In today's society, many do not even believe witchcraft is real, but it is very real and dangerous. Scripture tells us not to deal with it or be around anyone who does. I do not know what you are battling but have faith that Jesus Christ can break any bondage to witchcraft. Trust in the faith of Jesus and immerse yourself in Scripture. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
You can trust and hold fast without any doubt because Jesus said this, John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Revelation Chapter 22 :1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
James
Chapter 4:14:"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:26
2 Timothy 1:12 I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
I may have touched on specific examples of prayers that I have seen answered. The clear teaching from James is that we shouldn't focus on things to satisfy our own "lusts" ( James 4:3). Another specific prayer that we need to be cautious with is praying for any individual to be saved. This is likely to elicit a hotbed of controversy in regard to those who are called; chosen and predestined. But it shows PRESUMPTION; that our desire for someone's spiritual fate must line up with God's plans. Whether we follow this viewpoint or not; we simply do not know whether someone is going to respond to the message of salvation or not.
What we CAN do in this case is ask for God to show favor so that a person is able to hear about the Gospel from other individuals; as well as have circumstances come up that force them to think on spiritual things. Another problem is that short term we tend to be impatient rather than waiting on God's timing; allowing difficult trials to do their work; or thinking we have to be the ones to be used by God to convert someone. If we obsess too much on those we know and love; of course we can be ignoring those who in the flesh we either wouldn't consider or we find repulsive; not thinking in terms of how God would transform someone and they would become part of our family in Christ as adopted sons or daughters.
Anyway; back to general prayers. Many pray for the "peace of Israel" ( Psalm 122:6) but without realizing the prophetic plans God has in the time of Jacob's trouble ( Jeremiah 30:7) we can only see a temporary fix with such a prayer. When we pray for everyone to be healed we surely can't ignore scriptures even in the time of Paul the Apostle which indicated that indeed people would become ill. And in terms of a general praise and such; it is a prelude to prayer in order to demonstrate how we are getting to know Christ and vice verse and alone isn't a prayer per se.
Luke 18:1 says And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
This begins the well known parable about the "persistent widow" and is as all Christ's sayings deep and profound with meanings.
Nonetheless; our Father in heaven isn't bored with any prayers that are truly seeking His will; and the petitioner shouldn't pray in vain repetitions as Matthew 6:7 warns us. The question; of course comes what IS a viable request and what isn't?
What should be clear in regard to this issue is not praying for something CLEARLY outside of scriptural bounds; to put it more simply NOT to ask for something the Word makes CLEAR is for sinful purposes ( James 4:3 to "consume on your own lusts.")
That could be explained with several points
1) Asking God for something we intend to use for sinful purposes. This could be for a woman we can sleep with before marriage; drugs; alcohol; a gun to kill someone etc. This sort of prayer would; it seem be made by someone who is a cult leader; who would have to be under enough delusion to believe what is clearly demonic doctrine that they are some sort of Messianic figure. I would assume Jim Jones would be a good representative of such insanity; between the insane relationships he had with minors; and the final mass suicidal genocide inflicted on hundreds including himself.
2) Asking God for something with an insincere intention to please our own desires thinly veiled in a feigned humility or piety.
This is much more common; no doubt. This could also involve asking for a partner and or grooming someone with an intention to later take advantage of the situation; or fooling ourselves thinking we can compromise and continue to refrain from sin in any area of our lives which we in particular have demonstrated a pattern of weakness before in such matters. Such is alcohol to an alcoholic which of course would elicit money for actual needs but funnel it later for what we really desire.
Romans 2:9 states: There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile..
(NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).
Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).
Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
Be encouraged. The Lord is at work. Pray James 4:7 whenever the temptation arises. Keep running to Jesus crying out to Him to help you and to fight this fight for you even if its a hundred times a day until the battle is won. Lord Jesus please help Johnny. Also please heal their marriage. Draw them both close to you Lord. Fight their fights. Protect them. May they give testimony of how you delivered and healed. Amen.
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
May we humble ourselves before the LORD GOD and worship HIM in truth and in spirit. FATHER, we need YOUR hand on our nation and our leaders. Thank YOU LORD for answering our prayers.
Jeremiah 17:8 along with Psalm 1 bring out the benefits of a tree whose roots are planted near the water. This steadfast faith in the Lord is contrasted in the next verse which describes the vicissitudes of the heart of unregenerate man. These vital concepts describe the state of a soul; who needs to be vigilant to bearing fruit and testing themselves to see if they are in the faith is a necessary prerequisite ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Those who do not bear fruit are cut off and burned; a figurative statement describing a very real state of the lost at Judgment Day (see John 15:2).
Surely all flesh is as grass ( 1 Peter 1:24) and like a vapor this life soon passes away ( James 4:14). Eternity is in men's hearts showing that indeed the nature of man is for their spirit to live forever after the body and soul perish ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means their legacy is either eternal glory and recognition of those things done while living for the Lord; or eternal damnation for the lack thereof. (see Matthew 25:34 and associated verses).
There is some hope for us who still are producing works of wood; hay and stubble ( 2 Tim. 2:21-23) to change to better works if we have a foundation in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:11). This results in varying degrees or levels in the harvest and subsequent reward for those who are saved (see also Mark 4:20).
