Heeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!

[Eve]

I will pray for you brother.

Many heterosexuals have had impure thoughts at some point such as these, myself included. It is the devil who tempts us 'lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil'. Which ever route you go down relationships will be hard work either way. God has told you the right path, you know this and now you must seek the counselling that my brother SpiritLedEd mentioned.

I know from my own experiences lust is shallow and empty. Please my brother Tom I pray that you will see the good in and love my fellow sisters with fervor once more. Don't give up on us, your soul mate is out there somewhere!

 

[Irishmaestro]

Hey Eve, thanks for the comment. Don't worry, I won't give up on Women, that's why I'm trying so hard to force myself out of this. Because I don't want to give up on Women. I still live in the constant hope that God is sending a Woman my way who will change my life forever, a soulmate.

Perhaps the fact that I don't really feel lustful feelings for Women (that's not to say that I haven't been in love with women in the past) is a good thing, because maybe all my relationships will thus be free of lust if I manage to beat the whole gayness thing.

Anyway, God be with you,
Tom

 

[ythpstr2000]

Chad's 6 step program will not only help you through this, but ANY adversity Satan may throw at you. Its something all of us should have written on the inside. Inside what? Duh!

 

[Irishmaestro]

Hey everyone, your prayers are working! =D Thank you so much for praying for me, everyone! It's people like you who make me see the goodness that is definitely in the people of God.

May God shower you all with blessings,
Tom

 

[raindrop]

Hi Tom, I don't know if you know of demonic oppression, but you may be carrying a unclean spirit of homosexuality and need to be set free from it , could you not find a spiritual warfare ministry near you, I know if you do they will help you, for that is one of the things we are called for in Christ to set the captives free. I truly pray that this will help you. I too know what it is like to be oppressed by unclean spirits mine where of fear to name but a few, but Praise the Lord, I was delivered and set free. to God be the glory always.
May God bless and keep you always.
raindrop.

 

[TDS52]

Tom,

Questions come to my mind as I read your posts, is your Christianity based upon a relationship with Christ, as your personal Lord and Saviour or is it just based in religion or religious affliation? There is a world of difference. Being born into a Christian family or in a Christian country/nation does not make us Christian. Recognizing that we are "sinners", facing that fact or agreeing with what the Bible tell us about ourselves, then asking God to forgive us and come to live in our hearts is our first step to Christ. Jesus said in John 14:6,"...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

It was very disturbing to learn that you do not like to regard the Old Testament. It is part of the Holy Scriptures and without it we would not know a lot of the history that we know today. It gives the Christian many types and foreshadows of the coming Christ whom we read about in the New Testament and come to trust as our personal Saviour. Jesus is our only hope for an eternal peace in our soul and He offers us eternal life if/when we believe on Him and trust Him as our Saviour. He changes our hearts and life/lifestyles. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthian 5:17 We can also study history and find that most of the writings of the Old Testament are true. We cannot say that one portion of Scripture is of lesser importance because it all the word of God and it ministers to the hearts and souls of mankind. Do you think that this is just by coincidence? I think it is God-ordained, to really show us just how awesome God really is...how loving, how patient, how forgiving, how long-suffering He is with mankind and we treat Him so irreverently. His love nevers wavers. His convicting and drawing power is still very active in/to the hearts of men. Without that convicting power, you would not be having the struggle that you are. I just want to encourage you to find out where you stand in God's eyes. Are you a true believer? If so, He can/will do the changing....if not, then please trust Him as your Saviour and He will help you as you depend upon Him to do so.

 

[Irishmaestro]

Your questioning of my faith deeply hurts me. You judge me because I have a problem. May God forgive you for that, friend.

Jesus Christ has been my Saviour, if not my entire life, as of 12 July 2003. I am a frequent reader of the whole bible, especially of the four Gospels, which contain the most beautiful and the truest words ever uttered.

While I regard much of the Old Testament to have been heavily altered a considerably long time after it was written, this does not mean that I disregard it all. As you said, many parts prophesise the coming of Christ, especially Isaiah. The psalms are also beautiful hymns to God. However, many parts of it (the OT) are incompatible both with the Gospels and with other parts of itself, and are therefore not from God, since anything that is of God is perfect. For example, the many commandments (especially in Leviticus) indicating the killing of people for various sins is incompatible with "Thou Shalt Not Kill" given in the Ten Commandments, with Jesus' own commandment to Love your neighbour, and also with the doctrine of forgiveness, which is in both the Old and New testaments. Why would there be set days of atonement for sins in the pre-Christian era if there was no prospect of being forgiven for them?

If you regard every word of the Old Testament to be from God, then I suggest that you ask God to show you the light, and to give you the wisdom to separate the truth from what was added posthumously to appease the selfishness and greed of chief priests and scribes. I say this not out of spite, nor out of jealousy, nor out of any other hateful thing, but out of love for you, being my neighbour in Christ. Any may Jesus continue to shower you with blessings, and with love forever more.

