Gideon has sinned. And the truth still stands regardless.

Blade · Jul 15, 2019

I am not here to please man You know the word.. confess our sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Yet .. you did it also in public. To strangers you don't know how they really believe, there walk. This is why we do it one on one. You know the person.. you know their walk.. the faith they have. Here.. you have no clue who or what how they will pray. YES it matters.

I am not here to tell you something you already know In collage where all I had was the radio. This was 30y ago. A preacher, still alive today. Said "I don't think anyone has fallen as much as me. Just get up dust off and keep going". For me.. Jesus always says.. "thats why I died". And the song playing now.. Blessed are the tears.. Bryan Duncan. "cleans the windows of the soul". Bless you in JESUS name. Most would never be this bold

Gideons300 · Jul 15, 2019

fhansen said:
But we don't achieve perfection on planet earth-and God uses weak vessels. If we're failing miserably and continuously that's one thing-a different story- and while I wouldn't say that we're all called to public confession, to see a leader do such a thing is not at all a bad act or model for the rest of us to follow. Can truth ever be a bad thing?

Thanks for writing. I had a flash of revelation when I read your post. Do you mind if I share it?

We assume not sinning equals perfection. So if we accept that premise, we immediately lose heart in trying to figure out how to stop sinning because after all, perfection is for Jesus only.

But what if getting rid of the negative is simply what allows us to enter the race to begin with? Look, I agree that perfection is not going to be found in this life.

But what does that have to do with willful sin? Shall we raise our hands in surrender, and declare that because we can never be perfect, that must mean we will never be able to stop sinning willfully? Me-thinks I smell burning sulphur somewhere nearby. ☺️

blessings,

Gideon

fhansen · Jul 15, 2019

Gideons300 said:
But what if getting rid of the negative is simply what allows us to enter the race to begin with? Look, I agree that perfection is not going to be found in this life.

This is definitely true. 'Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners'. It's knowing God's forgiveness that allows us the freedom to admit to our imperfections, as we acknowledge the need, as we find the humility to overcome the pride that never wants to admit to such a thing. And so are enabled to accept His offer.

Gideons300 said:
But what does that have to do with willful sin? Shall we raise our hands in surrender, and declare that because we can never be perfect, that must mean we will never be able to stop sinning willfully? Me-thinks I smell burning sulphur somewhere nearby. ☺️

Not at all. But, as you most certainly know, it's a struggle. But to the extent that we overcome with the help of grace it's a good struggle, and the sulfurous smell decreases.

fhansen · Jul 15, 2019

RaymondG said:
My words were not for the OPer, I know nothing about any titles he may or may not have.....I only speak concerning myself, and find no fault in those who disagree.....

No, not everyone achieves perfection on earth......but there are a few who do........a few who will. I desire to be one of the few, after which I will bid you to come and see.....but not before. For I can not lead you to waters I've never tasted myself.

There is nothing wrong with failing miserably.....All have sinned. I err when, while in sin, I say that I am saved, and those who would be saved must continue in sin with me. Nay, I say Ive sinned, but you do not have to......make your own way to the tree of life and wait not for me, lest we both fall short. There is no repentance in the grave....this change must happen before..... So what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin? That grace may abound? Christ is not the administrator of sin.

I don't disagree with that. And yet, while teachers will be held to a much higher level of accountability, I don't think absolute impeccability is expected or required either.

RaymondG · Jul 15, 2019

fhansen said:
I don't disagree with that. And yet, while teachers will be held to a much higher level of accountability, I don't think absolute impeccability is expected or required either.

Yes we can lead others as far as we have gone, and if we can do this without hindering them from going higher than us, I see no fault......But how many leaders do you see encouraging followers to surpass them? How many say, "these works I do, you can do and greater?"

On the contrary, I see more who believe that if they can't do it, their followers can't either....If they can't stop sinning, their followers have no chance and must follow suit.....

I find it better to guide one to the holy spirit as their leader and guide......instead of man.

But find no fault in leaders or followers of men....For they are both needed and have their appropriate place in this life.

Carl Emerson · Jul 15, 2019

Well for me I am feeling a certain disquiet about how this thread has gone...

Gid's has fallen seriously and while there is Grace, what happens if in 6 months we get a repeat...

That is why I focussed on how to deal with such temptation so that we don't fall.

I am not sure that it is time for an abundance of words...

It takes more than correct theology to walk in victory.

It takes the fear of Him, and His hatred of evil.

