“Into New Birth” John 3:1-17
I showed the children a picture (ultrasound) of my granddaughter. It’s a little difficult to see because she hasn’t been born yet. I’m going to get to meet her sometime about the first of May. I already love her. God loves her.
God said to Jeremiah “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
The psalmist wrote, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
God loves and cares about my granddaughter (yet to be born), how much more God cares about each one of us.
Today we continue our Lenten journey from the wilderness of temptation heading to Easter. Today we meet Nicodemus on our journey.
WHO WAS NICODEMUS?
Q: What Bible character may have only been a foot tall?
A: Nicodemus, he was a ruler.
Nicodemus was a prominent Jewish citizen of Jerusalem.
- He was Jewish – he had the bloodline of one who was part of God’s chosen family (starting with Abraham, or maybe even back to Adam)
- He was a Pharisee (believed in afterlife and spiritual discipline based on God’s word)
- He was Wealthy (by nature of the position)
- He was a Teacher of the Jewish law
- He was a Member of the Sanhedrin (Jewish Ruling Council)
He shows up three times in the Gospel story told by John.
John 7:50-52 – he argued for fair treatment of Jesus.
John 19:38-42 – helped prepare Jesus’ body for burial.
John 3 is the first time we hear about Nicodemus. He comes to Jesus at night.
It’s the equivalent of a US Senator showing up at your doorstep in the middle of the night – something to worry about.
This renowned leader came at night; the theme of light vs. darkness in John isn’t lost on us. Coming at night represents that he is in “darkness,” spiritual darkness.
What was the message that this noted leader needed to hear?
Nicodemus knew: The world was not headed in a good direction, Israel needed a savior. He wanted God’s Kingdom to be established. He also knew that Jesus was in a difficult situation.
Nicodemus needed to hear the message that led him to Easter; God loved the world à God gave Jesus to the world for our good.
A FAVORITE SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
Out of this dialog came one of the most beloved verses to Christians around the world: John 3:16.
Sometimes there’s a disjunction between church language and what the world understands.
Did you ever see John 3:16 cards in end zone at football games?
(Rolland “rock n rolland” Stewart took on this project back in the 70s)
Christians know what this means, but what about others?
People were asked what they thought it meant
- It’s a distraction for kicker;
- It’s a hex on the kicker?
- Insiders subject for football?
- Is it a riddle?
- Secret message for coach
- Subliminal message
- Something to do with turning football into a religion.
In the Peanuts comic strip: Lucy thought John 3:16 referred to John Madden.
VP Al Gore made a speech during his campaign in which he stated how important his faith was to him. He also stated that his favorite Bible verse was John 16:3.
Of course, he and his speech writer meant John 3:16 but no one in the Gore camp was familiar enough with the scripture to catch the error. The most interesting thing about this story is what John 16:3 says:
" ( Jesus speaking about bad things that will happen to followers) And this they will do unto you because they have not known the Father nor Me. "
Of course, Jesus wanted Nicodemus to know how much God loved him and everyone else, and that was the reason Jesus came.
IT’S A SIMPLE MESSAGE
One of the greatest theologians that ever lived, Karl Barth, was a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Divinity School. At the end of a captivating closing lecture, the president of the seminary announced that Dr. Barth was not well and was quite tired, and though he thought that Dr. Barth would like to be open for questions, he shouldn't be expected to handle the strain. Then he said, "Therefore, I will ask just one question on behalf of all of us."
He turned to the renowned theologian and asked, "Of all the theological insights you have ever had, which do you consider to be the greatest of them all?
It was the perfect question for a man who had written literally tens of thousands of pages of some of the most sophisticated theology ever put into print. The students held pencils right up against their writing pads, ready to take down verbatim the premier insight of the greatest theologian of their time.
Karl Barth closed his tired eyes, and he thought for a minute, and then he half smiled, opened his eyes, and said to those young seminarians, "The greatest theological insight that I have ever had is this: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
WHAT DID NICODEMSU NEED TO UNDERSTAND?
