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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join For His Glory for a discussion on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/a-vessel-of-honor.110278/
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Taking the time to pray? Christ is the answer in times of need
https://christianforums.net/threads/psalm-70-1-save-me-o-god-lord-help-me-now.108509/
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Depending upon the Holy Spirit for all you do?
Read through the following study by Tenchi for more on this topic
https://christianforums.net/threads/without-the-holy-spirit-we-can-do-nothing.109419/
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How are famous preachers sometimes effected by sin?
Join Sola Scriptura for a discussion on the subject
https://christianforums.net/threads/anointed-preaching-teaching.109331/#post-1912042
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K
Kenny_ms
Guest
Hi all, I'm new. 
Interesting subject and the way I see it, a pretty big and sometimes confusing issue..
How do we know for certain it's God talking to us or if it's not just us hearing what we want to hear?
If i heard a physical voice, I'd know it was God or someone playing a very bad joke on me. However, I'm assuming here, not too many of us (I know I haven't) have actually heard a physical voice from God and only things through "telepathy" for lack of a better word (Holy spirit?.
I'm not saying one way or another about the OP's situation as things can go in so many different directions on this for so many reasons and as others have mentioned, it's nearly impossible to comment with what we have to go on. I would however, keep an eye on the BF. Sometimes new Christians can get a little out there and needing time to settle in to the situation is perfectly understandable on a passionate change like this, especially if it's all pretty new to them.
Again, can't really comment on what's happening here but, for example, I can easily see (I think I actually have) someone new to this, wanting to please God so much, getting overzealous, and thinking they hear things that aren't really there. Like "God wants me to be a full time preacher". Thing is, God may very well want that but could be the new Christian jumping the gun too.
To be honest and probably why I have so much to say on this, I sometimes wonder if God is really telling me something or if it's not just me or even the Devil...maybe I'm the only one? Often knowledge of the Bible will give me the obvious answer or just a good logic/love combination can go a long way but there are the few times still, when it's not so cut and dry.
When i think about it, I guess the best advice I can think of would be to be patient, don't rush into anything (both for OP and the BF) and pray about it. Ask for the wisdom to live with this incredible new gift. After going through any shock in our lives, and in a sense, depending on the situation, this can be shocking so, probably a good to give our minds time to adjust before we make any important decisions and be careful we are reasonably sure we know where our direction is coming from..
Interesting subject and the way I see it, a pretty big and sometimes confusing issue..
How do we know for certain it's God talking to us or if it's not just us hearing what we want to hear?
If i heard a physical voice, I'd know it was God or someone playing a very bad joke on me. However, I'm assuming here, not too many of us (I know I haven't) have actually heard a physical voice from God and only things through "telepathy" for lack of a better word (Holy spirit?.
I'm not saying one way or another about the OP's situation as things can go in so many different directions on this for so many reasons and as others have mentioned, it's nearly impossible to comment with what we have to go on. I would however, keep an eye on the BF. Sometimes new Christians can get a little out there and needing time to settle in to the situation is perfectly understandable on a passionate change like this, especially if it's all pretty new to them.
Again, can't really comment on what's happening here but, for example, I can easily see (I think I actually have) someone new to this, wanting to please God so much, getting overzealous, and thinking they hear things that aren't really there. Like "God wants me to be a full time preacher". Thing is, God may very well want that but could be the new Christian jumping the gun too.
To be honest and probably why I have so much to say on this, I sometimes wonder if God is really telling me something or if it's not just me or even the Devil...maybe I'm the only one? Often knowledge of the Bible will give me the obvious answer or just a good logic/love combination can go a long way but there are the few times still, when it's not so cut and dry.
When i think about it, I guess the best advice I can think of would be to be patient, don't rush into anything (both for OP and the BF) and pray about it. Ask for the wisdom to live with this incredible new gift. After going through any shock in our lives, and in a sense, depending on the situation, this can be shocking so, probably a good to give our minds time to adjust before we make any important decisions and be careful we are reasonably sure we know where our direction is coming from..
