As we grow up, we are visited by desires. It is profound the beauty of our design really, none who are born healthy can escape these visitations, the darkest thoughts enter the minds of all who have walked this earth, including Jesus.
The biblical texts call it temptation. It is of the human conscience to experience these moments, and they are then set upon each unique soul. Our flesh, this vessel, is a combination of our emotions and the incomplete knowledge we rely upon that then mingle with our primitive instincts.
The combination of these things defines our actions as we develop in our blindness. I say blindness because before we were aware of God, more specifically, aware of Christ, we were in darkness, blind to what is in front of us, therefore reliant on our flesh to guide our actions. Actions that are led by temptation.
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Matthew 5:27,28
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“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
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But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
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Anything outside of faithfulness is a sin. What that means is profound. As faith itself is a holy attribute of the Conscience of God that we label the Kingdom. We can live by faith, because of the love we have for the Father. This is proven in the life and death and ascension of Christ Jesus. He conquered the enemy, having been in the likeness of man, host by this flesh, knowing it's poverty. Yet he had to be destroyed to overcome his love for God. This world and this flesh are in bondage. The lesser kingdom, the conscience of the prince of this world, will not recognize the truth, because the truth does not honor him. So anything outside of holiness, is sin, as he is the father of sin- the lie upon the world, the darkness of our blindness.
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Jesus said our sin begins in our heart, and he also said what a man keeps in his heart is what type of fruit he bears.
If I am tempted, and I cherish that temptation because it comforts me, makes me feel whole, I am in my heart already guilty of the sin it leads to. This is very concerning. I have felt hurt on such deep and immense levels that I have harbored thoughts in my mind and desires in my heart. From theft to adultery to murder. And this wickedness although never acted on, is certainly waiting for me at judgement. I have since confessed these sins, and acted in ways that support my sincere confession to the Lord. But bait is designed for it's quarry, as temptation is unique to each of us.
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1 Corinthians 16:13
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Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
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There is no doubt in me, when I say to you that the enemy is constantly working to topple you and I from our place. This world and the very flesh you are housed within, will continue to search for cracks, for weaknesses in your armor.
And to this I would add, that if there is one thing I will be commended for in heaven, it will be that I gave myself no escape from repent. I spent hours confessing everything I could possibly confess. And to this very day, I add to the list, totally humbled by it, ashamed, and aware I am truly nothing without my place in the body of Christ. I could only pray that you too would find this humility, and sincerity. My biggest sin is vanity, and so my greatest strength is my humility.
Seek with the Holy Spirit the deeper things of your heart. Truly let yourself be laid bare before all of heaven. Although I do not fully comprehend what is in store for us, I can tell you with certainty, everything hidden will be brought to light.
I love you. Confess everything. Let it be your foothold. Do this because you want to put the Father first, like Christ did. The Holy Spirit be your guide, he will guide you in prayer, he will show you what to pray, and this because faith is our path.
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