Deborah13
Member
:nod
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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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Bible Study Thoughts About Your Thoughts.
- Thread starter Chopper
- Start date
Christ_empowered
Member
I just jumped in here, but this is timely for me. I find that God has helped me see that I have too much worldly "wisdom" in my outlook.
Chopper
Member
I hear what you're saying my friend. I don't appreciate the jabs and uppercuts on a thread that I start. Ok, I like what you said here....
I'd like to go there smaller, because something else that you said is motivating me to write about evil thoughts that come into our minds. This is what you said....
I really focused on your quote of Job 31:1 because I had made that covenant about ten years ago and it jabs my attention whenever I see a pretty woman. My commitment to Job 31:1 has come to my thought safety hedge all these years. Initially, I was afraid that I'd forget my covenant with my eyes, but no! It has stayed with me all these years, glory to God.
1Chronicles 28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever."
Psalm 94:11 "the LORD—knows the thoughts of man"
It's good that you recognize that and you can change with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I'd like to go there smaller, because something else that you said is motivating me to write about evil thoughts that come into our minds. This is what you said....
I really focused on your quote of Job 31:1 because I had made that covenant about ten years ago and it jabs my attention whenever I see a pretty woman. My commitment to Job 31:1 has come to my thought safety hedge all these years. Initially, I was afraid that I'd forget my covenant with my eyes, but no! It has stayed with me all these years, glory to God.
1Chronicles 28:9 "And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever."
Psalm 94:11 "the LORD—knows the thoughts of man"
It's good that you recognize that and you can change with the help of the Holy Spirit.
smaller
Member
Had we not been so rudely usurped by a repeatedly banned poster I'd have like to continued on for a bit along these lines.
I did the same. Even before I picked up on the detail from the Job citing. Almost immediately after I was saved I KNEW for no uncertain fact that my MIND, my THOUGHT LIFE was being "evilly" gamed in such instances. It's one of the most interesting study areas of the Bible because scriptures DO address this issue, that of our 'thought' life. It is rich rich territory. The richest territory imho, for many sound scriptural reasons.
In short, there is a REASON Job had to put on his guard, his MIND SHIELD. And that I've covered in brief already, because of "evil thoughts" which we ALL DO for no uncertainty have to "deal with" and these "thoughts" again for no uncertain fact DO defile us. Having "evil thoughts" is NOT an option. It's an internal reality of "evil present" with us. Romans 7:21.
I'm just setting up the scriptural basis for A. the fact that it happens. and B. WHY.
We may diverge a tad on that last sentence. But I think you'll find our answer in the scriptures.
When God is in our thoughts, what might that mean? The WORD is in our thoughts. And it is the Word that will tell us WHY we have "evil thoughts" and WHY we need to have our guard up in the "thought arena." IF we delude ourselves though, we might not learn much. Evil present has many internal deceptions that it brings to us.
I've already been long winded in the prior posts. Will try to make a one post synopsis of what those posts covered so it's easier to get ahold of.
Psalm 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
Chopper
Member
Great!! Lets bury in our thoughts what Glorified One had to say. I didn't know that he was a banned fellow. I treated him like I treat all men until I find out I was foolish....Please forgive me for the instructions I put forth because of what I thought was right. You were absolutely right in jabbing him, I was wrong.
As we progress with your thoughts, I can't get this Scripture out of my mind, I keep forgetting to post it. Finally, I realized that God wanted me to post it for this thread. I'm a little slow in my old age. Here's the Scripture....James 1:14 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, (thoughts) and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (KJV)
James 1:14 "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.(thoughts)
1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (ESV)
You're such a good and knowledgeable friend, I don't want, in any way, to offend you Brother.
As we progress with your thoughts, I can't get this Scripture out of my mind, I keep forgetting to post it. Finally, I realized that God wanted me to post it for this thread. I'm a little slow in my old age. Here's the Scripture....James 1:14 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, (thoughts) and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (KJV)
James 1:14 "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.(thoughts)
1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (ESV)
You're such a good and knowledgeable friend, I don't want, in any way, to offend you Brother.
smaller
Member
I wasn't trying to be malicious to the fellow. I try to stick with scriptural conveyances, equally applied on both sides of the ledgers of good/evil. It is always on the evil side of scriptures conveyances that we try to insulate ourselves. That is how evil moves to defray us from understanding our ever needful state of Gods Mercy in Christ.
