Think about it. Sin comes in every way, shape and form. Thinking impure thoughts is a sin. Looking at a girl in a sexual way is a sin (which man can honestly say he can go days on end without doing this?), and even should you go a whole day without a sin you would probably be proud of your accomplishment giving way to pride -- which, you guessed it, is a sin.
Bottom line is I can't stand to hear that we must be perfect in order to receive salvation as some preach on here. Do these people honestly think they are sinless? Maybe they are not in bondage of ONE particular sin but they are in bondage to all kinds of separate smaller sins each day -- sins they may not even know they are committing.
I guess the spirit of this thread hinges on 1 John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us."
Without naming names of certain forum members, what do you make of 1 John 1:8? The Bible is saying that if you say you have no sin then the truth is NOT in you. That would scare me if I were you.
Dig deep, wilful sin against God leads to spiritual death!
Those who have truly repented and crucified their flesh with Christ as commanded do not sin wilfully against God! Hense the verses against 1 John 1-8, is no excuse to sin aginst God, when in many other verses it says and those who are OF God do not sin( wilfully) yes mistakes, faults, etc, not all sin the same!
What are you thinking about?
Php 4:8 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things.
When one is truly converted, and has gone through the baptism of repentance, followed by a working faith in love, the critical aspect of this conversion will be manifested in what we think about. The mind is a powerful weapon to either do good or evil, as we learn from scripture that says, he who does what is evil (sins) is of the devil, from 1 John 3:8, and I believe the mind is the portal for Satan to cause havoc with those who are still divided in their hearts, loving the world on one hand, then loving God on the other.
We are commanded to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, mind, and strength, and also to capture all out though to Jesus Christ, 2Co 10:5 pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ.
What a powerful scripture, calling us to guard our heart and mind in all areas of our life.
Sin begins in the mind or as a thought, Jas 1:13 Let no one being tempted say, I am tempted from God. For God is not tempted by evils, and He tempts no one.
Jas 1:14 But each one is tempted by his lusts, being drawn away and seduced by them.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin. And sin, when it is fully formed, brings forth death.
This clearly proves we are responsible before God for what we think about, and how these vile thoughts can lead to sin and death, there is no such thing as original sin, or the devil made me do it, no, sin begins in the mind, or in our thoughts, caused by what we PUT into it!
Are you filling your mind daily with the word of God? Seeking and digging deep for the truth as commanded by Jesus and the apostles? Are you challenging all the false teachings going on in the apostate churches today, or are you filling your mind and thoughts with all the vile propaganda on TV, Hollywood movies, all the witchcraft and magic books very popular in the church today?
I believe a truly converted person, will have a fire and passion for truth, seeking the wisdom of God with all his heart and soul, and will put away the foolish things, which cause distractions and divided hearts, against the pure teachings of Jesus Christ.
We cannot afford to let our guards down when it comes to what we put into our minds on a daily basis, we must not give the evil one a foothold, by opening the door just a little bit, no we must flee from all vileness, corruption, immorality, and the lies being propagated as truth in the church system today.
WE must put on the mind of Christ, follow the spirit of truth if we have been truly converted, then guard our heart and mind against the wiles of the devil, by abstaining from all appearances of evil, 1Th 5:21 Prove all things, hold fast to the good.
1Th 5:22 Abstain from every appearance of evil.
What we think about each day really matters, as the evil one wants us to get distracted, take our eyes and thoughts off of Christ, by putting thoughts into our minds that take us away from being a pure and holy bride, cleansed and purged of all vile thoughts, caused by what we put into it, through entertainments, conversations, music we focus on. Etc……
I know we are surrounded by the world, and all its lies, foul language, disrespect for Jesus, and God, worldly music, and foul jokes and conversations, there is no way around it, unless you are a monk, and lock yourself in a monastery forever. So being grounded in the truth, putting on the full armor of God, each and every day, hiding the word of God in your heart, praying, and standing aloof of the church system and all its lies and confusion, is a big step in keeping our thoughts focused on Christ, and walking an obedient life of faith, and heart purity.
Tommy
