Restricted By Our Own Affections

[Mr. M]

2 Corinthians 6:

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 

12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 

13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you must also be open.

One of the key strategies of the Prince of the World is to force people, including

believers, into a closed off life from others, and in so doing the full anointing of Christ.

Hurt, shame, bitterness, resentment, all the things that life throws at us are at the 

disposal of the enemy to isolate yourself from the body of Christ, and close off

your heart, which will atrophy. A hardened heart can neither receive from above,

or shed abroad the Love of God by the Holy Spirit. In order for Paul's admonition

here to be effective, we must do a regular heart checkup. Have you been hurt recently?

Suffered a loss that has left you feeling lonely and isolated? So many things can

damage the heart! We must be sensitive to the needs of those around us, and be

open to sharing with others our burdens. The exhortation for today is "let your heart be open".

Trust God to bring the right people into your life, to minister and be ministered.

Hebrews 6:

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation,

though we speak in this manner. 

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, 

in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 

12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

[Mr. M]

Worthy Note: If you are struggling with any or similar issues mentioned in the OP

please contact the Worthy Prayer Team right away for intercessions.

Of course, there is no substitute for your local church body. Unfortunately,

often the ones who caused the issue are within that church and people think,

how can I go to the people who caused me so much injury in the first place?

Know this, the Lord will use you to not only restore your heart, but heal your

local body. The worst thing one can do is abandon the place where the Lord set

you, and much prayer must proceed that decision. Let the Lord lead you to a 

place of reconciliation. If that cannot be accomplished there, the Lord will let

you know. Always give Him the opportunity to turn things around for good!

 

[Keturah 123]

I have found hurt by others & unforgiveness from ourselves are two of the quickest weapons the enemy uses against us.

TRUTH; our affections are our most bitter and hardest to overcome flaws, faults, sins ect, but they too must be brought under SUBJECTION to the Spirit, so he may bring us into SUBMISSION to God.

A tree is ALWAYS identifiable by it's fruit. Just as Jesus cursed the fig tree for NOT bearing, so too will this be the curse of many a self-righteous person.

Set your affections on things above is not so easy as the words used to say such. Daily examination is a must as well as reconciliation.

 

May we ALL come to the place where we can lay aside the sin / sins that SO EASILY beset us ! 

Edited February 1, 2023 by Keturah 123

[Keturah 123]

Gr8 thoughts.

We need way more of the word to be used in edification than in correction IMO.

You can correct until you are BLUE in the face & FAINT of heart but as the old saying goes......you CAN lead a horse to water but ya can't make him drink.

Jesus rebuked this thought by saying " Ye are the salt of the earth".....

LETS MAKE ' EM THIRSTY!!!!!!