Believers in the World XIV

Dear Teacher

Thank you very much for keeping us in your prayers. I'm trying to continue doing that for you here too. I see the news every day on YouTube and shake my head.

I think that what wanted to say tonight is that I want to be doing better than I am. I feel harried and tired a lot of the time as if I can't afford to sit down and get through, say, prayer, for example. I tend to pray on the go. When I think I've got things in hand on all fronts, they manage to nosedive somehow. In the midst of all that, curiously, I seem to understand biblical truth even better and I'm grateful for that and also not particularly happy because I should be doing better with the growing understanding. In fact, 1 Corinthians 9:27 seems to be on replay in my head these days. I am praying more and more about it and I'm hoping that the Lord will help me figure it out. I do love being a pastor-teacher and I want to help my brothers and sisters not just with understanding the truth but with walking in it by my example.

Your student in Jesus

Some of us do better with structured situations. I'm like that. I have to take special pains whenever the structure goes away or dissipates. It's taken a long time to get to the point where I use my summers as efficiently as possible and get done all the things that need to get done in a timely fashion. This has been a good one, but far from an easy one.

So you shouldn't be surprised that it is hard. But do take care not to get down on yourself. We know that the evil one is always lurking, and the in-between situations are his bread and butter for attacks. We all stumble, but believers who are walking close to the Lord are good about confessing quickly, taking our lumps, forgetting about, and getting right back in the fight.

In terms of future ministry, while it's not entirely pointless to speculate about the parameters, it is very easy to over do that. Our Lord knows how He is planning to use us. Our job is to be good about getting prepared to be used. If you could think of a million different ways things might turn out in this regard, it will still probably end up being something you never expected (that's the story of my own life).

I am certainly praying that your hard work will also have you prepared to earn a good living in some such similar way if need be.

Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Dear Bob,

It has been quite awhile since I last emailed you with any kind of question, and I thought it would be nice to hear from you again. In the time since my last email, my life has had it's various ups and downs, with my relationship with God not being entirely steady the entire time. Unfortunately, I believe I am very much in a 'could be doing better' position, and do not want to try to downplay or minimize anything I might have done wrong.

For example, I believe the last time we spoke (a few years ago now), I 'proudly' announced that I had conquered my struggle ___. Well, it didn't take long for that to come back, but I do realize why: I soon as I 'declared victory' on that hill, that was when I was the most vulnerable to losing it again, and I did. I have since learned from that, but the struggle does continue.

And then tonight, I came upon a conversation on twitter, which brought up (I believe) the book of John, where it is said that "those who go one sinning, after having hear the word, for them there is no more sacrifices" or something near to that. Naturally, this topic seemed to stir up the spirit in me, and got me wondering about myself and analyzing myself. And I believe God is driving me to come back here.

I must know: is there a difference between living a lifestyle of sin, and struggling with it? I must admit, there are many a time when I could certainly resist temptation more than I often do, and I look back on that and am disturbed. I think I had, or have, in part become 'comfortable' with that particular sin, or at least for a time I had. I want so very much to stop, and do try, and I repent every time I fail, but I wonder if I just fail too often.

I reason that, in this case, living a 'lifestyle of sin' is to either live on being an unbeliever, or playing dangerous and sinning without repenting, even whilst being a believer and having accepted the gift of Christ. I would very much like to believe I am not the latter, for I am certainly not the former, but I want to make absolutely sure I give myself an honest appraisal. To that end, I believe getting a view from another may help.

I don't want to go on sinning. I know I'm not perfect, and sin will happen. I know there isn't a case of 'well, you sinned too much, sorry', and I know Jesus will cover us. I also know that I can't let this knowledge let me become arrogant, in a 'oh well, God will forgive me anyway' kind of way, and simply go on doing whatever I please. But I very much worry that I do sometimes fall into that category, because I have such a hard time with sin -- this one in particular. I don't want to, and I know it's wrong, and I am trying to stop, but I do fail often.

What can I do to better guard myself against this? I don't want to be one who, when my time comes, God looks down on and says 'depart from me, I know you not.' To me, that is the single greatest fear of my entire existence.

It's good to hear from you, my friend – though I'm sorry to hear of your struggles.

