Bible Studies

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The sin nature, with which we came into this world, does NOT go away when we are born-again (Rom. 7:23ff).

In fact it increases its pressure on one’s soul, keeping pace with whatever forward progress one may be making along the road to spiritual maturity.

Looking out for #1, when #1 is yourself, is the natural thing to do, when submitted to the influence of the self-centered, fallen nature. When in this mode, it is one’s own plans and interests that is foremost in one’s thinking.

For advancing disciples in fellowship with God, God is #1 and the disciple is Christ-centered, being submitted to the filling (control) of God the Holy Spirit. Fallen Man is not inclined to be Christ-centered (Phil 1: 21), and neither is a born-again believer, when out of fellowship. Fallen Man is by nature, a self-centered creature, and so will a born-again believer be, when he or she is out of fellowship with God.

Whichever ONE of these two sources of influence we CHOOSE to submit to at any given time, determines our thoughts and actions.

To the believer’s own hurt, the arrogance of our fallen nature denies that we are under the influence of anyone or anything else, making us easy targets for demonic deception.

Sin is the bridge that leads one away from the plan of God. Confession is the bridge that leads one back.

Other bridges, such as good deeds or service to “make up for” the sin we refuse to confess or forsake, will NOT bring one back into fellowship, or into the plan of God.

Fallen Man is NOT by nature, inclined to pursue the things of God. Fallen Man, and born-again believers when under the influence of the self-centered, fallen nature, will see such things as self-denial (Matt. 16: 24) and sacrifice as foolishness (1Cor. 2: 14).

Under the influence of the fallen nature, we prefer to focus our time on ourselves, “making the best” out of the here and now, with little, if any, real concern for any earthly consequences or its impact on our eternal experience.

The ominous words of 1Tim. 4:1 teach that born-again, Heaven bound, believers can still be influenced by demonic teachings, some of which come from the various pulpits by “wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7; 15).

Other demonic teachings come from well-intending, but misguided clergy after they themselves, have been deceived. The very idea that false and even demonic teachings can come from a pulpit is an upsetting reality. But like an enemy submarine, it poses its greatest threat when its presence goes undetected.

Keep in mind that a bullet fired in ignorance can be just as lethal as one that is fired with malicious intent.

Q. How is one to know the difference between the truth and error that can come from any given pulpit, at any given time?

A. By having a Biblically-edified soul structure that serves as a filter.

Satan has had thousands of years of experience and has mastered the art of spiritual warfare, knowing what buttons to press and when to press them, to launch his fiery arrows (Eph. 6: 16) for maximum effect. In addition to these “fiery arrows (Eph. 6: 16),” will bring to our conscious minds, any of the garbage (negative, false information) that we have allowed to become a part of our soul structure, for maximum effect.

As we lift the shield of faith to fend off these assaults, God the Holy Spirit will bring to mind the applicable principle(s) of doctrine we have in our soul structure, for us to make the best decisions. See Matt. 7: 24-27.

It is anything that the BIBLE defines as SIN that takes the born-again believer out of fellowship with God, and out of the individual plan that He has in mind.

Salvation is not lost, but one will not be inclined to execute the post salvation spiritual life when out of fellowship with God. He or she will always have something else to do, right now.

Fellowship with God is restored if and when one confesses his sin to God, being cleansed from all unrighteousness.

The length of time that one spends out of fellowship with God, due to a known sin that has not been confessed (1John 1: 9) and or forsaken (John 8: 11), can be as brief as the few seconds in takes to confess, or for as long as the rest of one’s post salvation spiritual life, here on Earth.

This underscores the spiritual damage that one can incur from the type of sin that can become a lifestyle.

Confessing, but then remaining in, or quickly returning to the same sin, will do an advancing disciple little good, as he or she will spend much of his or her post salvation spiritual life, going around and around in a revolving doorway, in and out of fellowship with God, and never moving forward in the plan of God.

End of Part Three

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