Personally after having to walk out of a similar state I would never entertain the possibility of considering the 'safe use' of what destroyed my life.

Something is amiss.

Deep repentance is not usually accompanied by an abundance of words.

Please forgive me if I am wrong but something doesn't seem to stack up.

Maria Billingsley · 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 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

Self chastisement is a sin. Only God can chastise. It sounds like you are using an imaginary strap to whip yourself into obedience. You have not accepted His forgiveness.And that my friend is far more sinful than the sin itself. Think about it. You constantly fight against the flesh. The sexual desire. The need for self medication. This is not a pretty picture. And you struggle. Its OK to wear your sin on your sleeve and tell the world about it. But is that what the Father wants? No! He wants you to get over it and move on! You seem to have gifts that God has given you however when you sin you focus on that, wallow in it and hope that people make you feel better about it. Lets grow that Kingdom shall we? Believe it or not your not the only one that masturbates or smokes pot. I am scolding you because you often use that whip and drag many with you rather than put it away, accept our Lords forgiveness and move on to the Kingdom.

Ok sorry I am finished.

Blessings.

Gideons300 · Jul 15, 2019

Maria Billingsley said:
Self chastisement is a sin. Only God can chastise. It sounds like you are using an imaginary strap to whip yourself into obedience. You have not accepted His forgiveness.And that my friend is far more sinful than the sin itself. Think about it. You constantly fight against the flesh. The sexual desire. The need for self medication. This is not a pretty picture. And you struggle. Its OK to wear your sin on your sleeve and tell the world about it. But is that what the Father wants? No! He wants you to get over it and move on! You seem to have gifts that God has given you however when you sin you focus on that, wallow in it and hope that people make you feel better about it. Lets grow that Kingdom shall we? Believe it or not your not the only one that masturbates or smokes pot. I am scolding you because you often use that whip and drag many with you rather than put it away, accept our Lords forgiveness and move on to the Kingdom.

Ok sorry I am finished.

Blessings.

Sister, I mean no harm. But I am smiling here wondering if you even read my post? Your conclusions are so far from the truth that I am wondering if I am on a game show or if aliens have taken over CF.

Self flagellation? LOL. Self medication? A constant fight against the flesh and sexual desires? An unacceptance of His forgiveness? Dragging many away with me because I often use the whip on myself?

I KNOW! You are a time traveler and have me mixed up with man I used to be 12 or so years ago. If that is the case, your confusion is understandable because your description of me fit the old me to a T. And you are right. It was not a pretty picture, not at all.

Ok, so be honest. Where is the hidden camera? Is this John. John, I know it is you. Very funny. You can come out now.

Anyway, thank you for writing, and I am sure your advice based upon the conclusions you have arrived at was shared in love and concern. However, you conclusion meter needs new batteries! LOL.

You might want to read a few more of my posts so so can get a more balanced look at what I actually believe.

blessings,

Gideon

GTW27 · Jul 15, 2019

Blessings in Christ Jesus! I believe the lesson to be learned by this is to be on guard. You bring a message on hear that may not be popular. There is an enemy that studies us, looking for the perfect oppurtunity to strike. I have seen it, and experienced it, time and time again. Let us not be ignorant of his devises. A soldier needs to be on guard at all times especially when alone. Spiritual Warfare 101.

GOD Shines Forth! · Jul 15, 2019

Blade said:
A preacher, still alive today. Said "I don't think anyone has fallen as much as me. Just get up dust off and keep going". For me.. Jesus always says.. "thats why I died"

Amen!

aiki · Jul 15, 2019

I haven't read through the entire thread, so forgive me if I double-up on what others have already said.

I have mixed feelings and thoughts about your confession, Gideons300. I suppose it is important to some to know that you are just as weak and prone to sin as they are. It is comforting to some to know that, whatever you may preach to them about victory over sin, the reality is that you fall into sin, too. It confirms them in thinking that a holy life really isn't possible - at least, not all the time. It's been said that misery loves company, but so do those who live in moral and spiritual compromise. Especially when someone stumbles who has urged holiness, the effect of that stumbling is to set the morally and spiritually compromised more at ease in their compromise. If those who champion holiness can't attain it, why should they strain to do so? Whatever those holiness freaks say, a consistently holy life just isn't possible. Wait for a time and those urging us to be holy fall just like the rest of us.

No one is perfect. That's for absolutely certain. We all have instances we can point to of the reality of this in our own lives. And so we ought not to cast stones.

