Bible Study Chat 14

Originally Posted by eva_from_greece: I am waiting for you answer Cindy , about the fact that sometimes I am being influenced by the world thinking that my life is bad...

Eva, we will always have to fight against the world, our flesh and Satan. Always. They are always going to try and tell us the opposite of what God tells us. You know that hon. And you know exactly what God says to do about it too. We have talked about that a great deal. Your job is to stay alert and take those kind of thoughts captive and replace them with the Truth from God's Word.

Every single day... in fact, every single moment of every day, we have to make a choice. Are we going to believe God, or are we going to believe Satan? If we choose our flesh or the world, then we are choosing Satan because he is in charge of both of those. So our constant choice is about who we are going to believe and who we are going to obey.

Sometimes we try to get around it by saying we can't choose because we don't understand something, but that's just another of Satan's lies to us. We don't have to understand something to choose to believe it or to obey God. In fact, simply because God is God and is so much more intelligent then we are, there are always going to be things that we don't understand.

For example, the trinity - It's hard to understand how Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are all one person and yet are also 3 distinctly different people too, but they are. The greatest minds in history have never been able to understand it and never will until we get to heaven. But just because I don't understand it, that doesn't stop me from believing that Jesus is God and so is the Father and the Holy Spirit.

God doesn't require us to understand everything. He requires us to know His Word and obey it.

Eva, the only reason we ever think our lives are "bad" is when we don't understand what's really happening and why it's happening.

We think we're very smart and intelligent. We think we are wise, but we are not. We forget that our minds are corrupted by sin; everyone's mind is, including the mind of the most intelligent person on earth. We actually think of ourselves as though we were God because we "know it all". (we think) After all, we invented electricity, we have sent people to the moon, we can build great things, and even give people artificial hearts to keep them alive. So what do we need God for? We may not say we're smarter then He is out loud, but that's what we really think. After all, if God is in control and I believe my life is bad, then He's doing a pretty bad job of it isn't He? We can even list all kinds of "reasons" that our life is "bad". We can even list all the things that should happen to make our life good. Given the time, we could even sit down and figure out how to make things happen so that our lives would be good (if we had supernatural powers to make things happen the way we wanted them to). So, if we can do all that, and God is making our lives bad, then He either isn't very smart, or else He's a very bad God. Right?

There's one very big problem with all of that. It's simply not true. If we could see things as they really are, we would understand that all we've just said, sounds at best, more like something an infant would say to their parents. Actually it sounds more like something an ant might say to a human, because our understanding an "intelligence" is about equal to that of an ants when compared to the intelligence of God.

We are not all that intelligent, and what intelligence we do have is tainted with sin, with evil, so that we tend to think evil thoughts. Of course we don't think they're evil, we think they're "normal", because they are normal to the world, our flesh and to Satan. But to God, who does know the Truth, they are evil. We know next to nothing, but pretend we know everything. We are the most arrogant creatures alive! I often wonder why the Lord doesn't stamp us all out of existence!

Ephesians 4:17 —So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. *

Gentiles is referring to all who are unsaved. Their thinking is futile. Our thinking is futile. It has no worthwhile results. Once we are saved, we have the capacity to make the right choices, to realize that we don't understand everything; that we not only don't understand but that we cannot understand it all yet and will not be able to do so until we are in Heaven and have our new uncorrupted bodies and minds.

Titus 1:15 —To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. *

Again it shows the truth about our minds and hearts. They are corrupted. But when we apply the truth of God's Word and replace those corrupted thoughts with His Truth, then we will realize that everything is just the way it should be and our conscience will work the way it is supposed to.

Job 15:14–16 —“What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? *If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, *how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water! *

We think that the angels are pure and righteous, and very intelligent, and yet even they aren't as pure, righteous or intelligent as God is. Notice what it says about us? Our natural selves drink up evil like water! That's what those thoughts about your life being "bad" are about. You're drinking up evil like water.

Psalm 14:2–3 —The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. *All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. *

Are you beginning to see just how evil we really are? It's our thoughts and thought processes that make us evil. Think back to our study about the fall of man and how that affects us as it shows in Mark 7:21-23 and other places.

