Bible Study Battling evil desires

[Hopeful]

sanctification keeps going till glorification. this side of eternity, we all sin and stumble and fall short, to varying degrees of severity. fallen world, frail and sin prone human beings/creatures...all in need of of redemption from The creator.

I'm sorry you feel that way.
Those "IN" Christ do not sin, as there is no sin in Christ.
They who have been washed by the blood of Christ are sanctified. (Atoned for, consecrated, set apart, blessed, made holy.)
Perhaps you were thinking of another word?

 

[JLB]

Yes - so we are trying to seek the Lord, listen to Him, and do what He tells us via His Holy Spirit!

Yes, that is what we are to be doing.

Also, studying His doctrine, and obeying His commandments.

Yet we don't take the attitude that we have achieved that! So seek our Lord Jesus Christ, and we test the spirit, because there is a battle! And we find that battle in us, because there is a principle that evil dwells in us. And sadly we find out like Paul, that while we are the one trying to do good, sin in us gets us doing the very thing we don't want. Paul understands all that and understands all that and concluded that if he was the one trying to do good, the one trying to seek the Lord, but still saw that he was not perfect, and indeed was in fact doing the very thing he did not want, then it was sin and not him doing it. Still, he needed someone to save him from his body of flesh so thank Jesus Christ - the One who talked to him via the Holy Spirit - and Paul did not take that attitude that he had achieved but that he pressed on - because he did understand the effect sin has on us.

Yes, it is by the Spirit we are to put to death the sinful deeds of our flesh, so that we walk in victory over the lustful cravings that entice us to obey unrighteous.


Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14






JLB

 

[K2CHRIST]

Yes, it is by the Spirit we are to put to death the sinful deeds of our flesh, so that we walk in victory over the lustful cravings that entice us to obey unrighteous.

It is important to note that - " it is by the Spirit we are to put to death the sinful deeds of our flesh"

So then the problem we have is that we don't take every thought captive to Jesus Christ by seeking what His Holy Spirit has to say to us!!!

We have that problem!!!!

Indeed, the Lord was faithful to send His Spirit to speak to us the words of God, which belong to Jesus Christ, but we are not always faithful to do and say only what the Spirit tells us!!

Paul said he took every thought captive to Jesus Christ, so I am sure that was his objective and intent. Still, Paul also wrote that he found that he was doing the very things he hates, and concluded that since he was wanting to serve the Lord, then sin in him must be the one responsible for him doing what he did not want! That is to say, the Paul found the principle that evil was present in him, the one wanting to do good.

Yes - we have studied the sacred writing, and hopefully we are being taught of the Lord. I know I find that He always seems to be teaching me things, and often by using the Bible like a teacher uses a text book. He once told me:

WHAT TEACHER DOESN’T PUT A BOOK IN FRONT OF HIS STUDENTS TODAY; YET NOT JUST A BOOK BUT OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCIES, VISUALS, AND OTHER MATERIAL? FOR I TELL YOU TRULY, IF THEY ARE NOT LISTENING TO ME THEY ARE NOT MY PUPIL, THEY ARE NOT MY STUDENT; I TELL YOU TRULY, THEY ARE NOT MY DISCIPLE UNLESS THEY ARE HEARING FROM ME. SO DON’T TELL THEM TO READ THE BOOK, THEM TO TAKE THE CLASS!”

So yes we are:

studying His doctrine, and obeying His commandments.

We study the Bible and obey His commandments, and we do both of those by listening to Him on the day called "Today"!

But what does this all have to do with the OP?


It has plenty to do with the OP -- Since we are still learning, are we now going to make someone struggling with same sex attraction feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. We have our struggles and learning processes too, otherwise He would not constantly be teaching us, right?

Now - on a side note: I may not someone in a great struggle with their sinful nature in a leadership position - not that it is mine to decide, but it is the Lord's to decide.

There have been Christian leader, and extremely notable ones, who have been removed from leadership because sin seemed to be getting the better of them. So it is that a pastor might be removed is he becomes a drunkard. And we also read things in the Bible about qualifications of the leaders in the church. Still, in all things we need to talk to the Lord.

I personally expect the Elders and leaders of the Christian church to seek the voice of the Lord and test the spirits when choosing and placing people in the church. Of course that doesn't always happen either, because even our leaders do not always seek Him like they should! Of course that topic might be a different topic, but I saw it brought up in the threads of this post.

