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To: jo kus; Forest Keeper; blue-duncan
When we say the Spirit "left", that means His influence upon our lives has greatly diminished because of our hardness of heart and desire to fulfill the fleshy ways.

Sounds like a mighty petulant spirit. That doesn't sound like a comforter, but a high-school cheerleader. Somewhat flighty, and almost girlish.

When the Spirit is active in us, we are more able to resist these temptations.

So we decide when the Spirit of God is active in us? Where's the Scripture for that?

If God has determined that we are among His children, then I would assume the Spirit works even harder in us when we are weak and faced with temptations. That's what He promised.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." -- 1 Corinthians 10:13

And for good measure, Paul adds...

"Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." -- 1 Corinthians 10:14

By the leading of the Holy Spirit, we do.

5,425 posted on 09/04/2007 11:07:45 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
I wrote: When we say the Spirit "left", that means His influence upon our lives has greatly diminished because of our hardness of heart and desire to fulfill the fleshy ways.

You responded: Sounds like a mighty petulant spirit. That doesn't sound like a comforter, but a high-school cheerleader. Somewhat flighty, and almost girlish.

Would you prefer that "love" is forced upon you??? God desires a loving relationship with us. What sort of "groom" do you take God to be? Sounds like your idea is the "shotgun" wedding.

And smiles will be issued to all present!

Sorry, our ideas of God are quite different.

You wrote: So we decide when the Spirit of God is active in us? Where's the Scripture for that?

We don't decide without God's graces when He will be active. However, any time it says that God is our helper, or that we can grieve the Holy Spirit, or that God is passionate for man, or God is Love are good indications that there is some sort of relationship between God and man. A cooperative one. I'm sure there are other instances where God's effect in us is noted because of man's response. However, it is clear to me that man CAN obey God's commandments as a result of man's response to God's graces.

If God has determined that we are among His children, then I would assume the Spirit works even harder in us when we are weak and faced with temptations. That's what He promised.

Of course God would "work harder". But it doesn't follow that man becomes a puppet once he declares himself as a child of God. The fact that men HAVE left God's family is indication that God allows us the final choice. You would have God responsible for man falling away, otherwise.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." -- 1 Corinthians 10:13

What does the verse before that one say???

Regards

5,471 posted on 09/05/2007 5:19:30 PM PDT by jo kus
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