Lengthy But True
Troy a servant of God and the Lored Jesus Christ.
First let me say that I`m not in any kind of way making this statement to put you in the less than catagory, but more of the thought that perhaps what your going through is of a different nature. I`m going to provide scripture that is truth worthy of your consideration, and from that let you decide what`s relavent to your situation, giving you the choice to make on your own, Amen.
So let`s look at two (2) subjects that come to mine with a post of this nature.
The world and this Flesh.
1. You said; "In the last few weeks I have been very mean to everybody I love". Look at this two (2) weeks, and the word "Mean"only found in Isa 2:9, in referance to the way you wrote it;
The World
The people forsaken because of their wickedness; Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. 9 And the mean man is bowed down, and the great man is brought low: therefore forgive them not
Isaiah 2:8-9 (ASV)
I`ve included the topic title in the Bible and also verse (8).
2."The change was sudden and I am afraid".
A.Just perhaps it`s not the evil one that`s got you scared, but more in what you wrote, is truethful of your heart ;
Therefore snares are round about thee, And sudden fear troubleth thee,
Job 22:10 (ASV)
And what does it say troubleth our old buddy Job? "Fear". But what kind of fear? "Sudden", just like what you said.
3. You said;"Unholy wants me to break God's word". Of course he does. Why? Cause you must not belong to him. But see he needs to disprove this and the first place he starts is with you and the best way to make you believe this , is to direct it toward , that`s right, "THE ONE`S YOU LOVE". Now open your mind and be honest with yourself and ask if you see any of you in the scripture below. This is up to you and only you can say.
willful mischief-making
12 A worthless person, a man of iniquity, Is he that walketh with a perverse mouth; 13 That winketh with his eyes, that speaketh with his feet, That maketh signs with his fingers; 14 In whose heart is perverseness, Who deviseth evil continually, Who soweth discord. 15 Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; On a sudden shall he be broken, and that without remedy. 16 There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood; 18 A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren
Prov 6:12-19 (ASV)
Therefore, be watchful.
Okay I`ve said all that to get this. This world that we`re in has by the power of satan produced evil and wicked things , that as christian we are exposed to. The reason these things can affect us is our "FLESH", let`s look at what James say`s.
but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
James 1:14-15 (ASV)
1.But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.
James now shows the true cause of sin, having dealt with the false cause—namely, God's providence. The true cause of sin is in every man's soul; it is his evil desire.
But each one is tempted. James speaks universally, because no one is free except Christ.
When, by his own evil desire. He says his own because although we all have a corrupt nature, every one has a particular inclination to this or that sin rooted in his nature. Own excludes all attacks from outside. There is no greater enemy than our own nature.
His own evil desire. In order to show you what is meant by evil desire, I must make the following premises:
(1) The human soul is mainly made up of desires. It is like a sponge, always thirsty and seeking something with which to fill itself.
(2) This bias of the soul inclines toward desire.
(3) Since the fall, people concentrate on their desires more than on anything else; so they are so corrupt that they influence all the rest. These reasons show why all sin is expressed by evil desire.
Lust may be considered in two ways:
(1) As a power, it is disposed towards evil, in all the faculties. "For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit" (Galatians 5:17).
(2) As an act, the actual evil desire is nothing other than the first stirring of our human nature.
He is dragged away and enticed. Some think that in these two words the apostle gives two reasons for sin—one internal, which is lust, hinted at in the first word, dragged; the other external, a bait to entice the soul. As Plato said, "Pleasure is the bait of sin." Piscator and our translators seem to favor this and translate the words thus: when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed, intimating that he is dragged away by his own evil desire and enticed by the object. However, the position of the words in the original shows that both refer to evil desire: "when he is dragged away and enticed by his own evil desire."
