Afraid of sin

[indonesianpalmtree]

I don't know if anyone has maybe read any of my threads on the OBOB forum, but you'd see I am in a great struggle with myself over denomination: Protestantism, Catholicism or maybe even both.

That's beside the point.

The thing I want to share is that I'm afraid of temptation and I'm afraid of sin. I know I'm a sinner by nature, but I will flee from it as far as I can. I starting to think twice when I watch a TV show or play a PC game. If it's too violent or blasphemous or even angry, I want to forget about it.

The thing is, I became a total Christian about 2 months ago, and before that I was Metal/Punk listening, Quake 3 playing, Friends watching person. Nowadays, I feel like I'm losing my social touch and sacrificing it for my faith. I have no problem putting God first, but I also want to keep my friends.

Sometimes it is hard to talk about religion, and I become very self-aware when I do - like it is lame or whatever. Now, I'm no stranger to this, but now that I am become for and more devoted to God, I am drifting away and away from my previous life. I have only experienced the tip of the iceberg, and now I fear hell so much, I want to be as pure as I can be. It is actually an obsession. I don't like any form of anger, or any notion to sin, or even to be negative. Another thing that contributes to my stress levels is then confusion of what is sin and anger in this world.

I feel like living in a secluded forest and isolate myself from the sinful world.

Then, I have this other problem. Everything I just typed I believe in my heart, but I seem to lack the courage to fulfill it. I may go to university next years, and I plan to marry someday, but both things can draw me away from total focus on God.

Do you think this is a calling for a life of deep contemplation or should I face the world and all its evils? Again, I hate pain, I hate sin, I hate anger - but I'm subdued by it all the time. I still go to parties, I still have a couple of beers or whiskey, sometimes I even still swear, but I don't want to.

I want to strive for perfection. I want to leave everything I have known behind me and start afresh. I don't want to face it, I want to forget it as God forgets our sins.

What do you think?

God bless!

 

[Heinrich]

Ok I'm more on the Pentecostal/Chatismatic side of churches so I'm probably the wrong person to talk to

But in my own life the Holy Spirit just destroys sin out of there, He warns me, He makes me uncomfortable, and He gives me power to overcome temptation everytime!
I can testify to this sinse it's now more than a year that I'm clean of pornography.
Jesus says in John 15(I think) that the Holy Spirit conficts us of sin, rightouesness and judgement..
It's almost like.. you are against sin automatically
(Being spirit filled helps alot)

But follow your heart. God doesn't want you to life in a state of constantly beating yourself up over stuff.

O yess one more thing: Usually when a person gets saved God(Holy Spirit) wont work on all that persons faults/sin at once.. simply because he wil break.
It takes time.. This is why we should not judge.. Because we do not know what God is doing in anothers life at that stage.. Like your swearing maybe. God maybe doesn't expect you to throw it out just like that.. but let me promise you this, as you spend time with God and time in His word you will gradually reboot your mind and you'll stop speaking the filthy things you actually don't want to speak. Same with anger and everything. God is like a everlasting Fire that burns sin... so when you move closer to him the sin will simply burn away.

I hope this helps

 

[seangoh]

"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" Pro 3:3-4

 

[emdd]

"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man" Pro 3:3-4

Amen

 

[Wordsmith]

Ok I'm more on the Pentecostal/Chatismatic side of churches so I'm probably the wrong person to talk to

But in my own life the Holy Spirit just destroys sin out of there, He warns me, He makes me uncomfortable, and He gives me power to overcome temptation everytime!
I can testify to this sinse it's now more than a year that I'm clean of pornography.
Jesus says in John 15(I think) that the Holy Spirit conficts us of sin, rightouesness and judgement..
It's almost like.. you are against sin automatically
(Being spirit filled helps alot)

But follow your heart. God doesn't want you to life in a state of constantly beating yourself up over stuff.