As we progress with your thoughts, I can't get this Scripture out of my mind, I keep forgetting to post it. Finally, I realized that God wanted me to post it for this thread. I'm a little slow in my old age. Here's the Scripture....James 1:14 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, (thoughts) and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (KJV)
James 1:14 "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.(thoughts)
1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (ESV)
You're such a good and knowledgeable friend, I don't want, in any way, to offend you Brother.
The press, commonly held, is that man alone is responsible for his own temptation. And the citings you use above are commonly quoted. Even James rightfully notes that 'devilish wisdom' is/can be within believers, James 3:15. James ALSO is very very CLEAR that we have to "resist the devil." James 4:7. The only thing I'd say about the above quotes you used is that James does NOT eliminate the tempter's involvement with internal temptations.
IS such a person's temptations theirs as James states? Of course it is all the individual's task to deal with such lusts/temptations, hence being 'theirs' in particular. But this does not eliminate the "spiritual disobedience," quotient that comes via internal temptation thoughts which ARE demonically sourced.
It is the MIND INTRUDER that is not us, that brings "evil thoughts." And yes, they WILL be brought. Even moreso to believers than with the blinded slaves of the devil. Because we are in an adversarial BATTLE array against that working. Eph. 6:11-12
Jesus and every Apostle did clearly delineate that we DO BATTLE the devil. There is zero question about this matter.
What most do not perceive, is that said battle is "internal."
Not_Now.Soon
Member
Two things to consider. One is that our words are a direct line of what's in our heart, and with that in mind how difficult it is to control our mouth. Just thought that line of thought was worth some merrit in the conversation of battling our inner battles.
The second thing to consider is the structure of our thoughts. How one thought is built on another, or even makes a bridge to another grouping of thoughts. In this area of our thoughts, we are not alone. We are built into our cultures around us, influencing those we are close to, as well as built by the culture around us, being influenced by those we have close to us, or by those we focus on to try and be more like. Though those aren't the only two factors (there's God shaping us, and lufe experiences doing the same), I'd wager a heavy note that even on the inside, we are not alone. For instance I am strengthened by those who've gone through worse. Their journeys bring a reminder that breaks my own pity parties in me. Simularily I am weakened by being exposed to and agreeing with the ideals of other men and women. Weakened either because it puts me on a path that leads to self pity (or pride), away from God's teachings, or in general puts a spotlight of shame on myself.
We are not alone, and in fact influence each other. Which brings to mind Proverbs 27:17 and Ecclesiastes 4:12. It's important to have a good fellowship with God and also to have a good fellowship with those around us that can strengthen us and make us better then we are alone.
The second thing to consider is the structure of our thoughts. How one thought is built on another, or even makes a bridge to another grouping of thoughts. In this area of our thoughts, we are not alone. We are built into our cultures around us, influencing those we are close to, as well as built by the culture around us, being influenced by those we have close to us, or by those we focus on to try and be more like. Though those aren't the only two factors (there's God shaping us, and lufe experiences doing the same), I'd wager a heavy note that even on the inside, we are not alone. For instance I am strengthened by those who've gone through worse. Their journeys bring a reminder that breaks my own pity parties in me. Simularily I am weakened by being exposed to and agreeing with the ideals of other men and women. Weakened either because it puts me on a path that leads to self pity (or pride), away from God's teachings, or in general puts a spotlight of shame on myself.
We are not alone, and in fact influence each other. Which brings to mind Proverbs 27:17 and Ecclesiastes 4:12. It's important to have a good fellowship with God and also to have a good fellowship with those around us that can strengthen us and make us better then we are alone.
ezrider
Member
What is apparent to me by these comments is someones desire to posses the knowledge of evil more than the desire to posses the knowledge of Christ. Why the fascination with the evil thoughts? Do you think you can understand God's mercy if you can posses the knowledge to understand and control your evil thoughts? What can the dead teach you of the living?
God told man in the beginning not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and in doing so, he was cut off from the tree of life. Christ provided the way back to the tree of life. But if your hearts desire is the knowledge of evil, then you have chosen your tree, and shall remain cut off.
Do you seek the knowledge of good and evil so that you might understand the Grace and Mercy of the Lord?
Or, now that we posses the knowledge of evil, do we seek the knowledge of God's Grace and Mercy, so that by faith we might begin to understand the knowledge of the evil present within us?
What more do you have to gain by seeking out evil and the knowledge of sin? Don't you know that God has already judged the world according to sin?
