“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
It is important for born again Christians, to know that there is a huge difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the enemy of our faith. It can affect how we approach life.
Please, let there be no confusion. The Holy Spirit works to convict us to push away from the ensnarement of sin (doing that which is wrong). And He works in drawing us towards God in freedom. The condemning spirit of the enemy of our faith works to push us away from God. This is done in shame and condemnation. That way we are more prone in hopelessness, to continue to do what we should NOT.
Concerning Condemnation:
“There are two feelings we can experience after we’ve sinned. One is conviction and the other is condemnation. Conviction is from the Holy Spirit, prompting us to confess and be restored to fellowship so God can continue to bless us. Its purpose is to draw us closer to God. Condemnation is from Satan, trying to convince us that we’re no good, and that God will never forgive us. It’s purpose is to keep us away from God by making us feel guilty.
“As soon as we confess our sins, we’re forgiven and the sin is forgotten as God immediately purifies us from all unrighteousness (See: 1 John 1:9). Any bad feelings we have after that are feelings of guilt that come from Satan.
“So if you’re being drawn closer to God, you’re feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit. But if you feel like hiding from God and begin to doubt His love for you, you’re feeling condemnation from the devil. Rebuke those feelings in the name of Jesus. Resist the devil and he’ll flee from you” (see: James 4:7-10). (Jack Kelley, of Grace Thru Faith Ministries)
Furthermore, concerning condemnation:
“There is a simple test to see if you experiencing condemnation by the enemy or gentle conviction by the Holy Spirit. Guilt and/or shame will draw you further away from the Lord deeper into sin. Conviction is the Holy Spirit nudging us to confess and turn from the sin as He provides the power to overcome” (See: Romans 2:4; Romans 8:31-39; Philippians 4:13; Luke 22:31-32). (Robin Samson of Heart of Wisdom.com)
To help you further to discern the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the devil, we are going to share with you additional principles and scriptural references that we believe will empower you in your spiritual life, your personal life, as well as your married life.
Why is this relevant to marriage? It is relevant because the condemning method of the enemy of our faith works to draw us away from the healthy thinking and actions that God wants us to embrace. And when that happens our marriages are in peril of being weakened and destroyed. When we draw towards God, we have the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to do what is good, noble, right and pure.
The following is a short study of what the Bible tells us about the character of God and the character of enemy of our faith. We pray it will inspire you to dig deeper into studying the Bible so you will rightly discern what is Truth both now and in the future.
CONVICTION VS CONDEMNATION
1. Tone of the enemy of our faith:
Accusing, nagging —it’s a mocking voice generating fear and shame causing confusion, projecting a sense of rejection and ministering questions like: “Has God indeed said?” He’s the father of lies (see: John 8:44). He’s deceitful, pretending to know what’s best for you.
TONE OF VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Loving voice of our Father, imploring, beseeching and urging our return to Him …as we’re told in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy laden…” And in John 12:32 where Jesus says, “…I will draw all men to myself.”
2. The enemy of our faith’s messages are vague and general:
He generates a blanketing, choking sense of general guilt, as though everything is wrong and there’s no one action you can really take to overcome. Often a sense of complete hopelessness and weakness prevails. The enemy attacks you in general. You can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. You feel helpless and hopeless focusing on half-truths.
THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPECIFIC:
The Spirit says, “Fix this one thing and you’ll be free.” He commands you to take one specific action — to make a choice of your will. “And you must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver because they’re futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people.” (1 Samuel 12:21-22) The conviction of the Spirit is specific to the sin. The Spirit defends you against your over-sensitive conscience. He draws you to God.
3. Discouragement and condemnation is the message of the enemy of our faith:
He centers his attack on you as a person and cuts your self-image to ribbons. He pushes to agitate and provokes you to be disobedient to God (see: 1 Chronicles 21:1). And then the enemy tempts you in areas of weakness. The enemy tells you that you are weak and not one of God’s chosen ones. He tries to ruin you without cause (see: Job 2:3).
He tries to deceive. (See: Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelations 12:9) Also, the enemy continually accuses you before God. (see: Revelations 12:10; Revelations 20:3.) He is impatient and feeds anxious feelings.
