What sins keep God from speaking to you?

alllivesmatter said:

I read your post again and I read it as you did say that. So I guess you don't have an answer for those who don't hear God, only an answer for yourself?

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Yes, they are forgiven. I even gave scripture. Maybe you need to read it a third time.

alllivesmatter said:

Many on this forum will say. Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.
I would like to know what you think. We know the big ones from the 10 Commandments but are there little ones that count also? Like what?
Watching too much TV?
eating too much?
firing off occasionally? etc.?

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I believe that God speaks to us far more often than we think.
We sometimes don't realise it, either because we let things, earthly worries or pleasures, get in the way or distract us, or because we think he can only speak in certain ways or through certain people.

E.g, watching tv is not a sin - even if we're ill, tired or depressed and sit in front of the tv all day, it's still not a sin. God could prompt us to watch a certain programme and then speak to us through it. I've been inspired and energised by secular programmes that are, for example, about severely disabled people achieving stuff when they had been written off by doctors.
Eating too much may be unwise - but who's to say that God couldn't prompt someone to think about how many people might be fed by the amount that they have just eaten?

God can also speak to us through nature, through non Christians, through Christians of another denomination who see things differently from us, maybe even through other faiths - whether or not we realise any of this if it happens, is another matter.

alllivesmatter said:

I like your list. But number 7 was a surprise as I don't think that anything can be hidden from God.
What about small sins like those I mention in the op?

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In a way, there are "big" or "small" sins. Sin does not change relationship. It does affect fellowship. No 7. was a reference to Isaiah 59:2. King David hid his sin and covered it up by having Uriah murdered. No, you can't hide from God but you can try to hide it from man. It's far better to confess to God than put yourself in the hot seat (Psalm 35 for example). Many people suffer only because pride prevents them from saying that they were in the wrong.

God is light, sin is opaque - though there are some sins in general that are "big" having sins that creep into everything you do even if they're "small" can do the trick.

For example, if you are proud, and this pride finds its way into your bible interpretation, the application, your observation and judgment of other people. The proverbs says a man is filled with his ways - so whatever your muscle memory is filled with, can affect whether you hear God when He is speaking.

God is light (continuously transmitting) however, our bodies have sin living within them - letting this sin become the centre of attention, and not confessing how it manifests, can really obscure the lense.

alllivesmatter said:

Many on this forum will say. Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.
I would like to know what you think. We know the big ones from the 10 Commandments but are there little ones that count also? Like what?
Watching too much TV?
eating too much?
firing off occasionally? etc.?
Thanks for replying
and Merry Christmas!

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sin separates us from God and the more we participate in sin the more we are separated from God. But there is no sin that silences God and no righteousness that makes God speak. God is not a formula and rather than isolate a group of sins that are forbidden it would be better to simply seek God and what he desires.

Farting in public. God won’t speak to a tooter.

a disobedient heart, as in we hear God but...

a) We disobey anyway
b) Limit Him to a few of choices, so miss out when He nudges outside of it
c) Is too lazy/scared to go outside our comfort zone (we love hearing Him!.. but won't go into action)
d) We do go into action but in our result oriented world, skip straight to the "doing" part. This one is a biggie, examples are:

- Moses striking the rock out of anger/impatience.
- Naaman wanting to skip the Jordan river straight to the healing part.
- King Saul sacrificing without Samuel.

Granted they did hear/do/get results (some with dire consequences). But I've unknowingly jumped and didn't get results.. which still breaks my heart looking back. To God, obedience is better than sacrifice.

alllivesmatter said:

I am a simple person, I need a simple answer
But thank you for your post.

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Ok, here is the simple answer.

Are you born again?
If you are born again, then the blood of Jesus always keeps God at peace with you.

So, when you fail to meet whatever idea of behavior you feel you need to keep, to be a "Christian", and in that failure you have condemned feelings and guilty thoughts that tell you that because you committed : Behavior #1 or #4, or #23, again.... or whatever it is that you probably have an issue with that you want to do all the time...., then always realize that not doing that didn't cause God to take you in the first place,...and so, doing that also has no effect on God's relationship with you.

God took us, because of what Jesus did to make that happen, and in taking us, God knew all about our issues and strongholds and addictions, and he took us anyway, as that is how Salvation functions... as its a GIFT.....and this Gift is not based on your behavior....its based on Jesus's Blood.

