My spirit was in a state of disease as I heard a well known scripture half quoted to support/cover wrongdoing. The funny thing about it was done out of ignorance. I did approach the person afterword and brought clarification in a spirit of love.
I then realized that many Christians use Roman 8:1 to cover there sin. They will read up to the following words: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” and say no one can condemn them, which is true because man has no Heaven or Hell to put anyone in. But, what they fail to realize is that they condemn themselves when they sin. Many Christians think or take this scripture to say that because I am a Christian there is no condemnation for me.
If we read the whole verse which states, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” We would see that the reason why there is no condemnation is because the Christian is walking after the Spirit and when one walks after the Spirit they are not walking after the flesh and thus commit no sin. If sin is not committed then there is no reason to condemn.
Yes, Christ died for our sins, but that does not mean that we can now commit all the sin we want and not be condemned. We crucify Christ daily when we live in reckless sin. Many are trying to live the life of a sinner and have the benefits of a Christian and it doesn’t work that way. God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap.( Gal. 6:7)
Have you ever tried to bring correction or clarification in the spirit of love? If so, how did it turn out? I would like to hear your stories.
In the book “What Daddy Should Have Told His Little Girl” by Tony Gaskins, Jr., he shares his insightful experiences and knowledge of male behavior in regards to relationships with females. Tony touches on a few questions that at one time, or another crosses women minds as they try to understand their male counterparts. Through his advice and insight he stands as a friend and confidant to females helping them navigate through troubled waters.
First, I will start off by saying that I read this book from the perspective of a grown Christian Woman who was once married for twelve years and has birth and raised three boys. With all of the experience I have gained over the years, I still found a few nuggets of wisdom I am able to apply to my life. Tony’s writing definitely took me back to the point when I was married and caused me to examine a few things more closely than I had at that time. Sad to say, but the break up of my marriage was for the same two reasons why the majority of marriages do – infidelity and finance.
I was glad to see Tony site the same reasons for male infidelity and abusiveness as the same general ones that I came to understand in my experiences with men. It all boils down to learned behavior, self hatred, pinned up emotions, or an unsubmitted life to Christ. It was a little disheartening to hear about the “one flaw” rule because it almost seamed as if he was placing man’s infidelity on woman’s inability to be perfect. Through prayer I have come to the understanding that neither male nor female can be faithful without submitting their natural sexual drive to the Lord. Temptations will come to test and try to pervert the natural sex drive to an unholy driving force that can lead to insane practices.
The last chapter was a wonderful addition to the book that brought finality, conclusion, and hope. I learned during my marriage as Tony expounds on, that beauty alone is incapable of causing a male to remain faithful. Tony gave me insight as to a male’s justification of his infidelity and helped me to see a couple of my own short comings.
I plan on giving a copy of this book to my nieces who currently do not have a male figure in the home and recommend this book to all females seeking a deeper understanding of male behaviors.
Proverbs 31:18, “She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.”
She knows that the Spirit of God within her is good and her faith in Him does not go out in the storms of life. She keeps her faith strong by reading the Word of God and with daily prayer. She knows not to be weary in well doing for she shall reap if she faints not. She knows that if she delights herself in the Lord He will give her the desires of her heart. So, she holds on to the prophesies that she receives with earnest expectation. She hides the world of God in her heart, so that she might not sin against the Lord. She knows that God is not a man that he should lie, or the son of man that he should repent. She knows that God has given her Angles to watch over her and bare her up in their arms, so that she will not dash her foot against a stone. She knows that Jesus will return for her, so her heart does safely trust Him. Though the night maybe dark and long and the valley steep it does not shake her faith or dim her love for Him. Her weeping may endure for the night, but joy is restored to her in the morning. Her faith is not circumstantial, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Therefore, she fights in victory knowing that she is more than a conqueror.
Ladies, dare to be that virtuous woman of God and watch Him take care of it all. Please share with me how you are fighting the good fight of faith.
Are you upholding your family responsibilities? If so, what challenges have you faced?
It is a real challenge to walk out these family responsibilities within a church. We my think it is easier to be holy when no one else is around. This way we are never upset or frustrated. But that is not true holiness because true holiness is tested. Rick Warren said it best, “Isolation breeds deceitfulness; it is easy to fool ourselves into thinking we are mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships.”
The Bible is a great tool to help up grow, but we need more than that; we need one another. Accountability to one another helps us to grow stronger and faster. Taking the time to teach and correct one another in love builds a community of mature believers.
The scriptures tell us in Hebrews 10:35 to “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” In meditating on this verse, we see that confidence has rewards. This leaves me to question which type of confidence? I mean, is confidence in our abilities strong enough to sustain us through life? Is confidence in a person able to benefit us? Neither of these are sufficient.
The type of confidence the author was referring to can be found in Proverbs 3:26, “For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep they foot from being taken.” Only confidence in God (El Elyon) can sustain us through life and be a benefit to us. Putting confidence in man or our own flesh is futile, because we are not perfect and don’t have the power within ourselves to know the future or the outcome of a matter.
So, when I think about what benefits confidence in God brings, immediately three come to mind:
1. Confidence attracts people, or divine relationship connects.
2. Confidence helps one to accomplish goals.
3. Confidence attracts money.
Can you think of any other benefit confidence in God will bring? Please list them in your comment. I would love to hear your thoughts.
My spirit was in a state of disease as I heard a well known scripture half quoted to support/cover wrongdoing. The funny thing about it was done out of ignorance. I did approach the person afterword and brought clarification in a spirit of love.
reward.” In meditating on this verse, we see that confidence has rewards. This leaves me to question which type of confidence? I mean, is confidence in our abilities strong enough to sustain us through life? Is confidence in a person able to benefit us? Neither of these are sufficient.