Notes on Verse 14
Note 1. The origin of evil is in man's own evil desires, the Adam and Eve in our own hearts. A man is never truly humble until he expresses indignation against himself. Do not say it was God's fault. He gave a pure soul. Suggestion can do nothing without evil desire. Nazianzen says, "The fire is in our wood, though it is the devil's flame." You cannot blame the world; there are allurements about, but it is your fault if you swallow the bait. Do not put all the blame on the sin of the times; good men are best in worst times, stars that shine brightest in the darkest nights. It is your venomous nature that turns everything to poison.
Note 2.
Above everything else, a man should watch out for his desires. All sin is called evil desire. God requires the heart: "My son, give me your heart," which is the center of desires. The first thing through which sin makes itself known is evil desire. Before there is any consultation in the soul, there is a general tendency or bias in the soul. So look out for your evil desires; the whole person is swayed by them.
Note 3.
Evil desire ensnares the soul by force and flattery. You are either dragged away or enticed.
First, dragged away. One way of knowing if desires are wrong is if they give too much pleasure. When affections are impetuous, you have good reason to be suspicious of them. Do not satisfy them.
Greediness is an indication of uncleanness (Ephesians 4:19). When the heart burns or pants, it is not love but evil desire. When you cry out to God, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me...?" (Romans 7:24) you discern this power over your souls.
This comes about:
(1) When your desires are irrational, but you are overtaken by brutish rage. "They are well—fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man's wife" (Jeremiah 5:8). They had no more control over themselves than a well—fed horse. This they proved with unbridled license against all reason and restraints.
(2) When your desires become uncontrollable. This is what the apostle calls "passionate lust" (1 Thessalonians 4:5). This violence is clearly seen in sensual appetite, as well as in other sins. "[They] were inflamed with lust for one another" (Romans 1:27).
(3) When evil desire troubles the soul so much that the person becomes ill. Thus Amnon was sick for Tamar (2 Samuel 13:2); that was a sickness of lust and uncleanness. Ahab was sick with covetousness (1 Kings 21:4), and Haman for honor (Esther 5).
The power of these evil desires tells us:
(1) Why wicked men are so set on sin and give themselves over to it and harm themselves. They "draw sin... as with cart ropes" (Isaiah 5:18). As beasts that are under the yoke put out all their strength to draw the load that is behind them, so these draw on wickedness to their disadvantage; they commit it even if it is difficult and inconvenient. So Jeremiah 9:5 says that they "weary themselves with sinning." Why is this? There is a power in sin that they cannot withstand.
(2) Why the children of God cannot do as they want in order to resolutely withstand temptation or perform duties acceptably. Evil desire may overpower them. Note that James said, Each one is tempted, which includes the godly. A wicked man does nothing but sin—his works are merely evil; but a godly man's deeds are not wholly good: "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing" (Romans 7:19). Although they do not plan to indulge in sin, they may become discouraged in the way of grace. "You do not do what you want" (Galatians 5:17). Resolutions are broken by this potent opposition.
Second, note that the next ploy of lust is flattery—enticed. That is one of the stumbling—blocks to conversion—evil desire promises delight and pleasure. Job 20:12 says, "though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue." They are enticed by mischievous pleasure. So then:
(1) Learn to be suspicious about things that give you too much pleasure. Pleasures are only enticements, baits that have hooks under them.
(2) There is need for great care. Pleasure is one of the baits of evil desires. The truth is, all sins are rooted in a love of pleasure. Therefore, be watchful.
2.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full—grown, gives birth to death.
Then, after desire. James goes on to describe the progress of sin: after birth comes death.
Has conceived—that is, as soon as sin begins to stimulate desires. Sin, or the corrupt nature, having inclined the soul to an ungodly object, works to set the soul in an evil frame of mind.
It gives birth to. That is, it completes sin and brings it to effect in us.
Sin. That is, actual sin. Our Saviour says that our first inclinations are sinful: see Matthew 5:28.
And sin, when it is full-grown. That is, settled into a habit. But why does the apostle say, when it is full-grown? (1) The apostle does not distinguish between sins. Every sin is mortal in its own nature and hands over the sinner to death and punishment. (2) Death is the result of all sin. Death may be laid not only at sin's door, but also at the door of evil desires.
