Freedom in Christ

[Waggles]

50 minutes ago, Wayne222 said:

and stick to it ness

"STICK TO IT NESS" yes that is a good interpretation for faithfulness - I like it 

1Corinthians 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of God’s mysteries. 
4:2  Here, moreover, it is required in the stewards, that one be found faithful. 

[Tristen]

12 hours ago, Greenie said:

@Tristen very good explanation,  now how does one really become able to rule over there own flesh?! See i know not to lust but at times it still happens, I know that smoking cigarettes is not good for me or my witness as a Christian but still can't let it go....how do you go about breaking the chains of bondage. I pray and pray and pray about it but I'm weak in the spirit. I try to do my best to read the word and speak it over myself to gain more faith. I don't wanna feel like a lukewarm Christian anymore. I feel like I need a Christian sponsor. I know it should be the Holy Spirit but I don't know if its him or my own voice. I keep going round and round in circles and its exhausting 

Hey again,

The following has helped me stay in peace with God over the years. You already seem aware of some of these to a degree – so I tried to be specific with how I employ them. However, we are all individuals with unique challenges – so probably the best advice I could give is to seek God Himself for His strategy concerning your circumstances.

You asked, “how does one really become able to rule over there own flesh?! See i know not to lust but at times it still happens”

First thing to recognise is that all Christians are accosted with ungodly desires (even those who seem more spiritual) – which is why we all need a Saviour – we all need to lean on His grace.

Galatians 5:16 - I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh

A Biblical strategy is to move our focus away from our failings, and keep our mind on God (through talking to God, through reading and studying His Word, through worship etc.). Try not to focus so much on failure, sin etc. - but remember instead God's love, and grace etc.

Philippians 3:13-14 - Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus

Colossians 3:2 - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things

We have been conditioned by the world to just go along with whatever thoughts enter our head – but we actually have power to control what we think about. And we have some responsibility to use that power to replace ungodly thoughts with Godly thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5 - casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

This will take practice at first – as the ungodly thoughts will try and bounce back. We have to retrain our brain (Romans 12:2). If the context is appropriate, I find it helpful to speak God's truth – rather than just think it.

For example;

- If your brain tells you that you are useless, and can't do it (whatever 'it' may be);

'I thank you Father – that I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me; that I can do all things through Christ who is my strength; that I am the righteousness of God in Christ; that I am the workmanship of God, created in Christ for good works' (Romans 8:37, Philippians 4:13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:10) Etc. That is, find the promises in God's Word that apply to your needs and pray those over your life with thanksgiving to God (Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2) - i.e. trusting that His Word is truth.

- If your brain tells you that you are addicted to smoking;

'I thank you Father – that I have the spiritual fruit of self-control; and that I am free indeed' (Galatians 5:22-23, John 8:36). Say this - even as you exhale the smoke. Bring the power of God's Word right into the midst of your circumstance.

- If your brain tells you that you are “exhausted”;

'Thank you Father that you give me peace, and rest' (John 14:27, Matthew 11:28).

The only reason to feel “exhausted” is that you are trying to accomplish things in your own strength. We can not do that (as you are learning). The best we can do is to agree with God that our behaviour needs changing (i.e. to 'repent'; to turn to God and away from the sin) – then let Him do the work in us while we move forward into His will. If we could fix ourselves, we wouldn't need a Saviour.

 

So here is the enemy's strategy – he tempts us to sin through weaknesses in our flesh, then after we sin, he tells us we are unworthy to approach God. The thing is, we were never worthy to approach God based on our own behaviour. But in Christ, we are forgiven, righteous, made worthy by His blood. So God says;

Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need

Note that we boldly go straight to God when we need mercy and grace – not just when we think we are doing ok.

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

So do not waste any more time (yours or God's) with self-condemnation (which is, essentially, an attempt to suffer and pay for our own sin – which suggests that Jesus' sacrifice is insufficient for us – and which also suggests that God's promise of forgiveness is a lie). Go straight to God, and get back on track. Obviously we should feel some regret when we fail God (because we love Him). But God is not surprised by our failure. He accepted us, and loved us – even while we were His enemies (Romans 5:10, Colossians 1:21-22). That grace does not disappear once we become Christians. So the appropriate response is to thank God for His grace and mercy, to receive God's grace and mercy by faith, and to ask for His help in our repentance moving forward.