a reply to:
genma
First, you must be saved. You must accept Jesus Christ into your heart as Lord and Savior. THAT is step 1. Jesus is your sword and your shield. Your
personal dragon slayer
If you would like to be able to combat the things in your life that are evil, you must allow Jesus to do HIS perfect work in you.
Which means, after you are saved, you must earnestly beg HIM to create in you a clean heart. You cannot have two hearts, you must have a new heart
that is pure, and HE will give you one.
After this, HE will tell you, or convict you of what your sins are. I don't know what they are, but the first time you do something or reach for
something after that HE will tell you no, you don't need that, or no, don't be doing that now.
Those things are your sins, now that Jesus has forgiven you of all your past sins, and now that you know what your current needs are that you must
overcome, now you must die to this world.
This is your part in this.. if you do not accept this part, then HIM forgiving the past will do no good, because you still have your future. This is
what you want, to be able to stand blameless before God. But in yourself it is something you cannot do, because you are still under sin.
So you must accept HIS nullification, and die HIS death (your death to this world) and rise to new life in Christ Jesus. You have to go under HIS
nullification though. So symbolically climb on the cross with HIM, and die to those things that are your sins. (not literal, but place upon HIM all
your burdens of sin, and allow your faith to get strengthened knowing that HE did all this already, it is done, finished, and it is not difficult to
let go of, its not your burden anymore)
It takes a little practice. That is your faith being refined in the fire. If you falter, just start again. He will forgive you, just begin again.
Until finally, your faith allows you to overcome those things HE is telling you to leave behind. You will now be a work in progress.
If you have doubt, or need help, know that Jesus already did the work, just give everything over to HIM, and have faith in the completed work. He is
your sword and shield.
By the way, it took me a solid month and a half for all those steps.. so know it is some time.. but you will get there!
edit on 31-12-2014 by
OpinionatedB because: (no reason given)