one I trust and love. So, because of your character and closeness to the Lord, I want you to know what I did, and as a good brother in the Lord, find it in your heart to forgive me and pray for me to be unwavering in faith when satan comes with a good heap of accusations and condemnation... and he will. Thank you, my dear brother for your prayers I know are on the way.

blessings,

Gids

But God wasn't finished with my chastening. Man, I HATE when that happens! What was it? He wanted me to publicly confess my sin here on CF. Yes, really, And I have agreed. It is what is called for.

But the most amazing thing has happened. When I realized what He was asking of me, the ultimate having of ones'. private "flesh-life" exposed in front of brothers and sisters, people I have shared with for twelve years that God can and will set us free indeed from committing sin, my heart sank, and fear came in. Will they now (if they haven't already! LOL), think all I have shared is a lie, or that I am deceived? Will they simply view me as a hypocrite? It really doesn't matter what others think when God tells you to do something, does it?

Oh, I had a choice. He made that clear, but I also knew if I tried to 'save face', the Spirit inside me would be grieved, and my pride would limit His ability to bless others through the words I have been asked to share. Without the anointing to bless the words I share with them, they accomplish nothing. So my decision to man-up was a no-brainer. And i pray that you too can find it in your heart to forgive me.

For those of you familiar with my story, I pray this forever cements the truth in your heart thatI am "only human" just like you and am nothing special. Without grace, I am nothing. I have not "arrived" (obviously, lol). And you need to know that you do not need a miraculous visitation in order to be set free indeed and really stop sinning. You just need to know that God does not lie and is fully able to keep you safe from the temptations satan throws at us, and will do so as you trust Him to.

I hope you are finally understanding. This is NOT "sinless perfectionism" that I share. It is not a place you arrive at through time and diligence, and strenuous self effort. It is a walk, and as such, must be practical, and work for even the weakest of saints... like me! And, praise God, brothers and sisters, it is... and it does!

That is why in 1st John, he says IF we sin, not when. IF. It is possible to walk in victory ALL THE TIME. However, it is also practical for even though we possess new natures and our fleshly fallen nature is dead, we still have these new nature housed in fleshly bodies.

So if someone asks me if it possible after one reckons themselves dead to sin and alive unto God to fall back into sin, I immediately answer... Of course! Yet by sharing that, does that mean that by my falling in sin, all I have shared is a lie? Not at all!

It means God is faithfully growing us in the faith. pruning is back through chastening, so that we can produce MORE fruit, with the ultimate goal as we continue in the truth, that we will finally become established in it, to the point where we are unshakeable.

I pray readers see, if we step out to believe our God, and refuse to let doubt in, and refuse to give up our grip on the promises of God to keep us from falling, we WILL become established in the faith, guaranteed.

Oh, we may physically be able to sin, but amazingly, we will not. Why? Because we are finally abiding in the vine, and kept from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh through faith, because He now lives IN US, and it is Him in us that keeps us from falling. Glory!

In contemplating my chastening 'task', having to confess my sin to all whom I have assured many times over that Christ can and will keep us from falling, well, needless to say, it is certainly not on my Christian bucket list, but it seems it was on His.

So today I wish to bare myself and my sin before all here, both to those who may agree with me, and as well, those who think me crazy or worse yet, a deceiver. I pray for forgiveness that I do not deserve but desperately need.

May God bless you all,

Gideon

royal priest · Jul 14, 2019

Gideons300 said:
Hi guys. The following is a letter God had me write to a close brother in the Lord today. It was not a pleasant letter to write. Confessions never are.

Hello my friend. How is life "on the road again", as the country tune wafts in the background? I am sure you are getting a lot of riding in when you are off.

Things here are going well. Terry is in such good health that she has taken the two boys and flown to Dallas to see two of her three sisters and their families for two weeks. They both have grandkids there so the boys are eating it up having playmates all day. Plus, Terry gets to truly relax, with no stress other than bickering children, LOL.