Being welcome and church and being welcome to lead are two different things. If a person is seriously struggling with alcoholism, or pornography, or even a desire for others of the opposite sex, I want the at the church because I want them getting help from the Lord Jesus Christ. That makes them and our society as a whole better. But that does not mean I want them in positions of leadership. Those positions are for those who regularly stay close to the Lord by regularly listening to Him and keeping His commandment - like brought up at the beginning of this post.

 

[K2CHRIST]

I'm sorry you feel that way.
Those "IN" Christ do not sin, as there is no sin in Christ.
They who have been washed by the blood of Christ are sanctified. (Atoned for, consecrated, set apart, blessed, made holy.)
Perhaps you were thinking of another word?

There is no sin in Christ, and we find Christ is us, but still there is the "principle" that evil is in us!! That is not another word, it is right there in your Bible, and that because Paul gave us that word, and all Scripture is God breathed.

Again - read -Rom 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

And John wrote about those who did not find that principle:

Again 1 Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

So unless we are deceiving ourselves, we find the principle that evil is present in us! So what to do?

Turn to the Lord, listen, and ask Him for forgiveness!

1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And so how often do we need to confess them?

Mat 6:5 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

How often do you pray? Pretty much everyday I sit down with the Lord and pray the Lord's prayer, and what do I pray when I pray the Lord's prayer daily?

Mat 6:12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Why do I have to ask for His forgiveness everyday?

Because I have found the principle that evil is present in me, so I realize that I have sin, and my sins need to be forgiven daily - when I pray!

So what about the person who has deceived themselves into thinking they don't have sin and who don't know about the principle that Paul knew about and wrote, which is that evil is present in us!

Are they praying the Lord's prayer and asking for forgiveness? Are they even seeking the Lord to actually help them, since they don't think they can do anything wrong? Then who are the ones making others in struggles with sin feel unwelcome and uncomfortable?

Can we not even look at ourselves and see that we have our struggles too?


Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees, one extremely dedicated to doing what he thought was right according to the Scriptures and traditions of the day, yet when he actually came to know the Lord and received the Holy Spirit and listened to the Lord He found out that he had problems. That evil was present inside him. That caused him to praise the Lord and seek the Lord all that much more, but he did not take the attitude that he, who wrote soo much of the New Testament, had accomplished but he pressed on. So who does any of us think the have accomplished, and have a different attitude in us?

Phl 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Still, we are counted as righteous (perfect) because of our belief not our perfection.

Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

The fact is that God can take what was meant for evil and turn it to good. He does that for us, so even when Satan/evil/sin messes with us God can takes that and make it good. That is incredible. Never-the-less, just because we are counted righteous (perfect) because of our faith we should never have that attitude that we have already become perfect!! And remember all unrighteousness (imperfection) is sin.

So let us all seek the Lord and listen to Him, because didn't He show Paul what he wrote about! Jesus did not make those struggling with sin feel unwelcome!!

Of course Jesus does reprove those He loves.

 

[for_his_glory]

I'm sure glad God made a way to crucify the flesh, with the vile affections an lusts. (Gal 5:24)

This corruptible flesh will always be with us, even to death, or whether we are still alive at Christ coming. It is only when Christ returns that this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality as we will then be changed in order to be caught up to Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

It's our spirit, not our flesh, that connects to God's Spirit as only He knows the intents of our heart and knows who are His own. He knows this flesh will cause us to stumble and fall at times as there is no good thing in the flesh, but yet God's grace is sufficient and will always forgive us when we humble ourselves before Christ who makes intercession for us before the Father. To say you have no sin is a lie as we are all sinners saved by God's grace through faith that is Christ Jesus and there is none of us that have never fallen since we have been Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

What evenifigoalone is dealing with is not the act, but the emotions of dealing with her thoughts as she wants to remain pleasing to the Lord. So let's bring this back to the topic of the OP.

 

[Hopeful]

There is no sin in Christ, and we find Christ is us, but still there is the "principle" that evil is in us!!

You didn't see that I wrote "we are in Christ".
If there is sin in us we can't be "in Christ.
And your "principal" was annulled by Rom 8:2.

That is not another word, it is right there in your Bible, and that because Paul gave us that word, and all Scripture is God breathed.
Again - read -Rom 7:21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

Paul's recollection of his time while still in the flesh have no bearing on Christians, unless we, like Paul was doing, recall our old selves in the flesh.
As a Christian is no longer in the flesh, having crucified it by "immersion" into Christ and into His death, burial, and resurrection, we are walking in the Spirit.

And John wrote about those who did not find that principle:
Again 1 Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
So unless we are deceiving ourselves, we find the principle that evil is present in us! So what to do?

