Probably my greatest battle. I have an X rated sense of humor (I gave birth to the offensive memes thread) and genuinely think everything under the sun can be the source of a joke. Nothing is offensive. Nothing off limits. Laughter is beautiful.
However, what comes out of the mouth is an overflow of the heart. That is a paraphrase of a verse I am too lazy to find right now. I haven't visited the Offensive Memes thread in a long long time. It's a struggle, but I have eliminated a majority of my past vulgarities. Unfortunately, they still pop out more often than I would like. Nothing good can come from grieving the Holy Spirit.
Sinning less and feeling more guilty. Habits are hard to break.
"Shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness."
- 1Timothy 2:16
And these words from Jesus are beyond sobering. Oh boy.
"For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
I have been meditating on the Holy Spirit quite a bit lately...and asking for Him tp reveal His spiritual presence within me. The Holy Spirit is such a valuable source of guidance, joy, wisdom, and so much more. Invite the Holy Spirit of God into your heart. If ypu are saved, He is already inside you. Acknowledge Him. Often. If you want the amazing benefits.
That leads me to grieving the Holy Spirit. Causing grief to the Holy Spirit residing inside you? That does not sound like a good idea at all!
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
By whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with all malice
- Ephesians 4:31-32
Anger, clamor, evil speaking. Tame your tongue. Tame your anger. That would include the keyboard tongue, I imagine. Guilty.
I have been meditating on the Holy Spirit quite a bit lately...and asking for Him tp reveal His spiritual presence within me. The Holy Spirit is such a valuable source of guidance, joy, wisdom, and so much more. Invite the Holy Spirit of God into your heart. If ypu are saved, He is already inside you. Acknowledge Him. Often. If you want the amazing benefits.
That leads me to grieving the Holy Spirit. Causing grief to the Holy Spirit residing inside you? That does not sound like a good idea at all!
"Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,
By whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put away from you, with all malice
- Ephesians 4:31-32
Anger, clamor, evil speaking. Tame your tongue. Tame your anger. That would include the keyboard tongue, I imagine. Guilty.
Here’s an analogy I heard as it pertains to faith and free will. Imagine our life is a chess match, but we are playing against Bobby Fisher.. Are we making moves, making decisions? Yes. But ultimately we are going to end up right where he wants us. Now whether we are living with God, with Christ, or the dark one, is going to determine our destination. But in the end we all are going to end up where either God wants us, or Satan.
Now do we have free will? Yeah, kinda. But if we walk with Jesus he’s going to lead us where he wants us to be.
I disagree. Wholeheartedly. "For us to find" and "it's up to us" are two of the reasons a vast majority of people are lost...here and eternally.
Yes, we have free will. However, leaning on, asking of, relying on, and depending on the Lord is vital. And scripturally taught. Any healthy relationship requires two way communication. No different with the Lord.
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." This is God telling us to call out to Him.
Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Jesus talking this time. People mistakenly think this means every whimsical thing you ask for will be granted like a genie. It's a command to ask and seek Him for guidance. Reveal yourself.
James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach." He gives WHEN we ask. If I leave it only up to me? Maybe it will work out. Maybe not. I'd rather ask for revelation from Him too.
Ephesians 1:15-23 - I won't quote as it's long. But Paul is asking the Lord to reveal Himself and His guidance to the believers in Ephesus. Powerful passage!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding.