Those in the flesh and not Born Again can only interpret what they see around them in the world (the actions of others who serve as their peers and interpreted through their own understanding). God alone as I see it through predestination determines who will be saved. On our end it takes a fair evaluation of who we really are as compared to a righteous God which then leads to godly sorrow and repentance (which is indeed a gift from God as about half a dozen scriptures indicate). John 16:8 must enlighten us to our desperate plight that SHOULD be aided by proper evangelism appealing for individuals to repent.
Our current situation is grave, but not over whelming; because our GOD is sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Jeremiah waited 10 days, Daniel waited 21 days. We Saints shall wait patiently for the LORD and HIS answer.
May we be faithful in our SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as we wait. We are called to be fruitful in our carrying out HIS desire for us. To make disciples Matthew 28: 18-20; to pray for those in authority 1 Timothy 2:1-3; submit ourselves to GOD and resist the devil James 4: 7, 8.
GOD to shine HIS face on all the saints and bless us that we may also be a
James 4:7! Stand Steadfast in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ! Find a King James Bible Believing church, it will encourage and help you grow in the Lord. I am praying for you!
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." ( James 4:17). The book of James has been considered an annoyance to some die hard Calvinists as it emphasizes works as well as faith. For instance, it discusses Abraham being justified by works ( James 2:21) and Rahab ( James 2:25).
Sins; therefore can be of commission or omission. There are many exhortations in scripture; one of he most frightening is that cowards are named among other grievous sins as a group who will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven ( Rev. 21:8). Therefore; we are without excuse if we always "go along to get along" and if we desire to live a cloistered existence and not let our light shine before men we are not living as the Lord desires. During persecution; of course it takes wisdom at times especially when there are other family members involved as to when to speak and when not to. The other side of this equation is a lack of patience; where we become so fearful of our needs being provided that we aren't taking things into prayer and trusting His guidance. Jesus Himself at times withdrew Himself from the crowds; He knew there was the appointed time to die and didn't let all the other attempts on His life distract Him.
In all these things then; it truly is faith that allows us to work in His strength. James 2:26 is interesting with the analogy of a body without the spirit (human spirit) present is dead. All of our talk is empty without action which is prompted and motivated by our love for God having us keep His commandments ( John 14:15).
Also; it seems apparent that we should; more than ever keep the admonition in Hebrews 10:25. As a Body; a cord of two or three isn't easily broken ( Ecclesiastes 4:12). Helping a brother or sister in Christ really is helping ourselves as Christ lives in all the saints. The concept of being the hands and feet of God gives a tangible representation of heaven; which is more than an amorphous light or mist.
There is a great Divide in the Christian world today!
The Many. There are those Christians who believe they can never stop sinning, and even so, believe they will attain salvation/heaven. They reinforce this sin message between themselves, all the while continuing to live worldly lives, and assuring themselves that sin will be all around them engulfing them for the rest of their lives.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
The Few. Then there are VERY FEW Christians who believe they can actually stop sinning with the help of God's Holy Spirit, and they strive to do so everyday, as the scriptures command, eventually overcoming sin, and winning the ultimate prize Salvation!
1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
1 John 3:9 "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."
Now when we compare the above (2) Christain mindsets - we can now put this verse below into the proper perspective:
Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
A good question to ask ourselves EVERYDAY - Do we want to be counted in the Many, or the Few?
Thank you Bro. Dan. I can only deduce that you're assuming that I refer to Christians who sin, having sin's hold on them, as those wanting to 'hang onto their enjoyable worldly lives', even the "death grip hold to this worldly life we enjoy". I'm sorry if you were led to understand that was what I was referring to. Not in the slightest brother. 1 John 2:15.
I was hoping from my examples given earlier, both personal & otherwise, that I was never referring to a 'believer' who has one foot in the world & the other in his faith. I won't reiterate those here as they certainly did not indicate that I (& other true believers) could ever fuse the world's offerings to the holy & separated life we now have in Christ. Maybe James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" goes some way to reveal what sin is to me.
I realize that this verse means that when someone knows that he has before him the option to do what is proper, in line with God's Will, yet opts to not do according to the good inclinations of his heart, mind & the Spirit's Voice, then this becomes sin to him. However, I also include that 'doing good' means also doing what is right in the mind & not just at outward action, because sin also finds its secure harbor & breeding ground there.
So, I would refuse to let pride (sin) ever be my companion, but a friend showers me with much undeserved praise & flattery, which obviously would make me feel uncomfortable. Thanking him yet denying such worthiness, I let it go, but the mind continues to reflect on & off on the praise received, producing an undesired, unholy reflection on its veracity. This is not a personal example I share, as I've never ever received such praise, but an example of sin nevertheless. If you were the recipient of such adulation, what would be your response & would your mind ever come back to it for further reflection? To me, this is sin, but it may not be to you or others. I don't know. Blessings.
You state: "Do you really think that you will reach that perfection in this life? " Chris, I have faith in God that He would not tell us to do something that we can't do. John 5:14John 8:11 Nothing is impossible for God! He can change us in the twinkling of an eye! If this is our goal he can help us accomplish it, but it requires Faith and never giving up!