If you are walking in the light, and not in darkness, verses 6, 8, and 10 don't apply to us.

Turn to the Lord, listen, and ask Him for forgiveness!
1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And so how often do we need to confess them?

Once, and then start walking in the light !
God is light, and there is no darkness in Him...so those in Him have no darkness either.
Pro 4:19 infers that darkness is sin.

Mat 6:5 “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
How often do you pray? Pretty much everyday I sit down with the Lord and pray the Lord's prayer, and what do I pray when I pray the Lord's prayer daily?

Why?
The Lord's prayer has already been answered.
I start my prayers honoring His name, but beyond that, what the Lord told the apostles to pray has been done.

Mat 6:12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Why do I have to ask for His forgiveness everyday?

We don't.
OT men who couldn't walk in the Spirit instead of in the flesh couldn't "cease from sin".
Thanks to the death and resurrection of Christ, we can.

Because I have found the principle that evil is present in me, so I realize that I have sin, and my sins need to be forgiven daily - when I pray.

It is written..."Now we know that God heareth not sinners..." (John 9:31)
If you won't truly "turn from" sin, your prayers are not heard.
Those who turn from sin are ex-sinners.
They need no "everyday" forgiveness.

So what about the person who has deceived themselves into thinking they don't have sin and who don't know about the principle that Paul knew about and wrote, which is that evil is present in us!

The deception would be if a sinner thought he was walking in the light.
As 1 John 1:7 says..."But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin."
Your principal is an OT principal.

Are they praying the Lord's prayer and asking for forgiveness? Are they even seeking the Lord to actually help them, since they don't think they can do anything wrong? Then who are the ones making others in struggles with sin feel unwelcome and uncomfortable?

If the idea of living a life loyal to God makes them unwelcome and uncomfortable, Jesus has given them everything they need to turn from sin, get washed from all previous sin, and be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.
If they just refuse the gifts they can start making the excuses they will need on the last day's judgement.

Can we not even look at ourselves and see that we have our struggles too?

All men endure temptation
The lovers of God resist them.

Saul was a Pharisee of Pharisees, one extremely dedicated to doing what he thought was right according to the Scriptures and traditions of the day, yet when he actually came to know the Lord and received the Holy Spirit and listened to the Lord He found out that he had problems. That evil was present inside him. That caused him to praise the Lord and seek the Lord all that much more, but he did not take the attitude that he, who wrote soo much of the New Testament, had accomplished but he pressed on. So who does any of us think the have accomplished, and have a different attitude in us?

I believe Romans 8:2 refutes your theory.

Phl 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Had you included verse 11, you would have seen what he had not yet attained.
The resurrection from the dead.
Verse 21 goes on to say Paul awaited his glorified body.

Still, we are counted as righteous (perfect) because of our belief not our perfection.

Seems like an oxymoron.
Imperfect men counted righteous by a God who cannot lie. ??

Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
The fact is that God can take what was meant for evil and turn it to good. He does that for us, so even when Satan/evil/sin messes with us God can takes that and make it good. That is incredible. Never-the-less, just because we are counted righteous (perfect) because of our faith we should never have that attitude that we have already become perfect!! And remember all unrighteousness (imperfection) is sin.
So let us all seek the Lord and listen to Him, because didn't He show Paul what he wrote about! Jesus did not make those struggling with sin feel unwelcome!!
Of course Jesus does reprove those He loves.

Jesus made it possible to change that struggle into conquest.
He conquered sin while in the flesh, and we, in Him, can share in that victory.

 

[Hopeful]

There is always a fight within us as we want to please God, but at the same time we want what the flesh wants. It's a hard battle and all we can do is draw on God's strength to not give into the flesh so we can remain pleasing to the Lord. These are only choices one can only make on their own no matter what advice is given t to them. Only God can take these desires of the flesh away if we are willing to let go of them and keep seeking the Lord and to know His will in all the situations we find our self in within this life here on earth. There will always be a tug of war, but the more you mature in His word and having fellowship with Him the more it gets easier to let go of the flesh part of us.

You've just got to believe the flesh was killed at your baptism into Christ and into His death. (Rom 6:3-6)
The results?
"For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Rom 6:7)

As for the lusts?
It is written..."And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Gal 5:24)
The lusts were killed with the old man, before we were "raised with Christ to walk in newness of life". (Rom 6:4)
All I am tempted with now is memories of past lusts.
They don't apply to me anymore since my death with Jesus.

