Feeling hopeless

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Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
1,991
339
83
#21
I now feel like every single thing I’m doing is wrong and will send me to hell, even things like putting makeup on or wearing a necklace.
So I’ve stopped reading the Old Testament and now half way through Matthew. Can’t say that I’m not freaking out a bit, feels like every word is condemning me.
Sounds like your struggling with self-condemnation? While 'fear' can be a motivation, it can also discourage a person who dwells on all their shortcomings. The beauty of Christianity is that we aren't in danger of hell fire because of our screw-ups. Have faith in the redemptive power of the cross, salvation isn't guaranteed to good people, but to those who constantly repent. Christ suffered the burden and penalty for what we do wrong, so he's your Savior, not your condemner. Remember what he told the adulteress; "Neither do I condemn thee" (John 8:11)
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
2,633
113
#22
So I’ve stopped reading the Old Testament and now half way through Matthew. Can’t say that I’m not freaking out a bit, feels like every word is condemning me.
Remember that feeling bad can be a good thing as well. Often times you will hear in churches today that all negative feelings comes from the devil.

But biblically speaking. I believe that reading the Bible is supposed to do that to us. Its supposed to comfort AND teach us

You read what Jesus says and you go "Oh wow, I didnt know I was supposed to live like that instead of the way im living". You should count it a blessing that you have the opportunity to obey Jesus. There are many people in the world who dont know the first thing about living right or God!

I would also like to encourage you by saying that: If you have that kind of a Spirit, where you are a HEARER and DOER of the word, as Jesus says, you will be greatly blessed and used by God.

And remember that living right gets easier and easier the longer you do it, it becomes second nature to do right.

There is a saying from some tribal people that: There are two wolves, the one who you feed will grow. While its not a biblical proverb, the point is true: live in the Spirit = blessing, joy, inner peace, love, LONG TERM happiness. live in the flesh = no joy, no peace, no love, short term lusts fulfilled, long term misery!

Your heart is clearly in a good spot to serve God! Dont get discouraged by anyone or anything! God will bless you!

Lord I pray that you give this woman wisdom and joy and peace. Please show her the way as you can see her heart is looking to live for you. Touch her heart and reveal yourself to her.
AMEN
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
#23
So I’ve stopped reading the Old Testament and now half way through Matthew. Can’t say that I’m not freaking out a bit, feels like every word is condemning me.
There are lots of good things to read in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Certain places in the Old Testament can be harder to get past such as geneologies and such but it is well worth it to keep on reading through it all. Why the feeling of condemnation though?