God be with you always,
Tom

 

[ythpstr2000]

As someone who has not only studied the books, but the backgrounds behind the books, I trust all the books located between Genesis & Revelation.

Just a quick question. How do you decide what you trust as being from God, and what you don't? Is it based on your "feeling" when you read it? On how "practical" it seems? These are flimsy stances. Unless you have a EDUCATED reason to oppose one section and not another, I will say it lightly...You need to rethink that.

BTW- Have you at all considered that Jesus, the one you call Lord, read and believed ALL of the OT?

 

[Eve]

Hi Tom,

I hope you are doing OK. Please don't fall into the same sort of trap as my father did and take part of the bible (ie the sermon on the mount in my father's case) and discard most of the rest. I feel he has missed out and became very closed minded.

However, that said I do to a point understand where you are coming from as I recently read in a Times article dated 5 October '05 that a teaching document has been produced by the Catholic Church. From this article is the quote '“We should not expect to find in Scripture full scientific accuracy or complete historical precision,” they say in The Gift of Scripture. '

Perhaps this subject would be better discussed in a new thread! We seem to be getting a bit sidetracked. Personally, I don't know quite what to make of the comments the Bishops in the uk have made. I think maybe the area needs more clarification from a higher level.

Peace be with you Brother

love

:rose: E :rose:

 

[ythpstr2000]

Couple things real quick...

The Bishops & Pope are not God, even according to them. Can they make mistakes? Yep. I think this proves it.

Also, context is important. I have no clue what they were discussing. I will be the first to tell you that The Bible is NOT a science book, and 99% of the time does not address the how's, but the why's. Anyone searching Genesis to discover HOW God created everything will be as disappointed as the guy who searches his college science book for the answers to WHY we are here. The Bible and (true) science are not antithesis. I firmly believe that science entered into without bias will answer the hows of God. It is only anti-Christian when steered by anti-christian scientists in an effort (my opinion) to disprove God to alieve feelings of guilt. There is but one way to rid guilt from your soul, and its not to run from or attempt to disprove God.


Anyway...back on topic...

 

[Irishmaestro]

The thing with the bible (and especialy the Pauline Epistles) is that you need to distinguish between doctrine and teaching. For example, Paul's "wives, submit to your husbands" is very likely an interpretation of the direction in Genesis that THE woman (not women in general, but Eve, but Moses [or whoever wrote the pentateuch] calls her THE WOMAN since she hadn't a name yet) should be subordinate to her husband. But, that's because she was the one who consciously disobeyed God, and therefore sinned, and taking away her freedom was the punishment for her sin, since she didn't repent only until AFTER God rebuked her. Punishment is always the lot of the unrepentant sinner. But Paul, godly though he may have been, was also human, and therefore open to faults and failings, in this case a misinterpretation of scripture.

And as for would-be dissers of the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus' two great commandments can let you distinguish what is and is not a sin. For example, why is homosexuality a sin? Simple: because God intended for people of OPPOSITE sexes to enter into committed relationships with each other and therefore reproduce. Deviating from that, wilfully or otherwise, disrespects God, which is a sin. One cannot BEGIN to fully appreciate the worth of the Sermon on the Mount.

I know many will disagree with me on these points, saying that my views are too radical, but I stand firmly by them. Remember, the way of many is almost never the way of truth. If ever someone rebukes you because of a belief that is not widely-held, just remember that the road which leads to God is untrodden, narrow and perilous.

Anyway, to bring this topic back to its original content, I thank you all for your concern for me and for your prayers. I have been praying also and God never fails to show me that he cares for me, this time by bringing my problem to my attention and letting and helping me to put it right. I have repented of it and am now, with God's help, starting to set things right so that I may never commit the sin again. All of you have also shown me incredible love (in the Christian sense of the word), for which I am unexpressably grateful.

God bless you all,
Tom

 

[ythpstr2000]

I know many will disagree with me on these points

The one thing I can agree with you on. And I wouldnt disagree because "its to radical" but because 1. Its not in line with the entire Word of God, and 2. It is IMHO a attempt to be "politically correct" and there is no room for that in the Body of Christ. You dont explain away WHY God set up rules & ordinances, then attempt to get around some of them, you simply obey.

And having been involved in Debate in school, participating regularly in apologetics, I can tell you one (imo) of the weakest arguments is to try and validate a point is to use the "acceptance" (or lack there of) to try and prove your point. Those that would say X is right because most the church accepts it is throwing up a weak argument. So is the guy who says he is right because its NOT widely accepted.

Keep in mind, only 1/3 of the world population is Christian. But even less follow Hinduism. Should we then assume that the Hindus are right and we are wrong because "the road which leads to God is untrodden, narrow and perilous..."

