Forums118
Topics9,189
Posts195,525
Members1,323
|
Most Online5,850 Feb 29th, 2020
|
|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here is a link to show exactly where the Space Station is over earth right now: Click Here
|
|
3 registered members (Karen Y, 2 invisible),
2,970
guests, and 5
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12634
02/20/05 05:41 PM
02/20/05 05:41 PM
|
OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
This one has troubled alot of people, myself included. What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty? How can a person know the difference? especially in the middle of being tempted? Sometimes a particular temptation is so strong, so overwhelming that it's difficult to tell whether I'm already guilty of it. Should I continue resisting the temptation, or am I already guilty of it, and should start focusing on repenting of my sin? Does anyone know what I mean?
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12635
02/21/05 12:23 PM
02/21/05 12:23 PM
|
|
Greetings Brother Mike,
The temptation becomes sin when our minds are diverted from Christ Jesus.
In me may be the tare, which is hidden inside of my heart. Christ is teaching us today how to let go of these hidden things inside the heart which divert the mind. quote: Temptations will pour in upon us; for by them we are to be tried during our probation. This is the proving of God, the revelation of our own hearts. There is no sin in having temptation; but sin comes in when temptation is yielded to. {ST, May 27, 1897 par. 3}
So if you find yourself diverted of Christ, praise the Lord and pray for Him to teach you how to remove the tare of the heart.
It is just the past week that Christ has been working on a tare in my heart. It is a process that teaches us humility and humbles ourselves before the Lord. For me it was greatly painful for I am a sinner and often do not like to see my faults, but Jesus loves me (& I Him) and wants me to see with His eyes what He sees in me. And if I shall pray Lord make me whole, He will guide me into all truth, even the truth that is dwelling in me.
Your Sister in Christ Jesus, Cheri Fritz
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12636
02/21/05 05:06 PM
02/21/05 05:06 PM
|
OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
Thank you, sister Cheri. That makes alot of sense, especially as it pertains to unknown sins, or sins of ignorance, that may lurk within us. But what about known sins? Is being tempted over and over again an indication that we haven't overcome that particular known sin?
In other words, when can we be sure that it has been crucified? If a certain defective trait of character or imperfection has been crucified can we still be tempted with it again? If so, then what does it mean? Does it mean it hasn't been crucified? Do you know what I mean?
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12637
02/21/05 05:09 PM
02/21/05 05:09 PM
|
Most Dedicated Member
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,332
BC, Canada
|
|
Being tempted again and again does not mean that it (the sin itself) was not overcome, but it is when you fall into it again and again that it was not overcome. We are dead to sin, but that does not mean you will not be tempted again. God Bless, Will
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12638
02/21/05 07:40 PM
02/21/05 07:40 PM
|
|
Greetings Brother Mike,
Hearing sin is just that...hearing it. Being harassed by Satan is just that.
It is not a character flaw to hear sin. For if it was then Christ would have failed being the spotless Lamb of God while in the desert being presented with temptation.
To be crucified with Christ means that we are dying self. That we are coming to Christ Jesus to ask for a clean character. Yet during our walk there may be hidden things that haunt us and we might sweep it beneath our minds while it lays dormat in the heart. Prayerfully this is our time of ignorance and not self-willed ignorance. So we need to learn from the Psalmist:
Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
Go to our Lord, inquire of Him, He will be sure to let us know if we are truly crucified in Christ Jesus.
Your Sister in Christ Jesus, Cheri Fritz
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12639
02/21/05 08:50 PM
02/21/05 08:50 PM
|
OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
Will, that sounds reasonable to me. But being tempted over and over again for the same thing sure makes life a battle and a march, doesn't it? I didn't understand this important insight when I first became a Christian. I used to think I was automatically guilty every time I was tempted to be unChristlike.
That is, I felt guilty and unclean because it was difficult for me to tell the difference between being tempted and being guilty. Even now there are times when I feel grossed out and disgusted when I'm tempted. But I've learned not to blame myself for the initial existence of the unholy thoughts and feelings that pop up inside my head.
Cheri, thank you for reminding me that Jesus Himself was tempted. It is truly comforting to know that it is not a sin to be tempted. But I'm still having a hard time understanding the difference between known and unknown defective traits of character. How do you define the differences between the two? Sin can be very deceiving, therefore, I don't want to fall into a snare thinking I'm safe, thinking I'm not guilty because it was an unknown sin, or whatever.
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12640
02/22/05 11:24 AM
02/22/05 11:24 AM
|
|
Greetings Brother Mike,
The Holy Spirit teaches all truth, we must call on the power of the Holy Spirit to teach us to discern. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
Your Sister in Christ Jesus, Cheri Fritzd
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12641
02/22/05 11:34 AM
02/22/05 11:34 AM
|
Posting New Member
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 38
Australia
|
|
quote: I don't want to fall into a snare thinking I'm safe, thinking I'm not guilty because it was an unknown sin, or whatever.
We are all guilty none of us is without sin. The good news is that we have Jesus who covers us with His righteousness. Maybe I am weird, but I don't feel guilty when I have been shown that I have committed an unknown sin. I feel blessed that God is interested enough in me to want to show me the error of my way. He treats me tenderly and does not condemn me.
The dictionary defines guilt as ( having done wrong, deserving to be blamed or punished). We have all done wrong and deserve to be punished. However, we can rejoice in the fact that Jesus took the blame and punishment that was meant for us. I am guilty, guilty, guilty and I can do nothing to change that fact. Jesus has taken my guilt and shame and I can rejoice. And I am certainly not going to take it back again. This does not mean that I do not feel sorry, confess my sins, or try to make amends when I have done something wrong.
1 John 2:1 (NLT) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God. [ February 22, 2005, 08:42 AM: Message edited by: Shelley ]
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12642
02/23/05 04:17 AM
02/23/05 04:17 AM
|
OP
SDA Charter Member Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
|
|
Shelley, thank you for sharing. Maybe I'm not understanding your point, so please forgive me, but it sounds like you're saying we'll never really be completely free of unknown sins and imperfections, that we'll always be sinful and defective in one way or another.
|
|
|
Re: What's the difference between being tempted and being guilty?
#12643
02/23/05 09:02 AM
02/23/05 09:02 AM
|
Posting New Member
|
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 38
Australia
|
|
quote: it sounds like you're saying we'll never really be completely free of unknown sins and imperfections, that we'll always be sinful and defective in one way or another.
You do understand my point as I am saying exactly what you thought I was saying.
The following verse indicates that we may still sin.
quote: 1 John 2:1 (NLT) My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God.
|
|
|
|
Here is the link to this week's Sabbath School Lesson Study and Discussion Material: Click Here
|
|
|