Great Delusion from God
I would like to discuss the passage of scripture in the Bible(not sure exactly which one it is, but I remember reading it) that talks about how after God's Truth is made known to us, but we still choose not to walk in it, that He Himself will send us "great delusion" and will hand us over to our sinful ways, or something to that effect.
Honestly, after reading that, I began feeling very discouraged because of my issues with lust/porn. I sometimes start to wonder if my addiction to porn is the enemy laying snares and trying to destroy me as always, or if its God sending "great delusion" because of my deliberate and willful disobedience to Him. I wonder if He is in essence saying "Ok, enough is enough, if this is what you really want ,then you've got it, and all that goes along with it." I want to serve and glorify God so much, and to do what is pleasing to Him, yet I'm in bondage and I don't know how to stop. I hate this so, so much. Comments welcome.
Are you talking about Romans 1:18-32?
ScottSmith10, I believe Romans 1:18-32 is the passage of scripture I read. I thought I remembered reading something specifically about God sending "great delusion", but it may have been from a Bible that was a certain translation that uses that terminology. I just worry sometimes about reaching a "point of no return" with my sin.
Hey,
I wanted to jump in and ask you, newcreation7, if you might say that satan is having a field day, so to speak, in your mind? You seem to be so worried about being too far gone in sin that it is too late for you? From what you have been saying, particularly, "I want to serve and glorify God so much, and to do what is pleasing to Him, yet I'm in bondage and I don't know how to stop. I hate this so, so much". This is your answer here...you do want to serve God and glorify Him and to please Him. This, to me, is the key to knowing whether God is pleased with you or not...the fact that you do have the desire for Him. To me, the scriptures in Romans 1: 18-32, and also 2 Peter 2:20-21, and Hebrews 10: 26-31 all talk about this deliberate disobedience and rebellion against God. I think it is safe to say these type people do not have a heart for God, desiring to please Him and serve and glorify Him. They are not looking at their behaviors and saying, "this is sin, this is wrong, I need to stop this, I don't like this". They are going to do what they want to do and will do whatever it takes to continue in it, no matter what, and are not concerned about God's view of them.
Where you are at is already answered in the other post where the scripture we were trying to encourage you with is found in Romans 7: 15-25 and chapter 8:1-2. This is the battle between our inner mind/hearts desire where we can "delight in God's Law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members..." (v.22-23). I feel like satan is attacking your mind, condemning you, putting a spirit of fear in you, making you feel as if you are not trying hard enough or not even trying, and even you are enjoying it too much to be willing to obey God and give it up...something along those lines? Remember that satan is a liar, the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). He is also an accuser who loves to guilt-trip us and condemn us and make us feel bad in any way he can (see Zech. 3:1-5; Rev. 12:10; 2 Cor.7:10). You have said you do want to please God and want to glorify Him. You are battling with your flesh and with satan who does not want to lose his hold on your life. Your flesh is waging war against you, wanting to keep experiencing the temporary, fleeting pleasures that makes "it" feel good; the Spirit in you, that you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, which you received as a deposit, guaranteeing your inheritance until the redemption (Eph. 1:13-14)...the Holy Spirit in you is fighting against the sinful nature/flesh. "They are in conflict/battle with each other, so that you do not do what you want." (Gal 5:17).
Yes, I am repeating these scriptures, and I'll ask the Lord to help me find more, but I do want to encourage you, that the questions you are asking, to me reveal that satan is attacking your mind and condemning you and frightening you with his lies. You need to get these scriptures and other scriptures to transform and renew your mind with the truth of God's word. He is lying to you; you are not too far gone or any such garbage! Speak the truth of God's word to him, the sword of the Spirit, stand firm against him; remind him that he is a liar, he has no right to condemn, judge, or accuse you. God is on your side and He does love you and Jesus is on His right side interceding on your behalf!! (Romans 8:34)
On other posts on this forum, there are some different scriptures about who you are in God's eyes and other very encouraging and powerful points. Find the scriptures that you need to seek out and copy and put them up somewhere to meditate and speak the word of God out loud at least once, if not twice a day. Find at least one to memorize for whenever you are being attacked with satan's lies..."I can do all things through Christ who gives me the power" (Phil. 4:13). Renew your mind and fight against satan with the truth, stop accepting and buying into his condemnations and accusations!!
Sincerely your sister in the Lord,
Tonya
preciousnHiseyes, what a great word! It truly ministered to my situation and blessed my spirit. Thank you so much!
Good! I do understand what it is like having all that junk in your thoughts. I struggle with them too. Some days are good, some are ok, some are yucky. :)
So I do literally have scriptures up in my kitchen and my bathroom to remind myself to speak them at least once, preferably twice a day, if not more. It does help. I would like to see more dramatic change much quicker, sigh. But I am encouraged by Shelley's testimony that she persevered for 8 years. Whew! If it wasn't for that, I don't know that I would be able to hang in there! So I am truly thankful for this website and her ministry, her testimony, and all my brothers and sisters in the Lord here!
Be encouraged and don't let that defeated enemy of ours get the best of you with his lies, and I'll try to let everyone know when I need help, too. I am encouraged with all the stuff that is on here.
Blessings,
Tonya
What God is saying in that scripture is that the more we choose sin over Him, then He will give us over to that sin, because we are crying out for that sin to have its way more than we are crying out for Him to have His way in our lives. It is OUR choice as to whom we will serve every day, and it is up to US to choose to serve God, even in the midst of the pain of our sins.
I do agree with what you are saying there. Indeed, we do need to seriously decide if we will hate our sinful behaviors enough that we cry out to God to help us overcome, or even if we have to say, "God, I admit that I don't want to give up this sin. I enjoy it. It makes me feel good. I know Your word says to love righteousness and hate sin. I need Your help. I cannot do this without You. I need You. I choose to give this sin to You. I choose to obey You."
I know somewhere it talks about allowing a person in sin to be given over to that sin, or even over to satan, so that they come to the end of themselves, hopefully, and may be saved in the end. Anyone know where that is at?
So we do need to get to a place of being serious enough about our sin(s) whatever they are, realizing that God is holy and He is serious about our holiness as well. "Be holy as I am holy."
Blessings
Tonya
What you need to realize is that there is a difference between immature love and rebellion. When you're immature in your love towards God, you may sin, but you don't ENJOY the sin and your heart is repentant towards God concerning the sin. BUT when you're rebellious in your attitude concerning sin, you are WILLFULLY engaging in sin without a heart of repentance. You may already know this, but I thought it was something worth sharing. God bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you.
That delusion isn't given to believers. The delusion is given to people who mock God, so God made them believe their lies are truth.
When you fear you are one of those deluded people I guess it's pretty safe to say you're one of God's people. The deluded types wouldn't even be aware of what sin is in their lives to begin with
To me........what I see is God wants you to seek Him out perhaps more than you have for some one to one time with Him. The reason I say this is God new how you would respond and even knew that you would come here and even knew what I would post before you even came here or any of this happened.
God is never about doubt but of surety. We are though entering a time where we all need to be close to God and each other. Why each other? Because God shows us different things and when we post those things and we pay attention, growth happens.
Sarah
God does have a plan for everyone and everyone is called to be a part of ministry somewhere. All jobs in ministry are important as it is designed by God to be a servant and save lives. God gave us so much, but how much do we give Him in return?