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Alright, lets look at Isaiah 45:7.
Isaiah 45:7
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
Now, you say that the word "evil" here is meant to be "evil" as we would understand that word today, correct?
Okay.
However, lets just look at the context of this passage without knowing what the word "evil" really means by leaving it blank. This is what it would look like:
Isaiah 45:7
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create ______: I the LORD do all these things."
Now, lets say you were taking a test and you were asked to fill in the following based on the related information you were given above.
I would see that the opposite of light is darkness. For Isaiah 45:7 sets the standard of letting me know that God forms the light and the darkness. Light is in contrast or opposite to darkness. Okay, now that we have our structure of how this sentence is built, what is the opposite or contrast to Peace? For the next word has to contrast peace because we know Light contrasts darkness. Right? So what contrasts peace?
War, or calamity, or something that is not peaceful or calm. Does war mean something is evil? No. Good guys can fight for good causes to eliminate that which is evil or bad. So the word "evil" here is in context to what is the opposite of peace. In other words, when we look at the surrounding words and let them determine what that word is saying. we are not wrongfully looking at a word at face value and try and force a meaning that does not fit within the sentence. For words can look and sound the same but they can have multiple meanings (As I am sure you know). Especially during the time of the 1600's when the KJV was being written (Which influenced some later versions in their translations).
Anyways, I hope this helps.
And may God bless you.
Isaiah 45:7
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."
Now, you say that the word "evil" here is meant to be "evil" as we would understand that word today, correct?
Okay.
However, lets just look at the context of this passage without knowing what the word "evil" really means by leaving it blank. This is what it would look like:
Isaiah 45:7
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create ______: I the LORD do all these things."
Now, lets say you were taking a test and you were asked to fill in the following based on the related information you were given above.
I would see that the opposite of light is darkness. For Isaiah 45:7 sets the standard of letting me know that God forms the light and the darkness. Light is in contrast or opposite to darkness. Okay, now that we have our structure of how this sentence is built, what is the opposite or contrast to Peace? For the next word has to contrast peace because we know Light contrasts darkness. Right? So what contrasts peace?
War, or calamity, or something that is not peaceful or calm. Does war mean something is evil? No. Good guys can fight for good causes to eliminate that which is evil or bad. So the word "evil" here is in context to what is the opposite of peace. In other words, when we look at the surrounding words and let them determine what that word is saying. we are not wrongfully looking at a word at face value and try and force a meaning that does not fit within the sentence. For words can look and sound the same but they can have multiple meanings (As I am sure you know). Especially during the time of the 1600's when the KJV was being written (Which influenced some later versions in their translations).
Anyways, I hope this helps.
And may God bless you.
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M
Well getting on a forum and telling others about how they need to obey God is no evidence of obedience , its just words! Now if you really was obeying God you would not be acting as if you obey and are the one to lecture others, you would be making your boast in the Lord.
In fact many that get one here and lecture others in obedience are often porn addicts etc... very ungodly people. Are you a godly person?
In fact many that get one here and lecture others in obedience are often porn addicts etc... very ungodly people. Are you a godly person?
W
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I have overcome willful sin. I still sin of course from time to time in my thoughts and once in a while by my actions, but as soon as I recognize them, I submit the thoughts to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. I set my mind on the Spirit and things to come, instead of the flesh
I am not trying to boast in myself but in the Lord. There is not willful sin running rampant in me. I do not have the desires to be sinful anymore, but only desires to be obedient to God. This was not always the case, in fact it was not long ago that I was a slave to sin. But one day when reading Matthew 4, the temptation of Christ I realized something.
The thing that immediately preceded the beginning of Christs ministry was His temptation. I didn't understand the importance of the temptation, why would He possibly go out to the desert to purposely be tempted?
Then the Holy Spirit made the reason known to me... Before we can begin our ministry on this earth, we must first be able to stand against the temptations of our flesh, the world and the devil as well. Overcoming the flesh is basically the foundation of the faith. The prerequisite for being truly useful to God.
I began to look at all my fleshly desires as enemies, trying to separate me from the love of God and trying to destroy me and the people in my life.
Once I took on that view of sin, it was no longer appealing to me. I began to hate sin.