The enemy schemes against you by sending discouragement as flaming missiles. (See: Ephesians 6:16.) He tries to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord (see: Acts 13:10).
ENCOURAGEMENT IS GOD’S MESSAGE:
He encourages you to rely on God’s power, not on your own righteousness or strength (see: 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 23; Psalm 37:5-7; Proverbs 3:24-26). The Holy Spirit encourages you to be anxious for nothing and most times doesn’t give a deadline. He comforts and encourages the broken hearted and proclaims liberty for the captives (see: Isaiah 61:1). He even makes intercession for you (see: Romans 8:26).
4. “Remember all the past” says the enemy:
The devil replays the videos of your past memories of sin and guilt and shame. He draws up accounts of your past sins, failures and offenses that are under the blood.
“FORGET THE PAST!” IS THE SPIRIT SPEAKING:
The Holy Spirit tells you your sin is forgotten, cleansed, removed, covered and put away, never to be held against you. (see: John 1:29; Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:7-9; Psalm 51:7; Micah 7:19; Hebrews 10:17; Philippians 3:13; Matthew 12:31; Psalm 34:7-8)
Condemnation is the Enemy’s Message
5. The message of the enemy is rejection and condemnation by the holiness of God:
He disguises himself as an agent of holiness and an angel of light (see: 2 Corinthians 11:14). He produces the feeling that God has rejected you as unworthy and unholy. Satan speaks of God as your judge and you as a miserable sinner. He emphasizes “good works” instead of God’s grace. The message is to “do, do, do” and yet you can never “do” enough to “measure up.”
OUR HOLY SPIRIT DRAWS YOU TO GOD:
There is a pull of attraction towards God. He generates in you an unexpected kindness, love, long-suffering, forgiveness and new beginning with God’s help. The Holy Spirit speaks of your permanent relationship with God, drawing you to the Son of your Father (see: Joshua 1:8-9). The emphasis is to experience and live in God’s grace and forgiveness! He desires all men to be saved to come to the knowledge of truth (see: 1 Timothy 2:4).
6. The enemy brings negative scriptures to mind:
As Shakespeare said, “The devil knows how to quote scripture to his purpose!” Satan threatens judgment and says, “Grace is denied because you didn’t fulfill the conditions!” He uses the Law against you to justify yourself and rely on your own righteousness (see: Romans 10:3; Galatians 2:16). He comes and sometimes takes away the word which has been sown (see: Mark 4:15).
THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS POSITIVE SCRIPTURES TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE:
(See: John 14:26.) He speaks of the unchanging nature of God and of His steadfast love towards us. He confirms that God remains faithful to His covenant (see 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 10:23) even when we prove faithless for a time (see: 1 John 3:20). The Spirit reassures us that there is no law that is effective against those who rely on Christ’s work (see: Colossians 2:14, Psalm 25:8-14; Psalm 40:1-5). He assures us that He is our help and strength (see: Psalm 121 and Psalm 146).
7. The enemy works to isolate you:
Suggestions are sown that cause you to withdraw from other Christians and works on you to think that they reject you. In your isolation, you then feel lonely, hurt, unworthy, rejected by others and angry (see: 2 Corinthians 4:4). He works to divide you from others.
THE HOLY SPIRIT DRAWS YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP:
The Spirit sends others to minister to you in love. As a result, you learn to accept other’s words of encouragement and to appreciate one another and their ministry to you. (See: 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25.) He sends others to open your eyes to turn from darkness to light so you may receive forgiveness (see: Acts 26:18). He works to unite us in love with other believers (see Luke 22:31-32).
8. The enemy of our faith emphasizes feelings that lead you to feel condemnation:
He tells you that the way you feel is the way things really are, even if facts differ (i.e. feelings are truth!). Your feelings of guilt, despair, hopelessness and doubt of God’s love for you are made to seem real. He encourages feelings of frustration at God’s unfairness and partiality and focuses on half-truths to cajole and control you and acts as a stumbling block to set your mind on your interests above God’s.
