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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.
For me it was love...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.
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 porn 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
God never allows sin ..God allows certain things in our lives to teach us humility, and to understand our own nature and desperate need of Him.
Good day and God bless.
All praise is to God.
God never allows sin ..
Never
Ever.
And he does not lead us to sin to humble us..
He saves us from it.... That is humbling
When I was in college I used to smoke pot. I smoked until I hallucinated. I got low grades and dropped out. Things went from bad to worse. I became alcoholic and found loose women. I was in an auto accident, lost my job and was suicidal. As I tried to crash my car into an overpass abutment at a very high rate of speed. God asked me to live. I had already given up pot as I realized drugs were illegal, expensive and unhealthy. I gave up alcohol as I did not want the insanity of drunkenness. I practiced celibacy as I was single. I read the Bible as much as possible. Because of my past “highs” I was impoverished. I hitchhiked to the Rockies working day labor and temporary jobs. I set out loblolly pine seedlings on S.C. tree plantations one winter. Years went by and I became more certain of God’s truth. I have not smoked pot since 81 or 82. I can not get drunk. I am 60 and celibate. I reject porn. I texted and called a divorced Christian lady I found in an online dating site who reminded me of Paul’s warning, “Flee from sexual immorality.” I reminded her we are not supposed to do premarital sex, as this is fornication. You might have a chance with Jesus. I once asked a pastor what part of the Bible I should study. He told me, “The Gospel of John.” It is a good book to read from time to time. I took part of a community college course in the Gospels before dropping out to work on a contract. I studied the course Gospel parallel book. It showed Gospel verses side by side. The teacher emphasized Matthew’s “Sermon on the Mount” and Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain.”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 porn 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
lead us Not....into testing...."And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil"
The above is part of how Jesus taught us how to pray.
God allows temptations in our lives (Jesus Himself was tempted) in order that we do not grow prideful, or see ourselves as somehow worthy of salvation, as we are not.
lead us Not....into testing....
Does not mean he leads a person into Sin
.never charge God with doing evil.
-For God CANNOT be tempted by evil Niether does he tempt any man ......"
The lords prayer is asking Gods protection from being tempted by the evil one....
God never allows or uses Sin .
He cannot...
For a man is tempted ( to do evil) when he is lead astray by the desire of his Own heart...
I have No condemnation of the Op.. But do not use the post to promote sin.as being of God...
lead us Not....into testing....
Does not mean he leads a person into Sin
.never charge God with doing evil.
-For God CANNOT be tempted by evil Niether does he tempt any man ......"
The lords prayer is asking Gods protection from being tempted by the evil one....
God never allows or uses Sin .
He cannot...
For a man is tempted ( to do evil) when he is lead astray by the desire of his Own heart...
I have No condemnation of the Op.. But do not use the post to promote sin.as being of God...
Is the public admission that we that are filled with the spirit of God commit sin when the opportunity presents itself, really a dagger to Satan?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.
---SE---
Yeah blahlah ....stil doesnt say God will cause us to sin
He cannot ever do so .
I never said God caused us to sin, I said HE sometimes allows certain things so that we will grow in humility (and thus love for the lost). (to teach us) Our sometimes faults and failures gives us a forgiving spirit with others, when we ourselves know without doubt we utterly and completely depend on God's forgiveness..
How is it that Jesus Christ Called smoking gun sinners to His presence, but there are people in Christ that desire higher standards of interpersonal connection than God Almighty?
Are you of the mind that we remain smoking Gun sinners after being called into the Presence of God? Saddles must be taken off while on holy ground, but sin can still remain?
Thanks for your humility here Gid-beautiful and helpful. While forgiveness is always available we must appreciate and want it, and repent as necessary. And then continue striving onwards and upwards. That, with the help of grace, is to remain our trajectory overall.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 porn 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
This i can stand by. I am a man and I behave like a man and will until I am transformed by God.I am of the impression that all men fail, but the ONE man that “failed” at merely being a man.
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