I began to see the commands of God as things to be praised and loved, because they are all good and bring life into the world.
I want the people in my life to know God and have salvation, so I must be obedient to God, His ways are perfect and good.
If we are disobedient to God then we are workers of lawlessness and death.
It didn't take long before I had matured spiritually, and I was no longer a slave to my flesh.
Once we get past our willful sins and fleshly reactions and motivations, then we are conformed even more to Christ. By loving others when they do not deserve love. By repaying evil with good. And so on
I am not trying to boast in myself but in the Lord. There is not willful sin running rampant in me. I do not have the desires to be sinful anymore, but only desires to be obedient to God. This was not always the case, in fact it was not long ago that I was a slave to sin. But one day when reading Matthew 4, the temptation of Christ I realized something.
The thing that immediately preceded the beginning of Christs ministry was His temptation. I didn't understand the importance of the temptation, why would He possibly go out to the desert to purposely be tempted?
Then the Holy Spirit made the reason known to me... Before we can begin our ministry on this earth, we must first be able to stand against the temptations of our flesh, the world and the devil as well. Overcoming the flesh is basically the foundation of the faith. The prerequisite for being truly useful to God.
I began to look at all my fleshly desires as enemies, trying to separate me from the love of God and trying to destroy me and the people in my life.
Once I took on that view of sin, it was no longer appealing to me. I began to hate sin.
I began to see the commands of God as things to be praised and loved, because they are all good and bring life into the world.
I want the people in my life to know God and have salvation, so I must be obedient to God, His ways are perfect and good.
If we are disobedient to God then we are workers of lawlessness and death.
It didn't take long before I had matured spiritually, and I was no longer a slave to my flesh.
Once we get past our willful sins and fleshly reactions and motivations, then we are conformed even more to Christ. By loving others when they do not deserve love. By repaying evil with good. And so on
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M
Im glad your trying to overcome your ungodly lust, but I don't think your really in a position to lecture others? You seem to be trying to preach to others a standard you have not yet attained? Don't you think you should be a little more humble as you attempt to teach others of biblical standards, that it sounds you don't really keep yourself?
M
Sure but it don't sound like you have attained anymore than the other believers on this forum? In fact I would say that you are behind most...so by what logic would you say you are qualified to lecture other believers in godliness? Its sounds like your more in a position that you should be learning and not trying to teach and lecture others.
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Dear WE:
Agreed. There is nothing wrong with standing up for that which is righteous and good. Especially the good that God is doing within you. For there is no excuse for God's people thinking they can abide in unrepentant sin with the thinking they are saved or in discouraging others in living righteously. Yes, believers are not going to be perfect. David was not perfect. But when I see someone ridicule you as a fellow believer for walking the straight and narrow, I do not feel it is right. We should encourage all our brothers and sisters to walk in God's good ways or righteousness (And we should not make them think that such a task is impossible). For what does that say of the one attacking? Are they not living righteously? There is nothing to be ashamed of in living righteously. Stay the course, my friend. Walk the straignt and narrow. Fight the good fight. For it is the evidence that God (Christ) lives within you and that your faith is true (And not counterfeit). Granted, works do not save us in and of themselves, they are just the proof or our salvation.
Anyways, may God bless you.
Agreed. There is nothing wrong with standing up for that which is righteous and good. Especially the good that God is doing within you. For there is no excuse for God's people thinking they can abide in unrepentant sin with the thinking they are saved or in discouraging others in living righteously. Yes, believers are not going to be perfect. David was not perfect. But when I see someone ridicule you as a fellow believer for walking the straight and narrow, I do not feel it is right. We should encourage all our brothers and sisters to walk in God's good ways or righteousness (And we should not make them think that such a task is impossible). For what does that say of the one attacking? Are they not living righteously? There is nothing to be ashamed of in living righteously. Stay the course, my friend. Walk the straignt and narrow. Fight the good fight. For it is the evidence that God (Christ) lives within you and that your faith is true (And not counterfeit). Granted, works do not save us in and of themselves, they are just the proof or our salvation.
Anyways, may God bless you.
