sin and interprataion

[thereaperman]

heres the thing, following on from my post about drinking...

what is sin against god?

are there specific sins we should avoid, are the sins we cant avoid?

could one thing be classed as a sin by one person and not as another?

is it possable to manipulate what is sin and what isnt and how it effects our relationship with god?

is there anyway we can stop wasting time on earth, is there such a thing as a waste of time?

can we and should we be ready to die at any given minuet?

how do you make it feel like god is talking to you and your not just praying to someone who isnt listening?

what can you do about human feelings like lust, depression, fear, anger, deep emotional pain, like your letting god and yourself down?

can your idea of god change as you change, becuase god is in us making us god?

knowing christ and knowing im saved, why do i still feel so alone?

why is the pull of the world so much and so great i cant seem to break free, and hold onto the happyness i have found in god?

[gypc]

Every single answer you seek is in the Bible. All of your questions are good questions and ones we have all asked.

are there specific sins we should avoid, are the sins we cant avoid?

Gal5:19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Pro 6:16 There are six things the LORD hates,

seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies

and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

That's one answer.......I know there will be more to come.

In his love,

Brian

[apothanein kerdos]

what is sin against god?

The root of all sin is arrogance. Behind every single we are putting ourselves before God. So we have to question, are we doing this for our own benefit or for God's glory? Now, I do not say this in an extreme standard as to eating. However, take drinking for example. What is your motive behind drinking? It is the motive and intent that causes the sin, not the action itself.

are there specific sins we should avoid, are the sins we cant avoid?

Well no matter what we're going to sin. However we should try our best to avoid it. It's just like getting the cold. We know that most likely every year we're going to get the cold. Does this mean I should go and try and get it? Of course not, I avoid it as much as possible. Sometimes I'm successful in avoiding it all together.

could one thing be classed as a sin by one person and not as another?

Yes, absolutely. If a certain thing causes Person A to stumble but not Person B, then that certain thing is a sin to Person A and they should avoid it but Person B is at liberty to do that certain thing.

is it possable to manipulate what is sin and what isnt and how it effects our relationship with god?

Yes, this is legalism. They take every small matter and turn it into a condemnable sin. They are also wrong.

is there anyway we can stop wasting time on earth, is there such a thing as a waste of time?

Any moment lived that is not gloryfing God is a waste of time. The easiest way to stop wasting time is to ask God what He wants you to do.

can we and should we be ready to die at any given minuet?

Yes.

how do you make it feel like god is talking to you and your not just praying to someone who isnt listening?

Every Christian goes through this. There is no magical 10 step program to cause the fufillness of God to come onto you. It takes a matter of realizing what God has done in your life. Every good thing that happens comes from God.

what can you do about human feelings like lust, depression, fear, anger, deep emotional pain, like your letting god and yourself down?

One of the most critical aspects of God that we need to understand is that we can't let God down. The standard He has set for us is to give our best to Him. He knows we're going to struggle. He simply request that we rely on Him during these struggles and let Him keep us from them. If we fail, He ask that we simply turn to Him, acknowledge our sin, and move on. God doesn't hold anything against us. We're His children. What good father would do such a thing?

can your idea of god change as you change, becuase god is in us making us god?

God isn't making us into God, and certainly God doesn't change. However, yes, as we grow our ideas of God do change. The reason for this is we see things differently as we mature in Christ. Thus we'll see different aspects of God, or get a better understanding of Him. Things in the Bible seem to make a bit more sense than they did before concerning God.

knowing christ and knowing im saved, why do i still feel so alone?

I'd have to say because God isn't real to you. Now, that's not a condemning statement at all. Any Christian who told you, "Oh, I've never felt that way" is either new to the faith, a liar, or hasn't expiriened spiritual growing pains (which is a good thing to expirience). The easiest way to feel Christ living in you is to act like Christ did. Get out and serve others. I was depressed for a long time, however once I began serving others, Christ began to become more real to me. I asked Him (even though I didn't feel Him) to show Himself. Well He did!

why is the pull of the world so much and so great i cant seem to break free, and hold onto the happyness i have found in god?

We all have mountain top expiriences. We reach the top of the mountain, are one to one with God...but then we have to leave. The thing is, we're always going to have those problems. We're always going to struggle. We still have a sin nature within us that pulls us towards the world. Only in total reliance on God can we avoid sin.

Don't worry bud, keep in there. You're amongst a great group of people asking these questions. Remember, David was depressed, a sinner, a murderer, and questioned if God was there many times...and he was a man after God's own heart. All of these, as bad as they seem, are all a part of growing up in God.