Mark 7:21–23 —For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, *greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. *All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ ” *

Ecclesiastes 9:3 —This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. *

Romans 8:7 —the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. *

Jeremiah 17:9 —The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? *

Again, all the above continue to show us just how wrong our thoughts and feelings are and that we should not trust them. Please read those verses carefully to understand why the Lord tells us that we must take our thoughts and feelings captive and replace them with His Truth. We cannot trust them. We cannot trust "man's reasoning" for it's all tainted by sin. That's also why the Lord says:

Proverbs 28:26 —He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. *

We shouldn't trust ourselves and our thoughts and feelings. Instead we're to trust God and His Word. That is the only place in this world where we can find the Truth. So God tells us to Trust Him instead of our own thoughts:

Proverbs 3:5 —Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; *

There are many examples in the Bible of people who thought their lives were bad and found out differently. Here's one story that is a good illustration of why we cannot trust our thoughts and feelings:

2 Kings 6:15–17 —When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. *“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

They were completely surrounded and obviously going to be captured and killed and the man was terrified! If other people had been with them, they would have all agreed with this man that they did not have a chance. They would certainly be killed! Thankfully, a man of God was with him and this man understood that he couldn't trust his own thoughts and understanding, but instead had to trust God. He was trying to teach this other man this very thing, So he prayed:

*And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. *

In other words, the first time the man looked, with only human understanding, he saw that they were surrounded by an entire enemy army of soldiers and chariots. That's why he was sure they would be killed. But after Elisha prayed, he then saw that the enemy army was actually surrounded by God's army of angels! The Truth was that the enemy army was about to die, if God ordered it, not them! It was then obvious to him that God was in control and would let no harm come to them, and they had no problems at all after that.

The same is true about your life Eva. Your life is not "bad". You simply do not understand why some things have happened or are happening and you may never understand. Your choice is to trust God and believe what His Word says about Him or not to trust Him.

Originally Posted by eva_from_greece

Yes we should discuss this more.
I really need to know more.
Sometimes its like the world wants to drown me, the more I try to get closer to God the world gets angry and tries to steal my soul. A battle...

 

I need to know exactly what you're thinking in order to tell you what's happening and how to correct it. What did my last post teach you or remind you of? Did my last post help at all? What else about what it says do you need to know more about? I need some more feed back from you hon....

 

Originally Posted by eva_from_greece: Theres a lot of thoughts...
Some of them I remember, some of them not.
Everyday I realize more and more about the evil around me.
Things that used to be accepted by me before I consider them as really bad now. There were everyday things for me before I was used to them.
Now its different.
And I see the way I grew up.
One thing I learned is to recognize whos lying. Because my father lies, 3.9 of his 4 words is lies I can tell whos lying. Probably thats why God put me there. I have this unique gift to know now and protect me from lies.
I will write more 2morrow.
I had a lot of house cleaning today, and I am unfortunately still a bit sick.
I will open my bible and rest a bit

Eva, I was talking about your thoughts when you read my reply to you. What did you think about that? I also meant what is it that is causing you to feel that the world is trying to drown you or trying to steal your soul? Speaking of that, what do you mean when you say it's trying to steal your soul? And what exactly is it that you need to know more about? Originally you said that sometimes you are "being influenced by the world thinking that my life is bad." What exactly do you mean by that? If you can answer each of these questions, then I can help you more.

 

Originally Posted by eva_from_greece

Actually, to correct what I wrote. I dont truly believe that my life is bad, I believe though that I am forced to believe this by people in this world.
Let me explain
Yes. For example at work. There's too much tension. Lies. Nobody likes noone. Remember I told you that we have a girl there that she refused even to say good morning and she did only whispering that , didnt even looked at me. She resigned today. After a big fight the boss had with her in November her boyfriend (10 years older than her) found her a job at a store that he was the manager. The same with another man working there that approached them as a ''friend".
They spent 3 months whining and saying 24/7 ''I want to leave'' . Discussing with the other guy about how bad is this job ALL THE TIME. I was very tired listening to them. I tried just to do what I have to and there she goes again, whining and whining again and again. Also they were talking about me that I am a bit ''silly'' and "naive" because I dont do the same. Its sad that these guys have no idea of what poverty and unemployment is, and that is also true for my boss. They have so many blessings that they dont even know about them, they dont see them. I am not sayning that my boss is right to fight with them, hes violent. But neither are they. The girl was taking 1000 euro at the time that most of the people in greece take 480-580 and they have to feed their families with this. And what does she do with them? Shopping and trying to pay the credit cards she overused for shopping. I feel sad about this. I am not ''angry'' or have anything against them. I am a bit worried -lets say, because I see they dont make right choices and they dont even see the gifts they have. Health, a job with good salary, a family that aint broken and more. And because I dont see all these things as real problems I am ''naive'' for them.
She took 7 days off, and she came back today. The day the other guy stopped working and get to the other job. And at the same day she told them she quits. And she had a look of pride in her face... She will stay till the end of the month, until they find somebody else.
They think I am silly that I should leave also. If God wants me out of there He will lead me out of there. If not I should be there.
Its like mandatory to feel sorry for yourself instead of doing your best. They dont know about my life and family, but I know that if they knew they would say "Poor you... You live such a ****** life''.
The same with my parents. I dont see them all the time, but everytime they see me they are shining that they do not have enough money. But in fact they do have all they need. Everyday food, gas, they can afford to pay their bills and put gas in their car. Why on earth they want more? What do they want?
And when you try to be content and pleased with God has offered you till now, you are silly! You are naive! You are out of your mind!
Thats the battle I have to fight.

