Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep sinning?
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Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep sinning? - 4/3/2008 9:40:10 AM
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Little_1
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Do you sometimes feel like a failure because you keep on sinning no matter how hard you try to stop?
Do you think that there has to be more to your Christian walk than salvation, church, reading your Bible, praying and doing good works?
Do you ever feel empty and powerless to obey God's Word and pretend everything is okay in your spirit when you know that it is not?
Here is what I found at the end of silent years of not really expressing these questions out loud and certainly not in public for fear of what folk might think. Has anyone else found the same at the end of a long and weary road? I would be interested to hear your testimonies concerning these same questions please.
After almost 22 years as a Christian, I have found that 'Surrender' is the key to a Christ-like life. The Holy Spirit cannot work with us if we are full of our own desires and self-will. We may be Christians for years and yet know nothing of the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives beyond salvation. This has been the REALITY of my Christian experience for the past 20 or so years - failure, disillusionment and disappointment with myself.
Last year (July) I came to the point in my life where I was fed up being a mediocre Christian with no power over sin in my life. This is not how God intended it to be and I was convinced of that. I have been a Christian since 1986. Going to church; praying; reading the Bible and trying my very best to be a good Christian but powerless in the face of many sins! I could stand it no longer. Surely God didn't send Jesus to die for my sin and leave me after salvation??? No that wasn't true because I had seen God do many things for me since I trusted Jesus as my Saviour from sin but yet remained powerless to do what the Bible teaches me.
One afternoon, I told God in prayer how I was feeling - warts and all. I was completely honest with Him. He wouldn't be shocked because He knows everything about me anyway I figured.
I told God that I wanted my life to count for something in His Kingdom. I wanted to be more Christ like and yet have never been able to achieve such. I told Him I felt like a massive failure and disappointment to Him.
I cried out to God to change me. To work in my life so that others would see something of the Father's love. I asked God to take complete control of my life and give me His desires in place of my own no matter what that may mean - just so long as my life would become a blessing to others for His glory.
About a week or so after this, there was a terrible accident. My hubby was involved in this accident and although he was not injured, a young person died. This whole sad event has turned our lives upside down. We are now in a situation where we don't know what our future holds and where once my husband's employment seemed secure for life - we are now faced with the possibility of this being terminated.
Suddenly, everything we have worked hard for all our married life and put our trust in to always be there is no longer a reality. We thought money was a safeguard but even that is threatened to disappear.
Our lives have been cruelly crossed in another families lives and we are not allowed to contact them to say how terribly sorry we are because of investigations. The media has been less than kind and reported many untruths and made a sad situation a really bad situation.
Everything we counted as security is in danger of being stripped away. Add to this the terrible burden that a young and precious life has been lost and the weight is a heavy load. However, the Lord has shared our burdens and sustained us during this awful time and I can honestly say that the Lord has been a tower of strength to us. God has led me by His Spirit to realise the power there is in praise, prayer and His Word (and the promises contained therein) - His Word has become more precious than anything I own.
Over the months since the accident, my husband was amazed how I have managed to remain calm in what is the worst thing that has ever happened to us as a couple. A few months ago, my hubby trusted the Lord himself - something that would never have happened had God not worked by His Holy Spirit and brought good out of bad - Hallelujah.
God is faithful - God is totally reliable - God is the best person to surrender your life entirely to because He knows the future. Even in the midst of this storm I can praise Him for His faithfulness and thank Him that He is teaching me wonderful truths and giving us great strength in the middle of this storm.
I may not know what lies in the future but thankfully I know who holds the future and He has allowed this accident to happen in our lives for good reason. God never allows anything in the lives of His children unless it can be used for a greater good and blessing.
The day I came to the foot of the cross again and realised that God is not just the God of my Salvation but the God of my regeneration and I realised that to surrender to God in everything is the only way to bring the Holy Spirit power into every situation I can face or be challenged with - that day was the biggest turning point in my growth as a Christian. It is no longer myself who is trying to work out good in my life but the Holy Spirit at work in me. I have found that this is not a once and for all process but that I need to empty myself daily and ask God to fill me with His Spirit afresh each day to think and do as He would and to meet each day's challenges and whatever else He wants to teach me. When I don't surrender my will to God daily, I find that I end up taking steps backwards and so I know now that surrendering my desires, ambitions, responses to things and situations, (everything) etc daily is what I have to do to please God.
