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Stop the excuses. Inappropriate behavior isn’t God’s fault. God never makes anyone commit sin. God is good. He gives all the power to choose good and reject evil.

Okay, maybe God does make us with certain inclinations toward certain inappropriate behaviors. Yet, he still gives us the power to choose to obey or reject those inclinations. Dogs have no choice. They follow their base instincts. We, however, are not animals. We can obey or reject our instincts.

Drinking is not evil. Drunkenness and excess are evil. Admiring a beautiful woman is not evil. Lusting after her and committing adultery with her is evil. Brotherly love is not evil. Sex between those of the same sex is evil.

Although I may be born with an inclination toward homosexuality, I can reject that inclination and not choose the homosexual lifestyle. Just as I reject my urges to steal and kill!

Evil inclinations force us to choose. Even if I have not the will power to choose good over my evil inclinations, as a child of God, I have the power of God living in me (through the Holy Spirit) to defeat every evil inclination that rises up within me!

He that is in me (God) is greater than he that is in the world (Satan). All I have to do is stop listening to sin and start listening to God.

It's a matter of whom I choose to serve. Obey God and live. Follow my lustful desires and die.

As for me and my house, we choose to serve the Lord.
Posted by Theophileous at 11:37 AM - 23 Comments   Add a Comment  
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Comments:

Some of us don't know how to cope with life unless we drink, rage, cheat, etc. These are our coping skills. This is not an excuse. This is reality. The issue is that unless I understand that these ways of coping are harmful and destructive, I will not change. More importantly, unless I understand that these learned ways of coping are meeting a deep hurt or need, if I give up one of these coping methods I will only pick up another one. (Sometimes religiousity is the coping method people pick up.) We call this 'acting out'. (BTW, people can also act in - these people will describe themselves as emotionally numb and exhibit various physcial phenomena such as migraines, colitus, ulcers, etc.) People appear at the counseling office when they discover that their 'acting in' or 'acting out' is no longer working for them (or for those they love).

I have given a piece of this over at my sendingyourliestohell.com blog.

ron
 
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by AZRON (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 11:57 AM




Good post.


I agree with Ron. I know someone with this (these) problem(s) & deal on a daily basis. It's NOT fun.
 
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by Secret - Victoria's First (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 12:01 PM




Thanks for the vote of support, Secret.

ron
 
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by AZRON (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 12:05 PM




Theo - the only thing that God has done is created us with a free will. Therein has been the problem from the beginning in that we think we can be like God or in America today be 'our own god'- so then we are able to say what is right and wrong. Think we need to do some serious reevaluation in our country, our churches and our individual lives. June  
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by Praywithhope (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 12:57 PM




PWH, you're correct. As Zig Zigler used to say: "We need a check up from the neck up." Scripture talks about those who deny reality as if they have lost their minds. We need a renewal of the mind that only Christ and the Holy Spirit can bring.  
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 1:59 PM




Ron, I agree. It's all about whether we are working on fixing outside actions or the real source of the problem- the heart, mind and soul. Jesus said we are to love the Father with these. Instead, we seek out our own "wells of relief" instead of coming to the only one who offers "living water." Real change only happens when it comes from the inside out. Jesus Christ and his heart, mind and soul makeover is the only one who can bring this real change. There is no ten-step program for getting a new heart. Jesus alone can bring the "birth from above." Praise be to God for new beginnings. And it can happen to any of us if we will only believe that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God.  
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 2:02 PM




Secret, thanks for the comment. Sometimes all we can do is work on ourselves and turn others over to God. The most we can do for some is to pray for them. And feed on the Spirit until they learn to trust him for their every breath.

But, that is also a choice we have to consciously make. Where's the scripture that says, "No man shall wander onto the highway of holiness." And the other, "Anyone who will come to God must believe that He is and that he is a Rewarder of those who diligently pursue him."

So, we can pursue the things of the flesh or we can pursue the face of God. I choose God.
 
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 2:05 PM




Secret, thanks for the comment. Sometimes all we can do is work on ourselves and turn others over to God. The most we can do for some is to pray for them. And feed on the Spirit until they learn to trust him for their every breath.

I agree. This has been something hard for me to realize that nothing I can say or do will help. He has to want help & seek God for his strength. I pray that will happen.
 
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by Secret - Victoria's First (PM , CC ) on Thursday November 8, 2007 @ 2:10 PM




Theo

I like your posting - I guess that along with free will - God gives us the power, through Him, to overcome any of our burdens by Choosing HIM - now How great is that - I guess that is what is meant by being "born again" - as we are "born again with HIS Power" and if we keep following His directions - His power will overcome all -

Have a great day my friend - it was so good to hear from you - God bless
 
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by Lookin' (PM , CC ) on Friday November 16, 2007 @ 10:13 PM




Theo

Did you get my PM message and what do you think?
 
