nigh

Hi Wesley, thanks for checking on me. I'm going to send you a PM in response.

Hi, would you mind explaining what you mean?

I've often heard that women aren't supposed to teach men in church. But my question is does this verse apply just in church or everywhere? I'm wondering specifically about teaching and exercising authority over adult men. Would this apply to a female college professor? 1 Timothy 2:11-14: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner."

I tend to notice myself sinning almost constantly. This may be because I am overscrupulous--that is true in some areas, but it seems like a lot of these things I'm noticing really are sin. But this means I get worn out trying to confess sin. Do I need to confess these sins immediately, or can I wait until I have some quiet time to myself? What if I forget a sin?

Oops thought my post didn’t go through

Could you explain more of what you mean please?

That’s the thing. I’ve tried to be good for a long time... it turned into this legalistic thing (I felt like I couldn’t eat sugar, even in fruit, because it’s not the healthiest thing). My sins are in my heart - not trusting Jesus, not loving God, pride, etc. I feel hopeless when I think about trying to completely turn from them. It feels impossible.

I’ve been running from God. I thought I was seeking salvation, but I think I was trying to keep Him at arm’s length so I wouldn’t lose Him but wouldn’t have to truly go to Him. I’ve been angry with Him, and I’ve hardened my heart against the gospel. I don’t feel conviction of sin as much as I used to. I must be extremely prideful and self-righteous because I get angry with a God for not saving me when I keep pushing Him away. I have lost sight of what I even need—I think I’ve been so focused on the moment of salvation that I’ve forgotten about being reconciled to God if that makes any sense. Please help me. I really feel like I am about to go over the edge here—give up or become so angry with God that I can’t see past it at all or something.

I PMed you!

How do I do this? It feels like there is a huge wall between me and God, and I have found that I am so sinful that I can’t get past it. I’ve tried to turn completely to Jesus—my heart won’t do it, it’s too sinful. I’ve tried to trust—too much unbelief. I’m worn out and so far from God. What do I do?

And thank you to everyone who had responded! I would really appreciate prayer if you don’t mind.

Thank you for sharing this. I had not read that before. Thank you for your thoughts. I do still have conviction of sin, though it’s faint today. I think I’m pretty worn out physically and emotionally, and that’s affecting things. Lately I’ve had to admit to myself that even though I thought I was seeking God, it seems more like God has been seeking me because I keep running when it seems like I’m almost there. I don’t know what to do. Do you have any advice for me? It’s like I think I want God until He gets too close, and then these feelings I barely noticed before come out saying no, keep your distance, the idea of God is scary, I don’t want to/don’t think I can trust someone I can’t see, I don’t want to give up silly worldly things, I don’t want to live for someone else, etc. Also I feel like the gospel just does not sink in. I feel so far away from Jesus and saving faith, further than when I started (though I don’t know if that’s true or just how I feel). Thank you for the encouragement. I am trying to do as you say. I’d really appreciate it if you remember to pray for me.

Hi everyone. Several months ago, I realized that I may not be really saved. There were just things that didn’t add up in terms of my experience compared to what the Bible says and what I saw in other Christians. I was also angry with God because I felt restricted by rules I’d been following that I thought were from him that might’ve just been legalism. I started praying a lot and reading the Bible, but eventually I got even angrier with God because it seemed like nothing was happening and also these legalistic rules had increased dramatically. I felt like I couldn’t move without sinning. If it helps you understand, I lost a significant amount of weight because I felt I couldn’t eat much due to these rules. I had already had intrusive thoughts cursing at God in the past, but I was so angry that I cursed at Him myself in the heat of the moment many times. I felt bad afterward and apologized and asked for forgiveness, but it kept happening. I think because I knew that the Spirit is the one who does the regenerative work that I was upset about not seeing and because I thought these rules were from Him because He convicts us of sin, I even cursed at the Spirit. This wasn’t premeditated, it was very much in the heat of the moment, but I did it many times over the course of time and was very angry with Him in general. I think because I’d read the passage about the unpardonable sin and was afraid of committing it, I even had angry thoughts (that I 100% do NOT believe) at Him that were similar to what the Pharisees said. I quickly apologized for these and asked for forgiveness, but it may be too late for me. I will say I don’t think I would’ve ever thought to think it if I hadn’t read that passage. I don’t know if that matters. Anyway, I am feeling utterly hopeless. I have been terrible toward Him, and I don’t know if I can ever be saved. I’d really like to hear people’s thoughts on this. Also, if you think I can be saved, I need to know what to do from here because I prayed and read the Bible and tried to seek earnestly for months, and I feel so far away still.