seekingGod97

On 7/5/2018 at 9:40 AM, Sharky and George said:

 

Good answers folks, for an important question and you should realise that you are never condemned, you are a child of God:

God might convict you sometimes if He wants you to think about something but He will never condemn you, that stuff is from the enemy - learn to recognise the difference between conviction and condemnation:

• Conviction helps you to think about what you have done wrong and then builds you up.
• Condemnation always pushes you down.

 

 

 

 

I get a lot of assurance issues (doubt) and I find that the best remedy for it is serving God:

 

 

 

 

Try just doing something easy (and fun) like baking cookies for your neighbours - lol it works though.

If things are tough then just do one good thing a day and you will see what I mean ?

 

yes it took me a while to learn the difference, I think when I was convicted about something, I panicked and allowed fear to consume me, I began to condemn myself but as I have grown closer to God I dont feel condemned, but rather a prodding or feeling in my heart to do something or go in a certain direction. I think anxiety and doubt have always been my go to defence mechanisms to things I am unsure of. Thank you

I really enjoyed reading the words of Luke 12 , in particular when Jesus was saying not to worry about food or clothing as God would provide for us, its true when you think about it birds are taken care of, fed and protected but they dont seem outwardly worried about how all this would happen, so should I as someone God made in his image and loves dearly worry. 

2 hours ago, HikerMom said:

Good morning, @seekingGod97

I just noticed this thread and wanted to respond....  I will just give you my thoughts.  I don't think anxiety is a sin.  Fear is simply part of our existence but God wants to grow us and help us conquer fear.  Perfect love casts out fear.  That is what He has done in my life in the past and what He is doing again at my life at a different level now.  Henry Cloud has a quote that really helped me.... "It's funny how we try to control anxiety when giving up control is what cures anxiety."  I believe it is counterproductive to try to control anxiety...I think it makes it worse.

As for doubt.  I have often heard doubt being described as the opposite of faith.  Actually that was in a lesson at our church just yesterday.  But I do not believe this is true.  Doubt is part of any faith journey.  We need to feed our faith of course and starve the doubt with God's truth and by trusting in His promises.  If we feed the doubt then eventually we may give up our faith.  But questions are normal.  Look at the Psalms.  The Psalmists frequently question God but usually end with remembering His promises and His love, and by making decisions to continue to put heir hope in Him.  The character of God makes this possible for us.  He is SO trustworthy.

I once heard a speaker say that the opposite of faith is not doubt, it's actually having all the answers.  I SO believe this to be true.  When we walk by faith, we don't have all the answers...we are forced to make a choice to to trust Him and step out on the waters trusting He will not let us sink.  We keep our eyes on Him and not the storm surrounding us as Peter did.  When Peter looked at the waves, he started to sink.  So we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  We trust that whatever happens, God will use it for our good...(Romans 8:28!!)

This is what I believe SeekingGod97, but I share it knowing I still have more to learn...

Thank you for these words, its always nice when people present things to me I hadn't really considered, someone else said something similar to me about doubt so I guess its something that not a lot of christians see as so bad, I mean its not great to doubt God himself but I feel less condemned about it. I too have a lot to learn but thank you for helping to grow more in my understanding

7 minutes ago, HikerMom said:

Just noticed that somehow I missed the detail about you being a witness to a sin....still, I think that it is all too vague for me to try to help.  Is there any wise older trustworthy Christian whom you can talk to in more detail and get advice from?

yes there are, I had been speaking to one but since coming on this site, I thought I'd ask in general as I'd seen that people on this site were quite helpful, but by answering me you have already helped me, you reminded me I am not alone so thank you 

17 minutes ago, other one said:

If that person is asking if youare ok, you should be honest with him/her and explain how ithas effected you.  If it isn't the person ask yourself if any good would come from you talking to the person. Ifyou think God is telling you to talk to the person there is no question, just do it. If you dont it might affect your relationship with the Lord. How can you know?  God wont let go..  thats my experience.

thank you for the advice, no matter how much I try to shake the thought to be truthful it still stays in my heart, but fear and anxiety are causing my thoughts to go all over the place

5 minutes ago, HikerMom said:

It's hard to give any advice without knowing the details.  James says that if we ask for wisdom then God will give it to us.  You could seek someone you trust and look up to in the faith and give them the specifics and seek their advice.  It's just hard to say without knowing the details.  Are you having trouble forgiving someone?  The book of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to speak and a time to be silent.  It is a discernment issue and that takes maturity.  Ask God to show give you wisdom on your motives and maybe share specifically with and older, more mature Christian...those are my thoughts!  Blessings!

thank you for the advice, I wouldnt want to put another persons private information online, thats why I am keeping it brief, not because I dont want to share 

17 minutes ago, HikerMom said:

Can you give more specifics about the situation?

Its a bit private but its really about my fear of being honest. If I was to give more details, I'd say its being a witness to a sin, but the other person not knowing I know and not being honest, lieing when I am asked if I am okay because it has been bothering me and I am not okay. 

Hello

I'd asked previously about the difference between knowing whether to mind my own business or clear my conscience, but I also wanted to ask, what do I do when something within me keeps telling me to tell another person the truth about something (not to do with me but them).I dont want to doubt God but I also dont want to do something that was not what he wanted. I am quite confused

Hello

I'd like to ask for advice on anxiety and doubt, as a christian aren't these things a sin, but I dont know how to stop doing them?

