If You Think You Are Something

[missmuffet]

Just now, other one said:

I'm 77 years old these days and have been his for about 50 of those.   He has a way of putting you in your place, if you are really his, whenever that happens.

We are very close in age. I have not been a born again Christian for 50 years. I did not grow up in a Christian family. I could even say that I knew Jesus and that I was a Christian but I really wasn't. I had not given God 100% of my life.

[AdHoc]

6 hours ago, Sower said:

                       Admonish= Warn, urge, reprimand. For 'edification' = A 'building' up, construct/ive instruction, that builds a person up to be the suitable dwelling place of God, i.e. where the Lord is "at home." (indwelt-indweling)

"you who are spiritual restore such a one"  (One mind-One accord) restore = "back to original standing, i.e. that existed before a fall"       There but by the Grace of God go I..          One mind, one accord..

 

                                "we need the Body-+- pure fellowship"

       "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. (physically, mentally, spiritually)
                    The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"

                                            Humbling ourselves before the Lord
                                                  that He would lift us up.

  The local  body of Christ assembled, 'church' together ('Together' is a beautiful Word). Seeing Brothers and sisters, young and old, together in fellowship, a family, linked/bonded together in Christ Jesus our Lord, to the glory of God. There is a reason God told us not to forsake the coming together with other believers, as there is strength and blessings of growth standing together according to scripture.  As adults I believe ( know)  we gain much growth when we come together humbly and willing to be real, honest, and share our strengths and more importantly our weaknesses, confessing weakness/sin one to another, that God's healing mercy would cover our efforts.

It happens often in our men's bible study spontaneously when a day on a random scripture, one shares a weakness and then others caught up in the spirit confess having the same/similar problem, and then I realise many of our sins though hid, yet are common such as to fallen man. This did not cause me to 'feel' better that I'm not the only one but realise we are all in need of God's grace and mercy, and his strength and courage to make a stand, TOGETHER.

99.9% of my sin is planted like a land mine in my mind before it is manifested through action, conceived.  The battle for the mind with the great deceiver, the liar, the "defeated" lion. Soldiers at war fighting alone are prone to receive more wounds at the front lines engaged with the enemy than pew sitters already defeated, unawares.

            "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.
                      The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much"

This experience has an affect on how we might "Think we Are Something"

Thanks..

 

Sometimes I am genuinely shocked at my thoughts - even though I deal brutally with them. My flesh is ever present to scream for inappropriate things. Paul looked forward to the replacement of "this vile body". I do too. But my thoughts still need a lot of work. I take courage in Paul in Philippians 3:9-14.

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 Paul was within 4 years of his martyrdom and still not satisfied with his walk with the Lord. I too. But Paul could claim his crown some years later. I'm encouraged.

[missmuffet]

14 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

Sometimes I am genuinely shocked at my thoughts - even though I deal brutally with them. My flesh is ever present to scream for inappropriate things. Paul looked forward to the replacement of "this vile body". I do too. But my thoughts still need a lot of work. I take courage in Paul in Philippians 3:9-14.

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 Paul was within 4 years of his martyrdom and still not satisfied with his walk with the Lord. I too. But Paul could claim his crown some years later. I'm encouraged.

If my thoughts go off I pray to God to help me with that. I pray to God daily for forgiveness in thought,word and deed.

[AdHoc]

16 hours ago, missmuffet said:

If my thoughts go off I pray to God to help me with that. I pray to God daily for forgiveness in thought,word and deed.

Amen! The right way to go ... the right habit

A technicality .... if you want to be perfect, it is

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ... (1st Jn.1:9).

[Sower]

17 hours ago, AdHoc said:

Sometimes I am genuinely shocked at my thoughts - even though I deal brutally with them. My flesh is ever present to scream for inappropriate things. Paul looked forward to the replacement of "this vile body". I do too. But my thoughts still need a lot of work.

And that's putting it mildly.

What confuses me about those thoughts is, I come up with three possible sources.
Obviously there's the enemy, deceiver, liar, the roaring loin, assuming he's subtly planting thoughts within my mind.
Then the Holy Spirit. It is not as clear to me as most say it is to them.
Although there are times when it is perfectly clear, confirmed by scripture.
And then my own lustful/prideful thoughts. Which is which, do they intermingle?

