Penitence

Penitence can be a life sentence we shackle on our self when we realize the wrongs we have committed and in our own opinion are punishable with emotional chains.  Penitence can be good and bad, but for the most part it is very bad.  When you are feeling down because of guilt when you have committed atrocities, crimes, disrespected others, or abused others or yourself, then your judgement skills are usually less affective than the act you committed.  So I have to ask you:

Who are you to judge human imperfections?  Matthew 7:3 says "Why do you look at the speck that is in someone else's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye"?

When we view someone with a guilty conscience we say "Why can't you see past the log in your own eye?"   But you find that person reprehensible just like the one's who can't forgive you, so you form your own court and condemn that person as they obviously are deserving of a life sentence.  At least we're doing something right when we agree with the unforgivers....right?

Well that's wrong thinking, all you are doing is agreeing with satan that hell is better on earth and that you are deserving of it. 

Penitence originates with remorse and guilt and are designed by God to raise a red flag for us to take notice. That's all!  If we don't see past the flag then we are doomed to live under it.  Remember the flag is not the destination.  It's time to lower the flag with the Word of God 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207&version=NASB

Released

Jesus opened the prison doors and let you out, but a lot of times we just don't feel the love as a result of that, so we contain ourselves where we are the strongest, and that is usually back where we are the most vulnerable.

Questionable behavior sprouts out of what we plant.  If we are given grape seeds and throw them away in favor of planting thistles, then this is a replica of our life.  The grape seeds are anything to do with the Word of God and the thistles are anything to do with the world.

Matthew 7:16  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Thistles may have beautiful flowers but you have to approach them carefully, whereas grape vines are very approachable and the fruit is very nourishing.   When we lock ourselves back up in our selfish thinking then we are telling Jesus that what He did for us just doesn't matter.  So we lose out out on a magnificent gift.  

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Fear

When you don't know whats' coming next, when you see a facade that looks soo threatening standing in front of you, when others you love and admire are in trouble of some sort, those are some of the times when we experience the greatest amount fear.

So when we hear statements like "Fear the Lord", what goes through your head?  When I was 10 or 12 years old I always thought to myself, "Why do I need to fear Him".  He is a loving God!  So I was confused.  But over the years I've come to realize that if people are living a questionable lifestyle then that fear is a very present factor in their lives and something I've experienced personally.

Deuteronomy 6:13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.

So what I've learned is that that "Fear" we are talking about for me personally, is that I fear not doing His will, so I fear the outcome of my wayward thinking and I fear how that will affect my relationship with God.

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Variables

Looking at a very deep spiritual life with Christ is a daunting endeavor and filled with variables.  You need to strip away anything that doesn't magnify the message that He gives you.  You need to remove all aspects of the world in order to increase the depth of the relationship that He so desires.  You need to understand that when He calls you that there can be no hesitation in your step, no pondering whether it is worth the risk.  When you speak, you must be in full adherence to the doctrine and teachings in the Bible.

Titus 2:1 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

Avoiding that commission, teaching anything that is false, and trying to steer clear of a single truth is only a path that leads you away from that relationship with Christ. 

The hardest thing in the world is to say yes to a truth, something that will drag you through pain and hardship, but the reward is so much greater when you surrender to that truth, all the while walking away from those things that will trap you in the past. 

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Living in the Spirit

It's a hard thing to try and see if your own walk with the Lord is the way it should be.  It's hard to look at yourself when you're always looking away from yourself.  This requires some serious reflection time, a time when nothing else matters except your relationship with God.

God requires that time too, so that He can download what He needs you to hear, the places He needs you to go, and the next task He has for you.  We may be completely unaware of that download and will only realize that it happened when we are in that unusual place and something miraculous happens.  Something that we could have never orchestrated on our own.

1 Corinthians 2:13  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

This is when we are speechless, when we see miraculous events taking place around us but have no control over it or input to make it happen.  That's called living in the spirit.

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Transparency

What is the fear about being transparent with people?  I've heard that it is a flaw of character when you reveal your weaknesses to people, I've heard that it is a private matter and shouldn't be revealed, and I've heard that it means that you can be taken advantage of.

Transparency reveals the truth about you, it shows that you can be trusted because. . . yes . . .you too have mistakes in your life.  We all have mountains of mistakes that we can spend the rest of our life covering up and losing ourself in those onion-skin wrappings, to other people it stinks and we spend money, effort, and self worth spraying it with pretend deodorants to try to make it smell pretty.

John 3:21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Just knowing that you don't have to carry all of those facades around with you for every situation, releases you to be a much happier relaxed person.

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Relief

Relief from our personal destructive behaviours only comes after we hit a wall and simply can't do this any longer.  The reasons behind the wall is God giving us the opportunity to stop and look at ourself and see just what we look like to others.  It's not a mean thing, it's just a glimpse of what we need to do next.