The first thing to say is that we all sin – and make God a liar is we say otherwise (1Jn.1:10); while that is not an excuse for sinning – far from it – it is an important perspective for Christians to keep in mind. None of us can go a single day with multiple mental sins of many kinds (arrogance is bred deep into the human heart, e.g.: Jer.17:9). Some sinning is clearly worse than others (1Cor.6:18), especially if it becomes chronic, and will do much to destroy our morale. But all sin was judged in Jesus on the cross; and we believers are forgiven all our sins when we confess them – as we should be in the habit of doing daily (it's in the Lord's prayer, after all; cf. 1Jn.1:9; Ps.32:5). This doesn't mean that the discipline we receive for sin goes away immediately, however, and the Lord is good about giving us just what we need to help us turn around. The distress you are feeling is no doubt part of that. But it does mean that this discipline is now for blessing, yielding "a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Heb.12:11). All of these issues are discussed at great length at the link: BB 3B: Hamartiology: the biblical study of sin.

In terms of apostasy, losing salvation, all believers are saved; only unbelievers are not saved (Jn.3:18, e.g.). Faith is not lost because of sin. But sin does undermine faith. Chronic sinning sours a Christian on the truth and on the Lord, and pushed to a dangerous limit can result in the person abandoning faith in Christ. Understand: it's the casting away of faith that results in apostasy, not whatever sin or behavior or circumstance has led to that point (see prior link). The verse you allude to, is in Hebrews:

This is one of the most misused and misunderstood verses in the Bible. It was written to a congregation which was turning back to the Law, back to the temple rites, back to the blood sacrifices which proclaimed a Savior not yet come – and by definition suggested that Christ's sacrifice was not sufficient for those who kept at it. Paul is telling them if they keep up this offense against Christ, their animal sacrifices will not suffice for forgiveness because 1) they are the very problem, the sin itself that they are indulging in, and 2) by continuing with them they are in effect rejecting Christ and His sacrifice. Taking this verse out of context and suggesting that it means "anyone who sins in a way that causes them to feel guilty is going to hell" is absurd – and a scurrilous lie worthy of Satan himself. Here are some links on this:

Finally, I am compelled to point out that no one ever won anything by sitting on the defensive. A Christian cannot really "gain victory over sin" by concentrating on not sinning alone. Rather, all progress we make in our walk must come from our offense, namely, from our reading of the Bible, from our prayer life, and most especially from accessing good Bible teaching, listening to and/or reading the teaching of the Word of God as the number one priority and then believing the truth we learn and putting into practice. If we are doing that, we will grow. And if we grow, we will get better at all our life's applications of the truth, including resisting sin. But we will never have victory by sitting idly by.

So I commend Ichthys for this purpose. I also recommend Bible Academy (at the link).

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Thank you for your well-explained response and clarification on this matter. I did remember that Hebrews is often misused in this way, but I had forgotten about the context -- about that particular church falling back into the old ways. I again thank you for reminding me of that.

Actually, it was after I emailed you last night that I began to meditate further on the matter. One realization I discovered about myself is that there are some lessons I need to keep relearning, apparently. Even though there was a point where I knew this, I unfortunately -as I admitted before- allowed myself to become lax on a hill I thought conquered. I am going to try to make sure this does not happen again.

The lesson I keep needing to relearn is that it is not enough to simply 'not sin' to keep from doing so, or rather, the best way to do so is to actively engage in more spiritual matters, as you said. After I emailed you last night, a saying came to my mind while I thought about this: "the best way to refrain, is to replace" -- in this case, 'replacing' the sin with something else. I think this is the best way to put it, at least for me, and I will better try to keep this in mind.

I thank you again for your response and clarification.

Excellent! That is indeed the way to proceed.

I'll say a prayer for your success in this.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Hello Prof. Bob!

How are you and those within your circle doing, sir?

Could you kindly direct me to the QA from the reader who noted reading the user terms and conditions (if I recall correctly)?

I just cannot seem to find it.

Thank you!

Doing well! Hope the same is true for you and your family.

"Terms and conditions"? Not sure what those would be. This ministry is open to all at all times.

If you mean the "usage policy", here is the link to that: "Ichthys Usage Policy".

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Hello!

We've been transitioning after a move, though have continued to "visit" Ichthys.

I'm quite late in following up on my question, but I had recalled a QA from someone referencing their conviction in reading the varying "terms and conditions". I thought it may address a challenge I've found myself navigating.

Have a blessed day and thank you for the resources and teaching!

No worries!

Just as long as someone doesn't publish one of my pieces in their own name and sell it for money, I'm pretty much OK with however you use these materials.