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by Lookin' (PM , CC ) on Saturday November 17, 2007 @ 12:02 AM




Lookin',
Couldn't agree with your more.

Thanks for visiting!
 
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Monday November 26, 2007 @ 4:52 PM




THEE-EE-EE-OOOOOOOO!

I NEVER get here until it's WAY past the time you've posted anymore! Bad me for not checking my blog updates more, huh?

Well, far be it from me to take the hard stand (you just KNOW how I HATE to do that, right, Theophileous? ) but as much as I love people and can love them apart from their sin, I also have to say that you are right on this and that it is up to us to make choices, every day of our lives, that direct or mis-direct us.

I can love EVERYONE, that is not the issue.........the problem is when they try to justify their sin and call it a 'coping mechanism'. It should only be a coping mechanism if they have not given their lives to the Lord. If they have then I thought, and maybe I am totally wrong on this, that JESUS was supposed to be our coping mechanism.

People look at me now, Theo, and think I'm soooo perfect and have never had a problem but they are soooo wrong. I was slowly KILLING myself when I was in my late teens and early twenties. I could not STOP myself either! I had a mental disorder called anorexia/bulimia (there was no name for it back then) and I would have died or disabled myself (I was already have intestinal issues in my early twenties) if I didn't stop. I needed deliverance. I got it. Not through anyone laying hands on me either. Through throwing myself down on the floor of my living room, day after day after day, and begging God to intervene in my life.

I understand compulsion. I've lived with it. I also know that our God is an awesome God and that anyone, anyone at all, who throws themself on His mercy will find it, just like I did. He is no respecter of persons. If He did it for me, He will do it for anyone. It's all about the choices we make. And wholly sanctifying ourselves to His purpose for our lives is the big one. Right Theo?

Anyway, I loved this post. Thanks for saying what I would have said if I had thought of it. Love you Theo....wish you were on more often.

 
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by prisonerofhope (PM , CC ) on Monday December 10, 2007 @ 3:50 PM




PS. I forgot to tell you that I have that verse hanging in my house. Choose this day whom you will serve.....as for me and MY house, we will serve the Lord. Amen, Theo, amen!  
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by prisonerofhope (PM , CC ) on Monday December 10, 2007 @ 3:53 PM





Visit www.hostdrjack.com


CLICK HERE!
 
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by Heide (PM , CC ) on Monday December 17, 2007 @ 6:55 PM





Myspace Comments from 123mycodes.com



FOR MY FRIENDS

F – For the way you have touched my life;
O – Opening my heart to new experiences;
R – Remember I am grateful.
M – My heart bursts with gratitude
Y – Yielding blessings to all everywhere.

F – For each one of you I am grateful,
R – Reaching out to each other over cyberspace;
I – Into home and heart with caring and love.
E – Ever may the blessings follow you,
N – Now and through out the year ahead,
D – Do not forget to share the love and blessings you have received as
S – Seeds of blessing to all around you each and every day.

Blessings from my heart to yours, June
 
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by Praywithhope (PM , CC ) on Tuesday December 25, 2007 @ 7:41 PM




PoH, as always your words are inspiring and right on the mark. You always encourage me. Thanks for the visit and the kudos.

Peace and joy!
 
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 27, 2007 @ 9:50 AM




Thanks for dropping by Roie. I pray you guys have a joyous holiday season and blessed New Year!  
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Thursday December 27, 2007 @ 9:54 AM




amen !  
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by quest 1 (PM , CC ) on Monday March 10, 2008 @ 8:38 PM





Have not forgotten the prayer you taught me! Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy on Me! Thank you! Heide
 
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by Heide (PM , CC ) on Saturday March 22, 2008 @ 6:20 PM




Heide, I'm glad. The prayer has been a blessing to me for a long time. I pray it continues to bless and guide you. Peace!  
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Monday March 31, 2008 @ 7:16 PM




Great, I admire your post.  
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by starwalker (PM , CC ) on Saturday June 14, 2008 @ 1:09 PM




Starwalker,
Thank you! Thanks also for dropping by!
 
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Tuesday June 17, 2008 @ 1:04 PM




They are beautiful. I know you're so proud. God bless!  
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by Theophileous (PM , CC ) on Monday July 14, 2008 @ 8:57 AM


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
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