It's very entertaining and interesting to me that the devil will use everything he can to keep you from God. We all know it when it comes. It's that feeling of, "I know I want to, but I can't. Well if I do, I'll feel better. No one will know. I can get away with it. Honestly, God knows I can't stop. He'll forgive me."
And, yes, He will forgive you. But don't take advantage of that. He knows what you're thinking. If you think, "I'll just do it this once and then ask for forgiveness. Promise never to do it again." Are you really sorry? Do you think you deserve to be forgiven?
God doesn't want anyone to sin, but, obviously, we do. In my own opinion, if you say "I'm sorry." Do it again. "I'm sorry." Do it again. I don't think you deserve to be forgiven. Because to me, you aren't really sorry, if you were sorry, you'd stop entirely. That's just my opinion.
Temptations happen to everyone, in many different way. The devil attacks your weakest areas, at your weakest moments.
When I think of doing something I know I shouldn't, here's how I talk myself out of it:
He was beaten for me.
He was spat on for me.
He wore a crown of thorns for me.
And
HE DIED FOR ME.
If I do this, it's like doing all of that all over. I don't want to do that to Him again. He doesn't deserve it. He didn't deserve it the first time.
I want to live for Him, strive to get close to Him. To do anything other than that is wrong to me.
Just know, you're not the only one fighting for Him. You can win. Just ask Him for the strength and I promise He will provide it.
Good luck.
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Thanks Mel.
ReplyDeletetrue that.
ReplyDeletethe whole cycle of repentance and relapse has always been a matter of contention in my heart. i was raised with guilt being emphasized far too much. i'm now learning that no matter what, Jesus doesn't despise me for being weak. He knows and understand i am human and pathetic, that i will stumble and make mistakes, and He still loves me and will use me no matter, as long as I am in His will. that's why there's grace. no one will ever be perfect, and thank the Lord that He understands. but of course, we *should* be striving to live in Jesus' will for our life. we should be asking Him to daily mold our hearts' desires to His will. And He does, but it takes time, effort, patience, and a lot of grace.
I'm so thankful for His mercy and love.
...also, i have no idea what to tell you about the blog following deal... i guess you'll just have to keep checking periodically. haha
This is how I've been feeling lately and of course, I struggle greatly in my own personal areas. However, in SPECIFIC areas, I have basically strived to apply the principle of just giving that sin UP to the Lord because He constantly convicts me about it. Unfortunately, some of my friends think I'm just going overboard or trying to be better than them. I can't help it that the Lord is convicting me on these things, and I wish they'd just learn to support me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this.
I meant to say "I still struggle in some areas, but am learning to give up other areas"....that was the gist of it.
ReplyDelete