Nicodemus needed to understand the simple gospel message, a simple message of God’s love for us – a love that transforms us – that re-makes us – that gives us new birth.
Nicodemus (and his Sanhedrin friends) probably understood God’s message to humanity something like a USED CAR CONTRACT. (clauses and conditions, fine print and consequences) You will receive this beautiful 1989 Ford S-10 pick-up if you:
-Sign a contract
- make a down payment
- make payments on time
- if you miss a payment, interest rates go up
- if you miss more payments, the contract becomes void, and you lose everything.
There can be a lot of mis-trust when it comes to a used car salesman.
But the gospel message isn’t a contract, it’s a LOVE STORY.
God sent Jesus to remind us that God isn't in the business of keeping books and tallying ledgers, nor is God concerned about our status or position in life. If God were concerned about any of those things, then he wouldn’t have had to send Jesus. Giving us a contract with a rule book would have been enough. The Old Testament covenant and law would have done it.
SO WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO?
Jesus told Nicodemus, “You need to be born again.”
Nicodemus (being a good Pharisee) took Jesus’ words literally (a practice that can get us into trouble sometimes): “How can an old guy like me, go back to his mother’s womb and, be born again?”
Jesus clarified that he wasn’t speaking literally: “You can’t get into God’s Kingdom unless you’re born into it.” “You have already been physically born, now you need a spiritual birth”
Water = physical birth / baptism
Sprit = wind / spiritual (unseen, but present)
This is the only passage in the Gospel of John that talks about the Kingdom of God.
We are called to become citizens of God’s Kingdom. How do we do that?
How to become a citizen
To become a citizen of the USA
- You are Born in USA or to US Citizen.
- You Naturalize (In Biblical Times people could pay for citizenship, Acts 22:28)
Fill out forms, follow process, take test (US Government and history), appear before a judge for pronouncement.
To become a citizen of the Kingdom of God
You need to be born into God’s Kingdom. Not in the way that Nicodemus was already born into the family of Israel, but spiritually re-born.
You go through the citizenship process / the re-birth process:
1. Repent – John the Baptist called the people to repent of their sins.
2. Believe – John 3:16 – whoever believes in him shall have eternal life
3. Confess your sins – 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
4. Be baptized – as a symbol of your new faith.
IT’S A COMPLETE MAKE-OVER
Nicodemus didn’t need a continuation of life as we know it. He didn’t need to tweak a few things to get right with God. It wasn’t enough to remodel.
Nicodemus needed a complete makeover.
He needed to be born again.
Birth implies a family: Nicodemus needed a new family!
When a child is born…
… unwanted / without a family (like my son David), it’s tragic.
… into a dysfunctional family, there are problems. (Jesus was telling Nicodemus, that the Jewish family had become a dysfunctional family. It wasn’t working; it was causing more problems than it was helping)
… into a loving family, there is nurture, maturity and positive growth has the best chance of happening.
During Jesus’ lifetime, Nicodemus lived on the sidelines of Jesus’ family.
Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he needed to be fully born into God’s family.
Many say they can be a Christian without being a part of a church. Being born implies being born into a family. 1 John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the father has for us, that we should be called children of God!”
We aren’t orphans, we aren’t alone. We are part of a family.
To be born again, implied that Nicodemus needed to change!
WE NEED TO CHANGE! GOT CHANGE?
One day on the street, a ragged fellow came up to me and asked, “Got any change, Mister?”
“Change? Of course I’ve got change. Change is what I have most.”
We live in a world where everything seems to be changing.
The only thing that is constant is the change.
Someone once said, “Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.”
But change can be good. Without change we could not improve ourselves, have a better life or even grow. Change is the main component of our conversion experience. When Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again,” he was telling him he needed a complete makeover. Start over, do it again, change completely.
The Easter Story is about change: a caterpillar to a butterfly, an egg to a chick, pain to joy, the earthly to the spiritual.
Easter changed everything changed for Jesus and his disciples. The ecstatic joy of Palm Sunday, the deep emotion of clearing the sellers from the Temple, The intimacy of a meal together in the upper room, the arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial, and, ultimately, the resurrection. What a week. You can find every emotion possible expressed at some point during that week. Change is emotional.
