Christianity is making me indecisive

[artsylady]

I have to say it's really good that you brought the discussion into the open and to believers (although you are hearing conflicting views. )

It may seem like there are contradictions in this area but I think the Bible is written for people who are guided by the Holy Spirit, and what you read or where you feel led depends on where you are with the Lord.

There is an instance in the Bible where Jesus ate and drank with sinners and the religious people tore a strip off him for that. Of course we know Jesus couldn't be influenced by the ungodly. Where are you at? Only you can answer this.

Are you now strong enough to be a leader and not a follower? Would your nonbelieving friends have more influence on you or would you have more influence on them?

Another verse that might help is this...

From 1 Corinthians 5

9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people

[artsylady]

the way i see it is you're trying to have a one size fits all rule. this is not going to be the case. instead of you having a 'rule' that you can go by, you're going to have to take into account the 'spirit of the law'. i don't see that it can be the same in every case. this will go against your nature but it's okay, it's a big step for you when you realize that the right way is for a case-by-case basis not the one rule for every situation. you don't have to have your rule set up in advance. each encounter may call for a different reaction. in one case, you may need to walk away. in the next, continue on for awhile.

this is big for you blien, i can tell. you're gonna have to give up your need for a rule. but don't worry it's very good for you, i can tell.

I would agree with this.

[GerdaHannah]

hi,

Christianity does bring with it a lot of indecisiveness because you are no longer self righteous.

After indecisiveness comes the knowledge that God loves us even when we don't make the right decisions.

Just hang in there.

This painful process is important, and it will pass.

Blessings.

[GerdaHannah]

the way i see it is you're trying to have a one size fits all rule. this is not going to be the case. instead of you having a 'rule' that you can go by, you're going to have to take into account the 'spirit of the law'. i don't see that it can be the same in every case. this will go against your nature but it's okay, it's a big step for you when you realize that the right way is for a case-by-case basis not the one rule for every situation. you don't have to have your rule set up in advance. each encounter may call for a different reaction. in one case, you may need to walk away. in the next, continue on for awhile.

this is big for you blien, i can tell. you're gonna have to give up your need for a rule. but don't worry it's very good for you, i can tell.

great reply

to the point and informative

[mjrhealth]

One needs to put here trust in Jesus. I do lots of travelling, and can spend up to 3 weeks at a time working with the same person, here i have to put up with conversations about sex, women, they drink, some take drugs, the one i work with at the moment plays this horrible modern noise all day, and i cant think when he does, i have a high stress enviroment at times and occasionaly loose it, but God sees me thru. You are supposed to be a light in this dark world, and it needs to shine in the darkness, sometimes you do need to seperate yourself from some who are really bad influences , but for the most part they are just there and again just ask Jesus for the strength and grace to see it through, It takes time to build up faith in Him, but it will happen. Jeus spent His time in the pubs and slums should we be hiding away in our homes.

In His Love

[Massorite]

I have to say it's really good that you brought the discussion into the open and to believers (although you are hearing conflicting views. )

It may seem like there are contradictions in this area but I think the Bible is written for people who are guided by the Holy Spirit, and what you read or where you feel led depends on where you are with the Lord.

There is an instance in the Bible where Jesus ate and drank with sinners and the religious people tore a strip off him for that. Of course we know Jesus couldn't be influenced by the ungodly. Where are you at? Only you can answer this.

Are you now strong enough to be a leader and not a follower? Would your nonbelieving friends have more influence on you or would you have more influence on them?

Another verse that might help is this...

From 1 Corinthians 5

9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people

[mead]

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

I don't want to get rid of my friends who practice evil things because, they have a chance to be influenced by me to live right and come to Christ!

Yet what is happening is, I've become so loathsomely indecisive that I can't make a decision and do anything I want anymore.

[Blien]

Thanks everyone. Your comments have helped me greatly. I have not been feeling well lately that's why I am replying late.

I think I need to refocus on God more than my actions and keep a balance. I tend to watch my words and action more than I do my intentions and sometimes I can be very deceiving even to myself! Which is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a christian... On top of that I haven't been reading the Bible with my whole heart more than from shear will. Because of this I keep setting myself up for trouble - my spirit is not being fed enough. Though, I don't doubt that this is training ground for me too.

