Posted on 07/27/2023 4:14:41 AM PDT by metmom
Numerous Christians, including pastors, have told me they are continually harassed by former sins. They say, “if you only knew what I once did, you would understand why I’m so down. My sin still hangs over my head, and I battle constant guilt over it. I believe the Lord has forgiven me, that his blood is sufficient to cover my iniquity, but I don’t have the peace that comes from that knowledge.”
Others tell me, “I believe I’m forgiven, but my mind is continually bombarded with hellish thoughts. It can happen anywhere, even in church, and it makes me feel so unclean. I have a hard time believing I am pure in God’s sight.”
These believers forget that Satan also tempted Jesus with awful, ugly thoughts during his wilderness testing. Today, the devil sends little foxes into your life to make you think you’re hopeless, that God is mad at you. They inject thoughts into your mind meant to destroy your faith in the power of Christ’s blood over you.
Dear friend, you are not to listen to those mental invasions. You have to cut them off and cry, “Holy Spirit, I know you’re beside me. Help me!”
All who take up the cross and fight the good fight of faith are in a constant battle. We all face evil thoughts that come because of our past, because of rejection, or simply because we live in wicked, sensual times. Yet when we apply Christ’s blood to these roots of doubt, it reaches into every cell of our being, including our minds, and thoroughly cleanses us. That blood transfusion brings freedom and true rejoicing.
You are not alone in your struggle. He has sent you the Holy Spirit who knows how to deal with the enemy and free you from all bondage. He is the still, small voice that will guide and empower you through all your battles.
Pray with me: “Holy Spirit, I want to grow in spiritual fruitfulness. I want to be rid of all hypocrisy, and I want gentleness, patience and love. I know you love me in spite of my lack of these things. So, stand by me and help me. Amen.”
The Return ping
🛐🙏✝️
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Amen!
Amen.
[[“if you only knew what I once did, you would understand why I’m so down]]
To which we say “if you only knew the God so thoroughly forgets what you have done that it can no longer be remembered or held to your account”
Some like to argue that that statement is a “license to sin” but it’s not, it is a incentive to obey! While we are forgiven for our sins, and our sins are forgotten by God, we are still responsible for our own actions (ie, if we commit heinous crimes or any crime, courts will find us guilty, or if we do drugs, we can still overdose and die, or inadvertantly kill someone else by driving under the influence at worst, or end up with an incurable std or ruin out bodies etc-
God will not reverse the results/consequences of our actions. He may also take us out of this life prematurely if we continue in sin and don’t heed his warnings, or he may allow serious debilitating health conditions to destroy our enjoyment or abilities of life.
Also, we will lose rewards In heaven if we continue in sin and rebellion to God, and this is no small thing.
God doesn’t give anyone license to sin by forgetting our sins- all that means is that our sins no longer condemn us to keep,us from eternity in heaven. But again, we must still pay th3 consequences of our sins in this life while on earth, and this is why God constantly tries to warn us and compell us to obey, so thst we may experience the very best that he has to offer while on this earth, and in our next life in heaven.
Regarding the guilt we still feel over past sins- this is Satan whispering in our ear “did God REALLY say you were forgiven? And you beleive that? Hahahaha”
Yes, God really said that! He also said all the other verses that warn us not to continue in sin, not because he wants to stifle our “fun” but because he wants to keep us from harming our bodily shells, or the lives of others. He recommends that we live in obedience for the best possible life while treading along though this earthly existence.
We ignore his recommendations to our own peril! We will always suffer loss if we rebell. God will only want us if we live in sin just so many times- then he may decide to pull the plug so to speak, shortening g what could have been a great life if we had obeyed as we aught.
Thankfully our God is a loving and supremely patient God who gives us far far more leniency that we deserve! And who gives us every opportunity to obey.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s message for this morning. available on Blue Bible, goes along with this thought very well.
Satan’s most effective tactic is *Did God REALLY say..... ?????*
THe same line he used on Eve and he’s still getting mileage out of it today.
Yep- doubt has taken down a good many folks because it is so effective. Satan knows that. If he can get Christians to doubt, and backslide, he is satisfied as thag person becomes less a threat to his Evil Agenda
Yep. I get stabbing remorse frequently. I recognize it as the devil’s attempt to distract and shame me. I am getting better about recognizing when I am beginning to brood, and shaking it off. I am called to Christian joy.
I have actually found that in response to the enemy’s accusations, if I acknowledge that yes, I sinned and yes, I failed, but God has forgiven me and givesm me another chance, it disarms the whole process.
1 John 1:9. I’m forgiven and while I cannot undo what I did, I can move on from there and try to do better the next time and God still loves and forgives me.
Thanks for your post. I want to save that scripture verse.
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