Chaste Virgins

[FJK]

11 minutes ago, CHC said:

I am scared of believing the wrong thing. I just want to follow Christ faithfully, yet I get scared of being on the wrong path. 

When you try to follow Christ, my experience has been that he definitely lets you know when you are on the wrong one.

The Rod and the Staff that comforts us, think of how that rod and staff were used by a sheepherder over his sheep.

[Guest CHC]

Just now, FJK said:

When you try to follow Christ, my experience has been that he definitely lets you know when you are on the wrong one.

The Rod and the Staff that comforts us, think of how that rod and staff were used by a sheepherder over his sheep.

I know, think it's the punishing God out to beat you for anything you do (even when you think you are wanting God's will) I can't reconcile with. Seems many Christians like to do that to others too from what I have seen and it really makes me question everything. 

[Mr. M]

2 minutes ago, CHC said:

I know, think it's the punishing God out to beat you for anything you do (even when you think you are wanting God's will) I can't reconcile with. Seems many Christians like to do that to others too from what I have seen and it really makes me question everything. 

Drifting off topic. How are you doing with 'simplicity'?

[Guest CHC]

Just now, Mr. M said:

Drifting off topic. How are you doing with 'simplicity'?

I never do well with simplicity, I'm sorry to say. I have a very muddled mind and a tendency to get stuck in loops and then frustration. I'm just very stuck at the moment and am scared of moving in any direction for fear of going in the wrong one - I have been wrong so many times and have a total lack of trust in myself. I'm praying to God to guide me though I do not seem to hear from Him. I had one very concrete experience which really keeps my faith. I'm guessing I'll be locked up on a psych ward soon enough, my mind is a mess. 

[FJK]

10 hours ago, CHC said:

Seems many Christians like to do that to others too from what I have seen and it really makes me question everything. 

There are always people, Christian and otherwise, who will try to  build themselves up by putting others down.

I think it's usually a basic lack of self worth that is behind this, and most of those doing it don't actually know they are doing it or why they are doing it.

But when you try to follow God always remember that he has a will for us in every person we meet, something to do or learn from them that will help lead us further down the path he wants us to walk.

God has a personal will for you, a plan for you as an individual, that is all you need to be concerned with.  Other people have other paths and other plans for them, they are not the same as the ones he has for us.

This is how I see it.

[Guest CHC]

1 hour ago, FJK said:

There are always people, Christian and otherwise, who will try to  build themselves up by putting others down.

I think it's usually a basic lack of self worth that is behind this, and most of those doing it don't actually know they are doing it or why they are doing it.

But when you try to follow God always remember that he has a will for us in every person we meet, something to do or learn from them that will help lead us further down the path he wants us to walk.

God has a personal will for you, a plan for you as an individual, that is all you need to be concerned with.  Other people have other paths and other plans for them, they are not the same as the ones he has for us.

This is how I see it.

Thank you for your response. Yes, that's how I try to think but having paranoia and real instances of people professing to be good actively trying to harm me just made me wonder and makes me very afraid.

[LisaLola]

I have never had sex with any man since I became Born Again, there should be no sexual immorality outside of marriage...that is my belief and my opinion.

[Guest Michaelangeli]

23 hours ago, CHC said:

The more I read the Bible and try to discern what it means the more confused I get and reading everyone else's 'I'm so clear on this I am right' posts that all differ in how they are right signifies it is not simple at all. I'm hoping it isn't because I have no idea how I am meant to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. From what I can see so many have trouble with it too, even those who say they don't because they believe the opposite of another claiming to be 'clear', if any of that makes sense. 

Hi CHC. I understand. You make sense, yes. A lot. 

I'm actually rewriting a whole post I wrote a few moments ago, which got lost, for some weird reason.

 

I should have clarified my statement. I'm sorry. I'll do that now, and yes, I agree that when you listen to persons who identify as being under the umbrella of Christianity, there can be a whole lot of confusion, leading to more and more confusion.

 

What I meant by "there is not only simplicity in Christ, but order and clarity.", is what Jesus said, in quite a few places.

One of those places is Matthew 13:11. Another is John 6:44, 45, and another is Matthew 11:26

From these verse, we see that there is simplicity and clarity to those who are taught by God, and 'in Christ', so that even little children, or spiritual babes can understand.

 

What is actually needed, for this, are particular qualities - three of which are - humility : Matthew 5:5, hunger (for truth) : Matthew 5:6, honesty (of heart) : Matthew 5:8.

That's not to say that you and others like yourself, don't have any of these, but as you know, any process takes time, and don't proceed at the same rate.

To illustrate... A baby's first steps along a path, requires thought processes, that signal muscles to first lift one foot; second, move that foot forward, in the air; third, place that foot on the floor ahead of the other; all the while, trying to keep its torso from falling over.

 

Likewise, in a spiritual walk, we need to have thought processes that get our foot off the ground.

You have one of those thought processes covered - reading the Bible. We all get a  for reading the Bible regularly.

There is however, another thought process that goes with that.

You said, 

Quote

The more I read the Bible and try to discern what it means the more confused I get

Is that the right though process to make the step?

The Bible helps us with the answer.

 

Acts 8:26-40

This Eunuch demonstrated that he had the qualities required, for him to receive from God, and have his confusion removed.

Hungry for truth - a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

Honest of heart - Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

Humble - he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. ... So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”

 

I keep this account in mind whe talking with persons who are seeking for truth, in a world in which Satan has caused confusion by sowing seeds of weeds. He is successful at misleading, and causing confusion. Revelation 12:9

The account of Phillip and the Ethiopian is profound because it highlights a fact that if ignored, will not lead a person anywhere - namely that one must acknowledge that Jesus chose men to carry out his ministry, and these in turn have been joined by disciples, who help people to get a knowledge of the truth, and so, if we want the truth, we must identify these ones, and like the Eunuch, he humble enough to invite them to show us, and be honest enough to admit that we really don't understand.

