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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 1:14:28 PM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Eutychus
quote:
ORIGINAL: insndreamer
quote:
ORIGINAL: Warbird777
Do you see the trees in the field straining and struggling to bear fruit?
That's a very good point! I can just imagine myself as a tree, shaking my branches with frustration and commanding fruit to appear, lol. I need to water myself with prayer and the Word, and the fruit will grow according to God's design. Thanks!
The problem is that a tree cannot water or feed itself. It can only send out roots to locate them, but they are found it's because they were provided (grace).
Well then I guess I meant I need to send out my roots. 
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 1:23:56 PM
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Warbird777
Posts: 6
Joined: 9/6/2008
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Dreamer..........your standard for salvation is much higher than Gods.................
WB777
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 1:37:38 PM
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Warbird777
Posts: 6
Joined: 9/6/2008
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How many of us would have personally guaranteed salvation to the thief on the cross?
"Truly, I say to you, TODAY you will be with ME in Paradise"
NO baptism possible
NO run down and pay your tithe
NO confess all your sins and offer up a goat at the Temple
Hey, now lets see if you can get a little time off from the Romans to do a few good works so I know you're for real...........
Warbird..........saved by faith and grace alone...........
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 1:51:26 PM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Warbird777
Dreamer..........your standard for salvation is much higher than Gods.................
WB777
What makes you think that? The only thing I've said about salvation is that I'm sure of mine and I'm justified by faith. I didn't mean to give anyone the impression that I was trying to earn my salvation.
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 2:43:49 PM
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sherylivonne
Posts: 5
Joined: 5/16/2007
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Hello insndreamer, I've been reading this since yesterday. I am no expert on the bible, still have a lot to learn but one thing is certain I will overcome as long as I give it all to God. I recently wrote a thread as well called "temptations and broken promises" I too have struggles with sin. When I am overwhelmed and feel I can't find it in me to turn away then I slip but I have noticed that I intentionally work as quickly as I can to do this sin to not give myself a chance to turn to Him and ask Him to resist. I hope that made sense. But I know even in my greatest weakness I can pause for a moment, surrender it to Him before my thought turns into an action. If I just allow myself to turn to Him as quickly as this temptation pops into my mind and have faith He will pull through then I firmly believe that's all it will take. He has saved me so many times, forgiven the same sin numerously that who am I to not even try? I want to hear the Holy Spirit in every thing I do. That is the gift and Holy High that I desire because that undoubtedly will always fill me up with everything I need and more. Look within yourself. I'm sure you've been face to face with our Father before. Seek Him in all you do and He will make certain that you will always be provided with exactly what you need.
< Message edited by sherylivonne -- 11/11/2009 2:52:22 PM >
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 3:44:12 PM
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drmark
Posts: 4637
Joined: 7/10/2006
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quote:
There has to be a balance somewhere, because I wouldn't go as far as to say that obeying God is effortless, at least in the sense that we just lie back and do nothing (I know that's not what you were implying). As a matter of fact, the longer I live daily in God's grace and power, the more I find it becoming "effortless" to follow His Will and obey His commands. As they say in AA - "Let go and let God". It's good advice for an alcoholic and it's good advice for a sinaholic!
_____________________________
Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 4:12:07 PM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sherylivonne
Hello insndreamer, I've been reading this since yesterday. I am no expert on the bible, still have a lot to learn but one thing is certain I will overcome as long as I give it all to God. I recently wrote a thread as well called "temptations and broken promises" I too have struggles with sin. When I am overwhelmed and feel I can't find it in me to turn away then I slip but I have noticed that I intentionally work as quickly as I can to do this sin to not give myself a chance to turn to Him and ask Him to resist. I hope that made sense. But I know even in my greatest weakness I can pause for a moment, surrender it to Him before my thought turns into an action. If I just allow myself to turn to Him as quickly as this temptation pops into my mind and have faith He will pull through then I firmly believe that's all it will take. He has saved me so many times, forgiven the same sin numerously that who am I to not even try? I want to hear the Holy Spirit in every thing I do. That is the gift and Holy High that I desire because that undoubtedly will always fill me up with everything I need and more. Look within yourself. I'm sure you've been face to face with our Father before. Seek Him in all you do and He will make certain that you will always be provided with exactly what you need.
Thank you for the encouragment! I appreciate you sharing your experience. Sometimes prayer is all it takes for me to resist temptation, sometimes it takes more. And sometimes I beg in tears for Him to take it away from me and I still fail (this applies mostly to thoughts that are so much harder to control than actions).