O yess one more thing: Usually when a person gets saved God(Holy Spirit) wont work on all that persons faults/sin at once.. simply because he wil break.
It takes time.. This is why we should not judge.. Because we do not know what God is doing in anothers life at that stage.. Like your swearing maybe. God maybe doesn't expect you to throw it out just like that.. but let me promise you this, as you spend time with God and time in His word you will gradually reboot your mind and you'll stop speaking the filthy things you actually don't want to speak. Same with anger and everything. God is like a everlasting Fire that burns sin... so when you move closer to him the sin will simply burn away.

I hope this helps

VERY USEFUL THREAD, GUYS!

Before I post a Rebecca St James interview on this very theme, let's underline the clear Bible emphasis on salvation by the sheer grace of God, thru faith in the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross - not by good works, so that no-one can boast before God - (Ephesians 2:8/9, emphasised also in Galatians 2:15/16, Romans 3:23/25, John 3, etc)

Eph 2:10 makes it clear that we are destined to do good works out of sheer gratitude for our salvation, not to try & earn it, for if man could possibly merit salvation, Jesus would not have gone thru the awful Passion suffering that the film so graphically shows

Best sequel, in real life?

Fulfilling our Great Commission, from the end of Matthew & Mark

The regular Friday entertainment features, (now on the NW-UK thread of the EU/UK board of Regional forum), have purposely mixed the best of Christian events with the best of secular, & the many Christian news features mixed in with the secular news & current events are to encourage Christians to talk to God about what we know is on the minds of our unsaved families,friends, neighbours & colleagues, & to seek God for "a word in season" to show how relevant, up to date & even way ahead of the game God's Word always is

Here's Rebecca St James' comments:-

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA


GRAMMY AWARD WINNER REBECCA ST. JAMES URGES CHRISTIANS ‘NOT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE WORLD’

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (ANS) -- Australian-born Grammy Award winner Rebecca St. James was the performance headliner at the star studded 12th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Wednesday, March 24. (Pictured: Rebecca St. James).

But before St. James brought her internationally popular music to rock the stage as the finale of the awards show, which was taped for later airing on PAX-TV, she made an impassioned plea for Christians “not to withdraw from the world.”

In an interview, she said, “Jesus talked about being ‘in the world’ but not being of the world.’ I believe we can support things that are of God like The Passion of the Christ; things that are promoting Godly morals and values.

"It’s just we don’t need to get involved with the dark stuff, with the things that are not of Him. So I still think it is important that we are there affirming the right things.” (Pictured: Mark Steines ("Entertainment Tonight" weekend host), Leanza Cornett (former Miss America), Rebecca St. James, Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of the MOVIEGUIDE AWARDS, Lili Baehr, Gina Norris, Chuck Norris).

When asked if she thought it was strange for her to be from Australia and yet singing in Beverly Hills at a Hollywood event, she said, “No, it’s not too strange. It’s a little bit like the other award shows like the Dove’s and the Grammy’s that I’ve been to before.

"However, this is a little bit more relaxed as I get to sit down and have a meal together with all these people who are into making positive family entertainment. I am very excited to be a part of this because it promoting family shows and films that are really for good morals and for Biblical standards.”

“GO AND SEE THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST”

Rebecca St. James then spoke about Mel Gibson’s blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ, which she has seen.

“Every night, on the tour that I have been on for the last month, I have been telling the young people who come to show, to go and see it because it is so powerful and impacting and also by going out to see it we are affirming that that we want more shows like this that are truth filled and so I am encouraging every person to go and see it.”

Rebecca St. James is one of the most loved and respected international Christian music artist. With diversity and depth, the Sydney, Australia native has made the globe her mission field since her musical debut in 1994 at age 16. When she was a Grammy winner, she quoted Scripture during her acceptance speech.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS).

Wooding is the co-host of the weekly radio show, "Window on the World" and was, for ten years a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. (Pictured: Dan Wooding interviews Rebecca St. James at 12th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Awards).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.