You state: "And what happens in the meantime, when what he believes is possible, actually is impossible - sin ever revealing itself without abating? " I would answer by saying that if you think that it's impossible, and you CAN'T do it, then it will probably never happen for you, until you exchange Can't do - for Can do. Also speaking for myself, for me to say it can't happen is to call God a liar, because he tells us we can James 4:7-10 So, it must be something we are doing, or not doing.
You state: "You may have a different take on this, but I see that as with Paul, so also with us, the struggle with sin will never cease." I agree that Paul struggled against sin during his life, as all of us do, and Paul also states Romans 6:6-7 God tells us he will give us no temptation/sin that we can't overcome 1 Corinthians 10:13
A ever increasing thought: One major obstacle in our lives that may be keeping us from achieving the perfect relationship with God is our death grip hold to this worldly life we enjoy.
Your honesty & plainness of speech is admirable, & your struggles touch my heart, we all experience these working within our conscience. & to James 4:7, To all that would desire freedom from sin, God does His great work of redemption in these everyday ordinary experiences in life to cleanse us from all sin, Seek to understand the Cross & it will separate you from this sinful carnal nature.
I've read some of your writing, can not agree with most of it, I pray that you seek to continue to grow in meekness & humility, with a teachable spirit.
Psalm 25:9James 4:82Thessalonians 2:10 a love for the Truth, has brought me out of being deceived & keeps me from being decevied. Jesus said John 7:17 as I actually put these previous 3 Scriptures into practices, in daily everyday ordinary life experiences, I have come the know the doctrine of it, its not like before "a highmindedness, an airy knowledge without the power, a profession without the possession", but an personal experiential knowledge of God's Spirit of Grace within my heart. He desires this for all, but because it comes in such a low & meekly appearance people reject it, they don't care to stoop so low & be a bond servant to all through Christ, 1John 2:6
Amen, & I think these verses say it best.. John 3:17 For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved. 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 12:31 Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 12:47 And if any man hear my words & believe not, I judge him not; For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world (it's a choice). 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye (you) might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. 17:14, I have given them the word, & the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 1 Corinthians 7:31 they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. James 4:4 Ye adulterers & adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God. 1John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes & the 'pride' of life, is NOT of the Father, but is of the world. 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God, overcome the world & this is the victory that overcome the world, even our faith. *next verse I have a Qs: does it mean that we don't have to believe in Christ walk on earth to be saved yet we must believe that He died for our sins to be saved? Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come*. which kinda goes with John 12:47 does it not? I've always heard & live by, "just because we are in the world doesn't mean we have to be of the world".! God bless 'Texsis'
the life of youth is energetic, lively & spirited, there's much hope & aspirations towards one's future. Its appears you have much going for you. I have notices from observation of others & my own experience that wisdom was much lacking in youth vigor.
I would ask you to consider these words, bring them to your mentors to receive a godly counsel Proverbs 11:14
The definition of a Christian in its simplist & purest form is to be Christ-like, He's John 14:6; ask yourselve is this becoming a Navy Seal something Jesus would do? Believes follow Christ in the regeneration & are change empowering them to Luke 6:27-31;
When the disciples want to call down thunder from heaven to destroy lives; Jesus replied Luke 9:55,56; denoting it the influence of spirit of darkness to kill & destroy lives. James 4:1,2,3,4; escape the corruption that is in this world through lust & 2Cor 6:17;
I would encourage you to lay down your weapons Isa 2:4 & become a soldier of the Cross. 2Cor 10:14; Marry your sweet heart & live 2Cor 5:15;
Other than lack of understanding; most often it is the case that people turn a blind eye (with Satan's help) to obvious warnings if they have a particular sin they like to indulge in. James 4:17 states that if anyone doesn't do what they know to be right; to them it is sin. That; of course is somewhat subjective to individual situations. This demonstrates sins of omission along with what most think about; those of commission of a particular act or behavior. This could further be demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan; or other exhortations in scripture about helping the orphan and widow ( James 1:27).
God in His good grace can use a situation for His glory in our lives; for instance He can drive those living together to marry; or break it apart to allow one individual to be removed from the situation and to grow. His will is going to be done ultimately; even in the case of the ungodly in judgment. That will not be perceived as anything good; however for the recipient of God's wrath.
There are always those "neutral" things such as buying lottery tickets. As with anything else; such as drinking alcohol it IS sin to engage in an activity when those around you are struggling with sin such as compulsive gamblers or alcoholics. Given a public setting is almost certain to include such individuals; we find quite often that such activities isolate ourselves and at best often are just a distraction. As for the lottery; I can say for a fact that it helps many elderly people become compulsive gamblers themselves; not to mention all the sordid people involved with casinos and other such houses of ill repute. I would say that gambling shows a lack of trust in God's providence and is rather like going to a fortune teller to bring about some more favorable outcome. Someone who can drink with a family member and limit it to one drink is the only situation in my mind that
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Then he gives the contrast of the law and how they sought after righteousness and the righteousness imputed over unto us.
I believe here in Matthew 5:28.
The Lord is letting us know the unconditional and uncontrollable earthly desires in the heart of a worldly man.
He's showing how and where sin generates.
Here the woman is the object of the lust which leads to adultery. Lust is a condition energized by the flesh.
Hate is a condition energized by the flesh and if it's directed towards someone you're guilty of murder.
The Lord is showing how sin is in you and the transgression starts before the act.
James 4:1 explains it this way.
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"
Paul put it like this.