I was reading your thread, and I do think that the devil wants us to be constantly down on ourselves about our sins, so that we focus too much on our faults instead of just focusing on God. Since starting this thread, I've realized that self-condemnation is a big issue with me, and that's not the way I'm supposed to live. Things have already gotten easier since I decided once and for all to stop beating myself up. God doesn't beat me over the head with my sins, why should I?
You seem to be doing better already as well, so praise God! 
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/11/2009 4:46:04 PM
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sherylivonne
Posts: 5
Joined: 5/16/2007
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I think there was a reason I was drawn to your thread so that I would see that I am not alone in my struggles. I know what you mean, even when I have cried out to Him and begged Him to save me from myself I still have turned around and did that one thing I knew would tear me away from His path. I believe if we are consistent, persistent and lean totally on Him then we will conquer our greatest fears. There was a time in my life when, as I read in other responses, I was almost "sinless". My body had room for His spirit to live. Not every corner of my self was filled with filth and I was able to breathe freely without guilt from sin. But then I backslided in a big way. I found myself in the darkest place and even if I tried getting back up I had broken myself and was blind. I chose to live in shame because I felt unworthy. It took me a very long time to seek Him. Everytime I tried the devil found a way to convince me that one more time wouldn't hurt, I had already gone so far not why keep numbing myself. I'm still in repairs but I gradually find a different part that fulfills a different need and everytime that happens I rejoice because I know He was always by my side waiting for me to seek Him. You deserve to live without all the artificial, temporary fixes because you are His precious child. He cared enough to bring you to existence, your life will one day declare the purpose that will give you that A HA! moment and everything will fall into place.
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/12/2009 2:46:38 AM
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singpeace
Posts: 81
Joined: 9/19/2009
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I don't usually use The Living Translation of the Bible ... but I picked up the one left by my brother when he passed away. I keep going back to this scripture which I think paints a picture of what God sees in us that we often cannot see:
Ephesians 1: 4-5
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
In his eyes, we are without fault; because every sin in our past, present, and future has been paid for. We are not capable of fulfilling the Law. If we were, He would not have had to die. So don't beat yourself up.
Conviction is of God, not condemnation. In Romans 8:1 it says "There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who love Christ."
Take it one day at a time. Relax. God knows your abilities, and He will patiently work with you.
Just be His child and know that His love for you and me was and is so immense that it was in our darkest and most evil states of sin and death that He chose to send his Son to die. He loved us that much; before we ever loved him.
Keep on seeking his face, and searching your heart, but don't add new wounds to the old.
He loves you exactly the way you are every day, and He knows your heart.
_____________________________
Psalm 123:1 Unto You do I lift up my eyes, O You Who are enthroned in heaven.
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/12/2009 7:00:31 AM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: sherylivonne
I think there was a reason I was drawn to your thread so that I would see that I am not alone in my struggles. I know what you mean, even when I have cried out to Him and begged Him to save me from myself I still have turned around and did that one thing I knew would tear me away from His path. I believe if we are consistent, persistent and lean totally on Him then we will conquer our greatest fears. There was a time in my life when, as I read in other responses, I was almost "sinless". My body had room for His spirit to live. Not every corner of my self was filled with filth and I was able to breathe freely without guilt from sin. But then I backslided in a big way. I found myself in the darkest place and even if I tried getting back up I had broken myself and was blind. I chose to live in shame because I felt unworthy. It took me a very long time to seek Him. Everytime I tried the devil found a way to convince me that one more time wouldn't hurt, I had already gone so far not why keep numbing myself. I'm still in repairs but I gradually find a different part that fulfills a different need and everytime that happens I rejoice because I know He was always by my side waiting for me to seek Him. You deserve to live without all the artificial, temporary fixes because you are His precious child. He cared enough to bring you to existence, your life will one day declare the purpose that will give you that A HA! moment and everything will fall into place.
I'm glad that you were able to find comfort through this thread. It helps me too, to know that I'm not alone in my struggles. I backslid for 10 years and made a lot of mistakes, and when I finally came back to God I was so happy I didn't even think about how to stop sinning. It just happened. I still had sin, but it was a lot different and it didn't run my life. Over time, that excitement fades, and I'm still learning how to find fullfillment in God even when I don't feel anything. I believe that we are always being repaired by God, and as long as we keep striving toward the goal, we will ultimately win the battle. Recognizing that there are evil powers trying to bring us down is a step forward, because then we realize that we are fighting something real, and we can be reassured knowing that God is greater!
