| Poster | Thread | twayneb
Member
Joined: 2009/4/5
Posts: 2256
Joplin, Missouri
| | Re: | | Quote:
well i have had bitterness and anger and a lack of acceptance in the spirit, my issue is i have tried repenting and confessing all of that but i end up going right back to those sins.
Brother that adds a little bit more to the equation. I struggled at one time with lack of acceptance. It can be quite debilitating. Keeps your focus on yourself all of the time. In my case I came to a place where I recognized that I was self centered and that I had held the opinions of man and the acceptance of man as an idol in my life. I repented of it and that began a process through which God set me free from that bondage. At times the enemy still tries to bring it back. I have to recognize it and resist it steadfast.
Bitterness and anger are an open door to all sorts of evil. Where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work. Beware lest a root of bitterness springing up in you trouble you and defile many. It has been my experience that people who harbor these things find it hard to hear from God and often experience great inroads of the enemy into their life. I once knew a man who left his wife and ran off with another woman. After he was restored I asked him if it was pornography or lust that motivated him. He said no. He had become offended at a brother and it eventually led to adultery. I would have bet dollars to doughnuts that it was the former, but it was not. Bitterness and anger are a huge open door. I personally think it is because they are rooted in unforgiveness. When we walk in unforgiveness we take ourselves out of the grace of God. If you are carrying these things you need to forgive and release these things. You must forgive, totally, completely, forever.
It is not easy to do. In fact, I would say it is impossible for you to do by yourself. You can recognize that you have been angry and bitter and you can confess anger and bitterness. You can even be sorry that you were angry and bitter but you can still hold onto the offense. You must let go of the offense. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit, not your own effort, and probably only through the ministry of other believers can you do this. But it must be done. The person(s) who offended you must be released from all expectation. You must forgive. I encourage you to find some mature men around you who can pray with you and minister to you as you forgive and let go of the anger and bitterness. You will need their help and support.
_________________
Travis
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|  2011/9/20 17:39 | Profile | jimp
Member
Joined: 2005/6/18
Posts: 1481
| | Re: | | hi, as a younger man i was blessed to hear from God all the time. i was used in ministry in a great way and ministered with len ravenhill and many other men of that ilk.i got caught up in pride thinking about the worldwide ministry of jimp.instead of Jesus. all of the annointing left and it was years before i heard from God again. He will share His power and His love but Hwill not share His glory with man. |
| | 2011/9/20 19:41 | Profile | Trekker
Member
Joined: 2011/7/29
Posts: 683
northern USA
| | Re: | | Quote: "well i have had bitterness and anger and a lack of acceptance in the spirit, my issue is i have tried repenting and confessing all of that but i end up going right back to those sins."
Bible3life: I think that is the whole crux of the matter. The Word says that if we hold onto unforgiveness and bitterness we will be handed over to the tormenter. When i look back on my life, i can see how bitterness in my teen years caused me to be negative towards everything and the negative stuff that left my mouth created an atmosphere no one wanted to be around. In addition, anger was always festering inside me. Jesus said that if we do not forgive others then God will not forgive us. I think twayneb hit it on the head there. So what is the solution? Well, first off, don't expect things to get better over night, the devil does not give up easily and since he has had success previously in getting you in bondage to hate, bitterness, and anger he is going to keep trying to keep you there or get you back in chains. In my experience, he keeps trying for years and years, bringing every wicked, nasty, unreasonable person available into a person's life to keep that root of bitterness from dying off. You just have to keep praying from your heart, "Lord, i dont know how to forgive this person, please help me to forgive. And please forgive me for my unforgiveness and cleanse me of it". An excellant sermon to help you out (which i always keep in my favorites list in case i will need it again for my own self) is "How Do I Forgive", by Dr. Jim Binney. Found at sermonaudio.com
The link is: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=821029331.
It is my guess that a spirit or root of bitterness is causing the hate you often feel. Bitterness is the equivalent of a wound which never heals, and can sometimes be open and festering. Recovering from bondage to bitterness is a very difficult and long process, and holding onto a grudge often feels like a soothing drug (which creates chemical pathways in the brain). The goal of a bitter person is often to create a fortress around self so he/she cannot be hurt again in the future by the behavior of the other. But the longterm effect is to lock one's own self in prison.
I can say this NOW, but i am by no means immune to bitterness. The way i figure it, the devil is always looking for an opportunity. |
| | 2011/9/22 20:32 | Profile | Trekker
Member
Joined: 2011/7/29
Posts: 683
northern USA
| | Re: | | QUOTE: "all of the annointing left and it was years before i heard from God again. He will share His power and His love but He will not share His glory with man."
That is a great warning for all of us, and yet also gives hope that God might not remain silent forever. As it was with Samson, the Spirit returned.
