Seeking Jesus First - Sept. 15, 2023

Let’s talk about doing things that offend our conscience. Those times we press past that still small voice and do what we know that we believe is wrong to do. What ever is not of faith is sin…

We know that this opens the door to the enemy in our lives. Sowing to the flesh breeds decay in the flesh. A moment of giving into the flesh can destroy what we spend important time and effort building.

(I am going to write in the first person today because I want to repent without pointing a finger at anyone else.)

When I was younger, I called it “fleshing out”, but I rarely talk about it anymore. I have been experiencing pain in my body at a very high level lately and it makes me take a look at myself and judge some things in my life.

Pain is not always associated with my own sin, but when my prayers are not bringing the breakthrough over a long period of time, there is a real possibility that something I am doing is blocking it. I forgive everyone. Then, I check to see if I am disobeying the loving Word of God. Then, I check to see if I am ignoring Holy Spirit’s leading.

“For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:29–32, NKJV)

When our prayers are hindered, it is not wrong to check to see if we are walking in faith, hope and love. Faith works by love and fills us with hope. When we offend our conscience and abort walking and living by love motivated faith, we hinder our own prayers.

I found some areas that I have been offending my conscience. I was not doing these things from a place of faith. I repent for allowing those things into my way of thinking. But there is life ahead of me. I have the promise and assurance of God’s word that His love never fails, that He has given me the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, and that He is faithful to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.

“And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:15–16, NKJV)

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19–20, NKJV)

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8–10, NKJV)

There is life after stupid, if it doesn’t kill you. I repent of my sin and confess it to Jesus and He  forgives me, cleanses me, forgets my sin, and heals my body. Thank You, Jesus for Your faithful compassion and mercy towards me. Thank you for chastening me in Your kindness and for giving me Godly sorrow to complete the work.

You can do that right now, too. God’s kindness leads us to repentance and Godly sorrow completes the work of repentance in our hearts and minds.