Having some real quiet time here by myself has had its ups and downs, LOL. Thank God the up part came second, because the down part was horrible.

You are my closest spiritual brother. We have both been through a lot and God has mercifully led us down the path where we finally 'lit our lamps.' We do not deserve it, yet here we are. What an amazing God we serve.

So I hope you do not mind if I have selected you as my "confess your faults to one another" brother. I hope you feel the same, that, should the need arise in your own walk, you can lean on me.

So let me get straight to the point. Having an empty house, the devil began tempting me this week. I do not think I told you but I have smoked pot a good portion of my life. Started as a hippie, stopped for 25 straight years to raise my family, but then started again.

The old me loves being stoned. Heck, I lived in a commune.... in a cave! LOL.

But let me make sure you know that I am in no way making light of it. All sin has blackness and rebellion at its core. Perhaps for another, their heart might not condemn them for giving in to pot. and it would not be a sin. But there is no doubt it is for me. I know it is a sin for God has dealt with me multiple times about laying it aside and running my race with no hinderances, no crutches, no compromises, in full 'Yes, Lord" obedience.

There is also panother important aspect of this particular sin.... pot is a 'gateway' sin for me. It is an aphrodisiac to me for whatever reason, so the temptation to go back to inappropriate content and masturbation increases many times over when I partake.

Well, with an empty house, I fell and sinned this week. It sickens me, so in shame, I have brought it before God in confession, and received the forgiveness of the Lord.

Unfortunately, one thing we learn about Our God is how faithful He is to be a good Father to us. We both have learned that our God, as a good father always does, will chasten us in some manner, not because He is mad at us, but because He loves us! Chastening is the ultimate display of love when a Father is concerned about their child's well being when they need correction. God is a GREAT Father, lol. Trust me.

Part of that chastening? He has asked me I to confess my sin to a brother, one I trust and love. So, because of your character and closeness to the Lord, I want you to know what I did, and as a good brother in the Lord, find it in your heart to forgive me and pray for me to be unwavering in faith when satan comes with a good heap of accusations and condemnation... and he will. Thank you, my dear brother for your prayers I know are on the way.

blessings,

Gids

But God wasn't finished with my chastening. Man, I HATE when that happens! What was it? He wanted me to publicly confess my sin here on CF. Yes, really, And I have agreed. It is what is called for.

But the most amazing thing has happened. When I realized what He was asking of me, the ultimate having of ones'. private "flesh-life" exposed in front of brothers and sisters, people I have shared with for twelve years that God can and will set us free indeed from committing sin, my heart sank, and fear came in. Will they now (if they haven't already! LOL), think all I have shared is a lie, or that I am deceived? Will they simply view me as a hypocrite? It really doesn't matter what others think when God tells you to do something, does it?

Oh, I had a choice. He made that clear, but I also knew if I tried to 'save face', the Spirit inside me would be grieved, and my pride would limit His ability to bless others through the words I have been asked to share. Without the anointing to bless the words I share with them, they accomplish nothing. So my decision to man-up was a no-brainer. And i pray that you too can find it in your heart to forgive me.

For those of you familiar with my story, I pray this forever cements the truth in your heart thatI am "only human" just like you and am nothing special. Without grace, I am nothing. I have not "arrived" (obviously, lol). And you need to know that you do not need a miraculous visitation in order to be set free indeed and really stop sinning. You just need to know that God does not lie and is fully able to keep you safe from the temptations satan throws at us, and will do so as you trust Him to.

I hope you are finally understanding. This is NOT "sinless perfectionism" that I share. It is not a place you arrive at through time and diligence, and strenuous self effort. It is a walk, and as such, must be practical, and work for even the weakest of saints... like me! And, praise God, brothers and sisters, it is... and it does!

That is why in 1st John, he says IF we sin, not when. IF. It is possible to walk in victory ALL THE TIME. However, it is also practical for even though we possess new natures and our fleshly fallen nature is dead, we still have these new nature housed in fleshly bodies.