OUR HOLY SPIRIT STATES FACTS AND TRUTHS ABOUT YOU AND GOD:
Feelings will follow faith in these facts! The Holy Spirit gives you correct doctrine and the whole truth. Learn your theology to avoid being fooled by Satan (see: Romans 16:19). The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth to move, influence and inspire you (see: John 16:13; Matthew 10:26-28; Psalm 19; John 8:45). He will also guide you to set your mind on God’s interest instead of man’s interests. (See: Matthew 16:23; Colossians 3:1-2.)
9. The attack and condemnation of the enemy is destructive and demoralizing:
The object is to get you to curse God to his face (see: Job 2:5). He fills your heart to lie (see: Acts 5:3). He encourages selfish ambition, arrogance, lying, bitterness, jealousy and disorder (see: James 3:13-16).
THE HOLY SPIRIT DISCIPLINES IN JUSTICE:
He disciplines as a loving Heavenly Father (see: Proverbs 3:11-12; Job 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:6-11). His wisdom is pure then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, and unwavering without hypocrisy (see: James 3:17).
10. The Devil accuses:
He accuses you of having committed the unpardonable sin (see: Zechariah 3:1). The adversary is quick to judge and quick to accuse (see: Revelation 12:10).
OUR HOLY SPIRIT REASSURES YOU OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS:
He states the fact that it is Christ who saved you and continues to keep you (see: 2 Chronicles 34:27-28; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103.8-13; John 3:17). He reminds you that God is patient and long-suffering (see: Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 30:18).
THINK ABOUT THIS CONDEMNATION:
What is the purpose of the enemy of our faith in accusing and condemning us? It is to draw us away from God and to render us helpless to ourselves and to others! What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit convicting us? It is to draw us to God and to each other and to help us to be all we can be!
The Enemy:
• Speaks in half-truths
– Pushes, agitates
• Emphasizes: “Do, do do…”
– Divides people
• Encourages our willfulness against God’s ways
– Tells us we are inadequate
• Encourages complaining
OUR HOLY SPIRIT:
• Is about the whole truth
– Wants us to be anxious for nothing
• Emphasizes: “Be, be, be…”
– Unites people
• Emphasizes the will of our Heavenly Father
– Empowers us
• Encourages contentment
The emphasis is that we’re to study all that God is in the Bible. We need to keep in mind that God is strong and He does not tolerate sin. He is our judge, but He is a fair judge who punishes and disciplines us, always wanting to draw us to Himself —not push us away from Himself. The devil’s purpose is to pull us away from God and his people. God is straightforward and direct. The enemy is sneaky.
Release Condemnation and Embrace God
It’s important to note something Gary Thomas wrote, based on scripture:
“Whenever you hear the whispers that you are condemned, and must accept ‘punishment’ for your disobedience (financial wreckage, vocational failure, sexual frustration) remind yourself of Romans 8:1: ‘There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Jesus paid the price so we don’t have to.'”
As you go with God, you will push away that, which you should release and embrace that which you should hold onto through his guidance —with His strength.
Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International wrote this article. It is a compilation of points put together after years of personal study of scripture, sermons heard, and insights given through the years from many others who have also studied this subject.
— ALSO —
Below are several web site links to articles giving additional insight into this subject of condemnation vs conviction that we pray will help you further as you read:
• CONDEMNATION VERSUS CONVICTION
Plus:
• HOW TO KNOW IF GOD’S THE ONE WHO’S SPEAKING
Filed under: Spiritual Matters
(CANADA) Thanks a lot for this message. I’ve realised how much of the enemy’s voice I’ve been listening to. I knew it was wrong but even the strength to pray has been wiped out because I feel ashamed and guilty because God has been so faithful to me.
I’ve been thinking that God must be so tired of me coz I confess what I feel and ask for forgiveness then I just let go of His hand. Please pray for me for the enemy is really attacking me. Even praying with my husband is something I feel I can’t do anymore coz my heart is not right. Any advice for me from anybody I’ll be grateful. Please continue praying for me and for my husband too for his walk with God to be stronger than it is. Thank you all. Cindy, is there anything you can recommend? God bless you all love you all.
