tradition/religion

[joris]

During the past festival, I heard a few times some about tradition/religion things, and more subtle things - we people really tend to fit God's acts into formula's instead of the "harder", less controlled way of just following the Spirit in what He wants
How does one deal with that?

One very strong statement about this is, all guilt, is bad - it's a pointless emotion (even if you do something wrong: if you confess to God, you still find yourself feeling guilty)
God doesn't need to speak through emotion, He can speak through conscience fine

Let's discuss such things :)

[Angelo]

During the past festival, I heard a few times some about tradition/religion things, and more subtle things - we people really tend to fit God's acts into formula's instead of the "harder", less controlled way of just following the Spirit in what He wants
How does one deal with that?
What I do is give them respect for whaT they believe. It is difficult to instruct and teach them that already are learned. That is why we have to empty ourselves out before God so that He can fill us.


One very strong statement about this is, all guilt, is bad - it's a pointless emotion (even if you do something wrong: if you confess to God, you still find yourself feeling guilty)
God doesn't need to speak through emotion, He can speak through conscience fine
Let's discuss such things :)
We feel guilt when we realize that we have done wrong and repent afterwards, and because of the instability of our spirit, even though we are already forgiven by God, the feeling of guilt still persist. Why, because it has to be healed through time. As a person we have to see for ourselves that we have fully restored our affinity and relationship with God. Our confidence in ourselves should be restored before that guilt fades, which can only be attained by Gods love expressed to us in every encounter.
Like the prodigal son, what he sees fit for himself was to be counted as one of the servants after realizing his wrong. That humility was his guilt. But the father has different idea on what he should be.
I hope I saw your point.

[NeedGod]

i think we need to remember that we do not sin as Believers, we make mistakes. thats it! mistakes. fine, so we are human and the mistakes are more frequent than they ought to be but we are covered by the blood of Jesus. when we repent and are forgiven. that doesnt mean we should sin wilfully. we should strive for perfection
now, the devil is the one who tries to make us feel guilty about things we do. sometimes i feel so bad i dont feel like i am worth being forgiven even if i did repent. but that is just the devil trying to disuade me from repenting because he knows Jesus promised to forgive me when i repent.

[BroTrevor]

Do you mean something like...


MATTHEW 15:7
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Paul said...

GALATIANS 1:8
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

[JoeC]

One very strong statement about this is, all guilt, is bad - it's a pointless emotion (even if you do something wrong: if you confess to God, you still find yourself feeling guilty)
God doesn't need to speak through emotion, He can speak through conscience fine

I agree! The Bible makes a clear distinction between conviction and condemnation.

ROMANS 8:1
[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

I JOHN 3:19 - 21
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
I JOHN 3:20
20 ¶ For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
I JOHN 3:21
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

Condemnation is what Satan casts upon us. That feeling of "I messed up again. I'm no good. I'm such a weak Christian." etc.

Conviction is where we are brought to bear with our sins. It's a God placed thing. It doesn't run us down, it instead simply implores us to make ourselves right with God.

Our pastor covered this exact subject matter in his Roman's Road series. It should be online soon. I'll give you the link when it is.

[jtucker]

I agree! The Bible makes a clear distinction between conviction and condemnation.





Condemnation is what Satan casts upon us. That feeling of "I messed up again. I'm no good. I'm such a weak Christian." etc.

Conviction is where we are brought to bear with our sins. It's a God placed thing. It doesn't run us down, it instead simply implores us to make ourselves right with God.

Our pastor covered this exact subject matter in his Roman's Road series. It should be online soon. I'll give you the link when it is.

Agree wholeheartedly!

[NeedGod]

Joe, exactly! exactly exactly. oh my!

[joris]

thanks for the texts, they make it somewhat more clear indeed :)

[Angelo]

May I ask Bro Joe please, what link can we obtain qoutes from the Bible and use it for our discussions? Thank you.
God bless.:)

[JoeC]

Just google "Bible search." There's plenty of good sites out there. I'll leave it up to you to find the one you like best.