We all need to remain humble, no matter how much scripture we know, how much understanding we have, when we are tested, especially if it’s in the open, that’s when we find out where we really are in our spiritual growth. But most importantly, how quick do we repent, truly repent or how quick do we ask for forgiveness if that’s the case. What’s your thoughts?
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Repentance means to change your mind about something and that can take time. This change of mind is enough to come into agreement with God about what you’ve done and cease doing it. It can be quick or it can take time. It really depends.
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most of the time yes. i feel guilty right away even if the behavior continues. one of my issues is being judgmental/impatient in public. i say nasty things about people to myself. sometimes they can see the attitude on me, but not always. its always embarrassing when i realize they can tell im secretly annoyed with them. i dont like how i can be like this. i can surmise what life experiences of mine have led me to be such a way. one of those things i have to take to the Lord at some point every day even if i barrel through for a bit with almost no regret. cause more than anything, i dont like these things about myself even if it is so hard not to be like that pretty much every day at some point. so its taking more time than id like it to, as ive been this way for at like 20+ years now. started working on it about 15 years ago or so, but i was already in deep enough to make it THIS hard to overcome!! so yes i can be quick to repent, yet just fall again and again, more easily and often than i feel comfortable excusing myself for. i hate being so hateful. so i think about that guilt every day. and pray about it every day. maybe not enough, though. there’s just so much to pay attention to each day and i feel rushed. often for not a good enough reason. so, there are some rambling thoughts about what its like for me in regards to your post. other than the hatefulness ive explained so far, im pretty quick to repent as well, that was just my example of it. i have like no problem admitting to God how ive messed things up again, my problem is about actually acting better as a result of it.
Thanks for sharing @ wantthetruth, you’re definitely not alone, it’s one of the reasons why I posted. I find myself, so to speak, walking in the same boots. We both know that God looks at our hearts, and when we ask him for forgiveness, thankfully, he is a forgiving God. Because our true intent is to repent, which means to turn 180° and go in the opposite direction. Most of the times, that’s easier said than done!! But what helps me, is continually reading His word and praying for clear understanding. For me walking by faith is a true walk of faith, continually seeking to draw nearer to God. His word tells us, that when we do, he draws nearer to us. So if we’re drawing nearer to Him and He’s drawing nearer to us, evil has to flee. It’s at this point we must walk the good fight of faith and continue to remind ourselves of the word of God we’ve read and studied to be our shield of faith, in the midst of the storms. God’s word is true, and when we walk in it spiritually, and physically, he’s with us, and He’s present, to help us through our trials and tribulations. we are blessed to have his Holy Spirit, our comforter.
We also have another spiritual tool in the battle. that is to continue to pray for one another. Amen 
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I definitely appreciate what you’ve shared here and the transparency of it. I can relate big time, but only on a different level.
This is what I’ve found…
I began by making rules for myself which lasted a while before they fell apart. A change of behavior isn’t going to fix the problem. The change has to come from within. I’ve determined that the change I need and want isn’t something I can do. Sure, I can do a overview of my life and maybe even figure out where this behavior came from, but that doesn’t change it.
So I’d feel bad about it, try again, fail and so on. Over time (and I mean a long time) I gave up on it. Somewhere in those years I began reading the Word on a regular basis and getting it in me. Not just reading, but thinking about it and meditating on it and praying on it. The more I read, the more change began although I hardly noticed any change at the time.
It’s God who changes us and the change comes from His Word. We need to have it inside us and it takes time for this to happen; at least it did for me.
So it’s almost like you need to take yourself away from the problem you see and look to Jesus. Don’t expect an overnight. Too much attention on our weaknesses takes away from Him and He is the only source of the change you desire.
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I say it feels like a bullet. At the moment that I first realize that I failed a test, it’s like, ohhhhhh. a conviction from the Holy Spirit which brings it to mind, the failure and the longer I think about it the more it hurts. I’ve learned (learning?) to repent immediately upon realization of the failure and asking for forgiveness…and another chance, Lord?
The longer I have pondered these things, the more I have realized that, He is very umm, shall we say sneaky?! Most times we don’t even realize that we’re being tested until it’s over. So I am at the point now of, suspecting that every single situation in this life is a test. Every single one. I look back at my life from 63 and I can see the different tests! Some I failed, some I know I passed. (That feels Good!)
I like that. What I think it is that we’re talking about is transformation of the heart. Like scripture says, a man speaks from the abundance of His heart. So what is in our hearts will decide how we react to given situations, before we even have time to think about it? There is our Transformation shown. If we have more darkness in our heart than light, we would react to a situation in a worldly way, and if our heart has been stayed upon the Lord then we react before thinking in a Godly way.
