Thoughts Vs Actions

[WaterRock]

A different perspective

Few things we should notice:

1. The temptation described here is not a one-day event, it is relentless and progressed for quite some time.

Not sure why the reference "temptation", people walk into stores every day and see money in the cash register but would that indicate that they are tempted to steal it? Haven't talked before, Hi, not being critical or anything of your comments, just putting up some thoughts.

2. Joseph could not have escaped the thought of having an affair with Potiphar's wife during this time of temptation. If he could, he would not have been a normal human being.

Couldn't have escaped? If you go into a room full of exposed high voltage electric switches, would you think about placing you hand on a live wire, I mean it would be a heck of buzz (lol) of course not, while the thought of your hand touching one would probably cross your mind, but only to think about how not to touch one accidentally.

Personal Testimony- CHRIST didn't give us His testimony because it hurts Him if we transgress His Word, He gave us His Word that we could make our lives better.

3. Notice what prevented him from giving into the temptation, he said: "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Notice that it is not because Joseph didn't think about sinning; rather, it's because Joseph values his relationship with the Lord more.

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. John 14:11

If the Father was in Joseph, then one could interpret what Joseph said as "how can I screw myself by doing something thatI wouldn't want somebody else to do to my love.." Then again, back then would have gotten him killed. Only if he got caught? CHRIST is in us, and around us, avoid that detection.


Conclusion:

To be able to take such difficult decision in the face of temptations, his relationship with God would have to be stronger than the temptations.

So it is for us today, God has given us two precious gifts to help us grow strong relationship with Him: the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit indwelling in our hearts (kardia in Greek, which is not only the place for emotion, but also the center of reasoning).

What do you call wet dirt? DUST

 

[my_little_pony]

What do you call wet dirt? DUST

A wonderful contribution, waterRock. Unfortunately, I don't understand it. Can you elaborate, please?

 

[will]

1. The temptation described here is not a one-day event, it is relentless and progressed for quite some time.

Not sure why the reference "temptation", people walk into stores every day and see money in the cash register but would that indicate that they are tempted to steal it? Haven't talked before, Hi, not being critical or anything of your comments, just putting up some thoughts.

2. Joseph could not have escaped the thought of having an affair with Potiphar's wife during this time of temptation. If he could, he would not have been a normal human being.

Couldn't have escaped? If you go into a room full of exposed high voltage electric switches, would you think about placing you hand on a live wire, I mean it would be a heck of buzz (lol) of course not, while the thought of your hand touching one would probably cross your mind, but only to think about how not to touch one accidentally.

Personal Testimony- CHRIST didn't give us His testimony because it hurts Him if we transgress His Word, He gave us His Word that we could make our lives better.

3. Notice what prevented him from giving into the temptation, he said: "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Notice that it is not because Joseph didn't think about sinning; rather, it's because Joseph values his relationship with the Lord more.

Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. John 14:11

If the Father was in Joseph, then one could interpret what Joseph said as "how can I screw myself by doing something thatI wouldn't want somebody else to do to my love.." Then again, back then would have gotten him killed. Only if he got caught? CHRIST is in us, and around us, avoid that detection.

Hi, nice to "meet" you also.

In point 1, I was referring to Joseph's temptation. But to your comment, if I lost my job and had to feed my family, seeing an open cash register will become a temptation, won't it? The point here is to realize that what we consider temptation changes depending on our own situation.

Another example: As a free person, an open prison cell door may means nothing, but if you are a prisoner in that cell, that open door is a big temptation.



In point 2, I was referring to Joseph inability to escape impure thoughts in the fact of those temptations. Put yourself in Joseph place at that particular span of time. Can you escape impure thoughts? if so, how?



In point 3, I'm sorry, I don't quite understand your objection to what I was saying. I agree that Christ *can* be in us if we believed in Him and let the Holy Spirit shape our heart to become His temple. But please don't think that this happens automatically or mystically. We are commanded to keep being filled by the Holy Spirit daily. That's the only way we can experience a fellowship with Christ.

What do you call wet dirt? DUST

I'm with my_little_pony here, I don't get it.

 

[Romans 8.28]

Duplicate reply and did not know how to delete it.

 

[Romans 8.28]

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

A dear brother in the Lord once said this: I went into the kitchen the other day and asked my wife what would you think of me if I came back and told you to not go over to this certain town and she asked why? Well, I went over and checked into that hotel for the night, and was setting there in the lobby. A man and woman came in, and she was one of the most desirable women I've ever seen in my life. They went to the desk to check in, then proceeded to their room and forgot and left his partially open suitcase there just full of one hundred dollar bills.

I waited and the bell-man went behind the door there for a few minutes, then he came out with these two cops and grabbed me, takes me before this judge and I asked, what in the world have you got me here for? The judge said adultery and theft. I said, what do you mean? Then they played all this back for me. He said the only reason you didn't take that is because you didn't know if you could get away with the money. (Please realize this was just an allegory to bring about a point.)

I like the thinking on Will's post below, and that is the result of the new nature of Christ in us; our old nature can and would do anything as Paul experienced in Romans Chapter Seven. We can submit to the work of God in us to will and to do after His good pleasure, or walk after the flesh.

Notice what prevented him from giving into the temptation, he said: "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" Notice that it is not because Joseph didn't think about sinning; rather, it's because Joseph values his relationship with the Lord more.

 

[my_little_pony]

I like Romans' example.

If the only reason we do not give into temptation is because we are scared of getting caught, then I think that clearly is lust, whether it be for money, sex, fame, or whatever.

But, if we are tempted, and we deliberately hold back because we do not want to offend God, then I don't think that is lust.

God is not bound by our rules. We can't order God or coerce him or use scripture to manipulate him into condemning someone because we honestly believe such and such person committed adultery by thinking an immoral thought.

God is the one who ultimately decides what is in a persons' heart. It's true that there are times when a person's actions or words can give us an indication as to where that person is at spiritually, but thoughts are a very different issue.

 

[TouchTestimony]

thank you people