Easter holidays is a unique opportunity to evangelise

 

[Wordsmith]

Ok I'm more on the Pentecostal/Chatismatic side of churches so I'm probably the wrong person to talk to

But in my own life the Holy Spirit just destroys sin out of there, He warns me, He makes me uncomfortable, and He gives me power to overcome temptation everytime!
I can testify to this sinse it's now more than a year that I'm clean of pornography.
Jesus says in John 15(I think) that the Holy Spirit conficts us of sin, rightouesness and judgement..
It's almost like.. you are against sin automatically
(Being spirit filled helps alot)

But follow your heart. God doesn't want you to life in a state of constantly beating yourself up over stuff.

O yess one more thing: Usually when a person gets saved God(Holy Spirit) wont work on all that persons faults/sin at once.. simply because he wil break.
It takes time.. This is why we should not judge.. Because we do not know what God is doing in anothers life at that stage.. Like your swearing maybe. God maybe doesn't expect you to throw it out just like that.. but let me promise you this, as you spend time with God and time in His word you will gradually reboot your mind and you'll stop speaking the filthy things you actually don't want to speak. Same with anger and everything. God is like a everlasting Fire that burns sin... so when you move closer to him the sin will simply burn away.

I hope this helps

VERY USEFUL THREAD, GUYS!

Before I post a Rebecca St James interview on this very theme, let's underline the clear Bible emphasis on salvation by the sheer grace of God, thru faith in the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross - not by good works, so that no-one can boast before God - (Ephesians 2:8/9, emphasised also in Galatians 2:15/16, Romans 3:23/25, John 3, etc)

Eph 2:10 makes it clear that we are destined to do good works out of sheer gratitude for our salvation, not to try & earn it, for if man could possibly merit salvation, Jesus would not have gone thru the awful Passion suffering that the film so graphically shows

Best sequel, in real life?

Fulfilling our Great Commission, from the end of Matthew & Mark

The regular Friday entertainment features, (now on the NW-UK thread of the EU/UK board of Regional forum), have purposely mixed the best of Christian events with the best of secular, & the many Christian news features mixed in with the secular news & current events are to encourage Christians to talk to God about what we know is on the minds of our unsaved families,friends, neighbours & colleagues, & to seek God for "a word in season" to show how relevant, up to date & even way ahead of the game God's Word always is

Here's Rebecca St James' comments:-

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA


GRAMMY AWARD WINNER REBECCA ST. JAMES URGES CHRISTIANS ‘NOT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE WORLD’

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

BEVERLY HILLS, CA (ANS) -- Australian-born Grammy Award winner Rebecca St. James was the performance headliner at the star studded 12th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Faith & Values Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Wednesday, March 24. (Pictured: Rebecca St. James).

But before St. James brought her internationally popular music to rock the stage as the finale of the awards show, which was taped for later airing on PAX-TV, she made an impassioned plea for Christians “not to withdraw from the world.”

In an interview, she said, “Jesus talked about being ‘in the world’ but not being of the world.’ I believe we can support things that are of God like The Passion of the Christ; things that are promoting Godly morals and values.

"It’s just we don’t need to get involved with the dark stuff, with the things that are not of Him. So I still think it is important that we are there affirming the right things.” (Pictured: Mark Steines ("Entertainment Tonight" weekend host), Leanza Cornett (former Miss America), Rebecca St. James, Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of the MOVIEGUIDE AWARDS, Lili Baehr, Gina Norris, Chuck Norris).

When asked if she thought it was strange for her to be from Australia and yet singing in Beverly Hills at a Hollywood event, she said, “No, it’s not too strange. It’s a little bit like the other award shows like the Dove’s and the Grammy’s that I’ve been to before.

"However, this is a little bit more relaxed as I get to sit down and have a meal together with all these people who are into making positive family entertainment. I am very excited to be a part of this because it promoting family shows and films that are really for good morals and for Biblical standards.”

