tyup:



Bro it's hard

Until you begin to really believe (Faith) that as a believer in Christ, you're no longer a slave to Sin (including pornography and masturbation), you'll continue to struggle with Sin. Masturbation is only an evidence of a life not fully yielded to the death of Christ (Romans 6).
Faith in the Word of God - absolute Victory over the power of sin through Christ is the starting point to experiencing freedom over the lust of the flesh. Without faith, you'll continue struggling with masturbation by doing ALL those things written above.

OLAADEGBU:


Free Agents?

Now at this stage you might be asking about us as human beings and our actions. How could God determine everything including the free actions of free agents? Does that mean there are no voluntary agents or actions? But aren’t humans free agents? Can’t we make our own decisions? What if I decide right now to eat an apple, isn’t that my own decision? Yes it is. But also consider this: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

The King appears to be free to be making his decisions, but God is controlling him as he controls the rivers.

So how can we have a free agent being totally controlled at the same time? Well this means there are things that God has told us about himself and this world that our finite minds just cannot reconcile. This is called an antinomy. This means that it’s a position in which we are given two truths that we cannot fully reconcile as finite human beings.

Our fallible, finite human minds can’t reconcile the fact that God tells us that there’s an interrelationship between all events leading to the end God has determined, which of necessity includes the actions of free agents.

It’s that relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s reasonability that we see all through Scripture. Only God can bring them together as the Scripture teaches us that “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

Now if this is so, then it also means the sinful actions of men come under this decree. Scripture teaches this truth. Consider the following examples:

This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2:23)
For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. (Acts 4:27–28)

So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 45:8)

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20)

WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT GOD IS NEVER THE CAUSE OF SIN.

These illustrate that even the sinful actions of men are in the hands of God. But we must understand that God is never the cause of sin.

For More

God bless you tremendously OP for this exposition. This is the bitter TRUTH open theists find difficult to swallow. They'll rather twist biblical passages to please their audience than teach biblical truth.

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God is Omniscient - He knew beforehand that a pandemic is coming
God is Omnipotent - He has the power to prevent or stop the crisis
God is Omnipresent - He is everywhere and very much and ultimately in control

Bottomline: God sometimes allows satan and his agents (including humans) to have their way so long it serves His good and glorious purpose.

Barristter07:




So KJV is wrong yeye dey smell on this thread

Do you know you just contradicted 1 Cor 8:6 with the bold ?

It says the Father is the source , one God, the Father from whom all things are

Do u really mean this is a lie all because you want to cover up loopholes ?

The KJV isn't wrong but people like you who misinterprete it. Consider John 10:30 Jesus Christ is the Father in ESSENCE.

Barristter07:


Revelation 3:14 by the same John says Jesus is the beginning of Creation By God. KJV . its clear without him is a misguided translation

Are you saying John Is deluded ?

The idea behind the word for beginning [the ancient Greek word arche] is that of a “ruler, source, or origin,” not of first in a sequential order. This verse does not teach that Jesus was the first being created, but that He is the ruler, source, and origin of all creation. It has the idea of first in prominence more than first in sequence.

When you read/study the Bible outside the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you'll definitely fail to understand the mind of the human writer. Many Bible text are often taken and interpreted out of context.
Paul was addressing an issue in a congregation - where women were increasingly becoming hostile and unruly as against God's principles of honouring men. Paul was not making a rule or law, he was reiterating a principle God has laid down in creation of man and woman - that a woman must honour a man regardless her position in the society and part of that honour must be to NOT assume leadership position in a congregation that includes men. The Bible does not command a woman to not speak in a congregation but to not command or be leaders over men.

If you believe God is the Master and Lord of the whole universe, if you believe nothing ever happens in the world without God's approval, then you must believe He allowed this for a reason. Divine retribution upon a rebellious race isn't a revenge and it won't be the first time God is judging humanity by allowing their own sins become the source of their punishment.

NB: this pandemic is only a tip of the iceberg, more deadly ones are coming but God has a way of protecting His righteous ones.

John 10 : 10 - The THIEF comes only to STEAL and kill and destroy...
Satan does not deceive with lies; he perverts the truth to deceive those who refuse to see the light.

IF YOU REFUSE JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOUR TODAY, YOU'LL SURELY MEET HIM AS YOUR JUDGE SOMEDAY.

databoy247:


I understand your point but I believe it is still far from my own perception of the holistic overview of Christianity. Trust me, I have gone extreme in Christianity. I have done all I could to rise above mere physical understanding of it all even to the extent of no longer relying on doctrines preached by pastors. I have seemingly been baptized by the Holy Spirit and grew to the point where I was able to decipher the difference between Christianity and religion - if there is actually something like that.