I think mostly where my indecisiveness stems from is my desires which are not being fulfilled. For example, I want to rid myself of this one person who is a bad influence on me yet my consciousness of the evil and dark spiritual world which may come upon that person prevent me from do it. I try to "protect" this person with my presence. It has been a real test at times, my strength seems to be sapped though it is not. My desire seems to go flat, though I am regenerated.. but this stalemate of not being able to kill these spirits or make any headway with this lost person is killing me.

So then it starts to affect my walk because I become indignant.. I say to myself, "I have to help this person" and then think later "whats the use there's nothing that can be done anyway other than pray".. and then later on "this person doesn't deserve my help, look what they just did!!" and then "oh but remember Blien, they do not know what they are doing like you do"...

This ALWAYS happens. And I can't simply let go of people. I love people too much!!! I want ALL to come to Heaven. Even those who practice witchcraft and other pagan rituals because they are so ignorant to the truth. I don't want the Devil to have not even on soul to his name! Like Jesus who cried out from the cross "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing".. that's what my soul cries out too.

Yet I can do nothing.. like a solider on a hill watching a town being taken over by a formidable enemy until his reinforcements arrive. It's very heart breaking.

[artsylady]

Blien:

I think I need to refocus on God more than my actions and keep a balance. I tend to watch my words and action more than I do my intentions and sometimes I can be very deceiving even to myself! Which is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a christian... On top of that I haven't been reading the Bible with my whole heart more than from shear will. Because of this I keep setting myself up for trouble - my spirit is not being fed enough. Though, I don't doubt that this is training ground for me too.

I almost wonder if you're overthinking things. Look up "worry" in Biblegateway.com.

I think mostly where my indecisiveness stems from is my desires which are not being fulfilled. For example, I want to rid myself of this one person who is a bad influence on me yet my consciousness of the evil and dark spiritual world which may come upon that person prevent me from do it. I try to "protect" this person with my presence. It has been a real test at times, my strength seems to be sapped though it is not. My desire seems to go flat, though I am regenerated.. but this stalemate of not being able to kill these spirits or make any headway with this lost person is killing me.

Can I ask how this person is a bad influence on you?

So then it starts to affect my walk because I become indignant.. I say to myself, "I have to help this person" and then think later "whats the use there's nothing that can be done anyway other than pray".. and then later on "this person doesn't deserve my help, look what they just did!!" and then "oh but remember Blien, they do not know what they are doing like you do"...

Thoughts along the line of "he doesn't deserve..." - just delete those. None of use deserve what has been offered to us.

This ALWAYS happens. And I can't simply let go of people. I love people too much!!! I want ALL to come to Heaven. Even those who practice witchcraft and other pagan rituals because they are so ignorant to the truth. I don't want the Devil to have not even on soul to his name! Like Jesus who cried out from the cross "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing".. that's what my soul cries out too.

This is not a bad thing. You want the same thing God wants.

Yet I can do nothing.. like a solider on a hill watching a town being taken over by a formidable enemy until his reinforcements arrive. It's very heart breaking

.

Proverbs 3:4-6 (New International Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight. [a]

You are right. You are powerless. I am powerless. It's only God that can change anything.

[JCISGD]

Hi Blien, one of the fruits of the Spirit is self control (stability), so if something is causing instability it might be that your attempting to go where God is not leading you at times.

If the plane is in a nose dive focus on getting it level again before worrying about where its going.

Make sure you have a good support base from other stable yet zealous Christians if possible.

If hanging with the lost is causing you to stumble or grow cold towards Christian life, then cut back until you know you are ready.

Make sure you are prayed up in the Holy Spirit before going out to save others, we soon find out how weak we are without this.

When i was a young Christian i did stumble sometimes by being back around my old friends. But one time i went to a party and remained sober yet enjoying my friends, while they got about getting wasted as we always used to. After they got wasted they decided to blow up things with dynamite, and i said i would not go with them, my best friend cursed me and called me not a friend after all. I left the party to drive home but could not shake off the feeling that Satan was winning, so i stopped and prayed untill i sensed peace. I then went back and they were gone, so i slept in my car out of sight.

In the morning they were changed people, and after talking about the night before they realised that a fuse that would not light, had probably saved their lives as in their drunkeness they were way too close to avoid injury or possibly death. All Glory went to God, though none are yet saved.

These days i am more concerned about walking before God in holiness, without which no one will see the LORD. Even Jesus` disciples needed 3 yrs training before they were ready for their solo flight.

However according to your faith, let it be.