However, the responsibility of one who sets about teaching others spiritual truth is great. Not just concerning what they teach, but in the character of the life they lead. A teacher has an elevated capacity to disillusion and derail spiritually those who have accepted them as a teacher. A teacher may be teaching the truth of Scripture well, without corruption or truncation, but they can make the truth they have taught seem like falsehood when they stumble and fall into sin. More than the humiliation of personal failure, this is the terrible cost of being a teacher and failing morally. God's life-changing truth may be made to look impotent.

I wonder, then, about the wisdom of airing your dirty laundry as you have. It may unburden you but cause others to settle further into their cynicism about the attainability of holy living. Is being publicly transparent worth this risk? I don't know...

GOD Shines Forth! · Jul 16, 2019

aiki said:
I haven't read through the entire thread, so forgive me if I double-up on what others have already said.

I have mixed feelings and thoughts about your confession, Gideons300. I suppose it is important to some to know that you are just as weak and prone to sin as they are. It is comforting to some to know that, whatever you may preach to them about victory over sin, the reality is that you fall into sin, too. It confirms them in thinking that a holy life really isn't possible - at least, not all the time. It's been said that misery loves company, but so do those who live in moral and spiritual compromise. Especially when someone stumbles who has urged holiness, the effect of that stumbling is to set the morally and spiritually compromised more at ease in their compromise. If those who champion holiness can't attain it, why should they strain to do so? Whatever those holiness freaks say, a consistently holy life just isn't possible. Wait for a time and those urging us to be holy fall just like the rest of us.

No one is perfect. That's for absolutely certain. We all have instances we can point to of the reality of this in our own lives. And so we ought not to cast stones.

However, the responsibility of one who sets about teaching others spiritual truth is great. Not just concerning what they teach, but in the character of the life they lead. A teacher has an elevated capacity to disillusion and derail spiritually those who have accepted them as a teacher. A teacher may be teaching the truth of Scripture well, without corruption or truncation, but they can make the truth they have taught seem like falsehood when they stumble and fall into sin. More than the humiliation of personal failure, this is the terrible cost of being a teacher and failing morally. God's life-changing truth may be made to look impotent.

I wonder, then, about the wisdom of airing your dirty laundry as you have. It may unburden you but cause others to settle further into their cynicism about the attainability of holy living. Is being publicly transparent worth this risk? I don't know...

Think of King David. He was four-to-the-floor in His touting of righteousness, yet he sinned in extremis and GOD made it public! He let us see it all, the stumbles and the gloryings. David's Son Solomon shipwrecked and yet GOD lets the record stand of PROVERBS, the sayings of the wisest man who ever lived.

I love both of those men of God! More than that I love the GOD of steadfast love, who was their GOD.

Gideons300 · Jul 16, 2019

aiki said:
I haven't read through the entire thread, so forgive me if I double-up on what others have already said.

I have mixed feelings and thoughts about your confession, Gideons300. I suppose it is important to some to know that you are just as weak and prone to sin as they are. It is comforting to some to know that, whatever you may preach to them about victory over sin, the reality is that you fall into sin, too. It confirms them in thinking that a holy life really isn't possible - at least, not all the time. It's been said that misery loves company, but so do those who live in moral and spiritual compromise. Especially when someone stumbles who has urged holiness, the effect of that stumbling is to set the morally and spiritually compromised more at ease in their compromise. If those who champion holiness can't attain it, why should they strain to do so? Whatever those holiness freaks say, a consistently holy life just isn't possible. Wait for a time and those urging us to be holy fall just like the rest of us.

No one is perfect. That's for absolutely certain. We all have instances we can point to of the reality of this in our own lives. And so we ought not to cast stones.

However, the responsibility of one who sets about teaching others spiritual truth is great. Not just concerning what they teach, but in the character of the life they lead. A teacher has an elevated capacity to disillusion and derail spiritually those who have accepted them as a teacher. A teacher may be teaching the truth of Scripture well, without corruption or truncation, but they can make the truth they have taught seem like falsehood when they stumble and fall into sin. More than the humiliation of personal failure, this is the terrible cost of being a teacher and failing morally. God's life-changing truth may be made to look impotent.

I wonder, then, about the wisdom of airing your dirty laundry as you have. It may unburden you but cause others to settle further into their cynicism about the attainability of holy living. Is being publicly transparent worth this risk? I don't know...