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ezrider
Member
Let's see. There was a war in heaven, and Michael and his angels battled against the devil and his angels. And the devil, who is the accuser of the brethren was cast from heaven. And IF Christ be in me, then the devil has been cast out! The devil is not internal to me, Christ is internal to me. The devil has been cast forth into the world, where he and his children go forth to deceive the world. The devil and his children, the accusers of the brethren; who accuse one another by the fruit they eaten, the knowledge of good and evil: the knowledge of sin.
The internal struggle has nothing to do with the devil any more. The devil did his job by whispering into my ear to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. I did not eat the devil, I ate the fruit of knowledge. It is the possession of that knowledge that brings the internal struggle.
The gospel armor is not meant to protect you from that which is within, the gospel armour is meant to protect you from that which comes from without. The fiery darts of Satan. It is the external accusations brought by the devil and his children through the authority of the law and the knowledge of sin and that is used to deceive the brethren into questioning their own faith and salvation.
If you are in Christ, and Christ is in you, then there should be no more internal struggle with the devil. The only internal struggles you can have over indwelling evil is when you allow the external accusers of the brethren use the knowledge of sin and evil that you posses to deceive you, because you listened to the serpent and ate of the tree of knowledge, then sought a covering to hide your shame.
smaller
Member
What may not be as apparent to you is that I accept this proposal of fact, personally, and don't put on a phony religious mask about what God has done:
Romans 11:32
For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Paul held back no punches when it came to this matter, showing and proving, openly, upon himself, the reality of the above.
Here is a "truthful" speaker of the Gospel personally applying the bold facts above:
Romans 3:9, Romans 7:7-13, Romans 7:11, Romans 7:15, Romans 7: 19, Romans 7:17-21, Romans 7:23, Romans 7:25, 1 Tim. 1:15. I could go on at some length further from the N.T. scriptures.
ARE any of these factual statements that Paul "personally" made easy to "personally" admit to? No, they are not. It is actually quite painful to look upon ourselves with these facts in hand. But they are quite entirely "truthful" GOSPEL foundational principles of fact upon which faith in "unmerited" Grace and the Mercy of God in Christ is preached.
Perhaps once admitted to a believer sees ripe hypocrisy in those who can not follow in Paul's footsteps. And they see how many are wrapped up in religious lies.
I understand that honesty among believers on the above subjects are in very short supply. It's easier to be a poser.
I understand the "need" of Gods Mercy because of the facts delineated from scripture AND from not pulling my own leg about these same facts as Jesus Delivered them in:
Mark 4:15, Matt. 15:19-20, Mark 7:21-23 and Matt. 5:28, among others.
We not fooling anyone, least of all God.
I do not extend Grace and Mercy to "evil present." It's not even remotely possible for that to happen. Grace does not "allow" for evil to be authorized, ever. That is why I look at the power of evil as a foreign substance of adverse spiritual origin. Or, as Paul described indwelling sin, NO MORE I. I take this identical sight. Does Paul authorize NO MORE I? Never. Does Paul "excuse" NO MORE I? Never. Does Paul forgive NO MORE I? Again, never.
We are called apart from slaveship to NO MORE I.
But there is no victory in lying about NO MORE I. In that we lost the battle by lying. And, in even worse forms of internal captivity, we become hypocrites, claiming we don't have NO MORE I to deal/contend with or that we are "better" than other sinners.
In my own contentions with "evil thoughts" I sought the wisdom of the scriptures on the matters. There they are, above, open and in plain sight. BUT I was such a blinded religious phony myself I couldn't even SEE them and apply them personally, even though I had read them a thousand times. That speaks to the blindness that EVIL PRESENT puts upon our own minds.
I believe God can wipe the face of the earth from evil, all it's powers, all it's ways, all sin, all lack, all of it, GONE in an instant, IF He so chose to do so.
BUT God doesn't. He chooses NOT to do so. There are purposes with it's deployments. One of those deployments is for US to understand our need for HIS MERCY. As Romans 11:32 shows us.
God commanding light to shine from darkness is both an external reality and an internal reality.
2 Samuel 22:29
For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
smaller
Member
I always raise an eyebrow to anyone who claims they don't deal with temptation internally OR that said temptation is NOT sourced in the tempter. Such, in my sight, are excusing same. Paul openly attested to dealing with Satanic issues in his own flesh. 2 Cor. 12:7, Gal. 3:13-14.