" Romans 7:22-24.For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
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.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
These are sensual pleasures and Selfish and sinful desires that dwell in all of us and a woman doesn't have to be the object.
He's pointing out that an exterior restraint or a obedience to a command doesn't keep one from sinning because the sin is in man and he is putting righteousness on a higher plane so no one can boast.
I don't think it's wrong to notice that someone or something is attractive as we see in Genesis 24:16.
Dear Mammy, your problem is a lack of belief in the power of the Blood to forgive your sins. I endured the same guilt as a young Christian, and then later two verses struck that guilt out.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Titus 1:2 ...God cannot lie...
God has promised to forgive each and every one of our sins--and He CANNOT lie.
May I suggest you form the habit of daily devotions? James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:8a
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...."
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Lydia, before I was born again, I was a "half Christian" so to speak, sort of like you said, not 100%. The problem was, I believed and loved Jesus, but I didn't want to give up the world and my sins. I rarely read God's Word, etc. Something happened in my life, and I began reading God's Word...studying it, taking notes, everyday. I'm not kidding, I just started to change. I began to understand God's love for me, and what He wanted from me. I saw my sins for what they were and it broke me. I repented, and gave up the things I was hanging onto. I knew for the first time in my life, I was a true born again Christian. You have to get into God's Word, and be willing to turn from sin and the world. Look up "what is sancification", it's our Christian walk, learning and growing for the rest of our lives. The simple fact that you are asking for help, is your beginning.
We live on earth we are in this world but not of this world. meaning the ways of the world. To be a friend of this world is to be an enemy to God. All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust if the eye and pride of life. When you're born again you have a different spirit. You are not the same you have the spirit of God in you. look up theses scriptures. James 4:41 John 2:15 Romans12:2
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
There is a clear warning between Matthew 16:17 and Matthew 16:23 and in regard to the about face Christ had from praise of revelation from God in regard to Peter and then suddenly telling Satan to get behind Him after he had gained a foothold over Peter so quickly afterwards. This is quite shocking and should serve us as with all scriptures with an example of just how quickly we could all be overtaken by evil when we think we stand (see 1 Cor. 10:12).
In both cases Peter was being used as a vessel for spiritual possession; as it were. It could be argued that the Spirit wasn't residing with him permanently; nonetheless Jesus' comment that only the Father could have revealed to Peter who He was clearly showed him as a saved individual. Also Satan may not have directly possessed him as it stated it was later on for Judas Iscariot; but nonetheless his mind was being controlled by the "thoughts of men" which Satan placed in his mind. That would probably imply that his natural inclination and desire to protect Christ and not see harm come to him was taking precedent over God's plan and purpose for Christ to die for atonement of the sins of all He has chosen (including on Peter's behalf as well).
Clearly Christ wasn't surprised by these things; and later on as I explained in a recent discussion Christ predicted his martyrdom and his restoration after the denial was prophesied as well to Peter. Lest we upbraid Peter we should remember that he was the only one with the "audacity" to walk on the water as well as to ask questions others no doubt pondered but were too afraid to mention out loud.
When we recognize our own weaknesses and frailty it certainly can't be that we will be carried away by such things if we stand on guard against the wiles of the devil (see James 4:7). We can't take our eyes off of Him though for Satan can and will use any opportunity given to him to blindside us; harass, torment, distract and mess us up.
When God is not answering our prayers there are a couple of things that might be going on. First, we are likely asking amiss, meaning we are asking outside of God's will. We are asking within our own will. James 4:3 says Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
God's ways are higher than our ways and God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We are finite and cannot see the entire picture but God can!
Secondly, we can hinder our prayer life with unconfessed sins. Psalms 66:18 says If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Isaiah 59:2 says But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
These are two reasons that prayers are not answered...The first is in my opinion more often than the latter...
Another reason is...it is simply just not time yet! We always have to remember everything is in God's perfect timing! Not in our timing as I said previously, we cannot see the whole picture but God can!
So continue to pray and ask the Holy Ghost to lead you in your prayers or maybe just simply ask if your prayer is really within God's will.
God's unanswered prayers are sometimes His greatest blessings!
It is a blessing to be humbled by God. What you said reminds me of what James tells us in James 4:6.
God gives more (or greater) grace. Wherefore he says, and this is Proverbs 3:34, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 3:34 is found three times in the New Testament. It's a very important and popular verse. God resists the proud. Who are the proud?
There are two things about the word for proud. Number one, a person filled with pride is self-centered.
Now by that, the word means that you are centered on yourself whether you think you are somebody great, or you think you're somebody like a failure.
It's the high or the low, high self-esteem, or low self-esteem, you're still focused on yourself. It's still pride.
The other thing about the word for pride is self-reliance. This is the person that uses their human resources to live their life and satisfy their problems. And for them, maybe when they run out of human resources, they might call on God.
God resists the proud, the person who is relying on their human resources, who is self-centered and self-motivated. God will resist that person. But He gives grace to the humble. And the word humble is the person who has been made low, just like we see in James Chapter 1.
Why does God resist the proud? God is bringing that person to a position where they need God's grace. God only gives His grace to the lowly.
If a person is self-centered and self-reliant, God has to oppose them so that they turn around and become dependent upon the Lord. But He only gives His grace to the humble!