Rob Cuse
Member
Hello all, I'm new here but I would like to ask any fellow Christian Brother or Sister to touch and agree with a simple prayer for Ashley. I've read your original post Ashley as well as some of the replies. I would like to offer a simple prayer for you and your boyfriend while calling on those who understand to stand with me in my prayer. Heavenly Father, who knows all things. Father you have told us if we should ask anything in your Son's name it shall be granted us. Father we humbly come before the throne of grace asking you to look upon Ashley and her boyfriend. Bind that which is not of you and heal that which needs healing. Comfort them, protect them, and guide them with your loving arms. We give you all the glory forever and ever In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Thank you to those who have takened the time to stand in agreement for Ashley and her boyfriend.
Mr. Bubbles
Member
What follows is the perspective of a non-believer, so if you don't like to have your assumptions challenged you probably want to skip to another thread.
It's hard to define what a fanatic is, and we have no way of knowing if Ashley's boyfriend is merely in the thrall of extreme piety or if he is mentally ill as another poster suggested.
However, this issue can shed a light on the difference of the life of a non-believer such as I and a person who takes religion seriously.
To think that there is a creator God who takes a personal interest in what you do (as supposed to a deist God) raises the stakes of your life enormously.
And although I can be as solipsistic as the next fellow I am of the conviction that in the scheme of things, my little life barely matters at all.
Or, as W.H. Auden so beautifully wrote "Looking up at the stars I know quite well that, for all they care, I can go to hell."
This tendency of people to think that it is all about them, which is the way all of us come into this world, strikes me as a real liability.
We'd be better off not thinking so extremely high (or low) about ourselves.
Mr. B
It's hard to define what a fanatic is, and we have no way of knowing if Ashley's boyfriend is merely in the thrall of extreme piety or if he is mentally ill as another poster suggested.
However, this issue can shed a light on the difference of the life of a non-believer such as I and a person who takes religion seriously.
To think that there is a creator God who takes a personal interest in what you do (as supposed to a deist God) raises the stakes of your life enormously.
And although I can be as solipsistic as the next fellow I am of the conviction that in the scheme of things, my little life barely matters at all.
Or, as W.H. Auden so beautifully wrote "Looking up at the stars I know quite well that, for all they care, I can go to hell."
This tendency of people to think that it is all about them, which is the way all of us come into this world, strikes me as a real liability.
We'd be better off not thinking so extremely high (or low) about ourselves.
Mr. B
K
Kenny_ms
Guest
To think that there is a creator God who takes a personal interest in what you do (as supposed to a deist God) raises the stakes of your life enormously.
And although I can be as solipsistic as the next fellow I am of the conviction that in the scheme of things, my little life barely matters at all.
Or, as W.H. Auden so beautifully wrote "Looking up at the stars I know quite well that, for all they care, I can go to hell."
This tendency of people to think that it is all about them, which is the way all of us come into this world, strikes me as a real liability.
We come into this world a yelling screaming baby too that goes to the bathroom in our cloths but we soon get over that grossness, as well as the grossness of thinking it's all about us. Many things we "Come into the world as" quickly change for most of us and honestly, some things change with or with out God.
To some, just the fact that we do matter and God takes a personal interest in us can be humbling to the point we tend not to make it all about us because God himself has taken it upon himself to make it about us, at least to his own reasonable degree.
We'd be better off not thinking so extremely high (or low) about ourselves.
Agree.
And although I can be as solipsistic as the next fellow I am of the conviction that in the scheme of things, my little life barely matters at all.
Or, as W.H. Auden so beautifully wrote "Looking up at the stars I know quite well that, for all they care, I can go to hell."
This tendency of people to think that it is all about them, which is the way all of us come into this world, strikes me as a real liability.
We come into this world a yelling screaming baby too that goes to the bathroom in our cloths but we soon get over that grossness, as well as the grossness of thinking it's all about us. Many things we "Come into the world as" quickly change for most of us and honestly, some things change with or with out God.