I know what you are talking about, it has been happening to me too. Satan will creep in and try to kill, steal and destroy. Just ask GOD to bring about his will in your heart and your life and give you a sincere desire to put GOD first always in all situations. I prayed for you. May GOD bless you.
Hi, I’ve just read this article and it’s 2015. I’ve also read your comments…this is a really wonderful message for all Christians and Non-Christians. The answer to your question on how to deal with this is to put on the full armour of God. You can read this in Ephesians 6:10-18. And this is why:
1) The word (the Bible is what Christians believe is the word of God) says we were created by God in His image (we are therefore public enemy #1 regardless of race or religion – satan has it in for us).
2) The word says the the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy.
3) In the Bible, Revelations (the last book) tells the story of how lucifer (satan/devil etc) was thrown out of Heaven and how he was sent do to earth (for a time). Then he ultimately ends up in hell for eternity where he can’t hurt anyone.
If you’re new to this or under condemnation of you are just at your wits end you need to take a stand. If you’re new then the best way to do this is to ask God for help and by this I mean pray. Ask God to help you find a church near to you that states in their mission statement or about statement that they believe Jesus is the Son of God and call them for help or try a service on Sunday (some have services in the week or staff that are trained to help).
If you’re not a new Christian then you need to read about the armour of God and you need to take a stand. This is no flight because there is nowhere to run, you need to fight! Ephesians 6:12 says “Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities in the heavenly realm.” What this means is that logic and people can’t figure this one out!
You need to realise that there is something that is not visible but that can harm you…think of it like electricity, you can’t see it but it can kill you or give you a nasty shock. All people, whether they like it or believe it or not are under spiritual attack (that’s because we are all public enemy #1) but what’s good to know is that You are not alone, we all face this. Regardless of how bad your situation is, a God is bigger and mightier.
Here’s a straight forward practice way to help you to start to fix the issue and give you victory while you seek help:
by Frank Hammond is a gentle but pretty thorough induction to spiritual warfare).
1) Pray and ask Jesus for forgiveness from all sin in your life.
2) Pray and ask Jesus to loose and bind any curses, soul ties or demonic oppression on your life in Jesus’ name.
3) Get to a Bible based church (call them first); find out if they offer counseling in spiritual warfare (not everyone has demons but you can be under demonic oppression. If you want to read up on it, Pigs in the Parlor: A Practical Guide to Deliverance
Beware to not start casting out demons without professional help as the scriptures warn against doing this, it says the state of the person will be worse than before if the Holy Spirit hasn’t replaced what was there before (read Luke 11:26).
Remember that Jesus came to give us life and give it more abundantly (John 10:10)
(Remember that God prunes the vine so that it can bear fruit, if you feel like you’re being pruned then it’s because God is working in your life and is calling you closer to Him). God bless. Alan
(USA) Hi Anne, Bless your heart! I’ve sure “been there and have done that” as far as listening to the enemy’s voice. I’ve also allowed the enemy to convince me that “God must be so tired of me” at various times in my life, like what you said.
But think about it… are you tired of your children when they earnestly come to you asking for the help that you told them you would give freely and willingly? And think about it… God isn’t just a bigger and better version of human-beings. He doesn’t tire like we do and the Bible tells us that He is patient and long-suffering with His children. Because He is God, He has an endless reserve of love and patience and willingness to help us in the ways that we need it. If we need chastisement, He will do that out of love as our Heavenly Father. If He is silent for a time, then we need to consider that there is a reason and we need to persevere in faith — trusting our Father’s heart.
If you feel “ashamed and guilty” because of God’s faithfulness, then ask God if those feelings are from Him or the enemy. We’re told in the Bible to “test the spirits” because the enemy of our faith is deceitful. He also comes disguised “as an angel of light” — which basically tells us that sometimes we think we’re dealing with God and we aren’t. It’s a “false light” that we’re dealing with. If we’re earnestly seeking God and we’ve confessed what we should and are repentant, and if we feel driven to hesitate from praying, then from what I read in the Bible, there is a false spirit at work from which we need to flee.