So if someone asks me if it possible after one reckons themselves dead to sin and alive unto God to fall back into sin, I immediately answer... Of course! Yet by sharing that, does that mean that by my falling in sin, all I have shared is a lie? Not at all!

It means God is faithfully growing us in the faith. pruning is back through chastening, so that we can produce MORE fruit, with the ultimate goal as we continue in the truth, that we will finally become established in it, to the point where we are unshakeable.

I pray readers see, if we step out to believe our God, and refuse to let doubt in, and refuse to give up our grip on the promises of God to keep us from falling, we WILL become established in the faith, guaranteed.

Oh, we may physically be able to sin, but amazingly, we will not. Why? Because we are finally abiding in the vine, and kept from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh through faith, because He now lives IN US, and it is Him in us that keeps us from falling. Glory!

In contemplating my chastening 'task', having to confess my sin to all whom I have assured many times over that Christ can and will keep us from falling, well, needless to say, it is certainly not on my Christian bucket list, but it seems it was on His.

So today I wish to bare myself and my sin before all here, both to those who may agree with me, and as well, those who think me crazy or worse yet, a deceiver. I pray for forgiveness that I do not deserve but desperately need.

May God bless you all,

Gideon

In our weakness, God is shown forth in the strength of His grace! Thank you for sharing, brother.
"Great winds and storms help fruit-bearing trees. So also do corruptions and temptations help the fruitfulness of grace and holiness. The storm loosens the earth round its roots so the tree is able to get its roots deeper into the earth, where it receives fresh supplies of nourishment. But only much later will it be seen to bring forth better fruit. So corruptions and temptations develop the roots of humility, self-abasement and mourning in a deeper search for that grace by which holiness grows strong. But only later will there be visible fruits of increased holiness."--John Owen

Grip Docility · Jul 14, 2019

Gideons300 said:
Hi guys. The following is a letter God had me write to a close brother in the Lord today. It was not a pleasant letter to write. Confessions never are.

Hello my friend. How is life "on the road again", as the country tune wafts in the background? I am sure you are getting a lot of riding in when you are off.

Things here are going well. Terry is in such good health that she has taken the two boys and flown to Dallas to see two of her three sisters and their families for two weeks. They both have grandkids there so the boys are eating it up having playmates all day. Plus, Terry gets to truly relax, with no stress other than bickering children, LOL.

Having some real quiet time here by myself has had its ups and downs, LOL. Thank God the up part came second, because the down part was horrible.

You are my closest spiritual brother. We have both been through a lot and God has mercifully led us down the path where we finally 'lit our lamps.' We do not deserve it, yet here we are. What an amazing God we serve.

So I hope you do not mind if I have selected you as my "confess your faults to one another" brother. I hope you feel the same, that, should the need arise in your own walk, you can lean on me.

So let me get straight to the point. Having an empty house, the devil began tempting me this week. I do not think I told you but I have smoked pot a good portion of my life. Started as a hippie, stopped for 25 straight years to raise my family, but then started again.

The old me loves being stoned. Heck, I lived in a commune.... in a cave! LOL.

But let me make sure you know that I am in no way making light of it. All sin has blackness and rebellion at its core. Perhaps for another, their heart might not condemn them for giving in to pot. and it would not be a sin. But there is no doubt it is for me. I know it is a sin for God has dealt with me multiple times about laying it aside and running my race with no hinderances, no crutches, no compromises, in full 'Yes, Lord" obedience.

There is also panother important aspect of this particular sin.... pot is a 'gateway' sin for me. It is an aphrodisiac to me for whatever reason, so the temptation to go back to inappropriate content and masturbation increases many times over when I partake.

Well, with an empty house, I fell and sinned this week. It sickens me, so in shame, I have brought it before God in confession, and received the forgiveness of the Lord.

Unfortunately, one thing we learn about Our God is how faithful He is to be a good Father to us. We both have learned that our God, as a good father always does, will chasten us in some manner, not because He is mad at us, but because He loves us! Chastening is the ultimate display of love when a Father is concerned about their child's well being when they need correction. God is a GREAT Father, lol. Trust me.