Hmmm, you don't know? Are you sure? You sire sound like you know, LOL. You started out saying you had mixed feelings.I was wondering however. When are you going to share the other part of the mix? ☺️

If people have been read my words.... all my words....as to how we can walk as overcomers of all satan throws at us, and end up concluding that because I sinned, that therefor the promises of God must all be lies, and that God Himself is known for exaggeration, overselling and underdelivering, I do not think my words are going to really be the factor in why they are not walking in victory. Do you?

However, if there is a soul who truly has stepped forward and decided they are tired of limiting God, tired of being overcome by sin, tired of loving themselves more than they love others and then cry out to our Heavenly Father for the faith to believe that the old them really did die when Christ died, and they put on their new nature, do you really think my honesty is going to be the deal breaker? I sure don't LOL.

Oh, I guess I could do like a preacher or three out there who has an affair with the church secretary and keep it hushed up for the three years it continued. And then when it all comes spilling out in public, the preacher shares, with tears of course, that he was just getting ready to confess it but that he waited so long because he was concerned that his error could cause weak ones to stumble, amen? ☺️

All I know is God gave me a choice to share or keep it just between me and Him. I choice this path, and I believe He was pleased with that decision. So for me to second guess my actions is really second guessing God's values, right?

There was a lesson far deeper than my slip hidden in my post. It concerns how we recover if we slip... not when, but IF. I was hoping for the best in the way of responses and that there would not be those telling me that my candor could open the door for others (not them of course) to call me a hypocrite. Oh, well, one can dream.

But you know what? I would do the same thing all over again.... well, not the sinning part, lol. It is easy to simply look on outer appearances and say "Well, I think...." but thank God, He looks on the intents of our hearts.

I trust....Ok, ok, trust might be too strong a word, lol... oI HOPE... there are those here who have listened to what I share concerning how to walk in victory and as well, see how I share it, and that they will find it in their hearts to forgive me and actually be blessed by both my honesty as well as my instructions to escape the condemnation satan is sure to bring IF one slips as they press in for more of God.

I do appreciate your taking the time to share, Akai.

blessings,

Gideon

aiki · Jul 16, 2019

GOD Shines Forth! said:
Think of King David. He was four-to-the-floor in His touting of righteousness, yet he sinned in extremis and GOD made it public! He let us see it all, the stumbles and the gloryings. David's Son Solomon shipwrecked and yet GOD lets the record stand of PROVERBS, the sayings of the wisest man who ever lived.

I love both of those men of God! More than that I love the GOD of steadfast love, who was their GOD.

My comments were particularly to the one who takes up the role of teacher of God's truth - as Gideons300 has in many of his posts. When a man says, "This is the way to a holy, crucified life!" and then lives in contradiction to what he's said, well, it can have a potentially destructive effect on those who trusted him as a teacher.

I'm not suggesting that Gideons300 should hide his sin, that no one should ever know what he struggles with and so can never hold him up to God in prayer, but that he show greater prudence, perhaps, in deciding to whom to reveal his sin.

God did not give King David a choice about whether or not his sin would come to light. David tried to conceal his great evil, but God exposed it. Is this analogous to what Gideons300 has done? Not really.

aiki · Jul 16, 2019

Gideons300 said:
If people have been read my words.... all my words....as to how we can walk as overcomers of all satan throws at us, and end up concluding that because I sinned, that therefor the promises of God must all be lies, and that God Himself is known for exaggeration, overselling and underdelivering, I do not think my words are going to really be the factor in why they are not walking in victory. Do you?

Not the main factor, perhaps, no, but as I pointed out, your words of confession certainly won't help diminish their prejudice.

Gideons300 said:
However, if there is a soul who truly has stepped forward and decided they are tired of limiting God, tired of being overcome by sin, tired of loving themselves more than they love others and then cry out to our Heavenly Father for the faith to believe that the old them really did die when Christ died, and they put on their new nature, do you really think my honesty is going to be the deal breaker? I sure don't LOL.

That may depend upon how seriously they've taken the things you've said and the role of teacher from which you've said them. It doesn't follow that because you can't imagine your words being a "deal breaker" for the person you describe here, that, therefore they cannot be. There are many things we cannot imagine that nonetheless come to pass.

Gideons300 said:
Oh, I guess I could do like a preacher or three out there who has an affair with the church secretary and keep it hushed up for the three years it continued. And then when it all comes spilling out in public, the preacher shares, with tears of course, that he was just getting ready to confess it but that he waited so long because he was concerned that his error could cause weak ones to stumble, amen? ☺️

Stumbling in others is likely to happen as a consequence of his sin no matter the time it takes for it to come to light.

In any case, my point wasn't that you should hide your sin from everyone, only that you should be circumspect about spilling your guts in public.