What changed? Jesus showed us that a life controlled by God brings new life; that change, in God’s hands, is for the good.
Did I give the beggar my change? To attend to his needs I had to change my immediate plans. I bought him a meal. We ate together. He shared his life; I shared my life.
The Gospel story demonstrates a world begging for change, and our Lord who wants to change everything for us. Jesus calls us to be “born again.”
TO THE POINT
If God knows us and loves us before we are born, while we are in our mother’s womb, how much more God knows and loves us after we are born, and before we are born again.
Who gives us life? God.
We need to let God give us new life.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for February 17, 2008
“Into the Wilderness” Matthew 4:1-11”
Temptations come in a wide variety of choices.
Even pastors can’t escape temptation. This week I had a touch of the flu, and stayed home. I was already feeling bad, so I decided to work on my income taxes. There’s a lot of temptations (falsely) increase my deductions, misrepresent my income, lower my tax liability – “so I could give more to the church.”
Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”
Have you seen the commercial for a TV game show that asks a contestant, “Would you cheat on your wife if you knew she would never find out about it?”
Are they still temptations if no one knows about it? Is it still sin if no one finds out?
I remember Carnival (Mardi Gras) in Latin America – a time of debauchery, giving in to every sinful desire, wild celebration … leading to Ash Wednesday – penance, forgiveness, a chaste life. This ushers in Lent (a time of showing devotion to God by “giving up” stuff we like).
Is it possible to enter lent without going through Carnival?
After a strong sermon on sin, a parishioner told their pastor, “I didn’t know what sin was until you came.”
For Jesus, a time of temptation came just after his baptism.
Jesus’ baptism was a “high point” for him, a mountain top experience.
The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended.
There was a voice from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an experience … then God leads him into the wilderness.
When we enter the Christian life – we are not immune to problems.
The scripture tells us: We have a Savior who was tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15), yet without sin.
During my recent trip to the Dominican Republic I tried to visit with two pastors. These were friends, I had helped disciple, who had “given in to fleshly desires” according to others. They were no longer in ministry, not in church, far from God – this was hard for me to take. They wouldn’t even see me. Giving in to temptation can bring separation; separation from God is the worst.
Today’s scripture passage is a bit troubling – the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Mt. 4:1). Why would God do that?
The commitment of Baptism (to cast away sins, and follow Jesus) is often followed by testing. How firm is our commitment to Christ?
Jesus taught us to ask God: “Lead us not into temptation.”
That’s our desire – but when it comes – we need to be ready.
Satan was testing Jesus’ “sonship” – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to tempt the Son of God to act totally out of character.
THE DEVIL’S FIRST TRY: Turn the stone into bread.
Physical hunger is a terrible thing. Have you looked at commercials and adds for “Food for the Hungry” or “Feed the Children” or “World Vision;” They’re difficult to watch.
Satan knew … “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Israel was tested in the wilderness. They said, “We had it better in Egypt. There was all sort of food to eat; even though we were slaves, we were never hungry.”
Could Jesus have turned the stone into bread? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus reply to Satan came from Deuteronomy 8:3, “God’s word is more satisfying than any food we can have.” It’s better to be hungry and spiritually whole than have a full stomach and be spiritually empty.
Jesus 1 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S SECOND TRY: Ask God to protect you from self-inflicted danger.
Daring God … is not a good thing to do.
Have you ever purposely done stupid things?
Have you ever gotten yourself into trouble and prayed, “God you’ve got to get me out of this one.”
As a Missionary in Bolivia (doing God’s work) I went to check out an anti-American march by the coca growers. Not a smart thing; I lived to tell about it. Did I learn?
During a visit to the Chapare (Cocaine region), first the Bolivian army detained me (took most everything – they left me with about a gallon of gasoline). Next the American DEA stopped me (they took everything else – I got my documents back at the Embassy a few weeks later). Finally the Drug Lords caught up with me; I didn’t have anything left for them, after some harassment, they send me on my way. All day long I was praying, “God, get me out of this mess.”