Part of that chastening? He has asked me I to confess my sin to a brother, one I trust and love. So, because of your character and closeness to the Lord, I want you to know what I did, and as a good brother in the Lord, find it in your heart to forgive me and pray for me to be unwavering in faith when satan comes with a good heap of accusations and condemnation... and he will. Thank you, my dear brother for your prayers I know are on the way.

blessings,

Gids

But God wasn't finished with my chastening. Man, I HATE when that happens! What was it? He wanted me to publicly confess my sin here on CF. Yes, really, And I have agreed. It is what is called for.

But the most amazing thing has happened. When I realized what He was asking of me, the ultimate having of ones'. private "flesh-life" exposed in front of brothers and sisters, people I have shared with for twelve years that God can and will set us free indeed from committing sin, my heart sank, and fear came in. Will they now (if they haven't already! LOL), think all I have shared is a lie, or that I am deceived? Will they simply view me as a hypocrite? It really doesn't matter what others think when God tells you to do something, does it?

Oh, I had a choice. He made that clear, but I also knew if I tried to 'save face', the Spirit inside me would be grieved, and my pride would limit His ability to bless others through the words I have been asked to share. Without the anointing to bless the words I share with them, they accomplish nothing. So my decision to man-up was a no-brainer. And i pray that you too can find it in your heart to forgive me.

For those of you familiar with my story, I pray this forever cements the truth in your heart thatI am "only human" just like you and am nothing special. Without grace, I am nothing. I have not "arrived" (obviously, lol). And you need to know that you do not need a miraculous visitation in order to be set free indeed and really stop sinning. You just need to know that God does not lie and is fully able to keep you safe from the temptations satan throws at us, and will do so as you trust Him to.

I hope you are finally understanding. This is NOT "sinless perfectionism" that I share. It is not a place you arrive at through time and diligence, and strenuous self effort. It is a walk, and as such, must be practical, and work for even the weakest of saints... like me! And, praise God, brothers and sisters, it is... and it does!

That is why in 1st John, he says IF we sin, not when. IF. It is possible to walk in victory ALL THE TIME. However, it is also practical for even though we possess new natures and our fleshly fallen nature is dead, we still have these new nature housed in fleshly bodies.

So if someone asks me if it possible after one reckons themselves dead to sin and alive unto God to fall back into sin, I immediately answer... Of course! Yet by sharing that, does that mean that by my falling in sin, all I have shared is a lie? Not at all!

It means God is faithfully growing us in the faith. pruning is back through chastening, so that we can produce MORE fruit, with the ultimate goal as we continue in the truth, that we will finally become established in it, to the point where we are unshakeable.

I pray readers see, if we step out to believe our God, and refuse to let doubt in, and refuse to give up our grip on the promises of God to keep us from falling, we WILL become established in the faith, guaranteed.

Oh, we may physically be able to sin, but amazingly, we will not. Why? Because we are finally abiding in the vine, and kept from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh through faith, because He now lives IN US, and it is Him in us that keeps us from falling. Glory!

In contemplating my chastening 'task', having to confess my sin to all whom I have assured many times over that Christ can and will keep us from falling, well, needless to say, it is certainly not on my Christian bucket list, but it seems it was on His.

So today I wish to bare myself and my sin before all here, both to those who may agree with me, and as well, those who think me crazy or worse yet, a deceiver. I pray for forgiveness that I do not deserve but desperately need.

May God bless you all,

Gideon

Gids.... My Christian Brother.... I Love you in Jesus Christ! You remain a beacon of hope in Christ to all of us! I appreciate your words and know you know how much Jesus Christ Loves you!

I understand your confession and pain... but the hardest person to forgive is ourself! You get to forgiving yourself as deeply as Christ had already forgiven you before it even happened!

No joke Gids! All respect, Love and gratitude for trusting us as your Christian family!