I have never blamed any sin on anybody or the devil. I believe the devil has never "made/forced" me (or anybody) to sin. I chose to sin every time, though he can/does influence me.  Sin is ME missing the mark.
I have ask over the years if anybody can show any evidence of the devil (or any tangible thing) having made them sin. So far no takers.

All day long I quote in my mind, 'that thought is/can become sin-submit to God-resist the devil and he will flee-Trust in the Lord.' The battle for the mind.

The best solution that works for my self is first praying to God and letting him know I can not do it. When I told my mentor this  when I was a young believer he said I had made my first baby step in spiritual growth. I learned it has to be God

I have ask God to make straight my path, whatever it takes and be merciful to me a sinner. God answers prayers from a broken and contrite heart. I believe my vine dresser will use the best method for my need.

Your quote above, AdHoc confessing sin, I do daily every time I entertained sinful thoughts that conceived, or simply say 'that's sin' and press on. It says God is 'Faithful and Just' to forgive my sins, and I know they have already been forgiven.

Yet I do as instructed and receive fellowship with God better/quicker and claim his promise to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I consider that scripture the golden standard for any realistic front line believer.

Though as new creatures, we still have a 'corrupted hard drive' mind acquired from the apple virus. Confessing sin is reprogramming the mind by down loading/memorizing  light into the darkness.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”

           (A lamp unto my Feet-A light unto my Path)

           Thanks for your 'thoughts/data,'   AdHoc..

                      To God be the Glory..

[Marathoner]

32 minutes ago, Sower said:

And that's putting it mildly.

What confuses me about those thoughts is, I come up with three possible sources.
Obviously there's the enemy, deceiver, liar, the roaring loin, assuming he's subtly planting thoughts within my mind.
Then the Holy Spirit. It is not as clear to me as most say it is to them.
Although there are times when it is perfectly clear, confirmed by scripture.
And then my own lustful/prideful thoughts. Which is which, do they intermingle?

I have never blamed any sin on anybody or the devil. I believe the devil has never "made/forced" me (or anybody) to sin. I chose to sin every time, though he can/does influence me.  Sin is ME missing the mark.
I have ask over the years if anybody can show any evidence of the devil (or any tangible thing) having made them sin. So far no takers.

All day long I quote in my mind, 'that thought is/can become sin-submit to God-resist the devil and he will flee-Trust in the Lord.' The battle for the mind.

The best solution that works for my self is first praying to God and letting him know I can not do it. When I told my mentor this  when I was a young believer he said I had made my first baby step in spiritual growth. I learned it has to be God

I have ask God to make straight my path, whatever it takes and be merciful to me a sinner. God answers prayers from a broken and contrite heart. I believe my vine dresser will use the best method for my need.

Your quote above, AdHoc confessing sin, I do daily every time I entertained sinful thoughts that conceived, or simply say 'that's sin' and press on. It says God is 'Faithful and Just' to forgive my sins, and I know they have already been forgiven.

Yet I do as instructed and receive fellowship with God better/quicker and claim his promise to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I consider that scripture the golden standard for any realistic front line believer.

Though as new creatures, we still have a 'corrupted hard drive' mind acquired from the apple virus. Confessing sin is reprogramming the mind by down loading/memorizing  light into the darkness.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”

           (A lamp unto my Feet-A light unto my Path)

           Thanks for your 'thoughts/data,'   AdHoc..

                      To God be the Glory..

I liken the work of our enemy in the following way:

The accuser offers the rope and we know exactly what to do with it. 

Ourselves? We acquire the rope and know exactly what to do with it.

What we all strive against: thoughts about that rope and using it. That is what we bring to the Lord in subjection... holding those thoughts captive in Christ. 

When I was young in the faith, I expected all of the above to vanish because I belong to Christ. When it didn't, I stumbled greatly. What? What's wrong? What did I do wrong? 

Nothing. I had many lessons to learn from the Lord and I still do. 

[farouk]

On 10/10/2024 at 1:40 PM, Cyoder said:

I am very good at my job. It used to give me great pride. I now realize the only reason I have any skill at all is through the grace of God. He gave me those abilities. Without him, I am nothing. Instead of having pride, now I am just grateful. 

@Cyoder

Excellent point about grace.

"All of grace, yes, grace surpassing,
Such a portion to bestow;
But the love all knowledge passing,
Grace has called us now to know;
Love that bore the stripes and sorrow,
Love that suffered on the tree,
Love that shares the bright to-morrow
With the loved ones, you and me." (T H Reynolds)

[AdHoc]

4 hours ago, Sower said:

And that's putting it mildly.