Anne, I don’t know what you have going on in your life, and to be honest, I don’t have to know. God knows. Go to Him always and without hesitation. He will not reject a willing heart.
As far as resources that I can recommend on this, there are so many. And hopefully, someone else will respond to your asking. For one resource that I would recommend, you’ll have to wait until the Marriage Message comes out on Saturday. (I will be posting it on the web site on the front page on Sunday.) It will be Marriage Message #24 (I’m swapping out the one that we currently have in that place and am writing “How Big is Your God — Marriage Message #24”). I’ve been working on this for a while. It will tell of some resources you can view and/or obtain on the Internet (ones that you can’t obtain through Marriage Missions). If you have questions afterward, ask at that time and I’ll do the best I can.
Also, I’m presently reading a book that came highly recommended to me. So far I’ve only read the Foreword… but it looks really good and it’s a “New York Times Bestseller” with over 2 million copies in print. It’s called “The Shack” by William Paul Young, published by Windblown Media. You can get it on Amazon.com. And if you go through the window on the front page of our web site, Amazon.com will give us a small percentage of the cost from their profit (which we use to help support the ministry of Marriage Missions). Anything you get by going through our web site on Amazon (whether it’s a book or whatever) they will give Marriage Missions a small percentage. But whether you do this or get the book elsewhere, the book looks good and I think I can recommend it without hesitation.
One of the reviews I read says it “will leave you craving for the presence of God.” Another says “This story reads like a prayer — like the best kind of prayer filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it.” And that’s what I want to tell you. This is fiction. I don’t normally read fiction because I have so many non-fiction books I’m trying to read. But this came so highly recommended and I heard the author speak about this book and was impressed, I thought that because of the theme of this book, I’d read it.
Another reviewer said, that she read it “during a very difficult transition” in her life. She said “this story has blown the door wide open to my soul.” I can’t speak much for the book because I haven’t read it, but it sounds interesting and I sure was impressed with the Foreword. You might try it.
Another thing I would encourage you to do is to ask your pastor and other Christian people that you respect for recommendations.
And lastly, something that really helps me is to stay in God’s word. I go to a Woman’s Bible Study (actually 2 different ones) that keeps me in the word of God. I will tend to get lazy in my study time and will find ways to eventually procrastinate because I’m so “busy” — which is true in some ways — but I know that I should never get so busy that I don’t MAKE the time to “rightly” study the word of God as we’re told to do in 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. I’ve taught quite a few studies (so it will force me to study more diligently) but for now, I attend one instead and it still forces me to study diligently.
The main Bible Study I go to is a Beth Moore study using her DVD’s and workbooks. It meets at a church. Currently we are studying “A Woman’s Heart… God’s Dwelling Place” and it is steeped in scripture study and is very challenging. (The other study I go to is one that involves worship, singing, and Bible reading — with no particular theme to it — other than pure worship and praise with other women. It meets in a woman’s home that is located close to ours. I feel like I get a good balance between both meetings.)
I encourage you to seek out other believers who are studying the word of God so you can use them for accountability. This will “stir you on to love and good deeds” as the Bible talks about as you “assemble together.” If that won’t work for you, ask God to point out to you what will. This will help you so you might not go through as many “dry” times spiritually. I find that if we don’t find ways to spur us on to keep seeking God’s heart, we can get off track sometimes. It sounds like this is what has happened to you. I certainly can’t “throw stones” because as I said, I’ve been there before myself, but hopefully what I’ve just written will help in some ways as a woman of God, a wife, and a mother. May God bless you as you seek His heart!
(CANADA) Hi Cindy thanks a lot for all your help. Trust me I felt so much better to see that someone else has gone through the same thing and understands that it’s not easy nor is it a good feeling. I’m praying to find a prayer or bible study group. I know they have them in our church but my shifts are in the evening so it’s hard to go. Pray for me so that God may provide a way and for Him to help me find a group that works for me.