“GO AND SEE THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST”

Rebecca St. James then spoke about Mel Gibson’s blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ, which she has seen.

“Every night, on the tour that I have been on for the last month, I have been telling the young people who come to show, to go and see it because it is so powerful and impacting and also by going out to see it we are affirming that that we want more shows like this that are truth filled and so I am encouraging every person to go and see it.”

Rebecca St. James is one of the most loved and respected international Christian music artist. With diversity and depth, the Sydney, Australia native has made the globe her mission field since her musical debut in 1994 at age 16. When she was a Grammy winner, she quoted Scripture during her acceptance speech.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS).

Wooding is the co-host of the weekly radio show, "Window on the World" and was, for ten years a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 42 books, the latest of which is his autobiography, "From Tabloid to Truth", which is published by Theatron Books. (Pictured: Dan Wooding interviews Rebecca St. James at 12th Annual MOVIEGUIDE® Awards).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
Send this story to a friend.

Easter holidays is a unique opportunity to evangelise

 

[IKTCA]

The thing I want to share is that I'm afraid of temptation and I'm afraid of sin.

I will flee from it as far as I can.

Nowadays, I feel like I'm losing my social touch and sacrificing it for my faith. I have no problem putting God first, but I also want to keep my friends.

Sometimes it is hard to talk about religion, and I become very self-aware when I do - like it is lame or whatever.

I want to be as pure as I can be. It is actually an obsession.

I feel like living in a secluded forest and isolate myself from the sinful world.

Then, I have this other problem. Everything I just typed I believe in my heart, but I seem to lack the courage to fulfill it.

Do you think this is a calling for a life of deep contemplation or should I face the world and all its evils?

God bless!

I bless the Lord for taking you out of this dying world and keeping you in his kingdom. Be assured that the feelings of isolation and other changes are according to his plan.

I encourage you to rejoice this time of isolation by being with God face to face through scripture reading and praying. Sooner or later, as you grow in the word, you will receive a command: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19)

No Christian is allowed to live a life of hermit. He must GO.

 

[indonesianpalmtree]

No Christian is allowed to live a life of hermit. He must GO.

But I'm afraid that I'll teach someone wrong because I'm not sure myself. I've tried to tell the world, but athiesm and denomination affect me too much... I lose a sense of spirit.

Like you encouragement to read scripture and pray... I pray a lot, and I read scripture A LOT...

But lately I was on a journey between denominations including catholicism - and they believe that sacred tradition also play a role..

I don't even know all the traditions, but I know a lot of the Word.

Now, I've struggled with this concept of sola scriptura too much to justify or ignore it. It is a new torment...

Alas, I pray He helps..

God bless.

 

[Wordsmith]

Friday April 2, 2004
Today In Bible Verses:


Today's Scripture
Read Through the Bible in a Year
Weekly Meditation



Today's Scripture - www.arcamax.com


What Shall We Do With Our Sin?

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I did not hide;

I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin.

You are my hiding place;
You preserve me from trouble;

You surround me with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 32:5,7 NASB

--------------

He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 NKJV

--------------

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:8,9 NASB

What a Faithful, Gracious God We Serve!


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Read Through the Bible in a Year


April

2: Matthew 25:31-46, Numbers 32-34, Job 2
3: Matthew 26:1-25, Numbers 35-36, Job 3
4: Matthew 26:26-46, Deuteronomy 1-2, Job 4

Click Here for the complete schedule

Or Cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.arcamax.com/ttb-yr.html
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Weekly Meditation


Seek Rightousness - Seek Humility

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

"I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Isaiah 57:15 NKJV

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:15-18 NKJV

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Translations:
ESV - English Standard Version
KJV - King James Version
NASB - New American Standard Bible
NIV - New International Version
NKJV - New King James Version
NLT - New Living Translation
RSV - Revised Standard Version

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Click here to send your comments about this Ezine.