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| | 2011/9/22 20:35 | Profile | Trekker
Member
Joined: 2011/7/29
Posts: 683
northern USA
| | Re: | | Quote : "I wouldn't mind dying if I could take a few of the enemy with me. I would love to have seen that colesium fall down." Endzone
lol, i hear ya. I would have loved to see it fall too. Because they were worshiping their demon (dagon), aka false god. And i entirely agree with you, i would have wanted to die also, under the circumstances Samson was in. When i read about Samson I always feel sorry for him--he was human. And how frightening: he never knew that God had left him (until he was captured). But yet it seems that God doesnt dwell on that; Hebrews refers only to Samson as a man of faith and accomplishment, not dwelling on his sins. Even Samson was restored in his relationship with God. |
| | 2011/9/22 20:51 | Profile | PaulWest
Member
Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas
| | Re: | | The Lord will sometimes withdraw His tangible presence for a season to teach us valuable spiritual lessons that would otherwise be impossible to learn. The most valuable lesson taught during these times is faith. To teach us the principle of walking by faith and not by sight, He will often strip away many things we have been accustomed to hang on to: namely, His felt presence and voice. We "see" these things in the spiritual; they are the beacons of security and safety in the midst of storms. When we pray, we sense God near to us. We attune ourselves to the "still, small voice" that speaks so faithfully into our anxieties, and suddenly our confidence grows and all our worries are forgotten.
We have learnt over the years how to "stir" ourselves into the presence of God through meditation upon the Word, through prayer, through praising the Lord, corporate worship, heated and anointed preaching, et cetera. A spiritual "cause and effect" in many cases; and indeed, we are often exhorted and taught through the Word of God to do just this.
But sometimes - a season comes. A season where the brook dries up, where the food-bearing ravens fail to return, where all heaven seems shut above you like a brass coffer. Months go by without you experiencing one touch from God. The Bible is lifeless; soul-hot prayer an impossibility. What do you do? God has seemingly departed from you, and to make matters worse the "cause" methods to summon His Spirit no longer work as well! You are in a real quandary.
Sometimes these dry seasons are precipitated by a period of sin and backsliding - though not all the time. Sometimes, God in His infinite wisdom and goodness, simply deems it time to teach His beloved child the meaning of "sightless" faith and trust. During these seasons, I believe we get a miniscule glimpe of what Christ Himself dreaded as he went through the pre-mortum agony in Gethsamane. He didn't dread the physiological terror of going through death itself; no, far worse was the prospect of God forsaking Him! We know we are growing heathily in grace when we can truly say to our souls, "I'd rather die than to go on living in this sin without God." Didn't you think this very thing when God withdrew from you? When you were crushed and broken and helpless? This was how our Lord felt, and what caused Him to groan in the garden. The forsaking of God. We share in a certain solidarity with Christ as we go through these times; though His was infinitely blacker and deeper and, unlike ours, totally undeserved.
Dear saints, it is during these times where prayers for brokeness are answered! When we are young and immature in the faith, we often pray for God to break us. We pray these prayers when we are strong and vibrant and God is near. But when God answers the prayer for brokeness, it usually comes through a falling into sin or failing and backsliding...and then a period of dreadful dryness. The Lord withdraws His Spirit from our senses and all we are left with is a hope in His grace. It is during these dark moments where we learn of the power of blood of Jesus Christ, of the bitter truth of Romans 7:18, and how glorious His utterance of "It is Finished" is. May God give us an ever-deepening revelation and light upon the significance of that utterance!
Some practical advice for going through these seasons is to never doubt God's love for you - no matter what you've done, how deeply you've fallen, or how many times you've fallen. Always, always have faith in God's love for you and keep Romans 8:28 ever so close to your heart. Also, do not try to rehabilitate yourself, as this will only cause a temporary false reprieve before you find yourself plunging into even greater depths. Let go, like Jonah, and just sink. Trust Psalm 27:14 in the pitch-darkness of the whale's belly.
My prayer is that this post will help someone. I've just gone though a very long period myself, so I can commiserate with everyone experiencing God's seasons of withdrawl. It can drive you to the brink of despair if you are not well-grounded in the fundamentals of God's grace, God's love and the power of the blood of Jesus Christ (i.e. I John 1:7;9). Try to regard these times as mega-chambers of growth for your walk. When you come out of them, you will be a much more mature saint than you were before entering.
Sustained wholly by the grace of God,
Brother Paul
_________________
Paul Frederick West
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| | 2011/9/22 21:36 | Profile | ArtB
Member
Joined: 2004/4/27
Posts: 431
New York
| | Re: | | I read your reply to me, endzone. It was a little more info than I asked for. But I can help you and answer some questions by others about their relationship with the indwelling Holy Spitit..
To begin with, part of the definition of being a Christian is that every Christian has the indwelling Holy Spirit at all times. No Christian lacks the Holy Spirit. All Christians are SEALED by the Holy Spirit, as belonging to God.
Jn 14:25-28 [Jesus speaking:]
"These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
For any reading this right now, answer this: Have you ever said that "Jesus is Lord"? If you really do mean it, then take a moment to say right now: "Jesus is Lord." That is, if you really do believe He is Lord.
Now, Here is a surefire test to know whether you do, or do not, have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you right now.
Now read this:
1 Co 12:3
"No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. NASU
SETTLED!