Gives birth to. That is, hands the soul over to death. Evil desire is the mother of sin, but sin deserves death.
Death. This is but a euphemism for damnation; the first and second death are both implied. The apostle shows that the supreme cause of sin is lust, and its result is death.
Notes on Verse 15
Note 1. Sin takes over the spirit gradually. Evil desire leads to delightful thoughts, which lead the mind astray; then sin is born, disclosed, and strengthened; and then the person is destroyed. Sin is progressive, as David noted: "Blessed is the main who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1). Sin is never stationary: first, it is wicked, then sinners, then mockers; first counsel, then way, then seat.
Application 1.
Oh, that we were wise enough to resist sin! A Christian's life should be spent watching out for evil desire. It is dangerous to give way to Satan (see Ephesians 4:27).
Application 2.
This warns us about the danger of "small" sins. Consider how dangerous they are. It is not only great faults that ruin the soul, but small ones as well; dallying with temptations has serious consequences.
Note 2.
Evil desires are fully conceived and formed in the soul when the will is drawn and gives its consent. So then, if evil desires have penetrated your thoughts, keep them from controlling your will.
Note 3.
What is conceived in the heart usually comes out in life and conversation. That is the reason why the apostle Peter tells Christians to take care about the heart: "Abstain from sinful desires" (1 Peter 2:11).
(1) Learn that the hypocrite cannot always be hidden. God says that "his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly" (Proverbs 26:26).
(2) Learn the danger of neglecting evil desires and evil thoughts. If they are not suppressed, they will flower into sins. Permitted
thoughts bring the mind and temptation together. David thought about Bathsheba's beauty, and so was all on fire. It is wrong to toy with thoughts.
(3) Learn what a mercy it is when sinful conceptions are stillborn. Restraints are a blessing. We are not as evil as we would have been otherwise. Take note of when your sinful ways are hedged around by providence (see Hosea 2:6).
Note 4.
The result of sin is death; the apostle Paul says, "Those things result in death" (Romans 6:21). Sin comes with a pleasing and delightful sweetness, promising nothing but satisfaction and contentment; but the end is death. "The soul who sins is the one who will die" (Ezekiel 18:4). This is a principle stamped on nature. The godless were aware of it (Romans 1:32).
Application 1
This teaches us to halt the progress of evil desires that end in death and damnation. Place a flaming sword in the path of your ungodly delights (see Genesis 3:24). Wake up your soul; consider what Wisdom says: "All who hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:36).
Application 2.
This shows us why we have to kill sin before it kills us. Either sin dies or the sinner dies. The life of sin and the life of a sinner are like two buckets in a well—if the one goes up, the other must come down. When sin lives, the sinner must die. There is an evil in sin and evil after sin. The evil in sin is breaking God's law, and the evil after sin is its just punishment. People who are not aware of the evil in sin will become aware of the evil after sin. For the regenerate, all God's dispensations save the person and destroy the sin: "You were to Israel a forgiving God, though you punished their misdeeds" (Psalm 99:8). God spared the sinner but punished the sin. The apostle Paul, speaking of himself when the power of the Word first came on him, says, "Sin sprang to life and I died" (Romans 7:9). So it is better that sin should be condemned than that you should be condemned. It is better that sin should die than that I should die; therefore, I should destroy my sin so that my soul escapes.
Application 3.
Bless God who has delivered you from a state of sin; your soul has escaped a death—trap. Never look back on Sodom except with loathing; thank God that you have escaped. "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me" (Psalm 16:7). I might have been Satan's slave, and I deserved the reward of my own death; but God has called me to life and peace. In one place conversion is described as being called out of darkness into marvelous light; that is a great deal. But elsewhere it is described as being translated from death to life. I might have wasted my days in pleasure and vanity, and then gone to hell. Oh, blessed be the name of God forevermore, who has delivered me from so great a death!
Hay I know it seems like alot, but give something of your time and in the all and all you`ll see the truth in it and be able to decide for yourself the course4 of action`s to follow.
AMEN
Troy