 

[indonesianpalmtree]

Can we trust ourselves? Do we know when He speaks to us? Every message I ever got was ideas entering my mind when I pray for it, but never has a secondary influence taught me wisdom...

I have seen very strange things, indeed, but always as a manefestation of some person, not a blatant extra-terrestrial Being.

Is it wrong to want proof more than I am given? I believe that God can do these things, but why doesn't He want to acknowledge my faith?

Or does He?

I don't know... and neither does anyone else.

God bless!

 

[Blessed-one]

not sure how to put this... i think if you let God steer you, have the spirit of discernment, the confusing things will just.. poosh, go away.

Sometimes it is hard to talk about religion, and I become very self-aware when I do - like it is lame or whatever. Now, I'm no stranger to this, but now that I am become for and more devoted to God, I am drifting away and away from my previous life. I have only experienced the tip of the iceberg, and now I fear hell so much, I want to be as pure as I can be. It is actually an obsession. I don't like any form of anger, or any notion to sin, or even to be negative. Another thing that contributes to my stress levels is then confusion of what is sin and anger in this world.

I feel like living in a secluded forest and isolate myself from the sinful world.

it's good in a way that it shows you have ALL your heart on Him, which is something that many christians don't have.. As for sin, know that we humans are not perfect. We'll never archieve the level of being sinless.. we'll only be made perfect when our bodies are renewed (talking about the second coming of Christ), so don't feel too bounded up by sin. Remember how the Isralites were following all the physical laws and ended up being hypocrites? i'm not saying you're one.. (arrr, i guess the parallel isn't a good one)... sorry..

just that, believing in God should set you free, not bound you up more and stress you out like you're in a life threatening situation all the time. Try to enjoy in the fellowship with God, confessing to Him your fear of commiting sin.. relax..

a question. Do you go to church?

 

[indonesianpalmtree]

Yeah, I do.

But at the moment, church is church to me - as in two or three or more people, coming together to praise God. I have been struggling denomination, though.

Catholicism vs. Protestantism.

Both have good qualities, but both are different.

The part where you said that no-one is perfect...

What if I know how too be pretty close to it? I can't just let it go... As it turns out, I see it everytime I sin, and I can't help but feel guilty everytime I do.

If I have to confess for every sin I am conscious of, then I'd pray through the night every day...

Even my thoughts are sinning. Every time I doubt even a little bit, everytime I see a gorgeous women (by mistake, even), everytime I become angry, or even witness anger, it is so defiling to me.

I feel as though my head is going to explode..

I have dug too deeply, and now I sit with a wealth of possible sin in my head, reverberating with every observation, making me feel guilty.

I wish I could have amnesia and look at every evil thing without the supporting view of an athiest as I did before I was a Christian...

Being a Christian is hard, very hard... I don't really mind death on earth anymore. I want this torment to be relieved, and I think my faith isn't strong enough to calm me... I think I don't believe enough that God can lift this burden off my shoulders, although He does sometimes, with ease I might add.

Like yesterday, something happened to me that I really prayed would not happen, something that I could have kept from happening, and I think I contributed a lot to it. When it happened to me, I felt like my life wasn't in control by God. I felt betrayed and forsaken. Last night I smoked again, after 2 months because I was so unsure and depressed about what happened.

I SMS'd a friend to pray for me, and I also did. I also had the added stress of coping with a new girlfriend, something that I wasn't prepared for right now, so I broke that up because of selfishness to gain peace in myself.

Anyway, when I got home from the party, I felt better. I felt so good, I couldn't believe it. I guess the prayer must have helped, since my faith was ultimately layed on Jesus, and I just let go. I threw the pack of smokes into a river, and didn't worry about it. I realised that what happened was natural, and I couldn't stop it. God could, if He wanted to, but He wanted me to see that my power (I believe I could wield His power through prayer) is nothing to compared to His, and sometimes, if I ask for something for myself, He's not going to answer it like I want. That comfort was my answer to my prayers, but that means that I should still leave my problem up to faith and Jesus...