 

Ok, I understand now Eva, thank you! That was very well said! All of those people, as you know, are unsaved and of the world. They are part of the world, and they can't see or know the Truth. What is very obvious to us, is hidden to them. So they follow the world's teachings, which we know are actually Satan's teachings. Satan is their father and they are growing up to be just like him. I am not saying that to be mean Eva, I'm saying it only because, whether we like it or not, it's true. What you are experiencing is something every true believer goes through.

Remember, God warns us about this and tells us that because we belong to Him, we are strangers to this world, and because we're strangers here, others are not going to like us. We're different, and we will always be different from them. In fact, as we continue to grow in our faith, we'll become more and more different from them and they'll like us less and less. We're to always remember that this world is not our home. Our Home is in Heaven and that's where we belong, where our true family is and will be; that's where our love and acceptance is and where our future is.

We really are like aliens here on this earth for this life. We don't fit in and most of us never really did, because even though we didn't know it, we belonged to God and He chose us before He ever even made this world. So even before we were actually saved, we didn't really fit in here. Even then the world hated us, even though they didn't know why, because even then we belonged to God. So, we were different somehow. Then when we were saved, the world began to understand why it hated us and their hate became more obvious. As I said, the more we grow in our faith, the more the unsaved will hate us, the more different we will be. They hate us because they hate our Lord and God. They hate us because their father hates our God and us and they are like their father just as we are like our Father.

We even speak a different language then they do. Oh we may use the same words, but they don't mean the same things to them because they don't understand us or anything we say about our Lord, His Word, or our Home. Even though we can't see it and often don't realize it, God uses many things we say and do throughout each day to plant seeds in the hearts and minds of the unsaved, that may some day take root and grow causing them to be saved like us. But we rarely know who it will be until it finally happens, so we have to be careful of all we say and do so we don't mislead anyone.

You're right too in that you do know how to deal with this problem. You must continually take captive any thoughts that try to creep back into your heart or mind and replace them with the Truth. One thing I used to do when I'd hear them talking, was to simply pretend in my mind that I was talking to them and imagine what I would say to them in order to explain the truth to them. That actually helped quite a bit too. It can be hard to keep smiling in that situation, but again it can help if we remember that this isn't our home. I used to often think about how it will be when I'm finally in my real Home, surrounded by loving friends who are all, also family.

Eva, I am hoping that one thing you said is just a bad translation, because no one can force you to think or feel anything. How and what you think is entirely up to you and God says it is our responsibility to be in control of our thoughts at all times. When we first learn about this, our thoughts are often like unruly, misbehaving children that have to be taught to behave correctly. And it can be quite a battle of wills to get those naughty children (thoughts) to behave the way you want them to at first. But you have been practicing this for some time now and are way beyond that, or should be. By now your thoughts should be behaving the way you want them too and only misbehaving and needing correction once in awhile.

One thing I did not take into consideration though was when you started working. That placed you in a brand new environment, so while you may have had your thoughts under control before you started working, you may have had a rough time with them again in this new situation. But it's just like before. You simply have to insist they behave the way you want them to in this situation also and before long they will behave for you again. Like that old saying goes, "practice makes perfect!"

So keep telling yourself the Truth and insist on that truth for yourself. Don't accept their lies. Don't be angry at your co workers though, because no matter how rotten they are, they're only doing what their father tells them to. They don't know any better and they don't understand. We can see how very unhappy they are, and how unhappy they are making themselves and all the pain they are causing themselves, but they can't see it. They actually think they're happy and normal. They even think they're "good". They aren't to blame though, it's their father who's to blame. So instead of being angry at them for hating you and treating you badly, feel sorry for them because they don't have a loving Father to show them the way.

You know what's really weird? Have you heard how abused children will often run to the person who abuses them and not want to leave them? It's true. It's even true of adults who are abused. They often convince themselves that they "love" the abuser and don't want to leave them, so they keep going back to them. It's the same way with the unsaved. They don't realize they're being abused by Satan and that he really hates them. They can't see that our Father is offering them hope and freedom from that abuse. They keep running back to their abuser -Satan. It it wasn't for the mercy of our Lord, it would be impossible for any to be saved. But thanks be to God for He is merciful and saves many of us! We're the lucky ones Eva. The blessed ones. So feel sorry for those who hate us because they're blind and confused and don't know what they're doing.

James 4:4 —You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. *

1 Peter 2:11 —Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. *

1 Peter 1:1 —Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, .... *

1 Peter 1:17 —Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
Philippians 3:18–20 —For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. *Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. *But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, *