What confuses me about those thoughts is, I come up with three possible sources.
Obviously there's the enemy, deceiver, liar, the roaring loin, assuming he's subtly planting thoughts within my mind.
Then the Holy Spirit. It is not as clear to me as most say it is to them.
Although there are times when it is perfectly clear, confirmed by scripture.
And then my own lustful/prideful thoughts. Which is which, do they intermingle?

I have never blamed any sin on anybody or the devil. I believe the devil has never "made/forced" me (or anybody) to sin. I chose to sin every time, though he can/does influence me.  Sin is ME missing the mark.
I have ask over the years if anybody can show any evidence of the devil (or any tangible thing) having made them sin. So far no takers.

All day long I quote in my mind, 'that thought is/can become sin-submit to God-resist the devil and he will flee-Trust in the Lord.' The battle for the mind.

The best solution that works for my self is first praying to God and letting him know I can not do it. When I told my mentor this  when I was a young believer he said I had made my first baby step in spiritual growth. I learned it has to be God

I have ask God to make straight my path, whatever it takes and be merciful to me a sinner. God answers prayers from a broken and contrite heart. I believe my vine dresser will use the best method for my need.

Your quote above, AdHoc confessing sin, I do daily every time I entertained sinful thoughts that conceived, or simply say 'that's sin' and press on. It says God is 'Faithful and Just' to forgive my sins, and I know they have already been forgiven.

Yet I do as instructed and receive fellowship with God better/quicker and claim his promise to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I consider that scripture the golden standard for any realistic front line believer.

Though as new creatures, we still have a 'corrupted hard drive' mind acquired from the apple virus. Confessing sin is reprogramming the mind by down loading/memorizing  light into the darkness.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”

           (A lamp unto my Feet-A light unto my Path)

           Thanks for your 'thoughts/data,'   AdHoc..

                      To God be the Glory..

 

3 hours ago, Marathoner said:

I liken the work of our enemy in the following way:

The accuser offers the rope and we know exactly what to do with it. 

Ourselves? We acquire the rope and know exactly what to do with it.

What we all strive against: thoughts about that rope and using it. That is what we bring to the Lord in subjection... holding those thoughts captive in Christ. 

When I was young in the faith, I expected all of the above to vanish because I belong to Christ. When it didn't, I stumbled greatly. What? What's wrong? What did I do wrong? 

Nothing. I had many lessons to learn from the Lord and I still do. 

I can only echo your thoughts. I too know that I have a very powerful enemy. He is not an angel, but is head of an army. If the Lord let's him loose on me I haven't a chance. But the problem we have is more internal than external. The problem is one of intrinsic nature. When Nicodemus visited the Lord, the Lord did not offer him the armor. Ephesians teaches that the armor is only to "stand". Only one part of the equipment is offensive. It is armor because the enemy has tactics. But the provocation is in us. It is seen so very sadly in Genesis Chapter 5.

The first three verses show the whole sordid thing. Adam was made in the image of God and according to Genesis 1:11-12, where God established the Law of KINDS, Seth should have also been in the image and likeness of God. But he was in the image and likeness of Adam. So by Chapter 6 verse 5 we learn;

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil ... continually.

(I put the synthetic pause after the word "evil" to emphasize the word "continually)

So when Nicodemus approached the Lord, the Lord said, in effect, Nicodemus you do not need better laws, more strength and/or more revelation. You need to have that poison that courses through your veins REPLACED with eternal LIFE. You need a new "wind" (the same word in the Greek for "Spirit"). You need the "breath" of God, not for human vitality, but for divine vitality.

And it is here that we see the vast superiority of God's New Testament Economy over the Old. It is nothing else but "Christ IN you - the hope of glory". It is "eat my flesh". It is "the Spirit that they should receive" (Jn.7:39). It is "partakers of the divine nature". It REBIRTH - not in the sense of being dead and coming to life, but in the sense of AN ADDITIONAL BIRTH. Jesus came from a woman. But He had an ADDITIONAL nature. Nicodemus at least got that right. He probably discovered that Adam - a LIVING creature - still had to eat from the Tree of LIFE.

In the mean time, we are  poisonous Tree that is prone to sin.