In this case, I am not trying to prove or back the claim that there is a big difference between extreme spirituality and mere physical understanding of doctrines. Christian growth has different meanings to different people. I am not and will not dispute what it means to you.

My point is despite all I have been taught, all I have learned on my own, all the extreme lengths I went to get an understanding, the steps I took to get closer to God after having studied the bible day and night in my own Holy spirit-led way, I have realized that nothing beats reality.

Let's not look back at how my life was when I was a decent christain. Let's look at my life is now that I have stopped going to church and stopped praying.

I no longer have the need to sow seeds or pray to get what I want. I just work hard towards it and I'll get it.

I got married to the perfect woman for me without seeking the face of God first or praying hard for it. I knew what I wanted in a woman, I searched for her, found her and married her. And I have been VERY happy since. No prayers involved whatsoever.

I have a decent business that provides and caters to my family. I am not very rich but I am not hungry and I have people I pay salaries monthly. I didn't seek the face of God first or prayed before delving into the business.

I have never paid tithe or sowed any seeds in 5 years and I have never experienced anything like a devourer. Apart from when my wife gave birth, We have never spent a night in the hospital. My son is whole and hearty.

I stopped believing that witches and wizards exist and I have had tremendous peace at night while I sleep. I hear the howlings of an owl and I do not get disturbed that a witch is outside my window.

This seemingly "perfect" life I am living isn't supposed to be. It goes against every teaching in the Bible and in church. I am supposed to pray, fast, be holy, not forsake the gathering of the saints, and study the word of God day and night so I can have success (I am having success without studying the Bible). But here I am not doing all of that and yet my life hasn't evaporated into thin air. I don't pay tithe or pay offerings and yet no Cankerworm has come near me. I don't fight spiritual warfares and yet no demons have attacked me.

This begs the question... Is it all a lie?

Now my present reality is what I have listed above (and lots of others I didn't list). No prayers, no Christianity, no church activities, no spirituality, no holiness, etc. Just me deciding to live my life according to the best of my ability.

In my present reality, I haven't been a Christian but my life is good. I kind of enjoy living without the shackles of Christianity. I have freed myself of beliefs and extremisms which I believe are very stressful.

These don't mean I don't do what is right. I do not cheat people, I have become friends with everyone and no longer discriminate against anyone. I give to the needy, I buy stuff for people that needs them and I encourage my spouse to do the same also even when we are not buoyant. The appreciation we get is satisfying.

In all, I have lived my life as a dedicated Christian and now I am living as a non-christain. It might not appeal to you, but from my perception, the difference is clear.

You have never experienced Christ because you've never TRULY known Him. Your "Christianity" was rooted on the wrong foundation (doing things to please God) so you couldn't have a relationship with God (based on His unconditional love expressed in Christ).
You believe all you have in life is because you've worked to achieve them on your own, may be the breath in you is your own doing also. I pray it doesn't get too late before you come to your right (God-given) senses.

frosbel2:


Dont shoot the messenger. I am not the author of the article.

Go and quarell with the scholars who made these recent discoveries.

The Word of the Most High God doesn't depend on Scriptures, scholars or some "scrolls". Those who are privileged to have the Word written on their hearts know the Word when they see or hear it.

This your antichrist work must be really hard on you I swear and I can't envy you. But you and your master should already know that the Word of God is living and active, it can't be faked!

The difference between you and me is that:
For you, problems and seeming God's absence in your life brought frustration and you stopped religion and LOST FAITH altogether.
For me, I saw much worse problems than all you posted above. These brought frustration because I was also born in a core Christian home and did ALL a faithful Christian could do to get out of those problems but encountered more hardship to the point of begging God to take my life. I also stopped religion but NEVER LOST FAITH in God. This faith in Christ brought me into a deeper relationship with God when I stopped focusing on my problems and started looking unto Christ through His Word as the Holy Spirit began to inspire me to know Him more everyday. God practically brought me out of the religious system and gave me Life through my suffering. My love and service to God is not for what I can get but for ALL He has done, ALL that He's doing and ALL that He's going to do in me and through me. All my problems have shrinked into thin air as I focus and draw closer to Christ daily.
My brother, get to know Christ, what He wants from you isn't religion but your heart. Let Him have your heart then your soul(mind, emotions and will) will be transformed as you give up all your struggles to follow Him daily.

God is still the same in PRINCIPLES. The LORD God revealed to us through Christ is still the YAHWEH Adonai of the Old Testament. When you truly understand WHO and WHAT Christ is today, then you'll be able to comprehend the God of the Old Testament with all the wars, killings, sacrifices and laws as symbols pointing forward to the real things in the New Testament.

Every command God gave in the Old Testament to kill was a righteous judgement, justified and represents something in the New Testament. We in this New Covenant have so much to learn from the wars, sacrifices and laws of the Old Testament.