I’ll get that book you recommended, for now I’m reading the POWER OF A POSITIVE WIFE which I found out from this site on one of the resources. I just started it and so far it’s good. What I need to learn and discipline myself is to really work on following the word of God coz my heart truly yearns for a better relationship with Him and I know it’s also good for my marriage. Thank you so much and for your prayers. God bless and I’ll update you as I go through this journey of truly being a woman of God.
(USA) A really good Christian book to read, if you want a deeper relationship with God and/or you are going through a crisis and wondering of the meaning for it in your life, is "Shattered Dreams" by Larry Crabb. I found it very eye-opening and well worth the read for any Christian seeking something deeper. God bless.
(SOUTH AFRICA) Dear Cindy, I thank God for you writing this inspired article and message! Thank you so much! It came at the right time in my life and I asked God to forgive and forget my past sins. I want to walk daily (moment by moment) with Him -His Holy Spirit to help and guide me in my personal relationship while here on earth!
I thank God through Jesus that He enfolds me with His loving arms of forgiveness and healing! Please pray for an annointing on my will to remain loyal, honest and just. He is my rest and leads me daily in the paths of righteousness! The freedom that He gives is a healing balm to my soul! Please pray for me continuously. I asked God to protect me from temptations in my thoughts, words and deeds! God bless and annoint your work!
(ZIMBABWE) Hi Cindy, I loved this article the most. God brought me to it, I can assure you of that. For it is the Holy Spirit that leads to all truth and the truth shall set us free. I am free indeed. I have realized the voice that I had been listening to was the enemy.
First, it pushes me to do what is not right and then clouds me with a guilty conscience to the extent that I feel like I’m not worthy to be God’s child. I feel like God has forgiven me enough to keep on forgiving, especially when I keep repeating the same mistake. Talking to God will be so difficult and I end up not praying or saying a short prayer.
When my breakthroughs face a miscarriage I would think I deserve it because I have done something that is against God’s will. I would really feel like hiding out from everyone, even my own church. The enemy would steal God’s Word from my heart and I would forget all the lovely scriptures I confessed about the goodness of God. Though another voice will be telling me to keep on trusting and believing God for he has forgiven me, the enemy’s voice seem to be heavier. But I thank God today that he has talked to me. He has raised me up again and I am going forward, never to backslide again.
May God bless you Cindy.
(UK) I absolutely agree with this and that the Holy Spirit convicts and brings us closer to God, where as the enemy condemns and pushes us further away. I was on a Christian forum today discussing this and I had written a few similiar things to this and so finding this is confirmation. I also got opposition on the forum and saw the tactics you have mentioned here such as speaking half truths, causing division, encouraging complaining and encouraging willfulness against God. I felt I had written what needed to be said and then come away, and not get involved in this further, which is the enemy winding things up. I feel lifted up by reading this here and it must have been God led, that has encouraged me. Thank you.
(AUSTRALIA) Thank you for that. I wish for the power of God to change my bad habits within me; to stop the cycle of pornography and alcohol and to keep the Sabbath Day holy.
(U.S.A) I don’t feel conviction of the Holy Spirit or the condemnation of the enemy. What’s wrong with me?
(UK) You have to have faith without questioning God. If you have doubt that can hinder you from walking with him.
(NIGERIA) Kudos! I love this article. Conviction also comes along with the grace to obey, but sometimes we miss our path by comparing ourselves with other believers or great preachers forgetting that Christianity is a very personal relationship with God.
For Jose, if you are born again already, you might have gone through it without recognizing it. You must pass through conviction before becoming born again. Conviction is that process that makes you realize you were a sinner and needed a savior to change you. Condemnation happens when the devil tries to confuse you and make you believe you are stil guilty and God has not forgiven you.
(USA) I am constantly rereading things that I know but I need reminding. Romans 10:17 says, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
I was born again when I was 16, walked alway at 18 and 10 years later I realized what I had done and wanted to make my heart right with God again. A month after that I realized I didn’t have that same joy in the Lord as I did when I was 16 and went to the Bible and came across Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-29?
And now for the past 2 years been struggling to believe I have been forgiven. Yet I know it is only the goodness of God that leads us to repentance and I know Jesus said that all the the Father gives him, he will in no wise cast out. 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. My heart sinks so much and I am without peace. Yet I want to say there are times that I really believe God is working on me. I just ask that you guys keep me in prayer and that I will through God over come this once and for all.