Could Jesus have thrown himself off the highest point of the temple and expected God to protect him? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus 2 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S THRID TRY: Worldly power, authority, prestige, etc.
Most everything looks good from a distance:
During my trip to the DR, everything looked peaceful and tranquil from the airplane. But when you get down to things – there are problems, and troubles, and sickness and sadness. These are things you can’t see from the mountain top.
Satan was trying to mask Jesus’ main reason for coming to the earth – to save us from our sins, to get close to us. We may look OK from a distance – but close up, you can start to see the flaws, the failings, the “undesirableness.” That’s where Jesus needs to be – close up, in relationship with you and with me.
A SHORT CUT
There are five words that almost always get me into trouble: “I know a short cut.”
My daughters would say, “Oh no, not one of Dad’s short-cuts!”
Inevitably I would get lost, it would take longer, and everyone would be upset with me. Why didn’t I learn ….
The Messiah will have all the things Satan was offering … but he must first go through the suffering for our sins. Satan was offering Jesus a short-cut to full messianic authority.
Who is Lord of Lords? Satan wanted that place and the only way he could have it is if he could put Jesus under his domination.
Jesus knew that the only way to being the messiah is to follow the way God laid out for him. There are no true short-cuts.
It reminds me of the passage in Matthew 27:40, where one of the thieves crucified with Jesus said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
I’m sure Jesus was tempted to do that – he could have, but he stayed there for you and for me. When tempted, Jesus thought of us (his mission to save us) and not himself. He is the Son of God, but he didn’t abuse that relationship.
Jesus 3 / Satan 0
What do you think about when you’re tempted? Do you think about yourself or about others? Do you think about the effect your giving in to sin will have on them?
JESUS DIDN’T TRY TO AVOID TEMPTATION, HE MET IT HEAD ON
Every time Jesus was tempted, he went to the Word of God (Bible) for help and direction.
Specifically, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6-8.
These words came to Israel when they were “In the Wilderness.”
Israel received salvation (deliverance from slavery in Egypt) and then was led (40 years) in the wilderness to be tested. There they received the word of the Lord – the Law. They didn’t realize it at the time, but all of this was necessary as preparation for them to go into the Promised Land.
We have God’s promise: 1 Cor 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Satan was testing his sonship – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to persuade the Son of God to act totally out of character.
And yet it is exactly the same when the Evil One tempts you. He tries to inflict you with a desire to do something utterly contrary to your nature. The real you is Christlike.
From the moment you were born again, Christ took up residence inside you. You took on his goodness, his holy character, his purity of motives, his inexhaustible love. All the sins of your former life are forgiven. Certainly you still commit sins. But, every time you commit that sin, you are acting out of character. Satan will muster all his brainwashing skills to try fooling you into thinking that sinning is your real nature.
Social Workers tell us that rape victims often believe it’s their fault, it affects their self image. Victims of child molestation, often have their self worth affected to where they cannot enter into healthy relationships.
When you give into sin, you will be like a rape victim plagued by a wrong self image. This is more than just unpleasant; keep believing that false self image, and you will end up acting as if it were true. It’s just not you; you’re like Jesus, a child of God (1 John 3:1)
Jesus cleans us from all unrighteousness – and helps us to stay that way.
So do not despise yourself when evil thoughts come to you, or when you find yourself longing to do wrong. It simply means that, like God’s holy Son, and all his saints, you have been spiritually molested. And like the most despicable child molester the, the Evil One tries to make his innocent victim feel guilty for his crime, and for feelings he induces.
It’s only if you cease trying to resist those evil thoughts and urges, that the harassment could touch your purity. And even if you totally gave in, you would have no rational basis for continuing to imagine you are impure, because the instant you return to your Savior with genuine regret, you are again spotless in the eyes of the Holy One.
Are you going through a wilderness period in your life?
Where do you go when you’re tempted?
Go to God / God to God’s word.
It’s the only way to have victory over temptation.