Just now, angels4u said:

which day of the week is a reminder of Gods completed creation?

Sunday, the 7th 

Communion ?

that's a really encouraging scripture Gary, thank you, you are right, I need to focus my mind more on things of God and not those of this world or situations around me. 

I'd recommend any of Karen Kingsbury's books but her Baxter family series is really uplifting, and a really good story of redemption, I might go back when I have cash and repurchase the series, because fictional or not I think I need reminding of just how God is able to bring beauty out of any situation

40 minutes ago, Cletus said:

I am thinking by feel more assurance you mean you can discern Gods spirit more or that you are closer to God now?  If God is showing you things to stop doing and things to deal with then thats what you need to do.  Some times its a step forward and a step back.  some times two steps back.  but no matter what keep trying. make yourself do it.   whatever God is showing you is what He wants to do in your life at that time.  nothing matters as much to Him for that time.  focus on that.  Sin puts distance between us and God and if we obey we will grow closer to Him.  The good thing is, even if we mess it up God will use that for our good, and to teach us, and to grow us and mature us and even to reveal Himself to us more.  What He wants to do is transform you more and more into the image of Christ.  Obedience is very important.  If you push it back down and ignore it eventually your heart will harden and thats even more trouble to have to deal with, takes more time, effort, work.  I am excited for you.  pour everything within you into this and put it first before everything else and you will be very happy you did.  God always gives His best. 

yes I don't think I worded myself well, but yes I feel closer to God than I have done before. Thank you for the encouragement, I want to become even closer to God and be made more in Christ's image, I want to live with a clearer conscience and will take your advise. I believe God can use me for good and do good in my life. 

1 hour ago, angels4u said:

May I ask how you can feel more assurance?

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.Romans 10:17

Feelings can be deceiving but the Word of God is always truth 

 

Because you are in Christ, EVERY ONE of these statements is true of you.

• I am loved. 1 John 3:3
• I am accepted. Ephesians 1:6
• I am a child of God. John 1:12
• I am Jesus' friend. John 15:14
• I am a joint heir with Jesus, sharing His inheritance with Him. Romans 8:17
• I am united with God and one spirit with Him. 1 Corinthians 6:17
• I am a temple of God. His Spirit and his life lives in me. 1 Corinthians 6:19
• I am a member of Christ's body. 1 Corinthians 12:27
• I am a Saint. Ephesians 1:1
• I am redeemed and forgiven. Colossians 1:14
• I am complete in Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:10
• I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1
• I am a new creation because I am in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved. Colossians 3:12
• I am established, anointed, and sealed by God. 2 Corinthians 1:21
• I do not have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
• I am God's co-worker. 2 Corinthians 6:1
• I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. Eph 2:6
• I have direct access to God Ephesians. 2:18
• I am chosen to bear fruit John. 15:16
• I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5
• I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by God by which I share His nature. 2 Peter 1:4
• I can always know the presence of God because He never leaves me Hebrews. 13:5
• God works in me to help me do the things He wants me to do Philippians 2:13
• I can ask God for wisdom and He will give me what I need. James 1:5

I feel more assurance because despite all the fears that I have recently or anxieties, it is God who I want, who I believe can help me, because I truly believe that he has died for me. Although I gave my life a while ago I have never desperately and tried my best to pursue a relationship with God and really given deep thought to how I am living my life.

1 minute ago, angels4u said:

You can only build a better relationship with God if you turn  away from the world ,if you know Jesus and what He did for you,you want to live for Him only , knowing  that  He loved you so much that He died for you so you will have life forever with your Savior! 

Are you born again?

yes you are right, I am beginning to do that more. yes I am, I gave my life as a young teenager but I feel like my faith was no where near what it should be. Now I can feel more assurance that I am saved 

3 minutes ago, angels4u said:

Don't turn to the world, the world knows Him not. The world might look attractive but the end is misery!

Why don't you start to read the book of John?

The Witness of John
…9The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.…

If you have any questions please ask

thank you for the suggestion, I have repented of those sins and turning to the world for comfort, thats why every way possible I am trying to build up a better relationship with God.

5 minutes ago, angels4u said:

Welcome again to Worthy, it is always important to look what God wants you to do in certain situations, if your conscience is not clear about something, confess it to God and make it right, you cannot be a happy Christian with sin on your mind,remember God hates sin because He is Holy,and if you love The Lord ,you will only want to do what is right.

 

1 Peter 3:16

and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

1 Timothy 1:19

keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.

Acts 24:16

"In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

Job 27:6

s"I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days.

Acts 23:1

Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day."

Romans 9:1

I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,

2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,

 

 

Thank you for the scriptures, I was not aware of some of these scriptures(shows I still have a long way to go), my conscience has been pricking me for a while about something but due to fear and deciding to live in denial I ignored it for a while. but it kept bubbling up and I would push it back down, but I believe that God this time doesn't want me to push it back down again and pretend otherwise as I have really come to understand my salvation in recent months and am seeking God a lot more when before I would turn to things of the world, I took this as a sign that God was directing me because I could have just turned to things of the flesh to help me forget about it again but something (the holy spirit I think) told me to turn to God

Oh I see, even when the situation or clearing of conscience is not to do with myself ?

Is desiring to keep a clean conscience something we should do as christians, I see so many people talking about people minding their own business , but what if your conscience doesn't feel clear or at peace about something despite your best efforts to believe you have subdued it or minded your business. Any help would be appreciated