[thereaperman]

sometimes it feels like i dont need to ask any spiritual questions, im at ease because my life is in gods hands, so whats the worry?

at other times i get weary that i might not be fully giving myself to god (which i know im nt 100% of the time) or be able to see what his will for me is.

these things seem to come and go in phases, great stress and depression, then peace and free feeling. ive certainly had a wake up call this year which has bought many growing pains which im thankful for, ive also taken on board alot of ideas about who god is, how hes working, what is a sin and what isnt and death and the great beyond. thank you to everyone who has helped me this year from these boards

love paul

[apothanein kerdos]

A few books that I might suggest:

Messy Spirituality

Dangerous Wonder

Both by Michael Yaconelli

Son of a Preacher Man: My search for Grace in the Shadows by Jay Bakker

What's so Amazing about Grace? by Phillip Yancy

Obviously you probably don't have the time to read all these books. However, just a selection of one might help you along.

[larryt]

Hi thereaperman,

One of the problems I see in the church is the absence of teaching "repentance from sin." The preaching of the law is what give the knowledge of sin.

Ro 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Ps 19:7

[Guest antitox]

sometimes it feels like i dont need to ask any spiritual questions, im at ease because my life is in gods hands, so whats the worry?

at other times i get weary that i might not be fully giving myself to god (which i know im nt 100% of the time) or be able to see what his will for me is.

these things seem to come and go in phases, great stress and depression, then peace and free feeling. ive certainly had a wake up call this year which has bought many growing pains which im thankful for, ive also taken on board alot of ideas about who god is, how hes working, what is a sin and what isnt and death and the great beyond. thank you to everyone who has helped me this year from these boards

love paul

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Feelings are going to go up and down. All they do is register a state of mind, condition, or experience. Nothing more. They are primarily attuned to the flesh. They are not a barometer nor a confirming thing in the least. I can attest that we all want to get ahead of God- get Him to hurry up and make things complete and wonderful. The word says that we all long for the revealing of the sons of God. Sure I long for it. But patience is something that has to be developed in us and allow God's timing full priority. It's difficult, but it has to be learned and it only happens by gaining endurance, like a long distance runner. If you are willing to learn through the process God has you in, you'll come out smelling like a rose.

[thereaperman]

more questions im afraid.....

ive posted a topic on drikning, and i dont really want an ear bashing on smoking dope or having sex outside of marrage. in the eyes of the church these things are sins. i am still undecided about where i stand on these issues. if they are a compleate sin, if the are effecting my relationship with god and if i can cut them out of my life compleatly.

when i sin, does this effect the power my prayers may have in regard to god answering them?

is my life a perfect journey ordainded from god, in which case he knows the things ive done and am going to do and if i will learn from them. in which case how do i know which parts of my life to alter to adjust to this journey?

how can i hear and feel god clearer in my life?

if the flesh is so evil, why was it created?

if god loves everyone, why do people go to hell?

[apothanein kerdos]

Since the quotes aren't working for me, I'm going to put your questions in bold.

ive posted a topic on drikning, and i dont really want an ear bashing on smoking dope or having sex outside of marrage. in the eyes of the church these things are sins. i am still undecided about where i stand on these issues. if they are a compleate sin, if the are effecting my relationship with god and if i can cut them out of my life compleatly.

Well, smoking dope is a sin because the government has outlawed it. We are called by God to respect the authority above us. Therefore smoking it is breaking the law and thereby disobeying God.

As for sex outside of marriage, God is very explicit within the Bible that sex is to occur between a man and his wife.

when i sin, does this effect the power my prayers may have in regard to god answering them?

God answers prayers according to His Will. Thus if we ask something that is outside of HIs Will, He won't answer it...regardless of how close we are. However, sin does effect our prayer life. Think of it this way:

If you had a wife that you were cheating on, how could you have a meaningful conversation with her? It's the same with God. When we sin we are in essence cheating on Him...so how can we have a meaningful conversation (prayer) with Him?

is my life a perfect journey ordainded from god, in which case he knows the things ive done and am going to do and if i will learn from them. in which case how do i know which parts of my life to alter to adjust to this journey?

I really don't understand what you're asking in this. Could you clarify?

how can i hear and feel god clearer in my life?

It's just a matter of growing closer to Him and loving Him more.

if the flesh is so evil, why was it created?

It's not our literal flesh that is evil. When the bible talks about our flesh being evil, it's refering to our sin nature. Our sin nature wasn't created by instead has been inhereted because Adam chose to sin. In other words, we are inherently sinful before we are born.

if god loves everyone, why do people go to hell?

God loves everyone but not everyone loves God. If people choose to reject HIs love, they have sent themselves there.

[Orr v'emet]

Thereaperman,

You have alot of questions which many have responded to but instead of addressing them all individually I would like to make a couple of suggestions. First, the questions that you ask many new christians or people who are considering making decisions for Christ have asked before so never be afraid to ask. I would suggest, if your not already, to get involved in a church and a small group bible study. This will help you with alot of your questions. The best advice that I can give however is to spend time in the Word. Find a quiet place without distractions. Pray before you begin that the Holy Spirit would speak to you through the verses and then read. Doesn't matter how much or how little you read. If you see a verse that jumps out at you, then stop and reflect on it. I agree with whoever said that all the answers to the questions you have are found in the Word. The bible says that anyone who asks for wisdom will receive it.