Moreover, when reading and studying the Bible, especially the Old Testament, don't assume the world was everything like we have it now. Cultures and geographical locations also played a huge role in human activities then very much unlike how we do now.

Does Satan need to write letter to humans? Satan is always working, deceiving and influencing people every now and then, only those who are spiritually alive in Christ and have the required spiritual insight to see and know about Satan's antics are living in victory over Satan and his influences.

Christ's followers have no day for sabbath. Jewish sabbath observation only pointed to the real spiritual sabbath all faithful Christians are already into by their FAITH in Christ (Hebrews 4:3).

Yoga is anti-Christian. One can be possessed by an evil spirit from practicing such demonic exercise.

LordReed:


Why are you people wasting time, gimme all your money so you don't use the mark of the beast.

Money in itself isn't the issue, love of money is. Just like pursuit of fame, power and sensual pleasures, all these are the mark of the beast.
I don't expect you to understand this unless you have spiritual insight.

Only if he really knew Christ, he won't be tied down by fellow man's laws. Religion is such a bondage.

Religion is such a bondage. Thank God Christ gas broken the yoke of religion and restored the lost relationship between man and his Creator.
Those who have this relationship know better and aren't tied down by men's laws. True Christianity isn't religion but a growing relationship based on FAITH.

Nice research work OP.
I've always known the mark 666 has a lot to do with Solomon and money. But I'm sure it extends beyond that. The world system, especially in this post-modern era has permeated and has been ruling the minds(forehead) and actions(right hand) of most people.
Those who truly want to live for Christ shouldn't fall for the deceit of the devil - for Satan never deceives with lies but with truth. Satan twists the truth of God's Word to deceive the simple. WE SHOULD ALL BEWARE OF PROSPERITY, HEALING AND MIRACLE GOSPELS!

Bluezy13:


So without your prayers, the Lord will not bless him, enlighten his understanding and help him stand in truth

If yes, then he is at your mercy to receive blessings from God.

If No, then the Lord can still bless him.
Therefore why did you pray for him

Wetin happen now, did the OP offend you? Abi na your prayer? Abeg pack one side if you have nothing beneficial to post.

God bless you for this reminder. I was once a believer in violent prayer until God opened my spiritual eye through His Word.
Those who pray for their enemies to die by fire don't really know their flesh is their own worst enemies, not the perceived witches and wizards. If they must get an answer from God, they must be ready to crucify their flesh with Christ - that's the only way to victory.

paxonel:
I think it the right of God to remain neutral about that if he want to.

God is never neutral in the scheme of things in this world. He's very much active, in fact all things revolve around His purpose - both good and evil.
Satan - man's common enemy wants us to believe he is in control of things, but those who have a genuine relationship with God know better - that nothing happens without God's permission.
Anything that happens to us, there is a divine purpose for it; we may not understand it all but we know it's all good for those who have absolute trust in God (Romans 8:28).

As if atiku will do better than buhari. Kettle calling pot black

The fall of man gave chance to the increasing disorder we experience from generation to generation but the Word of God and His Principles never change.

God created the man and gave him dominion over the earth before giving him the woman as a HELPER. No matter what a woman is or how powerful she is, she must have a leader (a man) over her to be truly fulfilled in life. The primary role of every woman in life is to help a man fulfill his divine purpose on earth, when the man is fulfilled, the woman is also fulfilled.

Everything that happens in this world is under God's control and they all drive towards fulfillment of His great purpose

Excellent writeup bro!
How I wish most church goers would get this type of teaching from their pastors so they would know the real meaning of anointing.
The created man was fashioned to operate and live on earth by his intuition while his reasoning, volition and emotions follow suit.
The fall of man killed his intuition because fellowship with God became difficult. The right communion with God and a clear conscience is needed to bring man's intuition back to life, only Christ can bring that.

Nigerians deserve the leaders they get

Righteousness89:
You Carry Me when Some carry their god..
You feed me Lord when others feed their god..
You Fought for me when Some Fight For Thur god...

JESUS... you no de use Me Play Oooo

God bless you bro!
Our Lord God fights for us, we don't fight for Him. We only defend His Truth with righteousness, not violence. Those who die fighting to defend their idols only have themselves to blame because every man has the opportunity to hear and live out the Truth.

Napolito:



I just want you to enlighten me abt origin of different religion, and also tell me d religion Jesus Christ belong.

The fall of man gave birth to religion. Man was created a spirit with soul and body capable of interrelationship with his Creator and fellow creations. But man lost the capability to relate with God spiritually when Adam fell, because the Spirit of God left man.

Man's attempt to connect with His Creator results in religion but that isn't what God wants - the reason Christ came and restored that relationship with God which humanity lost in Eden (God's Presence).