 

[Hopeful]

This corruptible flesh will always be with us, even to death, or whether we are still alive at Christ coming. It is only when Christ returns that this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality as we will then be changed in order to be caught up to Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

It's our spirit, not our flesh, that connects to God's Spirit as only He knows the intents of our heart and knows who are His own. He knows this flesh will cause us to stumble and fall at times as there is no good thing in the flesh, but yet God's grace is sufficient and will always forgive us when we humble ourselves before Christ who makes intercession for us before the Father. To say you have no sin is a lie as we are all sinners saved by God's grace through faith that is Christ Jesus and there is none of us that have never fallen since we have been Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

What evenifigoalone is dealing with is not the act, but the emotions of dealing with her thoughts as she wants to remain pleasing to the Lord. So let's bring this back to the topic of the OP.

It isn't "our" flesh anymore. (Gal 2:20)
It is just skin.
It is also His temple.

 

[JLB]

You've just got to believe the flesh was killed at your baptism into Christ and into His death. (Rom 6:3-6)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:1-6


Our pysical body is certainly not dead at baptism. which is why we must reckon ourselves dead to sin.

It is by being filled with the Spirit thst we put to death the deeds of the flesh.


JLB

 

[for_his_glory]

You didn't see that I wrote "we are in Christ".
If there is sin in us we can't be "in Christ.
And your "principal" was annulled by Rom 8:2.

Paul's recollection of his time while still in the flesh have no bearing on Christians, unless we, like Paul was doing, recall our old selves in the flesh.
As a Christian is no longer in the flesh, having crucified it by "immersion" into Christ and into His death, burial, and resurrection, we are walking in the Spirit.

If you are walking in the light, and not in darkness, verses 6, 8, and 10 don't apply to us.

Once, and then start walking in the light !
God is light, and there is no darkness in Him...so those in Him have no darkness either.
Pro 4:19 infers that darkness is sin.

Why?
The Lord's prayer has already been answered.
I start my prayers honoring His name, but beyond that, what the Lord told the apostles to pray has been done.

We don't.
OT men who couldn't walk in the Spirit instead of in the flesh couldn't "cease from sin".
Thanks to the death and resurrection of Christ, we can.

It is written..."Now we know that God heareth not sinners..." (John 9:31)
If you won't truly "turn from" sin, your prayers are not heard.
Those who turn from sin are ex-sinners.
They need no "everyday" forgiveness.

The deception would be if a sinner thought he was walking in the light.
As 1 John 1:7 says..."But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin."
Your principal is an OT principal.

If the idea of living a life loyal to God makes them unwelcome and uncomfortable, Jesus has given them everything they need to turn from sin, get washed from all previous sin, and be filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost.
If they just refuse the gifts they can start making the excuses they will need on the last day's judgement.

All men endure temptation
The lovers of God resist them.

I believe Romans 8:2 refutes your theory.

Had you included verse 11, you would have seen what he had not yet attained.
The resurrection from the dead.
Verse 21 goes on to say Paul awaited his glorified body.

Seems like an oxymoron.
Imperfect men counted righteous by a God who cannot lie. ??

Jesus made it possible to change that struggle into conquest.
He conquered sin while in the flesh, and we, in Him, can share in that victory.

The Prophets and Apostles were not without sin so what makes you more excellent then they were? We all stumble at times. That's what God's grace does for us in forgiving us every time. Grace does not give us a license to sin. but when we do God is quick to forgive us when we repent of it.

 

[Hopeful]

This corruptible flesh will always be with us, even to death, or whether we are still alive at Christ coming. It is only when Christ returns that this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality as we will then be changed in order to be caught up to Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:50-58.

By writing that, you are implying that your skin and bones can cause your sins (if any).
I can't agree.
How can they over-rule your mind?

It's our spirit, not our flesh, that connects to God's Spirit as only He knows the intents of our heart and knows who are His own. He knows this flesh will cause us to stumble and fall at times as there is no good thing in the flesh, but yet God's grace is sufficient and will always forgive us when we humble ourselves before Christ who makes intercession for us before the Father. To say you have no sin is a lie as we are all sinners saved by God's grace through faith that is Christ Jesus and there is none of us that have never fallen since we have been Spiritually born again and indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

I prefer Paul's 'take' on the skin..."I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
It isn't "your" skin anymore once it has been crucified, buried and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-7)

What evenifigoalone is dealing with is not the act, but the emotions of dealing with her thoughts as she wants to remain pleasing to the Lord. So let's bring this back to the topic of the OP.

