Nasty sin of mine that I need to kick...

[MusicMelOU]

I've always been pretty cynical. A little on my background: I was a Christian at a young age (6), then turned away and came back at age 19. In times when i was not a Christian I developed a sense of humor that would often find much laughter/snide comments at others' expenses. But now that I am a Christian, and I have God writing all over my heart about everything, I realize that my old sense of humor was not so cool after all...

The only problem is, I still find myself saying things and laughing about stuff I shouldn't find funny without even thinking about it. I caught myself today making fun of a letter published in the University newspaper that a much-made-fun-of guy (for reasons I won't get into) in our department wrote to the editor. But since I caught myself doing it, I felt really bad about it afterwards, because I shouldn't be so mean!

I pray about it, and God has been making progress in me. At least now I realize that what I am doing is wrong, unlike before. But I'm frustrated because I try not to be like that, and fail miserably everyday. Any encouraging words?

 

[silentpoet]

It is a long journey to be more like Jesus. It takes time to change thought and behavior patterns. Probably the first step is to stop before you speak. Even if you think the bad jokes/thoughts, don't share them. I am at about this spot myself. Working on what I say. I am not nearly as successful as I would like. But I do sometimes manage to resist. The bible says to submit to God, resist temptation and then the devil will flee from you. That submission part is very hard for me.

 

[Johnnz]

The fact that you are now aware of the need to change is evidence that things are changing inside. Be encouraged.

Unlearning a bad habit takes time. A singing teacher will tell you that at takes more than 20 practices to unlearn a wrongly sung note. Keep at it. With God's help you will get there.

Bless you

John
NZ

 

[Busybee]

It's wonderful that you recognize your sin in this. I recommend reading the chaper of James. It's just absolutely wonderful for this particular situation and I read it as often as I can.

 

[forgivenmuch]

God let you see what you were doing.. its time to grow up and be more like christ. thats a good sign that God is showing you things that you need to change. that tells me that you are ready to grow in Chist. and im so happy for you. may God always bless you.

 

[rogsr]

The journey that we are all taking with Jesus is so profound and real. Things are not complete in a single day or year or decade. We continue to grow for our entire lives, and that is a strange and wonderful thing. He shows us our flaws and then we slowly begin chipping away at them until they are replaced with virtue. Before I draw blood with my tounge I always try and walk a mile in the other persons shoes. Like, when someone at my job is being nasty and I want to bite back I remember that they are probably just having a bad day and then I just smile at them because I am having a good day. This may sound kind of simplistic and it is, but it works for me. You also have to keep in mind that none of us will ever be perfect. If we could perfect ourselves Christ would not have had to suffer for us. Go to Jesus, His yoke is easy and His Master is gentle.

 

[crossrunner]

Sounds like the Holy Spirit is dealing with you. I have had the same problem in the not so distance past and I've been a Christian for a long time (since 1981). The Lord has been dealing with me too on this. Just remember that every person ever created was created by our Lord in His image. I remind myself that if I make fun of others I make fun of God's creation that He loves and that Jesus died for. God bless you in your walk!
cr

 

[StAnselm]

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body... Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

(Ephesians 4:25, 29 - 32)

Notice the reasons given, which I have highlighted. (The Bible almost always gives us reasons why we should do certain things!) We speak the truth, because we all belong to Christ, as different parts of the same body. We try not to grieve the Spirit, because he has been poured into our hearts as a downpayment on our salvation. We forgive others, because we have been forgiven ourselves.

And of course, all this is in Ephesians 4. All of it is built on the foundation of the wonderful things God as done for us in Christ, whioch Paul describes in Ephesians 1 - 3. "Walk worthy of the calling to which you have been called", he says in 4:1.

 

[wayfaring man]

Hi Melissa ,

I was just studying the Hebrew word for " week " , and in the definitions , were the renderings " to seven oneself " to make a vow , or oath ; " to say seven times .

Also , consider , that if every time we " slip up " , if we have an avenue of " revenging our disobedience " , then the fact that we sin , will lead to an extra effort to do good . Like the " swearing jar " idea , and then take that money and donate it to a worthy cause .

That's only a simple example ; there's millions of ways to apply this principle .

But the end result is that our erring , instead of leading to only negative things , is redirected by our discipline into motivating some positive , charitable thing .