This is in keeping in line with Romans 10:13-15  

 

Those who identify Jesus true followers, and allow themselves to be taught by Christ, will receive from God, per Matthew 13:11, John 6:44, 45, and Matthew 11:26.

For others, on the other hand, the scriptures tell us,  God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness . 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12

 

Thankfully, I was really hungry for truth, honest and humble. So accepting this was no problem for me, and it has led me to experience what Jesus said at John 8:31, 32

I am set free from confusion, and I understand why it exists, and where it exists.

The thing about Satan, is that he is so good at his job, he has fooled many into holding on to the idea he spreads through his ministers, that no one has the truth, nor can say they do, and present themselves as God's people, whom others need to learn from.

However, the scriptures expose this as a lie.

2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 5:19

 

@CHCI hope this helps clarify a few things for you, as well as others.

I'd be happy to share the scriptures that help all to identify Jesus true followers.

You would have noticed that the Eunuch did not have to go searching around. He was found. God found him. All he needed to do was have three qualities, and be able to identify Jesus disciple.

The account about Cornelius is another good example - Acts 10

 

Romans 10 puts it in a nutshell.

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Edited January 14, 2024 by Michaelangeli

[Mr. M]

On 1/13/2024 at 7:42 AM, Mr. M said:

3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds 

may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 

simplicity=G572-haplotes=single-mindedness. "single heart"

Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters 

according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness G572 

of your heart, as unto Christ;

Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; 

not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness G572 of heart, fearing God:

Deuteronomy 5:7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

[Guest CHC]

14 minutes ago, Michaelangeli said:

Hi CHC. I understand. You make sense, yes. A lot. 

I'm actually rewriting a whole post I wrote a few moments ago, which got lost, for some weird reason.

 

I should have clarified my statement. I'm sorry. I'll do that now, and yes, I agree that when you listen to persons who identify as being under the umbrella of Christianity, there can be a whole lot of confusion, leading to more and more confusion.

 

What I meant by "there is not only simplicity in Christ, but order and clarity.", is what Jesus said, in quite a few places.

One of those places is Matthew 13:11. Another is John 6:44, 45, and another is Matthew 11:26

From these verse, we see that there is simplicity and clarity to those who are taught by God, and 'in Christ', so that even little children, or spiritual babes can understand.

 

What is actually needed, for this, are particular qualities - three of which are - humility : Matthew 5:5, hunger (for truth) : Matthew 5:6, honesty (of heart) : Matthew 5:8.

That's not to say that you and others like yourself, don't have any of these, but as you know, any process takes time, and don't proceed at the same rate.

To illustrate... A baby's first steps along a path, requires thought processes, that signal muscles to first lift one foot; second, move that foot forward, in the air; third, place that foot on the floor ahead of the other; all the while, trying to keep its torso from falling over.

 

Likewise, in a spiritual walk, we need to have thought processes that get our foot off the ground.

You have one of those thought processes covered - reading the Bible. We all get a  for reading the Bible regularly.

There is however, another thought process that goes with that.

You said, 

Is that the right though process to make the step?

The Bible helps us with the answer.

 

Acts 8:26-40

This Eunuch demonstrated that he had the qualities required, for him to receive from God, and have his confusion removed.

Hungry for truth - a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

Honest of heart - Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?”

Humble - he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. ... So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”

 

I keep this account in mind whe talking with persons who are seeking for truth, in a world in which Satan has caused confusion by sowing seeds of weeds. He is successful at misleading, and causing confusion. Revelation 12:9

The account of Phillip and the Ethiopian is profound because it highlights a fact that if ignored, will not lead a person anywhere - namely that one must acknowledge that Jesus chose men to carry out his ministry, and these in turn have been joined by disciples, who help people to get a knowledge of the truth, and so, if we want the truth, we must identify these ones, and like the Eunuch, he humble enough to invite them to show us, and be honest enough to admit that we really don't understand.

This is in keeping in line with Romans 10:13-15  

 

Those who identify Jesus true followers, and allow themselves to be taught by Christ, will receive from God, per Matthew 13:11, John 6:44, 45, and Matthew 11:26.

On the other hand, the scriptures tell us,  God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness . 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12

 

Thankfully, I was really hungry for truth, honest and humble. So accepting this was no problem for me, and it has led me to experience what Jesus said at John 8:31, 32

I am set free from confusion, and I understand why it exists, and where it exists.

The thing about Satan, is that he is so good at his job, he has fooled many into holding on to the idea he spreads through his ministers, that no one has the truth, nor can say they do, and present themselves as God's people, whom others need to learn from.

However, the scriptures expose this as a lie.

2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 5:19

 

@CHCI hope this helps clarify a few things for you, as well as others.

I'd be happy to share the scriptures that help all to identify Jesus true followers.

You would have noticed that the Eunuch did not have to go searching around. He was found. God found him. All he needed to do was have three qualities, and be able to identify Jesus disciple.

The account about Cornelius is another good example - Acts 10

 

Romans 10 puts it in a nutshell.

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

Thanks for your response. It's all still a mystery to me. I read, I try to be humble though I go to despairing when I think it means you have to totally abandon your own sanity and allow others to abuse you, and I'm so scared and paranoid half the time I don't know what my heart is feeling. I'm totally shut off and have been doing nothing but reading on God, watching commentaries etc. I want the peace and joy but I don't think it's for me anymore which is kind of heart-breaking as I believe. I'll see if therapy will help untangle these things but I don't even know how to begin explaining it all.