The devil tempts, and does so internally, in the mind. And yes, it does transpire with believers too:
1 Corinthians 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
1 Thessalonians 3:5
For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
2 Corinthians 11:
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
I have found a consistent principle though, and it is this: No devil can "tell the truth" of this matter.
There is an unavoidable blockade to run, IF we truthfully admit that we are and remain sinners, and it is this: 1 John 3:8.
Paul defined the sin that dwelt in his flesh no more I. I believe that is a "severing" of himself from that working, EVEN while having it to contend with. Romans 7:17-21. Paul understood this adverse working as it is meant for us to also understand.
And is there an internal war? Of course!
Romans 7:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Which brings us back full circle to understand how and why this internal warring in our THOUGHT life transpires. For this I simply look to Jesus' fact, here: Mark 4:15.
Unlikely. If sin dwells in our flesh, it DOES, (Romans 7:17-21) and said sin is of the devil, it IS, 1 John 3:8, I'd suggest the obvious, that battle IS as Paul stated, INTERNAL, in the MIND. Evil begins in THOUGHT, remember? Matt. 15:19-20, Mark 7:21-23 and Matt. 5:28.
To say we DON'T have the present reality of Matt. 15:19-20, Mark 7:21-23 and Matt. 5:28 is to deny Jesus' facts on the matters. Evil IS an internal battle, it is a battle in the MIND, in our "thought" life. And it does have an adversary to battle behind it that is not us. Eph. 6:11-12.
Where we observe the saints overcoming Satan in Rev. 12:10-11, that is THEM speaking TRUTHFULLY about this battle:
Revelation 13:7
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
We WIN the battle by being HONEST, that we do have it, and that it is not US.
ezrider
Member
Yeah, it always catches my attention when someone says they raise their eyebrow to anyone who claims...... something that has absolutely nothing in response to the comment or question asked, and only about what you think you perceive? Why is that? Is there some internal deceiver that prevents you from being able to have an actual conversation? Do you always think yourself so superior?
You know smaller, in all honesty, I very much doubt that you actually read or understood what I actually posted, as you have shown yourself to no be a very good listener.
You cut up my comments and questions so you can jump up on your soap box and then just start spouting off stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with actual comments I have made or the questions I have asked.
Now since you say that you are open to honesty, and not just prideful about the perception of your own honesty, then I can honestly tell you that the manner in which you have responded to my posts indicates to me a man that is not open to hearing the spirit of a message, but finds himself pouring over the letter of the words that he may stand they accuser. For the letter brings death, but the spirit is life.
When we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that we have lost the battle. The dead do not continue to fight. And if you understood the gospel of Christ, then you would know that our victory is found only in defeat.
ezrider
Member
You see smaller, here is a perfect example of what you do
I make a comment that the gospel armor is meant to protect us from that which is without and not from that which is within. YOU respond with: UNLIKELY. And then proceed to just ramble on up their on your own soap box.
Now exactly what is unlikely about the comment I made concerning the gospel armor? Are you telling me the warrior dresses himself in battle attire, with a sword and shield at his side to protect himself from his own internal evil thoughts? Well, I guess if you arm offend thee, then cut it off.....
I make a comment that the gospel armor is meant to protect us from that which is without and not from that which is within. YOU respond with: UNLIKELY. And then proceed to just ramble on up their on your own soap box.
Now exactly what is unlikely about the comment I made concerning the gospel armor? Are you telling me the warrior dresses himself in battle attire, with a sword and shield at his side to protect himself from his own internal evil thoughts? Well, I guess if you arm offend thee, then cut it off.....
smaller
Member
I accept the "as it is written" positions which should be the only legitimate basis of understanding and dialog. All else is, to me, imagination.
IF Paul laid down certain facts, I expect to trail them regardless of whether my flesh or mind cares to hear it. Paul does GUARANTEE resistance to his facts for each of us. Gal. 5:17
We may at least be cognizant to that fact alone.