If anyone reads you the riot act... drop my name for a mention! I fiercely defend my Brother’s and Sister’s in Christ rights to safely confess one to another!

Always grateful to read your words.... Grip

Gideons300 · Jul 14, 2019

Grip Docility said:
Gids.... My Christian Brother.... I Love you in Jesus Christ! You remain a beacon of hope in Christ to all of us! I appreciate your words and know you know how much Jesus Christ Loves you!

I understand your confession and pain... but the hardest person to forgive is ourself! You get to forgiving yourself as deeply as Christ had already forgiven you before it even happened!

No joke Gids! All respect, Love and gratitude for trusting us as your Christian family!

If anyone reads you the riot act... drop my name for a mention! I fiercely defend my Brothers and Sister’s in Christ’s rights to safely confess one to another!

Always grateful to read your words.... Grip

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I have seen God's Spirit in you, Grip.

As painful as public confession is, I hope my slip into sin is used by God to show others that stumbling does not mean God cannot or will not keep us from falling. It simply means our faith in that keeping power needs to grow, and I take that to heart.

Blessings, my dear friend

Gideon

Grip Docility · Jul 14, 2019

Gideons300 said:
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I have seen God's Spirit in you, Grip.

As painful as public confession is, I hope my slip into sin is used by God to show others that stumbling does not mean God cannot or will not keep us from falling. It simply means our faith in that keeping power needs to grow, and I take that to heart.

Blessings, my dear friend

Gideon

I hope this is okay to say... Brother Gids... but we the imperfect, Glorying in the Perfect Slain Lamb and Having endless wells of Love from God towards all mankind is what distinguishes us from the world and makes our madness infectious! <3

Sincere Love is what Jesus teaches and its what we gain in measure beyond comprehension as He picks us up, dusts us off and sets us forward.

I wanted to quote Genesis 1:29, but I can see you’re under conviction. So... I respect your stance and pray for your success in not imbibing.

Our bloody knees are truly boo boos God has kissed away, long ago.

All Love in our Amazing Lord, God Jesus Christ to you, Heaven bound Brother in Him!

Alithis · Jul 14, 2019

The test always comes and always was in the barren empty place where none but God sees .
The test begins in the mind.
Where no one else can see..
This is where the devil is seeking to diverr attention onto thr flesh and this is where we stand on repentance.... The changing of the mind. "Metanioa"

The hard truth remains the same.
I cannot accidently fall into temptation
Then accidently succumb to it
Then accidently preform an action of known Sin .

I must make up my mind to say no and behave accordingly
Or make up my mind to reject the Spirit of truth and take action against JESUS.
None can force me beyond my own will because Jesus set me free.
One of the greatest errors we mske is to think we can be idle in neutrality... We cant.
This is why we exchange works of sin for works of righteousness...

If we are not doing one we will inevitably do the other.
Theres never been a " no mans land" in between .

Iv been tempted but i desired to remain faithful to Jesus MORE then i desired sin because christ in me desires that .

How often do i preach and teach ... Do what jesus said to DO.. Go out
Heal the sick preach the Gospel ,drive out devils love your neighbor take life to people...
Baptise in jesus name make more disciples..
Busy oneself in obedient righteousness... As john said he that does righteousness is righteous...

We cannot think to say ..im saved so now i need not Do..
.because we were saved so that we are freed to Do Gods will.
Rise up and Go and DO Gods will ...
Self deception is when we hear, we know but we do not Do.. And it leads us to sin every time....
And in not doing we expound many theologies as to why we are not doing .
Obedience to christ is not about waiting..its about doing what we KNOW is already his will.
Each person us saved from serving sin
In order to serve Righteousness.
So if we sit around in theories but do not actually be doers of the word and Go out and serve righteousness only one thing will result...we will serve sin.

Because we already are serving sin in our inaction
Our inaction is indifference .
To know what is right and NOT do it - is sin.

So when Christians are not Doing what Jesus said to do they are already sinning .thus it is inevitable they will wane towards more sin.