So, as it says in James 4:5, God has given me a spirit that dwells in me that lusts to envy. The word spirit is no doubt the human spirit that God has given us. The human spirit in us lusts to envy.
But God has greater grace because He'll resist me. And He'll give me His grace when I'm humbled!
In today's society, many do not even believe witchcraft is real, but it is very real and dangerous. Scripture tells us not to deal with it or be around anyone who does. I do not know what you are battling but have faith that Jesus Christ can break any bondage to witchcraft. Trust in the faith of Jesus and immerse yourself in Scripture. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
You can trust and hold fast without any doubt because Jesus said this, John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
God bless,
RLW
James 4:14 "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
James
Chapter 4:14:"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."
And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:26
2 Timothy 1:12 I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
I may have touched on specific examples of prayers that I have seen answered. The clear teaching from James is that we shouldn't focus on things to satisfy our own "lusts" ( James 4:3). Another specific prayer that we need to be cautious with is praying for any individual to be saved. This is likely to elicit a hotbed of controversy in regard to those who are called; chosen and predestined. But it shows PRESUMPTION; that our desire for someone's spiritual fate must line up with God's plans. Whether we follow this viewpoint or not; we simply do not know whether someone is going to respond to the message of salvation or not.
What we CAN do in this case is ask for God to show favor so that a person is able to hear about the Gospel from other individuals; as well as have circumstances come up that force them to think on spiritual things. Another problem is that short term we tend to be impatient rather than waiting on God's timing; allowing difficult trials to do their work; or thinking we have to be the ones to be used by God to convert someone. If we obsess too much on those we know and love; of course we can be ignoring those who in the flesh we either wouldn't consider or we find repulsive; not thinking in terms of how God would transform someone and they would become part of our family in Christ as adopted sons or daughters.
Anyway; back to general prayers. Many pray for the "peace of Israel" ( Psalm 122:6) but without realizing the prophetic plans God has in the time of Jacob's trouble ( Jeremiah 30:7) we can only see a temporary fix with such a prayer. When we pray for everyone to be healed we surely can't ignore scriptures even in the time of Paul the Apostle which indicated that indeed people would become ill. And in terms of a general praise and such; it is a prelude to prayer in order to demonstrate how we are getting to know Christ and vice verse and alone isn't a prayer per se.
This begins the well known parable about the "persistent widow" and is as all Christ's sayings deep and profound with meanings.
Nonetheless; our Father in heaven isn't bored with any prayers that are truly seeking His will; and the petitioner shouldn't pray in vain repetitions as Matthew 6:7 warns us. The question; of course comes what IS a viable request and what isn't?
What should be clear in regard to this issue is not praying for something CLEARLY outside of scriptural bounds; to put it more simply NOT to ask for something the Word makes CLEAR is for sinful purposes ( James 4:3 to "consume on your own lusts.")
That could be explained with several points
1) Asking God for something we intend to use for sinful purposes. This could be for a woman we can sleep with before marriage; drugs; alcohol; a gun to kill someone etc. This sort of prayer would; it seem be made by someone who is a cult leader; who would have to be under enough delusion to believe what is clearly demonic doctrine that they are some sort of Messianic figure. I would assume Jim Jones would be a good representative of such insanity; between the insane relationships he had with minors; and the final mass suicidal genocide inflicted on hundreds including himself.
2) Asking God for something with an insincere intention to please our own desires thinly veiled in a feigned humility or piety.
This is much more common; no doubt. This could also involve asking for a partner and or grooming someone with an intention to later take advantage of the situation; or fooling ourselves thinking we can compromise and continue to refrain from sin in any area of our lives which we in particular have demonstrated a pattern of weakness before in such matters. Such is alcohol to an alcoholic which of course would elicit money for actual needs but funnel it later for what we really desire.
(NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).
Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).
Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
We can do the right thing with the wrong heart and we fall short of perfection.
TO BE PERFECT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE BLAMELESS.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12 is another scenario to consider.
We often think of the things we do wrong as sin.
What about the things we don't do right or good? Consider James 4:17.
Here's our goal.
Galatians 5:25-26
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Let's see if we are perfect in this using Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Here's a list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21.
( Most of these we can claim on the surface but God judges the heart.)
Are we PERFECTLY blameless in not doing any of these in our hearts?
THOSE ARE A LIST OF THINGS A CHRISTIAN SHOULDN'T BE DOING. ( If we are doing these we are sinning.)
Christians are known "BY" there Love for one another and should be barring fruit.
John 13:34-35.
1 John 4:20-21.
Matthew 7:15-16.
Let's use Galatians 5:22-23 to see what we should be doing. "PERFECTLY since our focus is on the ability to be perfect in these natural bodies.
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
Meekness,
temperance.
IF YOU ARE NOT DOING THESE PERFECTLY "FOREVER ON! YOU ARE NOT PERFECT OR BLAMELESS.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.
God bless.
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
May we humble ourselves before the LORD GOD and worship HIM in truth and in spirit. FATHER, we need YOUR hand on our nation and our leaders. Thank YOU LORD for answering our prayers.