Keeping you and your family in my daily prayers.

Hope you manage to get everything out of the boxes soon!

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Hey Dr. Luginbill,

I've recently been giving thought to citations in writing. Many of my teachings overlap with yours in that I teach many of the same things (such as no water baptism, no OSAS, the lukewarm church, sign gifts etc.) and present many of the same biblical arguments from Scripture that you do against them. Basically, I am teaching many of the same (except for a few topics) things that you do (because they are very relevant to our own time), albeit in my own way. I teach what I do because it is based on Scripture.

For example, I give you the credit for helping me to understand the meaning (translation) of 1 Peter 3:18-21 in regards to water baptism (you remember me showing you my translation to see if it was correct). I teach it just as you do because that is also what I see in the context. Now if I didn't believe that is what the text taught, then I would disagree (thankfully we are in agreement). However, seeing as how similar it is to your translation, do you feel that I should mention your name (and this would include all other translations we share in agreement)? I know my wording is very similar to yours, but there are only so many ways to explain a passage. Based on your reading of my translation of 1 Peter 3:18-21, do you want me to reference your name and the link where you interpret said passage?

Maybe these sound like totally dumb questions ( I tend to way overthink and anylyze things), but I am aware that any time a person paraphrases something, they have to provide a citation for it. However, I didn't paraphrase your work but teach what you do because I agree with it and it is what I see in the Bible. I base my teachings and arguments off of Scripture. So naturally, many translations and teachings will appear similar.

Many of my teachings are ones that you helped me to come to understand through your website (this is the case with many other Ichthys users who are teachers as well- you know who they are). But I don't see why I would have to give a citation for my own teaching that teaches the same truth and uses many of the same biblical arguments (such as the ones you presented) because that is what the Bible teaches. So why could I not claim any of it as my own when I teach what I do in my own way? I think we all will repeat many of the same things naturally because much of our writing is based on what the text says.

I do recommend your ministry throughout much of my work and list your website as a reference or recommended ministry at the end of some of my papers. I do quote you a few times, but I always offer citations for that (I never claim any of that as my own) including your name, website, and the link which takes the reader to the exact spot where the quote was taken even though you mention on the "About Ichthys" page that you are ok if we don't cite.

In His grace and power,

I'm happy with the way you're doing things. As I've always said, less is more in such situations. This is the standard I recommend, posted at Ichthys Use Policy, point #3 (at the link):

So I think you are adhering to this request just as a meant it to be taken. What I'm trying to head off is somebody peeling one of my studies off the internet, slapping their name and a cover on it, and selling it as their own with only minor changes. As long as we're working together for the edification of Christ's Church rather than for personal profit or advancement, I'm OK with that.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!

In Jesus,

Bob L.

So Doc, how do you feel about something like this, I know it's not exactly the biggest issue to talk about but I'm curious what you think:

So Behmoth and Leviathan from Job are represented quite popularly in video games, typically as some very powerful foe to defeat...most iconically in the Final Fantasy series, where Behemoth is perhaps the most recurring boss enemy in the series, kind of it's secondary mascot even, depicted as this horned almost wolf like creature, and Leviathan is a recurring villain or sometimes just boss enemy who's typically depicted as this very large sea serpent with control over the oceans...

Now this is just a video game of course and anyone with a sense of reason will realize not only that these creatures aren't anything like the actual creatures, but that Behemoth and Leviathan were presented, whatever they truly were, not as something to be celebrated and almost praised, but to point out God's power and glory, just being used as an example...do you think even things like this can be harmful to faith if not approached carefully?

I mean it was basically inevitable people would idolize these figures and concoct all sorts of extra legends and stories about them, what with them being so grandly presented yet seemingly so enigmatic. As as stories tend to warp and get more exaggerated with time, it's not really such a surprise we have this over the top Behemoth in Final Fantasy who summons meteors, lighting and tornadoes, even if the depiction is meant for entertainment. Anyway how do you feel about this?

As I'm sure I've mentioned before, in matters of application such as this, it's an individual thing as to whether a believer should have anything to do with any cultural activity. If one applies a Simon-pure standard, I doubt one could find any cultural activity that would be perfectly sanctified through and through. Obviously, some are worse and more problematic than others.