To some, just the fact that we do matter and God takes a personal interest in us can be humbling to the point we tend not to make it all about us because God himself has taken it upon himself to make it about us, at least to his own reasonable degree.
We'd be better off not thinking so extremely high (or low) about ourselves.
Agree.
Tony Hyman
Member
How many of us never went over board on some Band or Singer that we idolized and couldn't wait to tell everyone that this is the only way to go.In the same way some folks depending on their extrovert-al personalities also get exited about sharing their exiting discoveries about Christ.Sometimes it could be a little overdone from a human perspective on the receiving end. Goes with the territory like any family .Each with our little quirks and traits with.Gal. 6:2 "Carry each other's burdens , and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."This in the context of accepting someone for what they are,even if it means bending over backwards a bit.
IncredibleTransformation
Member
Christians are often defined as fanatics. We all need more information to make an intelligent response.
smaller
Member
A lot of people wake up and realize that they are being constantly manipulated by themselves and the world, and seek to "extract" themselves as pawns. If they need some God in and of their own minds to leverage such attempts, so be it. The attempts are legit. The God/god in their mind may not be so legit and can be a sign of a mental problem, if they are hearing "unchecked" voices, etc. I've ran into a lot of such people who are ruled by [most often phony] voices in their heads, claiming to be God speaking to them.
A
Anony-mouse
Guest
Hi, Ashley! 
You call him your boyfriend and you sound really concerned for and all broke up about this guy. Let me ask but do NOT answer: Are you guys having sex?
Because if you are dating (you know what I mean) and if he is being drawn to Jesus? Then the fornication is only gonna cause more confusion. You're not helping. Just saying.
Ask him about the sin of fornication and ask him what God says about denying self and the battle between the Spirit and the Flesh. That's a big one and it will help you know if your dude is a fanatic or not.
(I hope you get this msg. Over and out)
You call him your boyfriend and you sound really concerned for and all broke up about this guy. Let me ask but do NOT answer: Are you guys having sex?
Because if you are dating (you know what I mean) and if he is being drawn to Jesus? Then the fornication is only gonna cause more confusion. You're not helping. Just saying.Ask him about the sin of fornication and ask him what God says about denying self and the battle between the Spirit and the Flesh. That's a big one and it will help you know if your dude is a fanatic or not.
(I hope you get this msg. Over and out)
Mike
Member
Whether Ashley is circling back to read this thread or not, I'm adding this as conversation among us. Many of us that have been "radically saved" where we abruptly come face-to-face with God know what a powerful ride of emotions that initial stretch of time is like. You're trying to come to terms with a world view that is very new. Ashley's description of him reminds me of myself at the time. I was on fire.
Furthermore, Ashley sounds a lot like my wife at the time. Rarely are two people who are not living the life brought to faith at the same time. That leaves two people seemingly moving in two different directions, and that can be troubling to the one who doesn't understand the change. Julie was distraught to a certain extent. "What the heck? We were fine before Mike went off the deep end." It felt like a long time, but it really wasn't, that she came to know the Lord, and we began our new journey together. That was almost 25 years ago.
C.S. Lewis once wrote that an evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is that things that made no sense before are now very sensible. He gives you that insight that you once didn't comprehend and that others see as insane.
I've prayed that Ashley will take a step back from her concern and skepticism, observe the change happening in her boyfriend, and experience what He has in store for her. You just don't know until that moment that you know.
Furthermore, Ashley sounds a lot like my wife at the time. Rarely are two people who are not living the life brought to faith at the same time. That leaves two people seemingly moving in two different directions, and that can be troubling to the one who doesn't understand the change. Julie was distraught to a certain extent. "What the heck? We were fine before Mike went off the deep end." It felt like a long time, but it really wasn't, that she came to know the Lord, and we began our new journey together. That was almost 25 years ago.
C.S. Lewis once wrote that an evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is that things that made no sense before are now very sensible. He gives you that insight that you once didn't comprehend and that others see as insane.
I've prayed that Ashley will take a step back from her concern and skepticism, observe the change happening in her boyfriend, and experience what He has in store for her. You just don't know until that moment that you know.