I am proving the Holy Spirit in the face of adversity. I have testified of the faithfulness of God and the deep peace and even joy He gives despite our circumstances. One Christian woman broke down in tears and told me the Lord is challenging her in her relationship with Him because of watching my life and testimony over these past few months (something I was totally oblivious to). That is God's Holy Spirit working through a willing and surrendered channel. I do not boast in myself because that is ugly - but I do believe the Lord took me at my word when I realised that I needed to surrender my life to him in everything all these months ago.
I cannot imagine what it would have been like if God in His great mercy did not lead me to this realization of His Holy Spirit power working through an emptied channel - I just would not have coped. I thank and praise God for keeping our heads held up through all of this and although I don't know what the future holds - I believe the Lord is working out His plan.
To God be the glory and praise His precious Holy name.
Please feel free to discuss or answer these questions in the way the Lord has worked in your life. It took me 22 years to realize the awesome power of the Holy Spirit who was in me all along but I was not willing to give Him total control until I got to the end of myself. Now with the Holy Spirit's help - I can face tomorrow with a conviction in my heart that we really do serve a mighty God.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/3/2008 10:19:10 AM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 10:09:43 AM
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Ms.Linda
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You have touched my heart, God Bless you! Your testimony could be mine!
I know also that I must ask God to cover my life everyday in every circumstance, talking the talk is easy, it's the walk that's hard.
Thank you for sharing
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 10:41:45 AM
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john_is_free
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Little_1,
I will keep you in my prayers.
You are a fortunate one in that you were able to realize that we are powerless in this world with out an intimate relationship with God. For me it took exposure of my secrect, hidden sin in my life.
I was once told this little saying... God does not plan everything in our life, but for everything in our life He has a plan.
Reminds me of Job. God did not plan the events in his life because he allowed Satan to basically destroy his life (materially at least). But Job was faithful and God blessed him greatly.
You do not know what was instore for the young child. God may have decided to bring him home early to save him from the evils of this world (or his family?).
Throught the bible God has mentioned the provisions for the righteous. Remember that God does not tempt but provides power and hope throught the Holy Spirit to rise above temptation and circumstances.
In my case, my sin was holding me back from truly serving God. He finally caused the sin to be revealed in my life (God provides us the means to resist temptation!!!). My spiritual life now is amazing. I just pray that my marriage survives. I think it might but I am not 100% sure.
John
_____________________________
-------------------------------------------------
God's grace is stronger than the pull of sin!
Struggling with Porn?
PM me or go to
www.settingcaptivesfree.com
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 10:49:12 AM
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Liveloved
Posts: 1072
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quote:
something I was totally oblivious to
Oh little_1,
Can I hug you thru cyberspace?  Those are my attempts! Thank you dear sister for sharing your precious story.
There are so many things I want to and could respond to in what you say. I will limit my response this time.
The quote I used above is very important and powerful. It is something I learned many years ago from J. Oswald Sanders in his book, Spiritual Leadership. Basically what he said is that if you think you're being used of God, you're not. It is the times of 'oblivion' when God is using us because our 'self' is then out of the way.
Anyway, I totally agree regarding surrender. It is the key to power. The song, O To Be Nothing, is a wonderful reminder and prayer of a surrendered heart.
Though the NT is filled with this, we fail to realize that suffering is the path of the believer. Hebrews 2:10 says, "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings."
I Peter 1:6-7 says, "In this you greatly rejoice even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. . ." and 4:12-13, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange things were happening to you, but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation." and 4:19, "Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right."
And Colossians 1:24 says, "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions." And in I Thess 3:3, "so that no man may be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this."
I could go on but won't. It is through suffering that the heat is turned up to remove the dross, refining us. Your testimony is a beautiful illustration of God at work!
We don't expect those kind of answers to prayer. But He is a user of ALL things and frequently they are the unexpected things or wrong things (to our way of thinking). But they lead us to believe more, trust more, and love Him more.
And the promise is that to the degree that we share His sufferings, we will rejoice with Him when He is revealed! Thank you, little_1, for sharing your story with us. Blessings! LL 
< Message edited by Liveloved -- 4/3/2008 10:57:31 AM >
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 11:03:21 AM
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LivingParadox
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I can't post a long response right now -- you are certainly not a failure if you are following the prompts of the Holy Spirit...actually quite the opposite. Appearences can be very deceiving and God does know the truth.