There is no condemnation to those in christ Jesus who are led by the spirit of the lord...
So turn again and this time get busy being led into Doin. His will.. Not sitting around waiting for it to happen one day.

Learn now from error.. Jesus of course does not condemn us .. But he sets us free from dsobedience so we CAN and WILL be obedient.

Grip Docility · Jul 14, 2019

Jeshu · Jul 14, 2019

i used to use weed for wrong but He taught me to use it rightly. i have learned to understand that everything can be done for good or for bad, but we don't have to eat from that fruit using His good Creation.

i asked The Lord to rip my big I of my usage for a greedy selfish ego rested behind my falls with weed. It was a bit of a battle, like dying to our big I always is, but so worthwhile because my whole perspective and needs with regards to weed changed for the better. As medicine it works fine and serves its purpose. i now glorify God with it and thank Him for His loving care over me.

Now i know that you fall using weed for your old man has still hold of it. So i pray that our Lord Jesus will set you free. Free to choose in Christ! Not stuck with your weak and fallen self any longer. For i can fully understand you don't want that life back again. However if smoking weed makes you go like that then this means that your old nature has still hold of God's good Creation and that you have not been set free. It is best to let Jesus take it from the old and give your polluted love for weed, and your fears about weed to Jesus to take care of. He knows what is best for you.

To be free is best for then both yes and no are available again. i pray Jesus brings you that.

Colossians 2:20-23
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Alithis · Jul 14, 2019

Jeshu said:
used to use weed for wrong but He taught me to use it rightly.

... I can only sit here and roll my eyes...

Carl Emerson · Jul 15, 2019

Gids...

For what it is worth - I suggest you pray for a hatred of evil - it is the negative aspects of God's character that are the most powerful for us to appropriate.

You need an early warning system to nip temptation at the bud before it becomes sin.

You need to see it clearly as a choice between Satan and God.

I know it is a long road out and we are all different, but the hatred of evil will give you a hatred of Satan to the degree that you will not tolerate his attempted entry. You will see it as an enemy and reject it because it is detestable.

We are chicken feed if we don't attend to these issues in God's way. It is His fight.

Never forget how Jesus loved Peter after He denied Him, you are similarly Loved.

bèlla · Jul 15, 2019

The dagger that Satan received as a result of your confession is worth the discomfort and gives hope to others struggling in silence.

God bless and keep you.

bèlla · Jul 15, 2019

Jeshu said:
i used to use weed for wrong but He taught me to use it rightly.

What does that involve? Is your approach spiritual like peyote?

However if smoking weed makes you go like that then this means that your old nature has still hold of God's good Creation and that you have not been set free.

Sometimes temptations have an indirect route to sin. Their involvement is indiscernible. These are usually worse because you’re unlikely to see the connection and repent.

Gideons300 · Jul 15, 2019

I want to thank you all for your prayers encouragement. I also want to thank those of you taking the time to offer advice on how to recover from a fall.

I want to be very careful here, for the last thing I want to do is offend anyone. When I came back to God in shame and repentance, He told me I needed to confess to a brother in the Lord I trust with my life. There was no 'option', LOL, so I obeyed.

But He also made it clear to me that I did have a choice as to whether or not I confess my failure in public. As I was praying about what it would do to the testimony I have diligently shared these past years here on CF, God began to open my eyes to the good that could come out of my transparency.

In the end, it was a no-brainer. That's because my brain was screaming at me saying "Are you crazy? They will call you a hypocrite!. Your entire testimony will be tarnished!"

The decision to share what happened to me and why, and how to deal with it after the fact was made with my heart, not my head. I am off to work today, and want to give the Lord time to firm up the words I am to share so that they do every hearer good.

So today, I pray for your continued blessing as He leads us all further into the truth of what He actually accomplished for us with not only His death, but also His resurrection. And again, I want to thank you all for your prayers.