See, so many believers have this wrong idea that they must behave a certain way or God is suddenly against them, and their Salvation has come undone or is in jeopardy.
But that is not how it works, as Eternal Life is not temporary and Salvation is not what Jesus started and you are to finish.
How it works is, God is always at peace with us based on what Jesus did to accomplish this., and when we understand this as our FAITH, then we have Faith that pleases God that is actually correct.,..which is the correct understanding of God's Grace.
And when you live there......in that understanding.... then the power of deliverance will help you and free you from all that condemnation stuff.
However, as long as you are trying to be good, in an effort to get God to keep you, then you are not understanding the Grace of God, and all you'll do is live without any power or influence or any ability to live a consistent discipleship.

alllivesmatter said:

Many on this forum will say. Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.
I would like to know what you think. We know the big ones from the 10 Commandments but are there little ones that count also? Like what?
Watching too much TV?
eating too much?
firing off occasionally? etc.?
Thanks for replying
and Merry Christmas!

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God doesn't stop appealing to us, at least not until we finally resist Him to the end and effectively choose absolute separation from Him, .ie. hell. But we can commit sins so ugly that they oppose and destroy love in us, being acts intrinsically opposed to love of God and neighbor. These are called deadly or mortal sins. Traditionally there have been 7 sins named that constitute or result in movement away from God:
pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth

These are said to be destructive inner dispositions that oppose life in one manner or another and motivate harmful acts to self or others, being offenses against love and God in the process.

Lg2000 said:

I think just being in habitual sin with zero effort on our part to change. We arent perfect and never will be obviously but god knows and sees how much effort we put it when we are trying to please him.
Putting him first instead of our own flesh and desires .

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What if Salvation is actually a Gift.?

What if God understood that none of us can meet His holy standards, so He came down here and met them for us on The Cross, and offers this as "the free Gift of Salvation".

What if , when God saved you, He actually knew at that time, all the sins you would commit after you were saved, and He saved you anyway based on Jesus's Blood?

What if Salvation and Eternal life is all of God and Christ, and none of you, and discipleship is all of you with God's Help?

What if all of that is the Grace of God, imputed righteousness, and its all Free?


Well, guess what.

Jeshu said:

To be in the lie having a faithless and loveless heart is what keeps us away from hearing from God. When we have no faith in His love, and we are not in His truth, the Holy Spirit is not guiding us but unclean spirituality is.

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Have you considered that God would be more displeased by unbelief then he will ever by by sinning sinners?

And there are 2 types of unbelief.
1.) The Christ rejector
2.) a believer whose faith is backwards, who has "fallen from Grace". which is to have become someone who is trying to keep themselves saved. As that person has left Grace, (fallen from it) and now has Faith as works.
So that faith is twisted.. and that is a lot worse , in God's view, then some carnal behavior.

Eilat said:

Ok, here is the simple answer.

Are you born again?
If you are born again, then the blood of Jesus always keeps God at peace with you.

So, when you fail to meet whatever idea of behavior you feel you need to keep, to be a "Christian", and in that failure you have condemned feelings and guilty thoughts that tell you that because you committed : Behavior #1 or #4, or #23, again.... or whatever it is that you probably have an issue with that you want to do all the time...., then always realize that not doing that didn't cause God to take you in the first place,...and so, doing that also has no effect on God's relationship with you.

God took us, because of what Jesus did to make that happen, and in taking us, God knew all about our issues and strongholds and addictions, and he took us anyway, as that is how Salvation functions... as its a GIFT.....and this Gift is not based on your behavior....its based on Jesus's Blood.

See, so many believers have this wrong idea that they must behave a certain way or God is suddenly against them, and their Salvation has come undone or is in jeopardy.
But that is not how it works, as Eternal Life is not temporary and Salvation is not what Jesus started and you are to finish.
How it works is, God is always at peace with us based on what Jesus did to accomplish this., and when we understand this as our FAITH, then we have Faith that pleases God that is actually correct.,..which is the correct understanding of God's Grace.
And when you live there......in that understanding.... then the power of deliverance will help you and free you from all that condemnation stuff.
However, as long as you are trying to be good, in an effort to get God to keep you, then you are not understanding the Grace of God, and all you'll do is live without any power or influence or any ability to live a consistent discipleship.

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And yet, if we were steeped in sin, we make a mockery of faith and love of God and show we don’t take felllowship or union with Him seriously after all.

alllivesmatter said:

Many on this forum will say. Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.
I would like to know what you think. We know the big ones from the 10 Commandments but are there little ones that count also? Like what?
Watching too much TV?
eating too much?
firing off occasionally? etc.?
Thanks for replying
and Merry Christmas!

