Considering the Source: (Part 1 Conviction or Condemnation?)

April 23, 2010 at 2:50 pm (1, About Sin, Assurance, Devotional Thoughts., Discernment, Faith, Fear, Forgiveness, Grace, Guidance, Holy Spirit, Hope, Judging, Lighter Burdens., Mercy, Our Unchanging God, Peace, refuge, Repentance, Restoration, Righteousness, Salvation, self-esteem, shelter, Sins, Sovereignty of God, Transformation., Trusting, Truth, When you are afraid, When you feel bitter, When You Feel Like Crying., Wisdom, worth)

I have known for awhile what the Bible says about Satan, and what he does. I have known that he is always roaming seeking to devour, that he comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and that he is both a liar and “The Accuser of the Brethren”.  But it hadn’t dawned on me that  one of the reasons that he accuses so well is because he keeps records of Christians’ sins.  One of my friends mentioned this to me , and it makes a lot of sense. It’s like he waves a carrot (something sinful) in our face, and he says “Come on. Come on. Just this once.”, or “Just this last time.” Then as soon as you take him up on it He exclaims, “You did it again! I knew you would! You are pathetic and hopeless! This proves you are not a Christian!” It has always frustrated me that he seemed to know what to tempt me with at any given time. I have in the past confused his condemnation with the conviction that The Holy Spirit does.

Another reason that Satan is good at his job is because he can quote scripture.  However, he doesn’t “rightly divide it”, because if he were to do that we would be filled with hope instead of shame. He knows not only all of our sins that we have committed, but he also knows that Christians are “New Creatures” with a “Twofold Nature”.  This nature consists of an “Inner Man” or “Spiritual Man” or “The Hidden Man of the Heart”, and an “Outer Man” or “The Flesh”.  The “Spiritual Man” cannot sin. It can only follow the Lord. The “Flesh” can do nothing but sin. The two are opposed as described in Romans 7 and 8.  Below are some scriptures where these terms are used.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; Ephesians 3:16 KJV

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25 KJV

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 1 Peter 3:4

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 KJV

I am so thankful that the Lord’s ways are just the opposite. Satan may keep a record of Christians’ sins, but the Lord does not….”If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Psalm 130:3-4 KJV, “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalm32:2 KJV… So where eternity is concerned, we may be conscious of sin “in” us(in our members…in our flesh), but when the Lord looks “at” us our sin is not “on” us. They are all…(past, present, and future sins) under His precious blood.

Okay I mentioned above that we can confuse the voice of the Holy Spirit with the voice of Satan. The Holy Spirit has a number of jobs that He does. Two of them are to convict people of sin, and to comfort Christians. He convicts the unsaved of their sin and urges them to call on Jesus and become Christians or “get saved”.  He also convicts people who are already Christians when they sin. He shows them their sins and urges them to confess and repent, and reminds them that they are loved by Jesus and that Jesus will be so glad that they called on Him again. Satan shows people their sins and tells people who have not yet been saved that they can’t be saved, and he tells Christians that they need not bother going to the Lord, because He has had it with them. He also tries to tell them that their sins prove that they are not saved and they cannot be saved; that they are without hope. But Satan is a liar.

Please know that no matter what you have done that the Lord is always glad when you return to Him.  Do you know what Matthew 24:35 says?  It says  “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” The Bible is always trustworthy and true.  Below are two more passages of scripture that I have come to cherish.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 KJV

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.  Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV

Are you longing for Hope? Are you concerned that it might be too late to find the Lord?  Are you worried that your sins are just too awful? Look again. Who does the Lord offer to pardon? Not just sinners, but the wicked. The fact that you are still breathing and have concern in your heart shows that the Lord is calling to you. Call on Jesus. He is listening. He cares. Are you at a loss for words? The song below can help you.

 

Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord?  Please click here:https://pronetoponder.wordpress.com/category/about-salvation-very-important-words/ and make sure.

 

Do you have a Bible? If you don’t have one, you need not worry. Just click here: www.biblegateway.com They have many versions and translations of the Bible that you can read. Some of the best things in life are free!

 

Just as I am Without One Plea

1.	Just as I am, without one plea,
	but that thy blood was shed for me,
	and that thou bidst me come to thee,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

2.	Just as I am, and waiting not
	to rid my soul of one dark blot,
	to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

3.	Just as I am, though tossed about
	with many a conflict, many a doubt,
	fightings and fears within, without,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

4.	Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
	sight, riches, healing of the mind,
	yea, all I need in thee to find,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

5.	Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
	wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
	because thy promise I believe,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

6.	Just as I am, thy love unknown
	hath broken every barrier down;
	now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
	O Lamb of God, I come, I come.