Sending a quick prayer up for your current situation and I'll try to post more later.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 1:50:02 PM
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Little_1
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John 3:30 has been on my mind since I posted this thread:
He must increase, but I must decrease.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/3/2008 1:56:39 PM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 4:14:30 PM
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TMeeks
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Little_1,
You have changed from being a 'Cat' Christian to being a 'Dog' Christian.
A Dog says to its master, "You feed me, you pet me, you house me and you love me... YOU must be God!"
A cat says to its master, "You feed me, you pet me, you house me and you love me... I must be God!"
Your former life, which you so eloquently described, is probably shared by the bulk of the Christian community because they have not fully realized that they can simply rest in the fact that God is God. He's God when all is going well and God when all is NOT going well.
It was great to read the testimony of your journey and I am sure that it is going to be a blessing to many people.
Tom
P.S. I know you would like "Cat & Dog Theology" by Bob Sjogren. And, I also think you would really appreciate his God Centered "Prayer to Go" site.
_____________________________
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 7:26:44 PM
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Liveloved
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quote:
they can simply rest in the fact that God is God
Amen, Tom!
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 7:31:42 PM
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URForgiven
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We all fail and fall short, thank God He does not judge us based on our sins. Forget what is behind and move forward. God does not condemn us, so we should not condemn ourselves either.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/3/2008 8:19:30 PM
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HisCovenant
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What a precious love you have for our Lord! Thanks for sharing it.
I've experienced something similar with the questions and then the surrender, finding more joy, peace, and security than I could ever find through good circumstances. Although I can't understand the accident and heavy burden you carry experientially, I know our God will keep you and give you the strength to endure. I also know that He is working this for your good because you love Him. I hope and pray that he uses it for good throughout your community and with this devistated family and that they are able to find the same peace & security you have through these tragic circumstances. Never doubt God's love for you... you are His Little_1.
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 5:41:14 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 688
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quote:
ORIGINAL: TMeeks
Little_1,
You have changed from being a 'Cat' Christian to being a 'Dog' Christian.
A Dog says to its master, "You feed me, you pet me, you house me and you love me... YOU must be God!"
A cat says to its master, "You feed me, you pet me, you house me and you love me... I must be God!"
Your former life, which you so eloquently described, is probably shared by the bulk of the Christian community because they have not fully realized that they can simply rest in the fact that God is God. He's God when all is going well and God when all is NOT going well.
It was great to read the testimony of your journey and I am sure that it is going to be a blessing to many people.
Tom
P.S. I know you would like "Cat & Dog Theology" by Bob Sjogren. And, I also think you would really appreciate his God Centered "Prayer to Go" site.
I will gave them a look - thanks Tom. Appreciated. I love the cat / dog theology. Reminds me of something I posted onsite recently. Also, the prayer site is fab. I will be using that often. Thank you. 
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/4/2008 5:57:39 AM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 5:44:17 AM
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Little_1
Posts: 688
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
What a precious love you have for our Lord! Thanks for sharing it.
I've experienced something similar with the questions and then the surrender, finding more joy, peace, and security than I could ever find through good circumstances. Although I can't understand the accident and heavy burden you carry experientially, I know our God will keep you and give you the strength to endure. I also know that He is working this for your good because you love Him. I hope and pray that he uses it for good throughout your community and with this devistated family and that they are able to find the same peace & security you have through these tragic circumstances. Never doubt God's love for you... you are His Little_1.
My heart goes out to the family. At the moment they are bitter and angry (which is a terrible burden to carry on top of grief). Please pray for them because no matter what - they are devastated by the tremendous loss of their precious child. I cannot imagine what they are experiencing as I do not have children myself but their pain must be horrendous. I pray that they too will come to know the Lord Jesus and find that He is very real and loves them deeply.
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/4/2008 5:59:21 AM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 12:59:12 PM
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BlackCapnHarlock
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I'm almost 14 years in and I can say that I do feel like a failure overall as a Christian and it's due to MY SINS.
I was praying last night and I counted that I sinned about 10 times yesterday.
I struggle (those who read the MEN ONLY forum know) with the same passions and fears and questions that we all do.
However, I know GOD's GRACE is bigger than my sin and I must work daily to be sin free. I have suffered greatly for my sins and the sins of others.
But last night I felt such rage and such confusion about my life and my walk with CHRIST, yet this morning I felt peace and love . . . I know my faults, which are strong, but I also know that JESUS love for me is greater and overcomes my faults.
Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves and sometimes we are our own worst enemies.
I need to learn when to let it loose and learn when to reign myself in again, in balance.
_____________________________
Ezekiel 16:6 Eze 16:6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 6:08:19 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: BlackCapnHarlock
I need to learn when to let it loose and learn when to reign myself in again, in balance.
I have learnt the opposite this past 8 months - I have learnt to let the Holy Spirit have reign in me. Whilst I believe that the Lord forgives our sins when we repent, I also agree 100% that very often it is ourselves who put ourselves under unecessary stress and pressures as you say but only because we are depending in ourselves and our own efforts to live Christlike lives! 
This is what the Lord does not want - He wants us to depend on His Holy Spirit power at work in us by giving Him the reigns and not for us depend on our own strength because the flesh will fail us and so the cycle goes on until we realise that Jesus didn't leave us without help - He left us the same help He depended on when He lived in the flesh - i.e. the Holy Spirit. If Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit - how much more do we need the Holy Spirit?
< Message edited by Little_1 -- 4/4/2008 6:22:07 PM >
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 6:17:14 PM
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HisCovenant
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I think there has to be balance between what you both said. The Holy Spirit has to teach us and we truely have to know (not what we think, but what God is and wants.) We have to rely on Him for discernment, wisdom, sight, etc.
But there does come a time for us to be obedient and reign in ourseves in accordance with what the Holy Spirit has revealed and in His power.
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 6:20:14 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HisCovenant
...... But there does come a time for us to be obedient and reign in ourseves in accordance with what the Holy Spirit has revealed and in His power.
Please explain what you mean by 'reign in ourselves' - as posted in your post as I have never heard this expression before and am confused!
Appreciated.
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/4/2008 6:30:14 PM
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HisCovenant
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Typo alert!!!
I meant to "rein in," not "reign in!"
You probably know now that it's spelled right, but "rein in" means to control or to harness and is based on the the reins that you use to control a horse. It's the verbal expression of using a horse's reins.
So sorry!!
_____________________________
-HisCovenant/ Zipporah
My friends call me Zippy!
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/6/2008 5:24:15 PM
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LoyalFriend
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Little 1,
My prayers are with you and your husband. Keeping looking to God and he will guide you both.
"Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/9/2008 12:33:36 PM
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Little_1
Posts: 688
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LoyalFriend
Little 1,
My prayers are with you and your husband. Keeping looking to God and he will guide you both.
"Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24
Thank you LoyalFriend - we appreciate you.
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/12/2008 12:48:42 PM
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cobblestone
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Is the sin always the same sin or different sins. If its the same sin all the time then its a failure to learn a lesson thats God teaching, so feeling a failure would be an incentive to learn and move on. Just like the kid that always says their sorry but keeps doing the same thing I can see God getting upset with that. I always told my kids don't say your sorry unless you plan on not doing it again, cause it sounds like a broken record. If the lessons are learnt but the sins are in a new area then thats growth and theirs no reason to feel a failure when the sins God uses for our discipline. It depends if the sin is repeditive.
_____________________________
Blogger
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/13/2008 1:26:12 PM
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Walker311
Posts: 1816
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quote:
Do you sometimes feel like a failure because you keep on sinning no matter how hard you try to stop?
To keep on sinning and unable to stop is similar to describing a runaway freight train and due to continual sanctification and being tired of being spanked, this description doe not fit me or many mature Christians that I know.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/16/2008 1:34:38 PM
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4ChristisLove
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Thank you for sharing that! God bless you and your husband.
I don't have time to share right now, but I will try to come back. I have a similar testimony to share.
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/18/2008 1:16:17 PM
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Little_1
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 4ChristisLove
Thank you for sharing that! God bless you and your husband.
I don't have time to share right now, but I will try to come back. I have a similar testimony to share.
That would be good 4ChristisLove - look forward to reading your testimony. 
_____________________________
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
ROMANS 12:12
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RE: Do you sometimes feel a failure because you keep si... - 4/18/2008 8:03:54 PM
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Dakotasunbeam
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God has given us power IN HIM, I think that's the biggest thing to remember. We must abide IN HIM to experience that power. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. HE strengthens me, I must go in HIS STRENGTH, not my own. But this too, is a choice. Obedience yields strength in Him. Disobedience yields strength in Sin and distance FROM Him.
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