The thing is, that uncertainty torments me too. I want to be certain.

I also want to add something: The other night, I'm lying in my bed, after I prayed, and it was dark. All of a sudden I got this awful, scary vision. I wanted it out of my head, so I prayed and prayed and prayed. I was still in my head. I prayed and prayed and earnestly asked God to help me, but later I even got another vision that scared me more. Then later, I realised something scarier about the first vision and was even more afraid. It felt like God wasn't doing something about it. I went to sleep, scared, yet not as much as I was, but quickly. The next morning, I had forgotten about it.

It just feels sometimes that (and please forgive my words, but this is a stumbling block of stupid human design) God can only do a miracle or intervene if we ask for His intervention. If we pray, things happen. If we believe that only He can save us, we are comforted. It's like our faith is what He needs to exist. This is an athiestic view, that I cannot sever from my mind, as of yet, but also one I regret to have learned.

Please help...

God bless!

 

[cyberwood]

Praise the Lord that you have a heart for Him! What a miracle...man, I read your testimony, and I was *moved* by the power of the Lord in your life. You have a great story, your life, and I thank Jesus that He has given you a powerful tool of His ministry.

Don't worry man! Love *always* conquers. Focus completely on Jesus Christ in you. So much of you isn't, but some of you is His - focus on that part, and it will grow and destroy the old you. For now, let your growth with the Lord be between you and the Lord. Let Him build in you a new foundation. Everything that the Lord gives to you cannot be destroyed. You will not feel confusion in the Lord, only peace and power.

The story of your life is so powerful to me...I am so greatful the Lord has led you to show us His power. It is such a blessing to me to see that you are being filled with His peace.

Grace to you from Jesus Christ always friend...

-Chris

 

[IKTCA]

Indonesian Palm Tree,

I think you need to focus on the words of Jesus. When one repents in his heart and asks Jesus to be the Redeemer, peace and joy come to the believer. You said you gave your life to Jesus 2 monthis ago. It is time for you to be joyous in Jesus. Apparently, you are not.

I suggest you stay away from debate. It does not help you focused on the words of Jesus.

As you said, dig deep, not in your thoughts but in the words of Jesus. If the word is a command, obey it, or at least, do your best to obey it. Sooner or later, the confusion and frustration you have now will be gone.

 

[Blessed-one]

Yeah, I do.

But at the moment, church is church to me - as in two or three or more people, coming together to praise God. I have been struggling denomination, though.

um.. i was asking that question because you will definitely benefit from a talk with your pastor or mentor.

It just feels sometimes that (and please forgive my words, but this is a stumbling block of stupid human design) God can only do a miracle or intervene if we ask for His intervention. If we pray, things happen. If we believe that only He can save us, we are comforted. It's like our faith is what He needs to exist. This is an athiestic view, that I cannot sever from my mind, as of yet, but also one I regret to have learned.

what i see from this viewpoint is that they're aiming at prayers in troubling times. So when our situations are good and we have nothing to complain about, does that mean that God is not there? where are the prayers of thanks? and when we don't ask for anything but God decided to show us something?

sorry that i can't give you any practical advice.. but everyone here has been saying that becoming christians should free us with joy and peace, not more worries on top of more worries. You said you know the way to becoming close to perfect, which i presume is how to follow God's commands as closely as possible.

Even my thoughts are sinning. Every time I doubt even a little bit, everytime I see a gorgeous women (by mistake, even), everytime I become angry, or even witness anger, it is so defiling to me.

I feel as though my head is going to explode..

unable to stand sin, but don't let the devil rob you of other good things that come from God. For example, when i am angry, the first step is to recognize that i'm angry and that this anger should not be there, so i try to get rid of the emotion in the second step. Perhaps i do carry around at the back of my mind the anger, but it goes away sooner or later, and it does not do any harm to me (since i do not let it fester) and to others. How do i gain peace? to rest in the Lord that the anger is no longer there, that it has been dealt with. If you dwelled on the point of getting angry (the initial stage of having the anger at all), then no wonder your head's gonna explode. I think that comes back to the perfect issue and the acceptance that we really are not perfect but through God, our imperfectness can be rectified bit by bit.