January 18, 2024
Jeremiah 17:8 along with Psalm 1 bring out the benefits of a tree whose roots are planted near the water. This steadfast faith in the Lord is contrasted in the next verse which describes the vicissitudes of the heart of unregenerate man. These vital concepts describe the state of a soul; who needs to be vigilant to bearing fruit and testing themselves to see if they are in the faith is a necessary prerequisite ( 2 Cor. 13:5). Those who do not bear fruit are cut off and burned; a figurative statement describing a very real state of the lost at Judgment Day (see John 15:2).
Surely all flesh is as grass ( 1 Peter 1:24) and like a vapor this life soon passes away ( James 4:14). Eternity is in men's hearts showing that indeed the nature of man is for their spirit to live forever after the body and soul perish ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). This means their legacy is either eternal glory and recognition of those things done while living for the Lord; or eternal damnation for the lack thereof. (see Matthew 25:34 and associated verses).
There is some hope for us who still are producing works of wood; hay and stubble ( 2 Tim. 2:21-23) to change to better works if we have a foundation in Christ ( 1 Cor. 3:11). This results in varying degrees or levels in the harvest and subsequent reward for those who are saved (see also Mark 4:20).
Those in the flesh and not Born Again can only interpret what they see around them in the world (the actions of others who serve as their peers and interpreted through their own understanding). God alone as I see it through predestination determines who will be saved. On our end it takes a fair evaluation of who we really are as compared to a righteous God which then leads to godly sorrow and repentance (which is indeed a gift from God as about half a dozen scriptures indicate). John 16:8 must enlighten us to our desperate plight that SHOULD be aided by proper evangelism appealing for individuals to repent.
May we be faithful in our SAVIOR, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as we wait. We are called to be fruitful in our carrying out HIS desire for us. To make disciples Matthew 28: 18-20; to pray for those in authority 1 Timothy 2:1-3; submit ourselves to GOD and resist the devil James 4: 7, 8.
GOD to shine HIS face on all the saints and bless us that we may also be a
blessing unto others.
November 18, 2023
David
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
Sins; therefore can be of commission or omission. There are many exhortations in scripture; one of he most frightening is that cowards are named among other grievous sins as a group who will not inherit the Kingdom of heaven ( Rev. 21:8). Therefore; we are without excuse if we always "go along to get along" and if we desire to live a cloistered existence and not let our light shine before men we are not living as the Lord desires. During persecution; of course it takes wisdom at times especially when there are other family members involved as to when to speak and when not to. The other side of this equation is a lack of patience; where we become so fearful of our needs being provided that we aren't taking things into prayer and trusting His guidance. Jesus Himself at times withdrew Himself from the crowds; He knew there was the appointed time to die and didn't let all the other attempts on His life distract Him.
In all these things then; it truly is faith that allows us to work in His strength. James 2:26 is interesting with the analogy of a body without the spirit (human spirit) present is dead. All of our talk is empty without action which is prompted and motivated by our love for God having us keep His commandments ( John 14:15).
Also; it seems apparent that we should; more than ever keep the admonition in Hebrews 10:25. As a Body; a cord of two or three isn't easily broken ( Ecclesiastes 4:12). Helping a brother or sister in Christ really is helping ourselves as Christ lives in all the saints. The concept of being the hands and feet of God gives a tangible representation of heaven; which is more than an amorphous light or mist.
The Many. There are those Christians who believe they can never stop sinning, and even so, believe they will attain salvation/heaven. They reinforce this sin message between themselves, all the while continuing to live worldly lives, and assuring themselves that sin will be all around them engulfing them for the rest of their lives.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
The Few. Then there are VERY FEW Christians who believe they can actually stop sinning with the help of God's Holy Spirit, and they strive to do so everyday, as the scriptures command, eventually overcoming sin, and winning the ultimate prize Salvation!
1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
1 John 3:9 "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."
Now when we compare the above (2) Christain mindsets - we can now put this verse below into the proper perspective:
Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
A good question to ask ourselves EVERYDAY - Do we want to be counted in the Many, or the Few?
GBU
I was hoping from my examples given earlier, both personal & otherwise, that I was never referring to a 'believer' who has one foot in the world & the other in his faith. I won't reiterate those here as they certainly did not indicate that I (& other true believers) could ever fuse the world's offerings to the holy & separated life we now have in Christ. Maybe James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" goes some way to reveal what sin is to me.
I realize that this verse means that when someone knows that he has before him the option to do what is proper, in line with God's Will, yet opts to not do according to the good inclinations of his heart, mind & the Spirit's Voice, then this becomes sin to him. However, I also include that 'doing good' means also doing what is right in the mind & not just at outward action, because sin also finds its secure harbor & breeding ground there.
So, I would refuse to let pride (sin) ever be my companion, but a friend showers me with much undeserved praise & flattery, which obviously would make me feel uncomfortable. Thanking him yet denying such worthiness, I let it go, but the mind continues to reflect on & off on the praise received, producing an undesired, unholy reflection on its veracity. This is not a personal example I share, as I've never ever received such praise, but an example of sin nevertheless. If you were the recipient of such adulation, what would be your response & would your mind ever come back to it for further reflection? To me, this is sin, but it may not be to you or others. I don't know. Blessings.
Regarding the subject: "Our Addiction to Sin"
You state: "Do you really think that you will reach that perfection in this life? " Chris, I have faith in God that He would not tell us to do something that we can't do. John 5:14 John 8:11 Nothing is impossible for God! He can change us in the twinkling of an eye! If this is our goal he can help us accomplish it, but it requires Faith and never giving up!