I used to be very, un-sensitive about certain things and reacted poorly to the, but after seeking the Lord with my heart, I started reacting with a total different outlook. Love & Compassion, and it didn’t take me long to notice a change in my reaction/behavior that happened on auto-pilot. I just did it without thinking. There is proof of transformation.
Transformation and sanctification is a progressive thing that happens over time.
Can you all see transformation within yourself since you got saved? I couldn’t miss it! So if you can’t see any personal transformations, time to hit the Prayer mat harder and reading His word.
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I would like to contribute further to our discussion by sharing some reflections from my faith journey regarding how we view spiritual “tests.” While we often use the language of passing or failing, I want to offer an alternative perspective on these moments of testing.
Rather than viewing these experiences as simple failures, I believe they are opportunities to confirm what we have learned and where we may lack a clear understanding of God’s Word. These moments of Grace provided by the Holy Spirit, allows us to recognize our current alignment with God’s expectations. This underscores the importance of continuing our studies so that we can grow spiritually and better apply our faith.
In God’s mercy and grace, these moments of testing can allow us to reflect on our actions. Through repentance and seeking forgiveness, we can consider how to respond differently in the future and it can motivate us to dig deeper into the Gods Word. This process helps us build upon our learning and our experiences. And can provide a clearer view of the path God intends for us as we apply his word to our life.
By reframing “failure” as a lesson for growth, we can find a more constructive way to look at our shared journey. just fruit for thought.
In this application, it has helped me to stay positive even when I’m not doing so well, but realizing I’m still growing, no matter how many years I’ve been walking this walk of faith. I believe it’s a never-ending process, while we remain on this earth.
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That’s right, Failing a test is a huge learning experience. Spiritually and worldly, lol. I remember when I was learning how to fix furnaces and air conditioners. The first thing they did was put me on a installation crew, so I got to install a lot of furnaces & A/C’s. Then they would have to pass Inspection by the City Guys
Early on my dad had taught me to stand behind my work and do my own callbacks. He said a man shouldn’t have to pay a man twice to do a job right once! So when my installs failed Inspection, I was motivated to make it right, and that learns a man good. The new guy was always the first one to be laid off for the slow season which starts in December and ends after tax time. But they always wait until January so they don’t seem like scrooge.
I had been learnung the Trade for 5 years almost and I got laif off again right on schedule, so I said to myself, go take the test. The Mechanical Contractor’s Test that lets people go into Business, legally. I was young, and scared of that test! The Contractor Test! I know I will fail it! It has to be so way over my head that it isn’t funny, lol. But! the test only cost $20 in those days and if I took it and failed, at least I would get my score. That would give me a clue how close I was. to being able to pass it.
I like tests. They show you where you are. I only had basic fix it knowledge of air conditioners but could fix most firnaces. I was sort of weak in Electric. So I knew I would fail. Nevertheless, I did take the test.
My score was a 93 or 94? I smoked that test! I almost Aced it ! You see, I had never taken this test before, so I had no clue what was on it. But I had installed so many furnaces & A/C’s and been failed on inspection so went back and made corrections on my own time. And it seemed like they always had a new gripe so failed install many different ways. And I tell you Brother, going back on my own time taught me how to pass inspection! And that’s why I did so well on the test first time. That test did not have one how do you fix this or that question on it. It was all about building code and how Not to burn their house down, lol!
I learned to look it up in the Code book when I was doing the job and had a question. The Book was cheap so I got mine and it was useful to me so I did not get failed and could stay home with the family on Saturday instead of working for free. But I perhaps digress a little, lol
None of us have taken God test yet. We are Testing right Now! (I hear they might be Finals?!) Have we all been readibr Code Books of the Kingdom of God. The Biblw Hw left us, Is the Code Book to show us Not to fail. It isn’t really announced that it is a test when it comes to us, but did we do the right thing in God’s eyes?
It’s like, Satan fell so God says, Hmm I can use that to teach my people. So is everything a test? I have come to the conclusion that the answer to any question that must be made in any situation can be answered ib Scripture. Now before peoople start asking me show me Cell Phone or something, consoder that it is the Biblical Princip[le that applies to the situation that is the question answered in scripture, our code book. And there’s always an older more experienced guy at the shop and in this case, His Name is Holy Spirit. Jesus. He will test you today. He will test me today.