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/12/2009 7:03:43 AM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: singpeace
I don't usually use The Living Translation of the Bible ... but I picked up the one left by my brother when he passed away. I keep going back to this scripture which I think paints a picture of what God sees in us that we often cannot see:
Ephesians 1: 4-5
4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
In his eyes, we are without fault; because every sin in our past, present, and future has been paid for. We are not capable of fulfilling the Law. If we were, He would not have had to die. So don't beat yourself up.
Conviction is of God, not condemnation. In Romans 8:1 it says "There is therefore now NO condemnation for those who love Christ."
Take it one day at a time. Relax. God knows your abilities, and He will patiently work with you.
Just be His child and know that His love for you and me was and is so immense that it was in our darkest and most evil states of sin and death that He chose to send his Son to die. He loved us that much; before we ever loved him.
Keep on seeking his face, and searching your heart, but don't add new wounds to the old.
He loves you exactly the way you are every day, and He knows your heart.
Beautiful post, thank you!
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/12/2009 12:52:50 PM
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bravjim
Posts: 173
Joined: 10/8/2008
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This is really an awesome topic for a thread, because This is what every christian must face each and every day. A battlefield between thoughts and words and ideas that takes place in the mind every day. That is why it is important that we "abide in the Lord". The more time we spend with Him, the more time He has to influence our thoughts and choices. But we are the ones who must take Him at His word. He tells us who we are in Him. He tells us through His word. The more time we spend thinking about His word, about Him really, the more time He will have to speak to our hearts. We must be able to find a place and time to spend time alone with Him daily. Like a friend, He speaks to us during these times, speakings truth about who we are, and who He is. He gives us insights, wisdom and understanding which enriches our lives beyond measure. But you must be willing to invest the time with Him daily. While your in your car, at work take a few seconds to give Him thanks. Simple acts of worship keeps your thoughts focused on Him, which transforms the mind over time. It really does come down to complete surrender, on a daily basis. Actually, it's not even a daily basis, But a moment by moment basis. (Ask any addict)
The flesh and the Spirit are constantly at war. One operates from our hearts, the other from our mind.
2Cor 10:3,4 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, But mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." This is the process of spiritual warfare of the mind. When you are calm, at peace, you will hear "the small still voice". When you are not at peace, all the "other" voices that have been there all these years, the ones telling you what a failure you are, or what a loser you are will be ringing in your mind. It is thees thoughts that belay your trust in God's word about who you are: more than a conqueror and able to do all things through Christ, the head and not the tail, and best of all, Holy Spirit indwelt.
Ahhh, so here is the whole key. Remember in John 14 - 17, Jesus gave us clues as to who the Holy Spirit is. He called Him a comforter, a helper, told us that He would lead us into truth and give us greater understanding. Paul goes to great lengths to help us understand the Holy Spirit's role as well, by describing the works of the flesh on numerous occasions always contrasted by the fruit of the Spirit. But what was always the key? Abide in me. John 1 calls Jesus the Word of God, as well as the Lamb of God. But you should really focus on the Word of God, because this is how we abide in Him, which allows the Holy Spirit to do His work. Later on in John, Jesus instructs us to abide in the vine. This is an interesting analogy because of the way nature really works. A branch must be attached to the vine to receive sap. If it breaks off, it dies because it no longer has access to the sap. Now imagine the Holy Spirit as the sap. As long as you are attached to the vine, you receive sap (life). If you are not attached, you die.
You can also note that Jesus was tempted as well, and He overcame that temptation by speaking out God's Word. That is our weapon, and another reason to remain in the Word. The Word prepares us for battle, and the more of His word that you know, or contemplate and think about, sharpens that sword. By the way, did you notice that the word "word" appears in the word "sword"? Speak it out loud. Sing it in a song. Sing praises to Him for His word. It is in His Word that we learn who He is. It is in His word that we find out who we are. In His word we find wisdom and understanding, and the deep thoughts of our Lord. In His word we find hope, comfort, love, peace, justice; not to mention our battle armor and weapon. It's all in Him, and it's all in His word. Abide in Him, and He will abide in you; just as He is in the Father, and the Father is in Him.
_____________________________
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfilll the lust of the flesh.
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RE: How do I overcome sin? - 11/12/2009 4:09:22 PM
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insndreamer
Posts: 44
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bravjim
It is in His Word that we learn who He is.
This is so important to remember. I can talk to God all day long, but if I don't spend time in His Word, I start to lose sight of who He is. When that happens, I lose interest and it becomes harder to stay focused on Him.
quote:
It is in His word that we find out who we are.
This is actually something I want to study further. It wasn't until recently that I started to understand the concept of looking to scripture to discover my true identity. I think for most of my life I've defined myself by my sinful nature, and that isn't me anymore. I'm a child of God, and I need to learn to think of myself as such.
Great post, thank you!
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