You state: "And what happens in the meantime, when what he believes is possible, actually is impossible - sin ever revealing itself without abating? " I would answer by saying that if you think that it's impossible, and you CAN'T do it, then it will probably never happen for you, until you exchange Can't do - for Can do. Also speaking for myself, for me to say it can't happen is to call God a liar, because he tells us we can James 4:7-10 So, it must be something we are doing, or not doing.
You state: "You may have a different take on this, but I see that as with Paul, so also with us, the struggle with sin will never cease." I agree that Paul struggled against sin during his life, as all of us do, and Paul also states Romans 6:6-7 God tells us he will give us no temptation/sin that we can't overcome 1 Corinthians 10:13
A ever increasing thought: One major obstacle in our lives that may be keeping us from achieving the perfect relationship with God is our death grip hold to this worldly life we enjoy.
See page 2
Your honesty & plainness of speech is admirable, & your struggles touch my heart, we all experience these working within our conscience. & to James 4:7, To all that would desire freedom from sin, God does His great work of redemption in these everyday ordinary experiences in life to cleanse us from all sin, Seek to understand the Cross & it will separate you from this sinful carnal nature.
No Cross No Crown, William Penn Chapter 1-8
In love & truth
I've read some of your writing, can not agree with most of it, I pray that you seek to continue to grow in meekness & humility, with a teachable spirit.
Psalm 25:9 James 4:8 2Thessalonians 2:10 a love for the Truth, has brought me out of being deceived & keeps me from being decevied. Jesus said John 7:17 as I actually put these previous 3 Scriptures into practices, in daily everyday ordinary life experiences, I have come the know the doctrine of it, its not like before "a highmindedness, an airy knowledge without the power, a profession without the possession", but an personal experiential knowledge of God's Spirit of Grace within my heart. He desires this for all, but because it comes in such a low & meekly appearance people reject it, they don't care to stoop so low & be a bond servant to all through Christ, 1John 2:6
The Lord blessing on you
In love & truth
the life of youth is energetic, lively & spirited, there's much hope & aspirations towards one's future. Its appears you have much going for you. I have notices from observation of others & my own experience that wisdom was much lacking in youth vigor.
I would ask you to consider these words, bring them to your mentors to receive a godly counsel Proverbs 11:14
The definition of a Christian in its simplist & purest form is to be Christ-like, He's John 14:6; ask yourselve is this becoming a Navy Seal something Jesus would do? Believes follow Christ in the regeneration & are change empowering them to Luke 6:27-31;
When the disciples want to call down thunder from heaven to destroy lives; Jesus replied Luke 9:55,56; denoting it the influence of spirit of darkness to kill & destroy lives. James 4:1,2,3,4; escape the corruption that is in this world through lust & 2Cor 6:17;
I would encourage you to lay down your weapons Isa 2:4 & become a soldier of the Cross. 2Cor 10:14; Marry your sweet heart & live 2Cor 5:15;
May His Light shine upon you, Blessing
In Love & Truth
Frankie J
Other than lack of understanding; most often it is the case that people turn a blind eye (with Satan's help) to obvious warnings if they have a particular sin they like to indulge in. James 4:17 states that if anyone doesn't do what they know to be right; to them it is sin. That; of course is somewhat subjective to individual situations. This demonstrates sins of omission along with what most think about; those of commission of a particular act or behavior. This could further be demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan; or other exhortations in scripture about helping the orphan and widow ( James 1:27).
God in His good grace can use a situation for His glory in our lives; for instance He can drive those living together to marry; or break it apart to allow one individual to be removed from the situation and to grow. His will is going to be done ultimately; even in the case of the ungodly in judgment. That will not be perceived as anything good; however for the recipient of God's wrath.
There are always those "neutral" things such as buying lottery tickets. As with anything else; such as drinking alcohol it IS sin to engage in an activity when those around you are struggling with sin such as compulsive gamblers or alcoholics. Given a public setting is almost certain to include such individuals; we find quite often that such activities isolate ourselves and at best often are just a distraction. As for the lottery; I can say for a fact that it helps many elderly people become compulsive gamblers themselves; not to mention all the sordid people involved with casinos and other such houses of ill repute. I would say that gambling shows a lack of trust in God's providence and is rather like going to a fortune teller to bring about some more favorable outcome. Someone who can drink with a family member and limit it to one drink is the only situation in my mind that
MAY be ok; alone is risky.
Psalm 83:18 is a strong conviction for me.
sometimes people may go for
years saying someone name not quite exactly. however, the person gets the point
because they may be close enough. but when you really know the person personally,
knows his likes and dislikes. and you have a close bond with that person. then
the name and how it's pronounced by a loved one may not be such a big deal.
James 4:8. The truth of a name is always soon corrected and the person may later
get the point.
In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says
"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Then he gives the contrast of the law and how they sought after righteousness and the righteousness imputed over unto us.
I believe here in Matthew 5:28.
The Lord is letting us know the unconditional and uncontrollable earthly desires in the heart of a worldly man.
He's showing how and where sin generates.
Here the woman is the object of the lust which leads to adultery. Lust is a condition energized by the flesh.
Hate is a condition energized by the flesh and if it's directed towards someone you're guilty of murder.