If you are patient, I hope that what I will share later today as a takeaway from all this will help you understand how truly big God's walk for us really is, and how sure the footing, even for us weak ones.

For as wonderful as it is to step out in faith, believing the truth that the old us is dead, if we do not understand about what are to do IF ( you know the drill... IF we sin, when WHEN) we slip, then satan can take real advantage of us IF that moment arrives.

Amazing God!

Blessings to all,

Gids

Gideons300 · Jul 15, 2019

LaBèlla said:
What does that involve? Is your approach spiritual like peyote?

Sometimes temptations have an indirect route to sin. Their involvement is indiscernible. These are usually worse because you’re unlikely to see the connection and repent.

I call them gateway sins. They look innocent until you notice the big chain connected to them leading round the corner to something a bit more menacing. LOL.

blessings to you, La bella.

Gids

Jeshu · Jul 15, 2019

LaBèlla said:
What does that involve? Is your approach spiritual like peyote?

Sometimes temptations have an indirect route to sin. Their involvement is indiscernible. These are usually worse because you’re unlikely to see the connection and repent.

By the fruit you can recognise the tree. Sin leads to death. Freedom from sin to God's glory and praise.

Carl Emerson · Jul 15, 2019

That is why you need the early warning system I spoke of...

Carl Emerson · Jul 15, 2019

What do you mean "He taught me to use it rightly..."

Bobber · Jul 15, 2019

Gideons300 said:
Hi guys. The following is a letter God had me write to a close brother in the Lord today. It was not a pleasant letter to write. Confessions never are.

Hello my friend. How is life "on the road again", as the country tune wafts in the background? I am sure you are getting a lot of riding in when you are off.

Things here are going well. Terry is in such good health that she has taken the two boys and flown to Dallas to see two of her three sisters and their families for two weeks. They both have grandkids there so the boys are eating it up having playmates all day. Plus, Terry gets to truly relax, with no stress other than bickering children, LOL.

Having some real quiet time here by myself has had its ups and downs, LOL. Thank God the up part came second, because the down part was horrible.

You are my closest spiritual brother. We have both been through a lot and God has mercifully led us down the path where we finally 'lit our lamps.' We do not deserve it, yet here we are. What an amazing God we serve.

So I hope you do not mind if I have selected you as my "confess your faults to one another" brother. I hope you feel the same, that, should the need arise in your own walk, you can lean on me.

So let me get straight to the point. Having an empty house, the devil began tempting me this week. I do not think I told you but I have smoked pot a good portion of my life. Started as a hippie, stopped for 25 straight years to raise my family, but then started again.

The old me loves being stoned. Heck, I lived in a commune.... in a cave! LOL.

But let me make sure you know that I am in no way making light of it. All sin has blackness and rebellion at its core. Perhaps for another, their heart might not condemn them for giving in to pot. and it would not be a sin. But there is no doubt it is for me. I know it is a sin for God has dealt with me multiple times about laying it aside and running my race with no hinderances, no crutches, no compromises, in full 'Yes, Lord" obedience.

There is also panother important aspect of this particular sin.... pot is a 'gateway' sin for me. It is an aphrodisiac to me for whatever reason, so the temptation to go back to inappropriate content and masturbation increases many times over when I partake.

Well, with an empty house, I fell and sinned this week. It sickens me, so in shame, I have brought it before God in confession, and received the forgiveness of the Lord.

Unfortunately, one thing we learn about Our God is how faithful He is to be a good Father to us. We both have learned that our God, as a good father always does, will chasten us in some manner, not because He is mad at us, but because He loves us! Chastening is the ultimate display of love when a Father is concerned about their child's well being when they need correction. God is a GREAT Father, lol. Trust me.

Part of that chastening? He has asked me I to confess my sin to a brother, one I trust and love. So, because of your character and closeness to the Lord, I want you to know what I did, and as a good brother in the Lord, find it in your heart to forgive me and pray for me to be unwavering in faith when satan comes with a good heap of accusations and condemnation... and he will. Thank you, my dear brother for your prayers I know are on the way.

blessings,

Gids

But God wasn't finished with my chastening. Man, I HATE when that happens! What was it? He wanted me to publicly confess my sin here on CF. Yes, really, And I have agreed. It is what is called for.