(USA) Susan, please, do not worry as the text says “who have fallen away” and “deliberately keep on sinning”…”But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear” (Zechariah 7:11). None applies to you, otherwise you would not be here! The promise to every backsliding Christian is to, “Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:7). Acknowledge your sin, turn from it, trust in the Lord for forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to take control of your mind, heart and daily life. Jesus says, “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—UNLESS you repent” (Rev. 2:5).
Thanks be to God that He is merciful and able to heal backsliding, as in the prodigal son story in Luke 15:11-32. He even goes after His backslidden children saying, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God” (Jeremiah 3:22). Hosea 14:4 says that God “will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.” And again, we read that those who turn to the Lord with all their heart “were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (I Peter 2:25).
It is reassuring that the Bible clearly teaches that the truly spiritual regenerate can never be lost. We are his forever children. Once his child by the new birth, always his child. However we can lose our fellowship with God and our effectiveness in Christian service. The God of all grace has provided a bar of soap; let’s use it often (1 John 1:6-10; 1 John 2:2).
Hi Susan, I feel your pain. I am too in this position. My problem is, I got saved at 15, went through many ups & downs walked away at 18, got pregnant, and married an unbeliever. I sensed God still throughout this time at intervals, then sensed him drawing me back, went back to him several times became so fed up with myself of letting him down. I sensed him drawing me back again at 21 but stubbornly refused & told him I wanted to control my own life from there.
Then since that time I sensed him leave me. I lost my close & intimate relationship with him. I cried, prayed & fasted straight away. Then I heard scriptures in my spirit. I never knew I knew, from Matthew talking about those who keep their lives will lose it but those who lose their lives for Christ sakes will find it. Hebrews 6 & 10 haunted me. Esau went through my mind. etc… The list went on & to too it all over, my mind became flooded with cursing against of God & all that he is.
I hated this; I felt spiritually raped. I couldn’t sense God anymore, I couldn’t find that place of repentance & every time I tried, mocking voices were in my head, like I was just playing about. I started to feel deeply suicidal.
Thank God, he’s delivered me from much of that now but I’m still struggling to reconnect with him. Like there’s a blockage there, maybe a lack of belief that I’m still his. I can’t sense him drawing me since then (nearly 15 years ago) but all that time I’ve been trying to get back to him & it’s hurtful because I feel rejected & then thoughts clouded my mind making me wonder if I was ever his in the first place.
The very husband I tried so hard to hold onto & please, cheated on me & 5 yrs into the marriage we separated. Well, after a year of counselling I got back with him & we tried again had 2 more children but things gradually became worse again. 10 years later we separated & divorced. It was sad & not what I wanted for my children or myself but Gods knows & it was something that was differently after lots of prayers, was confirmed. But my main concern now is to reconnect with Jesus & get my relationship back with him.
(UNITED STATES) I really don’t understand…is there a difference between being saved and having the holy ghost?
(GEORGIA) Know there is a difference, it’s just when we give our lives to Christ, then the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost comes to live in us: Romans 8:9; Galatians 3:2-6; 2 Corinthians 3:16-17.
(GUYANA) Amazing, just what I needed to read. Just this morning I was feeling condemned by the devil but no more because my Redeemer lives and He will forever be on my side. Glory be to God.
Actually, I wrote the original post, but I’m glad that it is being shared by others throughout the world in different forums. The inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit, so He truly deserves the credit. Thank you Lord!
Thank you Father GOD in Heaven.
Thank you Heavenly Father, thank you Lord Jesus and God Bless you Cindy. A very motivating and powerful article. I await a breakthrough and today really felt down in the dumps ..angry…hopeless…hurt and now I see it was just the devil trying to plant his seeds again. I will not doubt our Lord again!
I am grateful for this article too! It has been very helpful. It’s very accurate and brings clarity to mind. Thank you so much for taking the time out to write and share with us!
(KENYA) A very timely message. Thank you for the information.