The Lord is showing how sin is in you and the transgression starts before the act.
James 4:1 explains it this way.
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?"
Paul put it like this.
" Romans 7:22-24.For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
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.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"
These are sensual pleasures and Selfish and sinful desires that dwell in all of us and a woman doesn't have to be the object.
He's pointing out that an exterior restraint or a obedience to a command doesn't keep one from sinning because the sin is in man and he is putting righteousness on a higher plane so no one can boast.
I don't think it's wrong to notice that someone or something is attractive as we see in Genesis 24:16.
God bless you.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Titus 1:2 ...God cannot lie...
God has promised to forgive each and every one of our sins--and He CANNOT lie.
May I suggest you form the habit of daily devotions? James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:8a
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...."
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Lydia, before I was born again, I was a "half Christian" so to speak, sort of like you said, not 100%. The problem was, I believed and loved Jesus, but I didn't want to give up the world and my sins. I rarely read God's Word, etc. Something happened in my life, and I began reading God's Word...studying it, taking notes, everyday. I'm not kidding, I just started to change. I began to understand God's love for me, and what He wanted from me. I saw my sins for what they were and it broke me. I repented, and gave up the things I was hanging onto. I knew for the first time in my life, I was a true born again Christian. You have to get into God's Word, and be willing to turn from sin and the world. Look up "what is sancification", it's our Christian walk, learning and growing for the rest of our lives. The simple fact that you are asking for help, is your beginning.
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
There is a clear warning between Matthew 16:17 and Matthew 16:23 and in regard to the about face Christ had from praise of revelation from God in regard to Peter and then suddenly telling Satan to get behind Him after he had gained a foothold over Peter so quickly afterwards. This is quite shocking and should serve us as with all scriptures with an example of just how quickly we could all be overtaken by evil when we think we stand (see 1 Cor. 10:12).
In both cases Peter was being used as a vessel for spiritual possession; as it were. It could be argued that the Spirit wasn't residing with him permanently; nonetheless Jesus' comment that only the Father could have revealed to Peter who He was clearly showed him as a saved individual. Also Satan may not have directly possessed him as it stated it was later on for Judas Iscariot; but nonetheless his mind was being controlled by the "thoughts of men" which Satan placed in his mind. That would probably imply that his natural inclination and desire to protect Christ and not see harm come to him was taking precedent over God's plan and purpose for Christ to die for atonement of the sins of all He has chosen (including on Peter's behalf as well).
Clearly Christ wasn't surprised by these things; and later on as I explained in a recent discussion Christ predicted his martyrdom and his restoration after the denial was prophesied as well to Peter. Lest we upbraid Peter we should remember that he was the only one with the "audacity" to walk on the water as well as to ask questions others no doubt pondered but were too afraid to mention out loud.
When we recognize our own weaknesses and frailty it certainly can't be that we will be carried away by such things if we stand on guard against the wiles of the devil (see James 4:7). We can't take our eyes off of Him though for Satan can and will use any opportunity given to him to blindside us; harass, torment, distract and mess us up.
When God is not answering our prayers there are a couple of things that might be going on. First, we are likely asking amiss, meaning we are asking outside of God's will. We are asking within our own will. James 4:3 says Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
God's ways are higher than our ways and God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We are finite and cannot see the entire picture but God can!
Secondly, we can hinder our prayer life with unconfessed sins. Psalms 66:18 says If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
Isaiah 59:2 says But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
These are two reasons that prayers are not answered...The first is in my opinion more often than the latter...
Another reason is...it is simply just not time yet! We always have to remember everything is in God's perfect timing! Not in our timing as I said previously, we cannot see the whole picture but God can!
So continue to pray and ask the Holy Ghost to lead you in your prayers or maybe just simply ask if your prayer is really within God's will.
God's unanswered prayers are sometimes His greatest blessings!
It is a blessing to be humbled by God. What you said reminds me of what James tells us in James 4:6.
God gives more (or greater) grace. Wherefore he says, and this is Proverbs 3:34, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Proverbs 3:34 is found three times in the New Testament. It's a very important and popular verse. God resists the proud. Who are the proud?
There are two things about the word for proud. Number one, a person filled with pride is self-centered.
Now by that, the word means that you are centered on yourself whether you think you are somebody great, or you think you're somebody like a failure.
It's the high or the low, high self-esteem, or low self-esteem, you're still focused on yourself. It's still pride.
The other thing about the word for pride is self-reliance. This is the person that uses their human resources to live their life and satisfy their problems. And for them, maybe when they run out of human resources, they might call on God.
God resists the proud, the person who is relying on their human resources, who is self-centered and self-motivated. God will resist that person. But He gives grace to the humble. And the word humble is the person who has been made low, just like we see in James Chapter 1.
Why does God resist the proud? God is bringing that person to a position where they need God's grace. God only gives His grace to the lowly.
If a person is self-centered and self-reliant, God has to oppose them so that they turn around and become dependent upon the Lord. But He only gives His grace to the humble!
So, as it says in James 4:5, God has given me a spirit that dwells in me that lusts to envy. The word spirit is no doubt the human spirit that God has given us. The human spirit in us lusts to envy.
But God has greater grace because He'll resist me. And He'll give me His grace when I'm humbled!
May the Lord continue to bless you also!