But the most amazing thing has happened. When I realized what He was asking of me, the ultimate having of ones'. private "flesh-life" exposed in front of brothers and sisters, people I have shared with for twelve years that God can and will set us free indeed from committing sin, my heart sank, and fear came in. Will they now (if they haven't already! LOL), think all I have shared is a lie, or that I am deceived? Will they simply view me as a hypocrite? It really doesn't matter what others think when God tells you to do something, does it?

Oh, I had a choice. He made that clear, but I also knew if I tried to 'save face', the Spirit inside me would be grieved, and my pride would limit His ability to bless others through the words I have been asked to share. Without the anointing to bless the words I share with them, they accomplish nothing. So my decision to man-up was a no-brainer. And i pray that you too can find it in your heart to forgive me.

For those of you familiar with my story, I pray this forever cements the truth in your heart thatI am "only human" just like you and am nothing special. Without grace, I am nothing. I have not "arrived" (obviously, lol). And you need to know that you do not need a miraculous visitation in order to be set free indeed and really stop sinning. You just need to know that God does not lie and is fully able to keep you safe from the temptations satan throws at us, and will do so as you trust Him to.

I hope you are finally understanding. This is NOT "sinless perfectionism" that I share. It is not a place you arrive at through time and diligence, and strenuous self effort. It is a walk, and as such, must be practical, and work for even the weakest of saints... like me! And, praise God, brothers and sisters, it is... and it does!

That is why in 1st John, he says IF we sin, not when. IF. It is possible to walk in victory ALL THE TIME. However, it is also practical for even though we possess new natures and our fleshly fallen nature is dead, we still have these new nature housed in fleshly bodies.

So if someone asks me if it possible after one reckons themselves dead to sin and alive unto God to fall back into sin, I immediately answer... Of course! Yet by sharing that, does that mean that by my falling in sin, all I have shared is a lie? Not at all!

It means God is faithfully growing us in the faith. pruning is back through chastening, so that we can produce MORE fruit, with the ultimate goal as we continue in the truth, that we will finally become established in it, to the point where we are unshakeable.

I pray readers see, if we step out to believe our God, and refuse to let doubt in, and refuse to give up our grip on the promises of God to keep us from falling, we WILL become established in the faith, guaranteed.

Oh, we may physically be able to sin, but amazingly, we will not. Why? Because we are finally abiding in the vine, and kept from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh through faith, because He now lives IN US, and it is Him in us that keeps us from falling. Glory!

In contemplating my chastening 'task', having to confess my sin to all whom I have assured many times over that Christ can and will keep us from falling, well, needless to say, it is certainly not on my Christian bucket list, but it seems it was on His.

So today I wish to bare myself and my sin before all here, both to those who may agree with me, and as well, those who think me crazy or worse yet, a deceiver. I pray for forgiveness that I do not deserve but desperately need.

May God bless you all,

Gideon

Well as you know God said if we confess our sins he's faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Another scripture comes to mind for me and all of the audience here to consider....He that's without sin let him cast the first stone. Ha, won't catch me throwing one. :oldthumbsup:

Carl Emerson · Jul 15, 2019

Amen...

Jeshu · Jul 15, 2019

Carl Emerson said:
What do you mean "He taught me to use it rightly..."

It are the desires of our hearts believing lies about God, ourselves and others as well as good creation that make us take God's good creation and misuse it, i know this leads to abuse and addiction. But everything Created can serve for good or bad depending what and how we use it. i know that Christ freed me from my addiction and set me free to use it as medicine. Before i used to serve my lies ruling with it, now i use it to treat my illness and give God glory and praise for helping me out in time of need.

1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Gideon has sinned. And the truth still stands regardless.

Our awakening is beginning. Prepare to be amazed.

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