One can easily get sucked into a video game beyond what is prudent . . . but people have ruined their lives with chess too (just to cite one example). We are here in this world after salvation to grow, progress and produce – to serve Jesus Christ. Some clearly sinful things we need to stay away from no question; some things we need to limit because we can see that in our case too much is harmful; some things do us no particular harm at all, depending on our personal proclivities. As long as we are taking care of "job one", growing, progressing and producing for Christ, that is the main thing.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

When it comes to waiting for the right opposite number, trusting God is a good plan. Trust Him also that He knows not only what you want but what you really need. If He has someone for you, He will bring that about in the right way at the right time. Trying to force things didn't work very well for Sara and Abraham, e.g. Trusting and waiting (and praying), while it takes patience, is always the best thing – whatever it is that one is wanting/needing.

Thanks Doc. I remember you telling someone on your site that nothing good will come from turning themselves in. Do you believe Christians shouldn't turn themselves in for a crime? I know most people say if it's a serious one they should, but what do you believe and why?

I'm pretty sure I've never gotten dogmatic on this subject. Sounds hypothetical to me. First of all, it seems almost too obvious to say that Christians shouldn't be anywhere close to committing crimes in the first place – and if they are, then what are the chances they are spiritually mature and apt to make a good application after the fact?

I am always leery of anyone doing anything – especially anything involving heavy consequences – when operating out of guilt. If the Spirit is convicting us, that is one thing. But most of the time when believers are motivated by guilt it is "the world, the flesh and the devil" which stands behind that motivation. Satan is adept at using guilt to torture believers, especially weak believers, and to get them to do very ill-advised things.

We all need to do what our consciences (not our guilt feelings) tell us to do in the Spirit. Is there any believer out there whom our Lord has never "bailed out" on one occasion or another in one way or another or from out thing or another? And if the Lord let's su dodge a bullet I'm not a fan of running after it. If He has delivered us from something – whatever it is – I would not take that deliverance lightly. Confessing the sin, making a firm decision never ever to get anywhere close to "that" ever again, and resolving to live the rest of your life for the Lord in gratitude would seem to me in general the better bargain.

Hi Doc, I hear you wrote a history book once. I'm curious as to why you wrote it, was it much earlier in your Faith walk? I'm assuming it was part of your job outside of Ichthys, was this actually someone else who happens to have the same name as you?

As a professor, I'm required to "publish or perish". So, yes, I have published two books, actually, and a good number of journal articles as well over the years. Here's a link to my C.V. where these things are listed: "Current C.V."

I'm duly proud of it and grateful to the Lord for it, but I live in hope that things NOT on my professional C.V. will be acceptable to the Lord when I stand before Him on that day. THAT is the "C.V." that really matters, after all.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Hi Bob,

Sorry to hear it. I may be a bit out of the loop on this one -- you mentioned it several days back, and I prayed, but didn't know if it was negotiations over teaching load, pay, enrollment, cutting classes... something else? I suppose I don't need to know, per se. I was more curious if this was a wider concern that I've just forgotten about or something.

I can certainly come up with plenty of ways for University administrators and middle management to get in the way of the real boots on the ground -- several of my very favorite professors at University were adjunct and woefully underappreciated, in my opinion), and like you sometimes say, I am not a terribly imaginative person. The world seems to be full of plenty of short-sighted people in positions of power. Stays mostly abstract in my head (manifesting as a shake of my head and a sigh at the foolishness of it all when I hear about all of the new ideas for "progress" and whatnot), but then when it pops up in my life, it gets harder not to get steamed about it. Suffering fools gladly is... not my strength. I think most of the time I probably at least manage suffering them grumpily, rather than socking them in the face. So that's something.

In any case, I appreciate your witness of trusting the Lord regardless, come what may. But being salt and light is oft no fun, eh?

Sometimes I wonder at my own position. You've got your recurring issues here, __ has his struggles to find employment and provide for his family, __ has not had great luck either in finding sufficiently well-paying work that provides a long-term path for him, and meanwhile I'm over here without problems that seem of comparable severity. I'm lonely, of course, and wish for greater speed on that front. But...things have never seemed oh so hard and vexing to me. Makes me sometimes wonder where that suffering that is supposed to refine my faith is. Not that I'm wishing it upon myself, but that is the teaching of scripture, is it not?

I'd rather not be one to look the gift horse in the mouth, but I do confess to giving my largely-blessed circumstances the side-eye more often than not. Not that I try to let it consume too much thought, but it's just crossed my mind. I've wondered if maybe I've underestimated the test of being alone all these years as I've tried to get everything lined up for ministry and (maybe?) a family after that.

