What the feezy?
"How does all of this work? lol" - noble vessel
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A few thoughts 10/18
Angry Negro Face.
Certainly this past week has been a bit of a roller coaster. There has been plenty to praise God for and plenty to make a brother want to kick rocks and also made me want to write in light of James 4:2. All of which corresponds with my reading through the Book of Job (Job’s friends Theology apparently leads them to be presumptuous, judgmental, and self-righteous douche bags that would rather have a theological peeing contest instead of comfort their friend) and Numbers (Israel struggled with contentment in the Lord just like ya boy). There is plenty of other things I’ve gleaned from my reading and experiences, but me being a jerk I won’t share and post about it. Pray for me. Alternatively I’ll spill a few other thoughts out on this blog tumblr thingy.
For a Christian combating temptation isn’t a matter of if you can, but do you want to?
It’s been well over 7 years since the Lord lifted the veil from over my eyes and allowed me to see how banging it is to know, believe in, and follow Christ. In those 7 years I’ve come to realize that when it comes to actively combating temptation it isn’t a matter of if you can do it, but do you want/desire to? Seriously think about it in light of scripture. When know that DESIRE is key when it comes to temptation giving birth to sin which we all know leads to death.
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their OWN EVIL DESIRE and enticed. Then, after DESIRE has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” - James 1:13-15
Moreover, some other things that lead me to think it is a matter of want/desire is the reality….the fact…that God always leaves us with a fire escape i.e. a way out.
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptationhas overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
So if God in his faithfulness is always making a way to endure temptation how else do we choose to go that route? Granted, we do have the old sinful nature to contend with (Galatians 5:17)which is still very much apart of us which we could factor into this, but thanks be to God we’re baptized into Jesus’s death, burial and Resurrection so we’ve died to and are liberated from said nature (ref. Romans 6). So since we’re not slaves to the sin nor bound to our base desires and general jackedupness (yeah I brought that word out of the negro lexicon again) we’re without excuse right? Well we can’t forget the fact we’re still not perfect though when God sees us he see’s it (thanks Jesus 2 Cor. 5:21) we are still being perfected (sanctification) so that whole walking in the Spirit jazz is a bit inconsistent as our desires often conflict with what the Spirit wants and we know is right. I think Brother Paul did a lil spill about this Romans 7 which ultimately led him to conclude:
“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)
Now there are varying opinions among scholars, theologians, and pastors more learned than I on whether Paul is speaking from the perspective of someone who has yet come to the faith or someone who is already a Christian. Let’s assume it’s the later. It seems at the end of the day that what God is doing through Christ is our hope in light of contrary desires that often lead us to still choose sin when we know better and capable of resisting it. I could elaborate on that more but I’m a bit tired and what has been on my mind all day is what I’ll share is simple.
Seek God like crazy…pray for him to change my desires…stir my affections Lord for you and your glory so when temptation comes though I may have the inclination to give in to temptation a love, gratefulness and desire for you and your will far outweigh it. Please don’t allow me to forget all that you have done in Christ and just day to day to keep me and provide for me so faithfully.
That’s all I got on that. We are still responsible for our actions and choices however as we choose to do what is right it is also God working in us for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Did I just blow your mind? No?! Okay. On that note I throw the deueces up with a Psalm of reflection and say God Bless to my two readers. lol Peace.
Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children’s children—
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.Praise the LORD, my soul.
- notesurl
"...by the grace of God I am what I am..." - 1 Cor. 15:10