When Temptations come to do things we shouldn’t do – we need to ask God for help.
We need to remember: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength.” (Phil 4:13) “Greater is the one who is in you, than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Our wilderness experiences are to help us draw closer to God.
Temptations come in a wide variety of choices.
Even pastors can’t escape temptation. This week I had a touch of the flu, and stayed home. I was already feeling bad, so I decided to work on my income taxes. There’s a lot of temptations (falsely) increase my deductions, misrepresent my income, lower my tax liability – “so I could give more to the church.”
Jesus said, “Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s”
Have you seen the commercial for a TV game show that asks a contestant, “Would you cheat on your wife if you knew she would never find out about it?”
Are they still temptations if no one knows about it? Is it still sin if no one finds out?
I remember Carnival (Mardi Gras) in Latin America – a time of debauchery, giving in to every sinful desire, wild celebration … leading to Ash Wednesday – penance, forgiveness, a chaste life. This ushers in Lent (a time of showing devotion to God by “giving up” stuff we like).
Is it possible to enter lent without going through Carnival?
After a strong sermon on sin, a parishioner told their pastor, “I didn’t know what sin was until you came.”
For Jesus, a time of temptation came just after his baptism.
Jesus’ baptism was a “high point” for him, a mountain top experience.
The heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended.
There was a voice from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Wow, what an experience … then God leads him into the wilderness.
When we enter the Christian life – we are not immune to problems.
The scripture tells us: We have a Savior who was tempted as we are (Hebrews 4:15), yet without sin.
During my recent trip to the Dominican Republic I tried to visit with two pastors. These were friends, I had helped disciple, who had “given in to fleshly desires” according to others. They were no longer in ministry, not in church, far from God – this was hard for me to take. They wouldn’t even see me. Giving in to temptation can bring separation; separation from God is the worst.
Today’s scripture passage is a bit troubling – the Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Mt. 4:1). Why would God do that?
The commitment of Baptism (to cast away sins, and follow Jesus) is often followed by testing. How firm is our commitment to Christ?
Jesus taught us to ask God: “Lead us not into temptation.”
That’s our desire – but when it comes – we need to be ready.
Satan was testing Jesus’ “sonship” – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to tempt the Son of God to act totally out of character.
THE DEVIL’S FIRST TRY: Turn the stone into bread.
Physical hunger is a terrible thing. Have you looked at commercials and adds for “Food for the Hungry” or “Feed the Children” or “World Vision;” They’re difficult to watch.
Satan knew … “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”
Israel was tested in the wilderness. They said, “We had it better in Egypt. There was all sort of food to eat; even though we were slaves, we were never hungry.”
Could Jesus have turned the stone into bread? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus reply to Satan came from Deuteronomy 8:3, “God’s word is more satisfying than any food we can have.” It’s better to be hungry and spiritually whole than have a full stomach and be spiritually empty.
Jesus 1 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S SECOND TRY: Ask God to protect you from self-inflicted danger.
Daring God … is not a good thing to do.
Have you ever purposely done stupid things?
Have you ever gotten yourself into trouble and prayed, “God you’ve got to get me out of this one.”
As a Missionary in Bolivia (doing God’s work) I went to check out an anti-American march by the coca growers. Not a smart thing; I lived to tell about it. Did I learn?
During a visit to the Chapare (Cocaine region), first the Bolivian army detained me (took most everything – they left me with about a gallon of gasoline). Next the American DEA stopped me (they took everything else – I got my documents back at the Embassy a few weeks later). Finally the Drug Lords caught up with me; I didn’t have anything left for them, after some harassment, they send me on my way. All day long I was praying, “God, get me out of this mess.”
Could Jesus have thrown himself off the highest point of the temple and expected God to protect him? Of course he could have.
But he didn’t – because he wasn’t thinking about himself – he was thinking about you and me.
Jesus 2 / Satan 0
THE DEVIL’S THRID TRY: Worldly power, authority, prestige, etc.