Your friend in Jesus,

[omitted] Thanks for your prayers!

As to your own situation, as I wrote someone else recently, these two verses have also been much on my mind of late:

This is true. The thing is, however, that we are all tested differently. God always makes tests, even the most trying test, possible and bearable even when they are extremely difficult. (1Cor.10:13). The whole reason I started the Peter series way back when was because another friend was undergoing what seemed to me nearly impossible testing and suffering. Over the years, however, I have learned that God gives us all our own tests because we are all different. So what looks impossible for me to bear as I look at your burden is often the exact opposite for you, and the same with you looking at me; i.e., you may be able to bear some things I couldn't and vice versa.

You are under a pretty good load, it seems to me, and you are handling it very well. Others might not do so. Also, if a believer is responding well to the Lord, some such testing may not be necessary – not as many rough edges needing to be sanded down. I have seen a number of believers in my life who were actually concerned like you that they were not receiving enough of their share of testing (or discipline, as the case my be), when from my point of view I wondered how they were carrying the load. So I wouldn't worry about it. Soon enough, we'll all be tested to the maximum, once the Tribulation begins. In the meantime . . .

Thanks in advance for prayers for ___. One of the things I fret about is that ___ is getting "hit" on my account. The evil one does have a tendency to take it out on those near and dear if he's allowed to do so.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Can you please pray for my son. He has just told us he has gender dysphoria and is considering transitioning.

He is supposed to go for Christian counseling. This is the most hurtful thing that's ever happened to me.

I have loved and been proud of him every day since he was born and my heart is broken and crushed.

Please.

I will put him on my personal prayer list.

This is an awful thing that's happening. Of course there is no such thing; it's invented; but the sin nature is such that it can be tempted to go along with whatever is "out there". The result is that anyone experiencing emotional turmoil can be roped into whatever movement or cult or social fad they first bump into that offers a "solution". Christ is the only solution. If sounds as if your son is a believer; if so, he knows all that in his heart of hearts. I'll certainly be praying for him to receive some good third party advice on this. Because we know, that if will only hold off for about six months, this will pass.

We are what the Lord made us, and only the evil one would ever wish to convince us otherwise.

[omitted] Did I do the right thing? I'm still worried this will negatively impact my Christian witness . . .

We've all done things in the past we are tempted to fret about. Best advice: stop fretting about it.

Instead, commit to moving forward with the truth now, develop some consistency and momentum therein, and make your "now" applications accordingly, "forgetting what lies behind" you on this race course (Phil.3:13). After all, we are supposed to be focused on what lies ahead.

Ignore the last email...I really need to get my self anger under control shouldn't I?

If I do end up in Hell I understand it's fully deserved...but I can't let my own feelings of what should be forgivable and not override what God says. He's the arbiter of justice and right and wrong, so He's the one who decides what's redeemable...the Spirit has humbled me yet again, and I'm glad for it. If He who is Justice and Righteousness itself says everything can be forgiveness, anything can be forgiven, end of story. I need to keep my head up, remind myself that Jesus suffered the punishment for it all.

As our Lord tells us above, if you are a believer in Him you are saved; but if you are not a believer in Him you are not saved. Being a believer is not static. Our faith is either growing or declining. And if it is declining there is the danger that it may evaporate . . . and if it does, said person is not saved (see the link).

God forgives (1Jn.1:9). We are responsible to accept that forgiveness and resume our forward progress in sanctification.

I'm sorry I gave up for a bit...I know this fight can be won deep down. This is a war for freedom in Christ, Joy and Peace in Christ. With a goal like that, any price is worth paying.

I have another important question. I try to fight back against the evil things in my head by imagining beating up some figures that represent them, but the enemy tries to trick me into making it magic by making me think this will actually have some effect on my mind, on my situation. It's my only way to resist because it's so strong...but I risk committing evil things anyway by doing it...how do I fix this?

No worries, my friend.

As to your question, the best way not to think about something unhelpful is to think about something good instead. That is what the Bible tells us to do:

This gets easier to do (never easy under pressure) the farther we progress in spiritual growth.

There is a lot about this at the links:

Hi Bob,

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement - I appreciate it very much.

[omitted]

I had quite a productive day today. Caught up on some study for work and managed to get some exercise in too. Babysitting tomorrow afternoon and then it's back to work on Wednesday. Holiday time over!