Gideons300 said:
All I know is God gave me a choice to share or keep it just between me and Him. I choice this path, and I believe He was pleased with that decision. So for me to second guess my actions is really second guessing God's values, right?

I have encountered this sort of reasoning in justification of some pretty heinous behaviour. "God told me to do it" is the anthem of not a few suicide bombers. Your words remind me of a guy in my Dad's church who approached a woman and said, "God has told me you are to be my wife" to which she replied, "Well, He hasn't said anything to me." The instance highlights how subjective - and mistaken - "God told me" thinking can be.

Gideons300 said:
There was a lesson far deeper than my slip hidden in my post. It concerns how we recover if we slip... not when, but IF. I was hoping for the best in the way of responses and that there would not be those telling me that my candor could open the door for others (not them of course) to call me a hypocrite. Oh, well, one can dream.

Did I write that others might call you a hypocrite? Where, exactly? What they might call you is not really very important. The great danger in your posting publicly about your sin is the cynicism, or disillusionment, or skepticism about God's truth your failure may engender in others who are already compromised and spiritually weak.

Gideons300 said:
I trust....Ok, ok, trust might be too strong a word, lol... oI HOPE... there are those here who have listened to what I share concerning how to walk in victory and as well, see how I share it, and that they will find it in their hearts to forgive me and actually be blessed by both my honesty as well as my instructions to escape the condemnation satan is sure to bring IF one slips as they press in for more of God.

As I said in an earlier post. We all fall. I don't see your sin, then, as proof of the inefficacy of God's truth - but others may. And so, I'm not sure you are "bearing the infirmities of the weak" in airing your sin in public. We are to avoid giving others cause to stumble - even if it means we keep the revelation of our sins to a select few.

bmjackson · Jul 16, 2019

aiki said:
My comments were particularly to the one who takes up the role of teacher of God's truth - as Gideons300 has in many of his posts. When a man says, "This is the way to a holy, crucified life!" and then lives in contradiction to what he's said, well, it can have a potentially destructive effect on those who trusted him as a teacher.

I'm not suggesting that Gideons300 should hide his sin, that no one should ever know what he struggles with and so can never hold him up to God in prayer, but that he show greater prudence, perhaps, in deciding to whom to reveal his sin.

God did not give King David a choice about whether or not his sin would come to light. David tried to conceal his great evil, but God exposed it. Is this analogous to what Gideons300 has done? Not really.

The great danger is now, that those who have considerd Gideon a leader, on the point of their own temptation, will very easily be weakened by the thought that if their leader fell and is okay with God, or so he reports, then a little slip for them will be okay too.

And anyone who says people should do as I say and not what I do, and have children should know the futility of that idea. Gideon is as full of himself as usual, joking and lol'ing unabated, when what happened to him was very serious, and not just a 'slip' but was premeditated enough for him to have to seek out a supply of his drug, and therefore break the law.

I don't know why Gideon is so sure of himself to think that God wanted him to parade his fall, so soon after the devil took charge of him. I think it was a mistake, and also a mistake for him to accept the praises he is being given and the pedistal he is being put upon.

Someone who is preaching victory and sinlessness has a long way to go if he cannot abide by his own preaching. This is a person who poses as a leader, let me remind everyone.

A bit more sorrow from Gideon would help. His pridefulness also has prevented him from responding to criticism from me. You are not in a good place my brother.

Lost4words · Jul 16, 2019

I think its extremely difficult for anyone to live a life without sin. Even great Saints sinned.

Coming on here and exposing that fall in light of what he preaches takes strength i would say. No, its not a matter of putting him on a pedestal. Its just a case of aknowledging that even those who try and preach how to attain holiness can fall just the same as anyone else.

I see it as a lesson. It shows us that even those who try to uphold a truly holy life can be attacked and beaten by satan.

~Zao~ · Jul 16, 2019

Sounds a lot like giving yourself permission to fall imho.

Lost4words · Jul 16, 2019

LoreneDD said:
Sounds a lot like giving yourself permission to fall imho.

If only everyone was super holy then.

~Zao~ · Jul 16, 2019

Lost4words said:
If only everyone was super holy then.

It’s not a matter of being super holy but if you want to go on reckoning yourself a sinner more power to ya to be just that.

Oh, And don’t worry about putting him on a pedestal. He does a great job of that on his own. The Great Gideon has fallen, has fallen! Gimme a break.

Gideon has sinned. And the truth still stands regardless.

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