Most everything looks good from a distance:
During my trip to the DR, everything looked peaceful and tranquil from the airplane. But when you get down to things – there are problems, and troubles, and sickness and sadness. These are things you can’t see from the mountain top.
Satan was trying to mask Jesus’ main reason for coming to the earth – to save us from our sins, to get close to us. We may look OK from a distance – but close up, you can start to see the flaws, the failings, the “undesirableness.” That’s where Jesus needs to be – close up, in relationship with you and with me.
A SHORT CUT
There are five words that almost always get me into trouble: “I know a short cut.”
My daughters would say, “Oh no, not one of Dad’s short-cuts!”
Inevitably I would get lost, it would take longer, and everyone would be upset with me. Why didn’t I learn ….
The Messiah will have all the things Satan was offering … but he must first go through the suffering for our sins. Satan was offering Jesus a short-cut to full messianic authority.
Who is Lord of Lords? Satan wanted that place and the only way he could have it is if he could put Jesus under his domination.
Jesus knew that the only way to being the messiah is to follow the way God laid out for him. There are no true short-cuts.
It reminds me of the passage in Matthew 27:40, where one of the thieves crucified with Jesus said to him, “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
I’m sure Jesus was tempted to do that – he could have, but he stayed there for you and for me. When tempted, Jesus thought of us (his mission to save us) and not himself. He is the Son of God, but he didn’t abuse that relationship.
Jesus 3 / Satan 0
What do you think about when you’re tempted? Do you think about yourself or about others? Do you think about the effect your giving in to sin will have on them?
JESUS DIDN’T TRY TO AVOID TEMPTATION, HE MET IT HEAD ON
Every time Jesus was tempted, he went to the Word of God (Bible) for help and direction.
Specifically, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6-8.
These words came to Israel when they were “In the Wilderness.”
Israel received salvation (deliverance from slavery in Egypt) and then was led (40 years) in the wilderness to be tested. There they received the word of the Lord – the Law. They didn’t realize it at the time, but all of this was necessary as preparation for them to go into the Promised Land.
We have God’s promise: 1 Cor 10:13 “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.”
Satan was testing his sonship – his relationship to the eternal God.
Imagine how hard it must have been for Satan to tempt Jesus. He had to persuade the Son of God to act totally out of character.
And yet it is exactly the same when the Evil One tempts you. He tries to inflict you with a desire to do something utterly contrary to your nature. The real you is Christlike.
From the moment you were born again, Christ took up residence inside you. You took on his goodness, his holy character, his purity of motives, his inexhaustible love. All the sins of your former life are forgiven. Certainly you still commit sins. But, every time you commit that sin, you are acting out of character. Satan will muster all his brainwashing skills to try fooling you into thinking that sinning is your real nature.
Social Workers tell us that rape victims often believe it’s their fault, it affects their self image. Victims of child molestation, often have their self worth affected to where they cannot enter into healthy relationships.
When you give into sin, you will be like a rape victim plagued by a wrong self image. This is more than just unpleasant; keep believing that false self image, and you will end up acting as if it were true. It’s just not you; you’re like Jesus, a child of God (1 John 3:1)
Jesus cleans us from all unrighteousness – and helps us to stay that way.
So do not despise yourself when evil thoughts come to you, or when you find yourself longing to do wrong. It simply means that, like God’s holy Son, and all his saints, you have been spiritually molested. And like the most despicable child molester the, the Evil One tries to make his innocent victim feel guilty for his crime, and for feelings he induces.
It’s only if you cease trying to resist those evil thoughts and urges, that the harassment could touch your purity. And even if you totally gave in, you would have no rational basis for continuing to imagine you are impure, because the instant you return to your Savior with genuine regret, you are again spotless in the eyes of the Holy One.
Are you going through a wilderness period in your life?
Where do you go when you’re tempted?
Go to God / God to God’s word.
It’s the only way to have victory over temptation.
When Temptations come to do things we shouldn’t do – we need to ask God for help.
We need to remember: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me the strength.” (Phil 4:13) “Greater is the one who is in you, than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Our wilderness experiences are to help us draw closer to God.
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