Hope you've had a good day, Bob. Keeping the prayers going for you too.

Thank you for being such a great example to me while you're going through some tough times. Thank you that each "today" the Lord has given you you are continuing to trust Him. And you're continuing to press on with the work He has given you to do. Answering emails and teaching and encouraging us, posting emails, writing Hebrews chapter three, supporting us and praying for us. None of it goes unnoticed by me. Thank you so much, Bob. You're fighting a great fight and it's very encouraging and inspiring and I aim to continue to do the same too.

Just wanted to say that to you. I've been thinking about it for a while.

In our dear Lord Jesus

Makes sense – but tough for ___. I'm keeping them both in my prayers.

Sorry your vacation is over! But I'm sure you'll have a great time with ___ tomorrow.

Thanks also for your encouraging words. They are much appreciated. I'll know more about "the situation" by the middle of next week. Thank you so much for "doing battle" with me in prayer in spite of my not being very forthcoming about the details. That is appreciated too – very much.

Wishing you a blessed week ahead, my friend!

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Dr. Luginbill,

I just want to tell you that your study in Hebrews has meant so much to me. I have learned so much and had so many questions answered already - and the study has only covered three chapters so far [n.b., through chapter 8 at time of posting; chapter 9 coming soon]! I love the introductions, and your explanation of the Exodus rebellions help me clearly understand how those examples reveal the attitudes of not only the Exodus generation and the Jewish believers that Paul is addressing who are regressing back to the rituals of the Law to avoid ostracism, but also to believers today who think a "little compromise" won't hurt their faith and especially the lukewarm believers who will experience social pressure to compromise "a little more" once the Tribulation has begun. You are doing a marvelous work and truly feeding the sheep. I just thought you might want to know that you are greatly appreciated. I pray for you and the Ichthys ministry often.

Thank you!

Your good words of encouragement mean a lot to me.

I'm trying to finish the series before the balloon goes up. On track for that as far as the number of chapters goes, but 9-13 are long and involved. Just keep plugging!

Thanks again for your support – and for your prayers.

In Jesus,

Bob L.

Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I hope you had a nice week and are well.

Today was an interesting day. It started out awful. I felt kinda hopeless and worn out, I've been fighting a mind battle for a long time. It's like where I'm about to do something that's not wrong in and of itself, but then the thought comes, "you're only doing that for ____" and it's a terrible, awful reason and I DON'T want it. I don't want to be doing anything for that reason. Ever. And then I feel awful.

Then, I was said, "Enough. I have free-will, so I can choose to follow Jesus. I get that choice." So then I felt ok, for maybe 3 minutes. And then I remembered something that had happened earlier in my life, and it went downhill from there.

So driving to work, I was emotionally spent and I just said a prayer, something along the lines of "forgive me, etc". After that I felt ok today. Not sure how to explain it, just ok. Maybe it was cause I had drained all my emotion out that morning and I was just done, or maybe God was giving me rest?

I have stopped doing what I enjoy, like painting and writing, cause I have these thoughts and so I avoid the thing for fear cause I don't want to have ANYTHING to do with them. I think it's probably irrational and it's effecting normal life, but I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my faith in Christ. It's been a struggle these past weeks. I have felt worn out spirituality. I have been reading the Peter series, and now I am working on your Theology lesson.

I think I have made some progress and growth. I just want to be secure in my faith in Christ and move beyond all the fear. How do I get on the right track?

Thank you,

Re: "Then I remembered something . . ." My strong advice to you: don't look back; look forward towards our eternal future with Jesus. You can't change the past. You are responsible for fighting a good fight today.

Re: "I have stopped doing what I enjoy . . ." My strong advice to you, if you have things you enjoy doing which are not in and of themselves sinful things, think twice about giving them up. Spiritual growth and victory with this issue you ask about comes from the inside out, not through imposing unnecessary hardships on oneself from without.

For believers who have committed to growing spiritually, early days often have ups and downs. I often compare this to learning how to drive. When one gets behind the wheel for the very first time, one has a tendency to over-steer and veer all over the road, but after becoming experienced one is able to make small adjustments without seeming even to move the wheel.

Learning how the fight the battle of the heart is in many ways the most difficult for Christians who are determined to follow Jesus Christ. This has always been the case but in our modern day when the world is awash with vile images and sounds and all manner of distractions which bombard us seemingly endlessly, many of which we cannot avoid in the course of our daily lives, I do think this has become an even tougher battlefield.