 

[Hopeful]

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. Romans 6:1-6

Our pysical body is certainly not dead at baptism. which is why we must reckon ourselves dead to sin.

You quote the verses and then deny their truth?

It is by being filled with the Spirit thst we put to death the deeds of the flesh.

JLB

Isn't the end results the same?
And my interpretation of "put to death the deeds of the body" is "keep the body dead".

 

[Hopeful]

The Prophets and Apostles were not without sin so what makes you more excellent then they were? We all stumble at times. That's what God's grace does for us in forgiving us every time. Grace does not give us a license to sin. but when we do God is quick to forgive us when we repent of it.

OT men could not be crucified, buried, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life, (reborn), at their baptism in Jesus' name for the remission of past sins.
Since Jesus' resurrection, we can.

 

[JLB]

You quote the verses and then deny their truth?

I see the truth that the scriptures teach, not the denominational slant that you are promoting.

If our body is physically dead at water baptism then why does Paul keep admonishing us to put to death the sinful activity produced by our flesh?


Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:12-13


If our physical body is literally dead then that would mean our spirit is no longer within us.


Over and over I have presented these scriptures and points, and over and over they are denied by you and those who promote water baptism as the end of sin in our lives.

 

[for_his_glory]

By writing that, you are implying that your skin and bones can cause your sins (if any).
I can't agree.
How can they over-rule your mind?

I prefer Paul's 'take' on the skin..."I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
It isn't "your" skin anymore once it has been crucified, buried and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:3-7)

We are not talking about skin and bone for how can that ever sin. What we are talking about in this thread are the thoughts that enter our mind and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Thoughts are only thoughts and have no sin unless they are acted upon that causes one to sin.

Example: We (man or woman) can look at someone of the same sex or the opposite sex and think "Wow, they are so good looking". That is not a sin, but a complimant. It only becomes sin when we are fantasizing about sexually being with that person as that is not pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians. 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Go back and read the title of this thread and the OP again. There is no condemnation to those who are seeking to please the Lord.

 

[for_his_glory]

OT men could not be crucified, buried, and raised with Christ to walk in newness of life, (reborn), at their baptism in Jesus' name for the remission of past sins.
Since Jesus' resurrection, we can.

Does that mean they all died in their sins and are none of God's own, or do you think it was back then and even today and forever about having faith that made one righteous in the eyes of God as they were made righteous by God's righteousness found in them for being faithful and obedient to God's commands.

Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Which brings us back to the OP about pleasing God.

 

[for_his_glory]

Sorry, but I thought attractions of any sexual nature were lust based.
By crucifying the lust, (Gal 5:24), the problem is eradicated.

Explain what you mean by sexual nature.

If one has sexual fantasies towards another of the same or opposite sex then I would consider that lusting as lusting in your heart which is a sin.

Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 

[Hopeful]

I see the truth that the scriptures teach, not the denominational slant that you are promoting.
If our body is physically dead at water baptism then why does Paul keep admonishing us to put to death the sinful activity produced by our flesh?

Because the devil tries hard to pluck out the weak and unwary.
If we are not on top of our game, so to speak, we will fall.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6:12-13

Amen to that.
Obey, and live forever.

If our physical body is literally dead then that would mean our spirit is no longer within us.

You have neglected the body raised with Christ from the dead.
It has been quickened by the Holy Spirit and without our constant attention can be led astray, back into the darkness.

Over and over I have presented these scriptures and points, and over and over they are denied by you and those who promote water baptism as the end of sin in our lives.

Is your goal to deny water baptism or is it to deny perfect obedience to God?
They are inextricably linked.

 

[JLB]

Because the devil tries hard to pluck out the weak and unwary.
If we are not on top of our game, so to speak, we will fall.

Im glad you see that our body does not literally die at water baptism.

 

[Hopeful]

We are not talking about skin and bone for how can that ever sin. What we are talking about in this thread are the thoughts that enter our mind and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Thoughts are only thoughts and have no sin unless they are acted upon that causes one to sin.

Correct.
Our flesh has no bearing on our actions, but our mind does.
If our mind rules our actions, we will not commit sin.
We will not be led into either same sex or opposite sex encounters.

Example: We (man or woman) can look at someone of the same sex or the opposite sex and think "Wow, they are so good looking". That is not a sin, but a complimant. It only becomes sin when we are fantasizing about sexually being with that person as that is not pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians. 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Amen to that.

Go back and read the title of this thread and the OP again. There is no condemnation to those who are seeking to please the Lord.

I agree.
And thankfully, God has made it possible to please the Lord.