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M
The problem is that you guys who worry about others "unrepentant" sin is you guys are really just talking words, there no evidence you guys are living godly lives? And when any of you describe you walk with Christ , its always filled with "I sin" but I feel guilty about it...so its ok. That's not a biblical standard that promotes godliness, that's just a bunch of guilt ridden sinners trying to deflect their guilt upon others.
and
You wont believe the bible and be delivered from your continued cycle of sin and guilt!
The strength of sin is the law, its your legalism that causes you guys to not be able to cease from sin.
and
You wont believe the bible and be delivered from your continued cycle of sin and guilt!
The strength of sin is the law, its your legalism that causes you guys to not be able to cease from sin.
W
I have no guilt. I am not legalistic, I just love what is good and hate what is evil. Again, none of us can claim to have no sin whatsoever, for we are still in the flesh and sin is inevitable. However, the flesh can be overcome to the point that we are no longer slaves to it. To the point that we no longer choose to do that which is evil, nor do we entertain evil thoughts.
The evil thoughts arise, and we destroy them. The alternative is they destroy us.
We are slaves to the one we wish to serve. We can become slaves to righteousness.
1 John 1
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
The evil thoughts arise, and we destroy them. The alternative is they destroy us.
We are slaves to the one we wish to serve. We can become slaves to righteousness.
1 John 1
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2
And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
M
Again talking about obedience is not obedience .... and you have already testified that you are in a continued condition of sin...
1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
W
I have not sinned by choice in quite some time. I am not going to claim to be completely without sin.
Otherwise I would be a liar.
I do not choose to sin, nor entertain sinful thoughts. Sinful thoughts still occur from time to time, but they have no place in me. The only continued condition of sin I am in is called flesh.
Praise be to God for what He has done in me, for it was not of my own effort.
The same can be true for all followers of Christ. That is why I feel the need to speak from my personal experience.
It is true, you cannot know me or verify what I am saying about my own life. Simply verify it by the Word of God.
Otherwise I would be a liar.
I do not choose to sin, nor entertain sinful thoughts. Sinful thoughts still occur from time to time, but they have no place in me. The only continued condition of sin I am in is called flesh.
Praise be to God for what He has done in me, for it was not of my own effort.
The same can be true for all followers of Christ. That is why I feel the need to speak from my personal experience.
It is true, you cannot know me or verify what I am saying about my own life. Simply verify it by the Word of God.
So abiding in unrepentant sin and or not ceasing from sin and believing in Jesus is the answer? Just give into evil and believe your future sin is forgiven? Is that what you are trying to say?
Have you ceased from sin?
Do you abide in unrepentant sin?
I say this not so as to wound you, but so as to understand what you believe.
Do you believe a true believer can do any type of evil or sin habitually as a way of life and still be saved?
Have you ceased from sin?
Do you abide in unrepentant sin?
I say this not so as to wound you, but so as to understand what you believe.
Do you believe a true believer can do any type of evil or sin habitually as a way of life and still be saved?
M
Why are you worried about me? That's the point! I see no evidence that you or these other guys who talk about obedience and repentance have a level of godliness above any of the other believers on this forum? The only difference is that you guys talk about obedience ... It don't mean nothing that you feel guilty about your sin...you need to overcome it and then you can help others.
S
Guess what,Mitzpa, you're in a constant state of sin too.You are,I am, and everyone else on this site is. Why? Because Paul said,"If we say we have NO sin, we DECEIVE ourselves , and the truth is NOT in us."The ONLY person who has EVER lived a sinless life on earth is Jesus. This scripture is simply stating that when you are tempted,if you let Christ help you, He will help you to resist the temptation to sin so you won't. If sinning doesn't bother you, you are not saved to begin with. This statement is ,of course, after studying this verse with OTHER verses in the Bible that deal with the same subject. Not just reading this verse alone and deciding that you DON'T sin,AT ALL, after you are saved, backing up the false doctrine of sinless perfection.Hope you learned something.
M
Paul didn't say that...Paul said sin will not have dominion over you because your not under law but under grace... And the point is the folks who are lecturing others about obedience are just using words and all of them seem to be bound in some continued cycle of sin and guilt... all they are doing is taking their guilt and trying to blanket it upon others.