So know that the Holy Spirit dwells in you, in all who are Christians. What is the Holy Spirit doing in you?
Ro 8:26-30
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. NASU
As for anyone with addictive sin, Let It Go! To be clear, I did not say, 'stop doing it', I said 'let it go'.
How?
Tell God you tried to stop, but you just can not stop, no matter how much you want to, no matter how hard you try, you can not stop. Tell Him how much you love Him, and place yourself at His mercy. Trust God by believing these versus from the Apostle John are true for you:
1 Jn 1:5-10
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins AND to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. NASU
Just confess your sins to God, AND KNOW He will forgive your sins and He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness. And KNOW that as long as you live, you will sin. And as God forgives you of your sins, you should be equally willing to forgive all who sin against you.
1. The Law of Liberty: As you measure others, so God will use your measure to measure you. If you will not forgive others of their sins against you, then he will similarly not forgive yours. So forgive others of their sins, just as you would like to be forgiven your sins.
2. The Royal Law of Love: Love God with all your might, mind, and Power; and Your neighbor as you love yourself.
3. The Law of of the SPIRIT OF LIFE IN ChrisT Jesus:
Ro 8:1-8
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
NASU
The Power of sin is in the Law. Law focuses the mind on sin. It is well known that where we look is where we go. anyone who drives a bicycle or motorcycle, or even a car, that each of these type vehicles go where you look. This is why cops make people walk away from the highway when they pull someone over or assist them in accident, so they do not get hit by people who are looking at the cop action while turning their car towards them, often hitting the car parked on the side of the row.
And do not marry your addictive sins. They are not worth your attention. You already given them too much of your mind. Know God has forgiven you no matter how addictive they have been, you must forgive yourself and move on, GOD loves you, Know this, and move your mind on to better things:
Php 4:8-9
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
NASU
_________________
Arthur Biele
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| | 2011/9/22 23:16 | Profile |
| | Re: | | I do realize that i have roots of bitterness in me, i know that i at this time am not filled with Gods's love contrary i feel like i am filled with a spirit of anger and hate, lust, lots of pride and selfishness, unforgiveness, jealousy,unbelief etc. This does concern me a lot and i want to be like use to be be beingled by the Spirit and walking in love and not by selfishness. Their was a time where i did not care about myself and what i wanted and i didn't desire material things, but i was being led to desire righteousness and that is where my joy was, to tell the truth, to not steal, to be honest, to honor my parents and care of the needs of others, it was a real joy, to hear Gods name gave me great joy and comfort. I noticed also that most people talk about legalism and how we can't do this and that as Christians, but this was not much of an issue for me because i just lost the desire for the things of the world, I remember flipping through the television channels after i had a born again experience so i think at least and i would flip through the television and i no longer desired the hingfs on t.v but those things about God, even sports i didn't really care about anymore. It was like i was brought into a different body with new desires. So i do remember some what of walking in the spirit, i remember strongly how i was sincere duringmy early years like a little child, i was no longer a respector of persons, and i had a strong confidence in what i read in the scripture, and i could be patient and wait for the Lord too. Also i would not ever get bored by the scriptures even the huge list of names gave me joy. I know that God touched me in my life, so this is hard because sin has done this to me. Mostly my fall began with sexual sin and then on from their more ins started coming to me. But anyways i want to be cleansed and right with God. I just am overcome by these demonic attacks and all those sins i listed earlier. I am just struggling at times so much, i did have ome peace the last few days somewhat, but again today i have been getting attacked in my back and my thoughts and lust. Please just pray the Lord would set me free, great wisdom from everyone. |
| | 2011/9/23 1:12 | | jimp
Member
Joined: 2005/6/18
Posts: 1481
| | Re: | | dear bible4life,these sins do not disqualify you for anything except a happy life. be sure your sins will find you out is a reality but so is grace and mercy. grace and mercy takes care of the spiritual condition but the sins of the flesh have penalties in the flesh. if you would quit striving and learn to wallow in the finished work of Christ and all it provides because of His love for us.labor to enter into rest...take His yoke upon yourself and learn how easy He makes it... we needed a redeemer and God sent His son to die for us and purchased us with His blood. the wrath of the Father was poured out on Him,so we will not have any condemnation on us(judgement).you can not do anything to impress God or male yourself holy...He has done it for you...it is finished. |
| | 2011/9/23 1:48 | Profile | live4jc
Member
Joined: 2008/10/2
Posts: 203
| | Re: Anyone who can tell me of their experience of their struggle with the Holy Spirit | |
Brother Paul,
Appreciate you sharing these insights, and the things of the heart. What you wrote about the dry times being the answer to our former prayers for brokenness- makes a lot of sense. It's funny how dry times can be the answer 'to anything', but in God's economy, they can. I guess this is true, both in our personal lives, and as it applies to what's going on, on the world stage, these days.
I think as well during the barren times, sometimes all we see is the barrenness that seems to color our lives, but even at this stage, God can see a fruitfulness, and I think others can as well.
In Jesus,
John
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| | 2011/9/23 7:23 | Profile |
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