Galatians 5:17  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

This is the reason we run into trouble when we are doing things and keeping God at a distance.  When we live like hell and want to do that, then God steps out of the way so we can enjoy ourself . . . .but . . . do we really enjoy the outcome?   If so, then why do we need relief to begin with?

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Trickery

Have you ever been forced into a tricky situation where you have no options but to do the evil plots presented to you?  It's either do it or face the consequences and the consequences are dire.  What would you do?  Would you give in under the pressure, would you try and negotiate a way out?  Would you run or fight back?

Those are not easy answers to some tough questions especially if you are trapped in a place where you will lose everything.  We can all say that we would stand up for ourself if it has never happened to us, but would we really?

These are the trials in life that can lead to compulsive and addictive behaviours.  These are the sticky situations that can just be enough to allow us to break down and fall into a bad habit.  Keeping your faith is the only thing you can do when nothing else seems like its going to work out.

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

This is the other alternative to falling into a substance abuse problem.

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Accuracy

Accuracy is one of the things that is so easily forgotten about or missed all together in the heat of a confrontation  and we sometimes blurt out misconceptions or even lies when we are put on the spot.  We some times encounter the well of resentment rising up in us when we feel the least bit slighted or challenged in the image of our self.  We can even get agitated and very aggressive when talking about religion!

If you feel that you are bested or corrected when ever you try to share the word of God and feel like giving up, then the only thing you can do is just keep doing it.  God loves our determination and cares much less about our mistakes.

Phil 1:18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Last time I looked in the Bible, I didn't read anything about Jesus condemning people for saying the wrong thing, but I have read about him encouraging everyone to just do it.  Besides if you're talking about Jesus then you're not really focusing on your problems.

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Responsibility

What is our responsibility as individuals in our neighborhood and greater community?  Why are we faced with so many challenges in life?  Why does life appear to be so difficult and unpredictable?

No easy answers to some serious questions.  But here's a thought, why not focus on other things rather than the negative things that seem to consume our thinking and energy?  In all actuality that's what we are supposed to do.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Why waste your time thinking and worrying about garbage most of which you can't do anything about anyway?  Focusing on junk like that can very easily drag you into compulsive and addictive behaviours.  So lets think about things that will help change one of those negatives and gradually others will join in with you...as long as you don't quit in the meantime.

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Memories

Every memorable event in our life is capable of building a beautiful picture book that we can feel good about as we peruse through our past, as long as the events were worthy of a pleasant memory.  But not all memories are pleasant, some are injurious enough to leave scars on your soul, some are so damaging to you that you wind up repeating those injuries on others.

Mark 7:6  "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me".

When you allow bad memories from the past to control your actions today, then Mark 7:6 applies to you.  Twisting the word of God can keep you frozen in a compulsive or addictive pattern that is very hard to break.  

Not reading and studying the Bible is an open ticket to absolutely anything you want, except God's saving Grace.  

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Instruction

Following instructions should be a way in life as long as the directives are in the best interests of everyone concerned.  However when those requests lack substance or virtue then problems arise.  People fall victim to teachings and doctrines that do not have their best interests at heart, but more over only acknowledge their shortcomings and actually promote them as a completely acceptable way of life.  We are then told, "as long as it doesn't hurt anyone then its okay".  The Bible warns us that we are treading on thin ice when we fall for that.

Proverbs 13:13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it, but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

The things the Bible tells us about life are focused around the truth and are all based on whether its  legal, moral, and ethical.  If you notice, the world's interpretation always leaves out moral and ethical, because without out those 2 directives then absolutely anything is legal to do.

If all we do is just accept what somebody tells is okay to do then we are blinding our self to the truth. Because that's really all the Bible does; is tell the truth.

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Preaching

It's hard to listen to someone who appears to be preaching directly at you or down to you and making you feel guilty.  It's easier to criticize them and avoid them than it is to actually listen to them.  To be fair there are people who beat you with the teachings in the Bible or any other religion for that matter, but if you are even slightly offended at the mention of what's right and wrong then maybe it's not the teacher!!  Maybe it's your conscience talking to you?  Maybe you don't realize you're breaking the law.  That's why we get speeding tickets.

Romans 7:7  What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. 

Well ... maybe you don't want to change and listen to rules, or maybe you're just not used to listening to rules and you're always making your own way in life?  People break Biblical laws and still go to Heaven but your reward is much smaller when you get there.  The fundamental difference is this: 

1. you can live like hell on Earth right now and maybe you'll get to Heaven v/s
2. following the rules now and see how BIG your reward is when you DO get to Heaven! 

The Bible also says that you're simply giving in to temptation and you are receiving your reward right now and none later!

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Conduct

Poor conduct is lying, stealing, revenge, infidelity, dishonesty, neglect, gossip, sloth, injustice, self hatred, and many more!  By incorporating these in your daily thought life & activities, you are worsening your final state.  Addictive & compulsive behaviours live in that group of traits.  The more of these you do, the less good you will be inspired to perform, and the less people want to be around you.

