Wrestling with past baggage.

Regarding the "backsliding" issue. I think the confusion comes over how that word is defined. As I define it, a backslider is a someone who professes Christ but falls into sin for a period of time. This person may or may not be saved. I believe Ray Comfort in particular means a backslider is someone who used to claim to be a Christian but now repudiates all Christian beliefs. That individual was never saved.


To me it sounds like you were under conviction during your 'backsliding' and God chastised you and brought you back. Of course I am not in any position to say what state you were in or are now in. The important thing is are you NOW right with God? Are you AT THIS MOMENT justified in His sight?

Believers always struggle with sin. Paul struggled with sin:

So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful. For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. - Rom 7:12-25 NASB

 

Show me a true Christian who does not struggle with sin. Cannot be done.

Remember who the Accuser is.

 

Amen! We are to constantly examine ourselves that we be in the faith. But you will know that you are in the faith if you are continually looking unto Jesus. It doesn't matter if you are looking to Him from the highest of Christian heights or if you are in the valley fighting for your life. Keep looking unto Jesus!

 

Sometimes it can seem that way, but I think it is like that because they are so focused on fighting the easy-believism that is so prevalent in American churches today. There are multitudes who are false-converts that are convinced that they are on their way to heaven because one time they sincerely prayed and asked Jesus into their heart.

Frankly, take it as a good sign that sin bothers you! Take it as a good sign that God is still convicting you. Repent when needed but don't let guilt weigh you down.

 

Mark Dever said something in his little book What Is A Healthy Church that deals well with this question, I think.

Mark describes two different "mindsets," if you will. One mindset is of a Christian who sins and the other is of a non-Christian who sins.

The non-Christian who sins will always take sin's side against God while the Christian who sins will always take God's side against sin.

My question for you is this: During your "season" did you affirm that God calls what you were doing sin? If so, it certainly doesn't make it OK, but it does suggest that you were likely a believer during that time and were struggling and failing.

Remember, Paul tells us to "crucify" our sins. Crucifixion is a slow painful death. We must all be working on killing our sins. Sometimes it's 5 steps forward 1 step back. Sometimes it's 1 step forward and 5 steps back. Sometimes we take a giant leap forward; sometimes we take a giant leap backwards.

Yet, who we side with--sin or God--tells us if we are even on the path.

Hope that helps.

Blessings,

The Archangel

 

Ditto this.

BaptistJG- Try to remember that your salvation is not based on the feelings of the moment.

 

There is no doubt that addiction is forever. You, like all who have faced any addiction, must guard you heart and especially your mind.

The opening of Psalms 119 has this to say:

"How blessed are those whose way is blameless,"
​

(note it is not saying you have never sinned - the believer is blameless through the blood of Christ.)

Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established
To keep Your statutes!
​

(That is surely the heart cry of every believer and especially those who have struggled with an addictive lifestyle.)

6 Then I shall not be ashamed
When I look upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not forsake me utterly!
​

There is a time when we all have known heaven as brass and our prayers bouncing back - However, our blessed Savior said, "I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you."

The next verses are also very important to keep with you in every moment.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

​

See how the psalmist has determination.

It isn't easy, but the more the Scriptures dwell in you and are part of your mind, the more defense you have from the attacks of Satan and his forces.

Paul stated when the armor was placed upon a believer that they are to hold out (cling, verbally and mentally state...) the Word. That is the ONLY weapon against the fiery darts of the Devil.

One last comment.

There are 31 psalms. Each day corresponding to the day of the month read that psalm. Then do the same with the book of John (though it only has 21 chapters).

The reason is to give you solid principals in which you can bring to mind the Scriptures when you are attached both by the old nature that you will wrestle and have to dominate, and the forces of evil (both spiritual and material) as you live from day to day.

I am thrilled that you have taken the first early steps.

Do not be dismayed - whatever you sow, you will reap. That applies not only to the past life of "playing the fool" (so to speak) but also abundantly applies to a person who determines to "cleans their mind," "present their bodies a living sacrifice," and "trust in the Lord with all your heart, don't lean to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him - He will direct your path."

I do hope this long post not only spurs you into greater faithfulness, but will let you know that every believer (especially you) are a trophy of Christ living in you. A light to shine, a testimony to live, and learning to become a true trail blazer to help other hurting, misguided lives back to Christ.

But remember, in order to achieve all that, you must abide in Him and He in you - to sustain, cleans and be your best buddy.

 

Me thinks.....

....this is an appropriate place to discuss things, or matters of the heart. So, discuss away!