 

[indonesianpalmtree]

Aargh! Darnit, I smoked again last night. I don't know why I do it! I hate it so much, but I just can't stop. I've been good for two months and I started because I didn't face a stupid little problem with the help of God but on my own.

As I said, I threw the packet away, but last night I just borrowed some..

My throat feels like a grater.

Thanks for the advice about the sin. I realise that a lot of my focus remains on secondary aspects, rather that Primary. I have a strong willingness to search for truth, eg. in the correct denomination, but I guess I shouldn't think about that now, if I'm not strong enough in faith. I do have a mentor of types, actually a very deep and sometimes surprisingly wise friend. I sms him frequently when I'm sorrowful, and he always has a prayer to help ease the pain.

I just think, as a good friend has told me, that I should let everything I've learnt simmer for a while... AND I SHOULD STOP THAT DISGUSTING HABIT!

God bless, and thanks!

 

[seebs]

Is it wrong to want proof more than I am given?

No... But it's perhaps wrong to expect that it'll change.

Ask the question "what would God be doing by giving me only this much evidence?"

For me, I've found that when I'm too confident, I become arrogant, and end up being a pretty nasty person. A few doubts here and there are the price of my humanity; without them, I would be insufferable. With them, I am able to understand and empathize with people for whom life isn't always where they want it to be.

Remember that bondage to sin doesn't always mean doing something wrong; sometimes it means becoming terrified of, or obsessed with, something. I knew someone once whose fear of the possibility that she'd play a bad video game kept her from touching any of them at all; this, too, was bondage to sin.

By the way, smoking is not an easy thing to stop, because cigarettes are powerfully addictive. My wife found a very interesting tool in this battle; herbal cigarettes. Only some smoke shops carry these, but they're basically non-tobacco cigarettes. (And no, I don't mean marijuana. I think they're pretty much tea leaves and flowers.)

The thing is, these break the connection between "smoking" and "receiving nicotine", with the net result that she almost never even wants to smoke. And... If she does decide that she's too fidgety to avoid smoking at all, she can have one of these, and not be feeding the addiction at all. Helps a lot.

 

[Blessed-one]

I just think, as a good friend has told me, that I should let everything I've learnt simmer for a while... AND I SHOULD STOP THAT DISGUSTING HABIT!

nice advice there from seebs.
about letting things simmer a while.. that reminds me sharply of a friend who is so impatient in doing grand things for God that she ends up floundering..

i'm keeping you in my prayer, Indonesian. About the thing that you do have a mentor.. going to church is also vastly different from having only one trusted christian friend. I hope you'll give it some thought.

 

[Silent Enigma]

Indonesian, you can never be perfect. I'm sure you've read this a number of times but here it is again:

Rom 7:21-25
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 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. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 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.
NKJV

You feel the same way the apostle Paul did. It is common to man, but we have no reason to give up hope as we have a mediator.

Also, keep in mind that you just recently converted. I also converted out of athiesm.

I understand how you say certain things agonize you, watching certain TV shows, etc. So if they're not doing anything good for you, why waste your time on them?

Phil 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.
NKJV

That's all I can type for now...

 

[seangoh]

hi indonesian, don't let the denomination thing get to you. At your stage, a denomination that you go to is not the issue because you don't know what that church believes and you don't know much of what the Bible says. IOW, if you want to go to a church, just go to anyone first (use the web to help you). So when you're there, get basic spiritual help which i believe most churches provide. However, be always willing to move to another one when you find out that their teachings are not in line with the bible.(You need to be really tough at this stage. It's between God and you)Don't let the denomination thing get to you that much. It's abit early to consider that i think.

And i think seebs brought up some good advice there regarding the herbal cigarretes.