To answer your question, yes I have and yes, I do. God reveals himself to us in many ways, sometimes on a daily basis if we’re paying attention and other times when we are in need.
The transformation for most of the things in my life have taken a fair amount of time to see a difference and in other areas of my life fairly quick. It’s all about the patience to endure for the long haul and the hope that is in our hearts for what’s to come. Sometimes that’s what keeps people hanging on when it doesn’t seem like much change has occurred. But just believe because it will.
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thank you both very much for all your input, you filled in some blanks for me and encouraged me. really appreciate you both sharing, and i will be taking what i can remember readily to heart!
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Greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ, Steppingstone
Here are my godly thoughts: True Humbleness from the heart is Always saying to the Lord apart from YOU I can do nothing and it’s Only with YOU that I can do the Father’s will with the divine help that comes from YOUR Holy Spirit and Word.(ref.John 15:5).
Godly sorrow will bring true repentance (change of heart,thoughts,and actions) and a quickness to Run to the Father for Forgiveness in Jesus name.
To be honest we as born-again children of God that are led by the Spirit of God, just get to take the test over, and over again until we learn from it, seek God’s counsel in the matter and ask HIM to help us pass the test spiritually and naturally.
I know for myself if I missed the Father in a matter, He has taught me to RUN quickly to HIM and repent, ask for forgiveness and cry out to HIM to teach me His way so I don’t make the same mistake again. I have had some good and painful lessons, and the painful ones was because of my own disobedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
He has grown me up a lot in my walking by Faith in Jesus name. Be Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak and Slow to Anger (James 1:19)
I have asked HIM to Set a Watch over my mouth that I will NOT say anything that would grieve HIM and so far HE’s been keeping me.
Running to the Father in Jesus name and repenting is the right thing to Always do because HE loves us and HE wants us to have the Victory in our everyday living which Only HE can give to us through Jesus.(ref. 2 Corinth.2:14) This also makes it easy and possible to quickly Forgive others in Jesus name from the heart by Faith (Mark 11:24-26) so your emotions and feelings can catch up with the Forgiveness towards other truly from the heart.
Run quickly to Abba Father in Jesus name, practice forgiveness by faith in Jesus name, practice repentance for the little things(like saying something you should not have said, or thinking wrong thoughts about someone, or gossiping, it takes practice and a Commitment to the Holy Spirit and Word of God.
Here’s the other part don’t wait for a week to seek God out and ask HIM to forgive you, and don’t sit around rehearsing the wrongs, the mistakes, the failures…Just RUN to the Father because HIS throne room of Grace is Always Open.
Have a bless day in the Lord
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Thank you, Lynne67, for your testimony and identification, confirmed by God’s word in scripture. I believe this is how the true body of Christ should operate, continually sharing our testimonies with each other in our walk of faith, because each one of us has shared experiences as we continue to draw ever closer to our Father, by the saving grace of our savior Jesus our Messiah.
You also, have a blessed day.
One test that I *might* have failed I am still repenting for.
A few years ago I had been studying all about Translations in scripture and had heard quite a few testimonies of people who had been being translated at night to different parts of the world to perform tasks for the Lord. One guy went back in time to do it!
All of that got me excited about it it and it was something that I wanted to experience, so I started praying about it a lot, or for even a visitation! Then one night I was up getting a drink and I heard a knock at my door. It was cold and snowy out and the middle of the night, so who would be out in this weather? So I quietly crept over to a window which I could surrepticiously observe from the side door which was the one he was knocking at. It was some guy, wearing a hoodie. I didn’t recognize him, never saw his face. Was he cold needing out of the weather? Homeless? Trying to do a home invasion perhaps?
While I stood watching him with all these thoughts going through my mind, I ran out of the man’s time limit for patience I suppose because he stopped knocking and left and began walking up the street. I had thought I should answer the door, just in case, but now it was too late. I watched him walking away until he was out of sight and then, eh, go back to bed…
As soon as I layed back down in bed again, a thought come to me, a scripture. Behold I stand at the door and knock and if any man opens the door, I will come in and sup with him (Rev 3:20), and I went, Uh-Oh, did I just miss the Lord? (You have to open the door!)
It’s what I had been praying for lately. If that was the Lord, then, I didn’t answer the door for Him! And I felt very bad. Still do sorta. I prayed and asked forgiveness and apologized and asked Him Lord if that was you, can I have another chance? !!
I like to think that He said yes, and He probably would for such is His character. But I got nothing beyond that so I don’t really know if that was my visitation or not?! But that could have been a test and I know that. So I failed that one, drat.