IF Paul laid down certain facts, I expect to trail them regardless of whether my flesh or mind cares to hear it. Paul does GUARANTEE resistance to his facts for each of us. Gal. 5:17
We may at least be cognizant to that fact alone.
ezrider
Member
Sure, Paul does guarantee that resistance, no one here is denying that except maybe yourself. But in all of your speak, you fail to convey in any of your message what happens when you stop resisting. There is very little I find in your comments that help describe how the power of Christ and His Resurrection help to overcome that resistance within us. You talk a good talk about the internal evil dwelling in each of us, and in pointing out how our human nature stands in resistance to the truth of God, and as you so aptly point out, it is an internal struggle we must each acknowledge within ourselves. But beyond that, there is nothing that glorifies Christ as to how or what He has done in breaking down the barriers to that internal resistance so that we might know and accept the truth. I find you spend more time focusing on evil than you do on how Christ helps up to overcome that evil. Maybe you don't understand the true nature of evil? Maybe you are still in resistance to that one last thing: as you have said you are engaged in a battle with the enemy, and can not speak to what comes after you accept your defeat.
You might just find that you were never wrestling with the enemy in the first place, but like Jacob, you wrestle day and night resisting Christ himself.
smaller
Member
Why are you insulting me? Is there some point to this? I accept Paul's scriptures on these matters personally and attest to the truth of them personally. Let's move on please.
There is a lesson learned that comes with being in truth. Accusations, the accuser, follows a person. So, I thank you for being a shill.
No one avoids having "evil thoughts." In Romans 7:7-13 Paul shows us ALL the internal reality of indwelling sin meeting law resulting in "evil thoughts," in that case of Paul's showing, lusts in him.
Follow Jesus' facts here:
Mark 4:15- Word is sown. What Word? In Paul's showing it was the LAW against coveting. IF we observe Mark 4:15, we'll see Satan MOVED into action in the heart, RESISTING LAW via lust in the flesh. This is the principle in play. Evil thoughts are defiling. Defiling is sin. Sin is of the devil. 1 John 3:8, Matt. 15:19-20, Mark 7:21-23 and Matt. 5:28.
Now of course, I know full well that "believers" don't like or care to make this scriptural conclusion above. I also recognize that it is not 'just believers' involved in the equation above. So who is doing the resisting is the real question isn't it?
There is no action that any believer can do or perform that will make them sinless. It's not going to happen. What does happen is we get turned into liars by claiming the opposite of what scripture defines as facts. The GIFT of God in Christ is honesty to the fact of scriptural disclosures.
I point to the obvious of the Word. I submit to the scriptural conclusions personally because I KNOW it's a fact, personally experienced. Trying to slur me won't change the facts of scripture for either of us or anyone else reading these matters.
Yes, it is extremely distasteful to come to the conclusion that where the Word is sown Satan enters the heart to RESIST Gods Laws via evil/lustful thoughts. Mark 4:15, Matt. 15:19-20, Mark 7:21-23 and Matt. 5:28. But that's what SATAN in the flesh does, 1 John 3:8. That's what indwelling sin does, Romans 7:17-20. That's what the presence of evil does, Romans 7:21. None of these things are going to change and we are not going to make ourselves "sinless."
This is what the WARRING in Paul's mind is referring to. Romans 7:23. Paul was NOT warring against himself. Paul concluded that he was a wretched man, because of this warring. IF he was the victor, he wouldn't have concluded his wretchedness.
Paul took the sin dwelling in his own flesh, the evil present with him, DIRECTLY to Jesus' conclusion in Romans 8:3. That these workings in his flesh are in fact condemned. And there is no way to legitimately DODGE this conclusion. This is our respective CROSSES that we face. Jesus Body hung on a cross for us. But we too consider our own body as LIKEWISE DEAD, because of SIN.
Even in considering it such, there will still be no avoiding the problems. The warring will go on. Do we then claim any kind of victory for that which is condemned? Never!
There is no discharge from the WARRING. Our WAR is to not get TRAPPED by the enemy of our souls. To understand that those LUSTFUL SIN EVIL THOUGHTS are of the ENEMY, and not ourselves. We do not let those thoughts progress to the EXTERNAL ACTIONS of sin WORD or SIN DEED.
We stop them DEAD in their tracks when THE LIGHT of Gods Words shows those thoughts to be OF SATAN.
At that point of "interception" they are easier to set aside, because we know they are not from ourselves.
When I encounter these things, evil thoughts, I know where they are from. There are scriptural tools of deployment that we can use to dissuade them. I MIGHT get into this later, if anyone even has a remote inkling of the scriptural dialog that has gone on so far.
We await Christ to change our vile body. Phil. 3:21. We await Christ to "SAVE US" from evil and our adversary. This final victory is what salvation IS. We account and consider it now, but the FULL EXPERIENCE of not having these conditions of sin indwelling the flesh, or evil present with us, we do not yet know.