When you say, "I don't want it" and when you affirm your right to choose what to think and do so, you are on the right track. The evil one is good at lobbing these things at us and has as his allies the world at large in its increasing degeneracy and the sin natures within us which constantly want to rebel against godly conduct. What believers need to do always is to remember that the Holy Spirit is more powerful than all who oppose us, and seek to rely on His power, not our own. If we have faith that this is so, we will soon find the enemy in retreat.

This is not an easy fight AND it is not a "once won then done" type of fight. We will be fighting this particular fight until our Lord returns. But don't despair: we can get better at it, and we SHALL, as long as we keep up the fight and keep up the spiritual growth that goes with it.

Very important also in this regard is to avoid paying too much attention to our feelings. If we stumble, of even if we feel we have failed (when in fact we may just have successfully warded off unwanted thoughts), we confess and move on. If we allow ourselves to feel bad, feel guilty, feel defeated, then that is the real defeat. Victory is fighting the fight resolutely and confessing all perceived failures immediately, then moving forward in confidence of our blessed relationship with the Savior we love, seeing Him always with the eyes of faith and not letting this opposition detract from our joy in Him one bit ever (link: Focusing on Christ).

You are fighting a good fight. You are running a good race. Be pleased to keep it up, and don't let yourself get down because you're not yet perfect at it. We never get perfect at it, but we can and will get better, if we do what you are doing, namely, continuing in your quest of spiritual growth day by day. That is the solution.

Here are some links which may also prove helpful:

Who Controls our Thoughts and Emotions

The Battlefield Within: Fighting the inner spiritual Struggle

Encouragement, Spiritual Testing and Spiritual Growth II

Mutual Encouragement in Christ II

In Need of Guidance and Encouragement.

All about Ichthys: Mutual encouragement in the Lord

Mutual Encouragement in Christ.

Christian Trials and Testing

On the Firing Line: Encouragement in Christian Trials

Fighting the Good Fight of Faith.

Faith and Encouragement in the midst of Fiery Trials.

Encouragement in Christian Sufferings.

In need of encouragement.

Spiritual Resiliency.

Waiting on God.

Thank you as always for your helpful replies and your prayers.

The internal pressure is intense at times and I want to get free. I don't want to be permissive or legalistic or do "outward" things which don't accomplish anything. I want to see things how the Lord sees them and not look at anything through a faulty viewpoint.

In my life I have done legitimate mistakes/sins, and then also felt guilty and terrified over things I never did. If I am afraid of something, it can easily consume me. Although I am getting to where I don't go into extreme spiritual tailspins like I used to. Also, I know you say not to take things personally.

If I put this in the Lord's hands, will He take care of this for me? I feel attacked and put into slavery by my mind. I have to get past the fear and get my focus right.

Thank you for everything.

We have all made mistakes – and none of us will be perfect this side of heaven. But believers who are serious about spiritual growth are/become resilient. We may get knocked down, but we keep getting back up and back into the fight – to the glory of our Lord Jesus who wants us to do just that.

Re: "If I put this in the Lord's hands, will He take care of this for me?" Indeed He will! He always is taking care of us. He is our High Priest, our Big Brother, our Good Shepherd. He will never ever let us down. Our job is to accept that this is so . . . in faith. Do trust Him! You'll never regret it.

We are told to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (Ps.55:22; 1Pet.5:7).

So please do keep on moving forward spiritually, reading from Ichthys day by day.

Hi Mr. Luginbill,

Thank you! Your email was so encouraging. I will keep up the fight.

Hi Mr. Luginbill,

I apologize for the long delay in letting you know how my job situation is. For now, I have decided to continue [omitted]. Thank you again so much for the prayer.

I am still reading on your site. I seem to have gotten knocked down spiritually for a few months, but am trying to get up and going for Jesus again. Thank you for your materials, they are always helpful.

Respectfully,

That's actually good news (i.e., your resiliency)! Thanks for getting back with me. Sounds to me as if you've made a good decision on the job front.

As to spiritual growth and advance, it is far from uncommon for our good decisions and commitments to be challenged. The evil one is not too concerned about lukewarm, lackadaisical Laodicean Christians, but just let someone start to get moving with spiritual growth and there is a tendency for opposition to arise.