Psalm 112:5  Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.

Living a life free of the above behaviours gives you more time to focus positively on the individuals in your life.  It gives you more rest, peace of mind, energy, and over all happiness.  People don't mind being around you because you make them feel good about themselves.

Chemically speaking, if you put acid into acid, it only becomes more acidic and damaging, and much harder to get rid of!

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Stubborn

You can try and deny it, but addictive & compulsive behaviours are a part of everyone's life.  They are not restricted to drugs and alcohol, and can be as heinous as anything you can imagine.  Or as miniscule as doing nasty little things behind someone's back to try and get even.

From God's perspective, one act is no worse than the other, but rather is the motivation in someone's heart that is the deciding factor.  By this perspective; spitting in someone's coffee is no worse than physically putting them in hospital.  Anything you have in your heart to harm someone is an "Addictive & Compulsive" behaviour.  That's what we'll be judged on; "not the physical act, but the intent to do wrong". 

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

The Bible says that the only way to stop this addictive & compulsive behaviour is to forgive and then you'll forget.  Lets be addicted to forgiveness instead.

Simply put, the behaviour remains because you refuse to stop trying to get even with others.

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Gaslighting

Ever worked with someone who found fault with everything you did?  Tried to condense you and your efforts into a smaller container?  You are the victim of something called gaslighting!  If every addict was to look deep into their history they would probably find traces of this behaviour that was manipulating them due to their open honest lifestyle.

People with little sense of a societal norm prey on the unsuspecting as it bolsters their confidence that they are truly in control of their ever-so-small world.  In reality, they are small children in big people shoes.  School yard bullies!  The Bible tells us about them in:

2 Peter 2:9 ...the Lord knows how to rescue the Godly from trials, and hold the unrighteous accountable... NIV

Realizing that gives the open and honest person who may have compulsive or addictive behaviours the power of knowledge to defeat those who try to impose their compulsive and addictive behaviours on you.  You are no longer the victim of a victim.

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Idolatry

Ever wonder why you think the way you do and get into situations you never thought you would?

Well in reality, an idol is something that steals all your time, uses up your brain power with you trying to get more of it.  It can be anything: our hobbies, striving for money or fame, crime, thought life, addiction, co-dependency where you can't be away from someone, and even things like worshiping the moon.

So let's look at what the 1st commandment is talking about?  Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other God's before me"

The Bible gives us clear instructions on how to live a stress free life, but if we don't take the time to understand that it is there for us to grow with, then we will fall into strange habits and thoughts.

 

Colossians 3:5  "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

I know it sounds easier than doing it because our pride can get in the way!  But I promise that if you do try it you will be rewarded.

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Fruitless

Knowing that we should be clearing out the destructive idols, habits, and thoughts in our life, and not doing it are basically slapping God in the face. Each of us cannot deny that we are prompted consistently to live an upright Godly life.  That some of the things we are doing, we know are wrong, but we do them anyway.  We may even trick ourself into feeling good about our erroneous decisions saying, "I did it my way".   This is fruitless and will not last!

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

What will happen when it all comes down to the decisions you make on a moment by moment basis?  If you can't see it already, this world is coming to an end!  We will each be held accountable for every decision we made, for every questionable action we committed, and for every person we led astray by ignoring those promptings. 

We don't know the time or the hour when we will face our life of questionable choices, but the time is coming, so give your life to Jesus Christ now.

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Spirit Led

It's easier to convince yourself that you are "led by the spirit" than "not led by the spirit". 

When you think you are being led by the spirit, then you physically have to ponder all the events leading up to a decision you must make.  It's like performing a checklist or following a bunch of laws in order to have something happen.  This can have disastrous results.  This is because the goal is about "me".  You question if God even hears you!

Galatians 5:18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

When you truly are led by the spirit, events happen and have remarkable results, and you wonder how it all took place.  You didn't have to do anything, no checklist, no book of laws, and no real thinking about it.  You just followed a small voice in your head that led you on a good and rightful path.  The goal, as it turns out, was to help someone else.  You walk away dazed yet amazed!

Being Spirit Led is more about acting in the moment, and less about large plans well in advance.

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Cover Up

When you live a life of questionable behaviour, going against societal norms, in defiance to others, breaking the law, and putting yourself first, you are the opposite of truth.  Truth exists to guide us in the right ways, but by living those ways and professing to be the opposite is like simply covering over filth with a beautiful rug.  Eventually the filth will stain and ruin the rug.

When you live like that you become critical of others.  Your own guilt becomes the filth under the rug.  You try incessantly to heap guilt on others in order to avert other peoples gaze on your own debauchery.  And occasionally you can trick others into seeing that you are an angel of light and they will willingly do your dirty work for you.

Exodus 23:1 “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness."

False prophets must cover over everything about them because their life is usually a sham.  This is why the Bible talks about wisdom and to test everything.  It doesn't say heap guilt and ask others to lie for you.

But soon the veil will be torn.

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