Click to expand...

All the above can "quench" the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. We are still in the flesh so all the above will happen in our lives. The Good News is He will not abandon us. Be blessed.

fhansen said:

And yet, if we were steeped in sin, we make a mockery of faith and love of God and show we don’t take felllowship or union with Him seriously after all.

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And yet, if you are that person, and you are born again, all those sins you are committing have already been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, and that is why Romans 4:8 says that God does not charge you with them...

And something else......if you are that person who is existing it a state of ultra-carnality, after you are born again.....God knew you would and saved you anyway. As God certainly knows the end from the beginning and God certainly knows all your secret sins, all your carnal imaginations, and all the rest of the things you do everyday.... And He knew them ALL, and saved you anyway.
And why is that?
Why would God save any of us, knowing that later, we might fall from Grace, or lose our faith, or live like the Devil.
Why?
Because God knows the Blood of Jesus has more power to keep you CLEAN and RIGHTEOUS, then your sin has power to make you unrighteous.
Most Christians don't realize this, and have never been taught this Truth.

Here is the verse..>"For God so loved the WORLD, that He GAVE"..
And what did He give?
He gave payment for all the sin of the World.
So, Christ's blood, redeems the world, it has that power, so certainly it can redeem each person.

Here it is as a scripture...."where your sin abounds, GRACE MORE Abounds".

Paraphrase : when you sin.... there is always the power of the Blood of Jesus that is always redeeming you.
In other words, you can't out sin God's Grace, as the power of Christ's Blood is always greater to deal with it. And that is why the NT refers to your sin as past, or as always taken care of, or never remembered.
See, the eternal effect of "God made Jesus to become our sin for us" is that its eternal, and this always remains in place, as our eternal redemption.

Does this mean that because Jesus's Blood has resolved our sin, that we can then go and live in it and have no worries?
Not at all., As The Cross did not take care of a certain situation that is a Spiritual situation, that remains in Effect.
Its the Law of sowing and reaping.
So, while your sin, is redeemed and remitted and you are Justified, .. if you live carnally, then those deeds will "find you out".....your "sin, will find you out". On Earth.
This means that sinning will harvest a crop of pain, hurt, sorrw, misery, and death... in your life.
So, you dont want to live there as a Believer.

alllivesmatter said:

Many on this forum will say. Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.
I would like to know what you think. We know the big ones from the 10 Commandments but are there little ones that count also? Like what?
Watching too much TV?
eating too much?
firing off occasionally? etc.?
Thanks for replying
and Merry Christmas!

Click to expand...

No sin keeps god from speaking through us through the Holy Spirit. What actually happens is that if we live in unrepented sin, we break fellowship with God and the Spirit goes from convincing us we are teh children of God to convicitng us to acknowledge our sin.

If we harden our hearts- it is us who lose the ability to hear from Gpod. He will allow us to collapse under the wieght of our own sin and we cry out to HIm. He will hear us and restore us.

alllivesmatter said:

Think of what sin you are doing that God is no longer speaking to you.

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I'm not sure what sin you have, but wouldn't Satan be speaking with you to tempt you to sin some more? He's the "god of the world and prince of the power of the air" so definitely would have audio capability.

Yet, through all this, God can speak to you if you listen and look at Christianity more positively.

Eilat said:

And yet, if you are that person, and you are born again, all those sins you are committing have already been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, and that is why Romans 4:8 says that God does not charge you with them...

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And yet:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Rom 8:12-13

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Gal 6:7-10

"No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." 1 John 3:6-10

Geez-the notion that God doesn't care anymore about sin is one of the most insidious and deceitful in the Christian world!

Daniel9v9 said:

Well, if we refuse to hear the Word preached or neglect to read it, we certainly won't hear from God.

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This.

God is always speaking to us sinners through His word.

There's no such thing as a sin that can stop God from speaking to us through His word, He is always speaking. Christ is always there, in Word and Sacrament. The Good News to you and me. If we shut our ears, refuse Him, turn away, then we won't hear--not because God is quiet, but because we are turning a deaf ear to God's bold and loud declaration of Himself to us.

God is not quiet, but loud. Shouting out His love and mercy to us in Jesus Christ.

-CryptoLutheran

Doubt.