Then , through this " submission to God " , the devil will flee from seeking to instigate our reoccurring failure , if in turn , it prompts us to do a greater good . And then we can move on to the next thing , and relish the comfort and encouragement of making genuine spiritual progress in becoming more like our Beloved Saviour .

Also , I'd advise all not to accept the notion that " we will never be perfect "

This allows justification for sins , which Christ suffered and died for , and invites a spirit of slumber , and a quenching of the Holy Spirit . And is not in agreement with the spirit of Scripture .

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. <-----> Matthew 5:48

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. <-----> Hebrews 13:20+21

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. <-----> 1st Peter 5:10

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. <-----> James 1:4

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. <-----> 2nd Timothy 3:16+17

...The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. <-----> Luke 18:27

Sincerely ,

wm

 

[StAnselm]

Also , I'd advise all not to accept the notion that " we will never be perfect "

If by this you mean a state of sinlessness this side of heaven, that constitutes a very dangerous teaching, IMHO.

This is not the right forum to debate the point, so I will restrict my comments to one verse, 1 John 1:8 - "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

 

[bliz]

I suggest a little counseling. This can help you figure out why you tend to put other people down. When we know why we do things, it isn't an excuse for our doing them but it often helps us to stop doing it and for you to pray more intellegently about your problem. As you work on whatever your problem is, you will probably be less mean to others.

 

[wayfaring man]

If by this you mean a state of sinlessness this side of heaven, that constitutes a very dangerous teaching, IMHO.

This is not the right forum to debate the point, so I will restrict my comments to one verse, 1 John 1:8 - "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

Through the Blood of Jesus and the gifts of repentance and faith in Him , our past sins are blotted out .

The context of 1st John 1:8-10 , is as Paul said , " All have sinned and come short of the glory of God ". <---> Romans 3:23

In Essence John is saying , If any think they have no need of Christ's forgiveness and deliverance ... they are deceived and alienated from the truth .

He is not saying , we should expect to remain sinners , because sin is inevitable , and unavoidable .

Else , why would he state :

1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3: And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5: And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8: He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10: In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11: For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12: Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. <-----> 1st John Ch 3

Perhaps , this isn't the place for debate ; but I urge you all to consider that the critical factor here is not what I mean by these things ; but what does the Spirit which inspired them mean , and if we can't fathom the Spirit's meaning , quite frankly ... we're lost ; yet we don't necessarily have to stay that way , unless we refuse to perceive and acknowledge the truth that we are still nothing significant ; then as John said , " we deceive ourselves " .

For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. <-----> Galatians 6:3+4

I know I am still very much " nothing " , yet because I can ackowledge that , I have steadfast hope that I am not in Satan's bounds of over inflated self - imagery ; therefore , the expectation of overcoming , even as Jesus overcame , is very real to me ; but it cannot be so with those of you who are already " something " , because now your mind is towards defending what you've already claimed to represent , instead of patiently seeking The Lord for the grace to truly overcome . ( This is the snare of pride .)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. <-----> Revelation 3:21

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. <-----> Luke 8:15

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. <-----> Romans 6:1-4

Hear what The Holy Spirit says by these things .

I am only a human being , as everyone else .

wm

 

[Vollkommen Warrior]

Hmm.. you and me both MusicMelOU. I used to be very introverted quiet and shy. Then I went to work for a blue collar company during college and they all gave me a hard time bec I was going to college. When I asked them how to operate certain equipment, they would make comments like "I guess he didn't read that book in college" and bust out laughing. They would do this all the time. I was going to quit. I developed the same sense of humor and beat them at their own game, however. We all became friends and perhaps I did lower some of my standards too. I am glad you brought this topic up bec I am going to think more about that. I have become so calous that I bet I really blow people away sometimes now without even realizing it! I mean, (I am not kidding but don't test me cause I won't bite, lol) I can come back with a smart ### remark and one up anyone anywhere anytime, on-line in person or whatever medium as a result. But instead it results in one downing yourself in God's view I am sure. Each person goes lower until the lowest "gesture" wins. It's a habit. I don't use it all the time..Not fun for the person on the receiving end I am sure. I have used it mostly when being attacked nowaday but not sure it is justified still. I am going to ponder this one.

 

[Vollkommen Warrior]

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. <-----> Matthew 5:48"

This point is well founded in the spoken word of Jesus. I think it speaks for it'self that we should strive for it rather than debate it. I mean no harm in those words at all BTW, only that we focus on the scripture alone.