 

[Irishmaestro]

This is just a little post to announce my departure from this horrid place some like to call a forum. When I first came here, I thought it was a haven for christians who want to escape this evil, ungodly world and talk with people who will appreciate the truth and show love for one another. I was unimaginably wrong, it seems, and this place is full of demons masquerading as angels of light.

And for those of you who do not belong in the above group, may God strengthen your every endeavour, may he continue to shower you with love, and may he continue to steer you on the narrow and obscure way that leads to Him.

Goodbye.

 

[ythpstr2000]

So let me get this straight...its either agree with me, or I leave? Glad to see your strong in your beliefs, because if you where you might either 1. stand up for them, or 2. be able to agree to disagree. Hate to see you go, but whats trully sad is that you are not using a challenge to your doctorine as a chance to evaluate and either change or solidify, but as an opportunity to attack, then cut and run.

 

[Irishmaestro]

This is how I currently feel:

Why? Because I know my beliefs to be far from ungodly.

That is all.

 

[ythpstr2000]

If you truly believe that, then why would what one person you have never met make any difference? One of the strongest arguments for the deity of Christ that I have discovered, the one thing that solidified my faith, was the change in the disciples. They went from cowards, to men who gave they're lives because of what the believed. That is what faith is. You ALWAYS struggle to find truth, but once found you defend it to your death. The disciples hid in a home, equivalent (not really, but it serves an illustrative purpose) to leaving a forum, until, they encountered not just the truth, but THE TRUTH. If your faith is solid enough, than you would not care what I think, and you would welcome challenges, because it would give you a chance to share your understanding. If your faith is NOT solid enough, & you know it, you will cower from challenges.

 

[Irishmaestro]

I'm sorry for over-reacting like that. I should never have spoken out against you, and may God rebuke me for doing so. I just hope that you can forgive me like He has done...

I never denied the divinity of Jesus Christ, did I? After all, he indicates it expressly numerous times.

HINT: If you don't want to read something that may make you think I'm not of God (it's always possible when someone says something which sorresponds to a non-standard belief), then IGNORE the text in ITALICS!!

However, at the moment, I'm starting to think that the Holy Spirit is not a separate Person, but rather the manifestation of God's goodness and guidance within us. It's not a firm belief of mine as of yet, and I won't make any firm decisions as to what to believe with regards to that for another few years. I'll have to read over the key passages again and again and again, talk to people and eventually form my own opinion.


My "interpretation" of the Genesis passage comes not out of my trying to twist the words, but rather out of what I understand those particular words given in that order to mean. When you read the bible you must add NOTHING to it, whether in your own mind or elsewhere. You must not overlook one single word (this, in any text, leads to misinterpretation). I'm not bringing my own values to the text, I'm bringing the text's values from it. In this case, what God says to Eve is that HER desire shall be to HER husband (which, in the language of the King James Bible, which is Shakespearean English, probably means that all her desires must be vetoed by her husband, since she was the one who gave into temptation first and wilfully disobeyed God). It never mentions that this applies to her children. I didn't just pluck this from the sky, you know. That's what the text implies. And, what is referred to is not "he said to womanking", but "he said to the woman", which implies one woman. Not EVERY woman, but the particular woman he was talking to.

 

[Bond_Servant]

I think Chad said it best....

What has helped me the most is to find another Christian brother to hold you accountable. Meet with him every week and tell him your struggles. This has help me tons!!

Blessing

 

[Yeshua]

Answer.

I posted an answer to this problem here once but before I could save it as a post, I recieve a private e-mail message and lost it. Another person had a similar problem in the MEN's forum so I posted the answer there instead. It is the same answer that you need but to make duplicate posts is against the Talk-Jesus rules. I will provide a link here to it as soon as I can get permission from Chad. If you would rather not wait. Look for it in the Men's forum. The answer is in the Thread named "Lost", in the MEN's forum.

OK, I've got a serious problem which I want to solve as soon as I possibly can.

Right, well, the thing is that I'm not really attracted to members of the opposite sex, but rather to members of the same sex. I've never entered into a relationship of any kind, because I believe homosexual relationships to be contrary to God's plan for the world. I've lived with this for quite a number of years, and I've earnestly prayed to God that he might change me, but so far I'm not at all different.

I really don't want to be this way any more, but I'm not sure how I can change. I know I can change, after all "with God, anything is possible," but I'm just not quite sure how.

Can anyone help me? And if anyone can help me, then may God bless that person!

Thank you so much, and may God's love be with you all,
Tom

 

[Beardy]

Get a few books on how to renew the mind and study them over and over, also tapes anything you can get your hands on.. but also read the bible it strengthens you ohhh so much more. the struggle is huge but none the less it is overcomeable, i was where you were a while ago but now i have renewed my mind, asked for forgiveness and am in a great relationship. Just renew and get christian friends that will not let it slide with them and that care to tell you to get in to the reading. surround yourself with friends that will encourage you to grow.