There is no overcoming available for liars. Liars get turned into religious hypocrites. They give cover to Satan. They vainly and in futility try to make indwelling sin and evil present holy and make the devil behave. None of this is going to happen. The only ground we have to walk on is HONESTY to the facts. Paul taught us that we are NO BETTER than any other sinner. Romans 3:9. Paul shows us this reality for himself, showing himself to be the CHIEF of sinners in 1 Tim. 1:15.
IF we see Paul's INTERNAL WAR with Satan, we'll see HOW he made that conclusion.
IF you are trying to claim sinlessness, rinse and repeat the exercises above.
Just the facts Mam. Just the facts. That's really all I'm interested in. What the Word has to say about "evil thoughts."
I believe THE WRITTEN WORD is TRUE, come hell or high water.
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ezrider
Member
I'm sorry, I was unaware that it was insulting to you, I guess it's true that we tend to give back to other what we have received from them. You see, I too wonder why you continue insulting me, and I too wonder if there is some point to this. You have repeatedly demonstrated that you can not just have an honest conversation, but instead take all of my comment out of context so you can imply things that were never said so you can jump up on your own soap box and glorify Satan.
You say: Let's move on please. But then proceed break up the rest of my post into little pieces and proceed with your own personal agenda. So when you say: Let's move on please, I doubt very much that you actually meant it. So if we are really being honest with ourselves, then you should take no offense when I point out that your comment to let's move on was meant in a rather condescending way. And so i wonder why you feel the need to continue to insulting and condescending towards me?
We have a chance to have an actual conversation if you could actually bring yourself to responds to the comments that I have made in the context that I have made them. Oh, and there is no need to bring Satan to the conversation with us. He's not invited. Keep him locked in your closet.
smaller
Member
I'm on equal ground when observing the "evil present" with all of us. It is not an insult, but a fact of scriptural reality.
Paul defined the sin dwelling in his flesh as NO MORE I. Have I accused you, as a child of God, of being NO MORE I?
Never. And please, don't try to make yourself as a child of God, NO MORE I. Romans 7:17-20.
There is NO, NOT ONE insult in my mouth to any child of God in these observations of fact.
Now, is there a division between US as believers and NO MORE I?
Assuredly, this is so. Paul has given us this point of DIVISION between ourselves and that adverse working of NO MORE I.
Do you understand this?
I'll not give indwelling sin and evil present in any flesh a SPITTLE of scriptural respect, the working of NO MORE I. Sorry if that offends you or anyone else. We do have evil present with IN us and that's all there is to this matter of FACT. You and I and any other believer here are NOT the same as the evil present with us.
I highlighted your slurs. I am interested in scriptural discourse. It applies to all of us in equal measure.
Emotional outbursts will not dissuade from the facts of scripture. I reject your methodology of engagement to "as it is written."
ezrider
Member
In all of your many posts you always come back to and stand upon Mark 4:15 as if this one scripture reveals the truth of everything you say. I must ask if you do realize that there is far more to the parable of the sower than just Mark 4:15. It seems to me you hang you hat only on those who have received the seed by the way side. It is to these that Satan steals away the word. But you discard the rest. Those who received the word in stony places, or those for whom it fell among the thorns and thistles. Or about those who received the word in fertile soil, and it brought forth much fruit. Satan certainly didn't steal the word that was sown in them.
I must ask then why, why do you only speak of the word that fell by the way side? If you can not speak to the fertile soil, well...?
Chopper
Member
I totally agree with your assessment with domonization of Believers in Christ Jesus. I like your statement....
Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Zero question is right!!
Quite a while ago, I was helping a fellow who was having trouble overcoming a sin that had him bound. No amount of time on his knees, or begging God for help just wasn't giving him victory. I knew that there was an answer in the Scriptures and the blessed Holy Spirit led me to these Scriptures and it did help him.
Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."
Ephesians 2:3 "Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind"
1Peter 2:11 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul"
I knew that the fleshly lusts, if they were to effect an action on his part, would activate if he didn't stop the thought process with that first thought. Again, there is a process of sin that has to be understood....James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
A thought comes into the mind. A Christian must not automatically start the inner video camera picturing the thought in action. When this happens, the senses are aroused, and the fleshly lust takes over and must be satisfied. In the case of sexual thoughts, many ungodly activities take over. That's where James 1:14,15 are relevant.