Know them by their fruit

[Guest luckydave2003]

I was on one of these threads and somebody made a comment that they have not had any changes in their life since they became a Christian. They said that they know they are saved but haven't seen any other changes since then. I am not going to mention the name b/c I am not judging anyone. I am just asking a quesiton, Should there not be changes? I mean, when we come to Christ we receive the Holy Spirit and should that not begin showing changes (ie. fruit) in our lives?

[dwinkjr]

Alot of this depends on personal convictions and whether or not this person has there "spiritual ears plugged". I believe Christ wants us to change and turn from our sin, and the holy spirit will lead us to do so, But it all boils down to how you act on your own convictions and whether you listen to them or shut them out.

God Bless,

Dave

[Orr v'emet]

luckydave2003,

First of all Welcome to Worthy Boards!

Now, let's get on with it. I am so glad you asked this question! I was actually discussing this with Called the other night after discussing this comment that you referred to. To make my testimony short, I grew up in a christian home. Always a good kid, never got in trouble. Never did the experimenting thing in college or whatever. When I got saved, I noticed a difference. Even though I was a good girl so to speak I still noticed a change in my life. In my though process, my attitude, in my routines (reading the bible vs. watching t.v.). I guess what I am saying is that in my opinion you will see a difference in your life.

[Guest luckydave2003]

Alot of this depends on personal convictions and whether or not this person has there "spiritual ears plugged". I believe Christ wants us to change and turn from our sin, and the holy spirit will lead us to do so, But it all boils down to how you act on your own convictions and whether you listen to them or shut them out.

God Bless,

Dave

What do you mean "spiritual ears plugged"? When the Holy Spirit is in your heart, which I believe He is for every true believer isn't it true that He is going to change you. I mean, when God is living inside people can they really just turn off the Holy Spirit? They may not allow Him to work to His fullest potential but surely, there would be some change? I know that this comes after time. I know the theif on the cross probably didn't show very many lifestyle changes from the time that he got saved to his death but presumably if a person who is saved and is trying to live for the Lord, there is bound to be changes wouldn't there have to be? I mean, really, how can you have the Holy Spirit and be reading the Bible, praying and all that - and still be the same person you were before. To me, it defies logic.

[dwinkjr]

Alot of this depends on personal convictions and whether or not this person has there "spiritual ears plugged". I believe Christ wants us to change and turn from our sin, and the holy spirit will lead us to do so, But it all boils down to how you act on your own convictions and whether you listen to them or shut them out.

God Bless,

Dave

What do you mean "spiritual ears plugged"? When the Holy Spirit is in your heart, which I believe He is for every true believer isn't it true that He is going to change you. I mean, when God is living inside people can they really just turn off the Holy Spirit? They may not allow Him to work to His fullest potential but surely, there would be some change? I know that this comes after time. I know the theif on the cross probably didn't show very many lifestyle changes from the time that he got saved to his death but presumably if a person who is saved and is trying to live for the Lord, there is bound to be changes wouldn't there have to be? I mean, really, how can you have the Holy Spirit and be reading the Bible, praying and all that - and still be the same person you were before. To me, it defies logic.

im speaking of outward changes, not changes of hte heart. Cursing for example, if you like to curse and the holy spirit convicts you to stop, you can easily ignore that and continue cursing, this would be "having your spiritual ears plugged"

Make sense?

God Bless,

Dave

[cymba22]

I mean, really, how can you have the Holy Spirit and be reading the Bible, praying and all that - and still be the same person you were before. To me, it defies logic.

You seem to be under the impression we all miraculasly change over night...it doesn't work that way....have you ever heard of the expression growing in Christ? as you grow in Christ you gradually leave bits of the world behind its known as santification, when you are saved you are justified then you start the process of santification...

hope this helps

[Guest Calamity]

I mean, really, how can you have the Holy Spirit and be reading the Bible, praying and all that - and still be the same person you were before. To me, it defies logic.

You seem to be under the impression we all miraculasly change over night...it doesn't work that way....have you ever heard of the expression growing in Christ? as you grow in Christ you gradually leave bits of the world behind its known as santification, when you are saved you are justified then you start the process of santification...

hope this helps

A lot of people either confuse or intermingle, justification an sanctification. I believe that is the case in the teachings of "Lordship Salvation". Christ is Lord, and if you're saved He's your Lord - period. It doesn't mean you have to live a certain way, or He's not your Lord. We grow and mature in Christ - but we certainly don't start out that way as new Christians.

[waitingforhim]

Your right-if you are saved He IS your Lord-and as such your behaviour will change. This idea that we can live like the devil because we "made a decision" for Christ is a lie from the pit of hell. No, we don't become super Christian overnight-but God gives us a new nature-and that nature wants to obey the Lord. We will begin to walk with Him-maybe baby steps-but we will walk-the only things that don't grow are dead things.

[dwinkjr]

I mean, really, how can you have the Holy Spirit and be reading the Bible, praying and all that - and still be the same person you were before. To me, it defies logic.

You seem to be under the impression we all miraculasly change over night...it doesn't work that way....have you ever heard of the expression growing in Christ? as you grow in Christ you gradually leave bits of the world behind its known as santification, when you are saved you are justified then you start the process of santification...

hope this helps

Amen!, I am still growing on a daily basis... I think worthy has been my spiritual fertilizer as of late :x:

God Bless,

Dave

[Guest luckydave2003]

No one ever suggested that everyone who becomes saved turns into "super Christian" overnight. Obviously, that is not the case for most of us - though I am sure it has happened in the past. What I was asking was: after years of walking with the Lord and "growing up in Him" as one person put it, should there not be some outward changes as a result of the inward workings of the Holy Spirit. No they will not be PERFECT, but don't you think that they should be better - for lack of another word. Again, all I am trying to do is figure out how a person can stagnate the Holy Spirit. Myself, I just don't see anyone having the strength to fiht against the Holy Spirit of God living inside them forever. It just doesn't make any sence to me.