Christianity Oasis Member Forum & Chat Room

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Hello LaSombra

God bless you this day, and welcome to Christianity Oasis.

You've presented us with several interesting topics to discuss: Addiction, sin, and Spiritual fruits.

In regards to the topic of Addiction, I would suppose it would depend on how one views "addiction" -- whether they see it as sin or do they see it as a condition...a sickness. I see addiction as a sickness. I personally don't know anyone that set out to become an addict, but, addiction was the result of bad choices for which they now greatly suffer. Not to mention the additional suffering due to those that do not understand addiction, and deem to judge them, even to the extreme of suggesting they are not saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Many of us continue to bear the scars of bad choices in life, all of which are covered by grace through the bloodshed of our Lord Jesus. Again, I do NOT know anyone, personally, that gloats about addiction or any other physical condition in which their bodies bear the consequences from earlier bad choices, and even from addictions and habits that continue to have an hold on them, saying things like Ha ha ha, I pulled one over on the Lord. I do, however, see and hear of their suffering, and I know they need prayer and compassion. And, also, repentence is between God and a single person. Thankfully, God knows the heart of man.

I know, personally, I cannot keep all of God's Law, and I am grateful to The Lord for grace. Thank You Jesus!!! Therefore, I cannot receive grace for myself but then hold others accountable to the Law of the Old Testament. If I were to do such, I would basically be forfeiting the grace covering for myself, because I judged them.

You asked:

Basically my question is... if someone is 'saved' and shows no fruits of the spirit and continues to walk in sin does that mean maybe they have no salvation? And if the answer is yes, how come some Christians can stop sinning in their daily lives and others can't? And how does someone know if they have committed the 'unforgivable sin'? (Mark 3:29)

We all sin, whether we are Born Again or not. God's Word says: I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Confession is an honor, and a priviledge given us by our loving Father by the bloodshed of our Saviour Jesus. He knows the heart of the confessor.

And let us not forget the Apostle Paul's message to us in Romans chapter 7.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

We all can grow in God and in His Word, because we have the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and He is willing that we get to know Him, in all His fullness. Some of us lag behind, and are slower than others to grow. I, myself, was one of those that was a very slow and late bloomer. I'm glad The Lord's patience is better than mine and most others I know. Thank You Lord \o/ \o/ \o/
I do know, from experience, that I suffered greatly during my lagging time. And, it would have been even greater pain, had others kept pointing their crooked, accusing fingers. Satan did a good enough job at that, without others adding to my torment.

Getting to know God is key, and getting to know The Holy Spirit made a huge difference in my walk. I suggest people read the 14 Day Path / Counseling Study on this site, and The Spirit of Truth Study. Here are the links to both:
http://www.christianityoasis.com/CCCC/Forum.htm
http://www.christianityoasis.com/Spirit ... tepOne.htm

The unforgivable sin...blaspheming of The Holy Spirit, is topic many ask about. Here is a link to another Study on this site, that I believe answers questions about that topic, very well. http://www.christianityoasis.com/Keywor ... Spirit.htm

It is good to have you here, LaSombra. Hope to see you around the site.

God bless and keep you.
In Christ Jesus' love,
Sister Mack

LaSombra wrote:Hello all,
I have a question I was wondering someone could help me with. Is it normal for one addiction to be replaced by another? From a Christian perspective it would seem that if one went to God with their problem and received salvation the addiction would subside over time and then stop, or stop instantly depending on God's will. Therefore if a person gives up one addiction and automatically or gradually forms another does this mean they are not saved?

1 John 1:5-6 'God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.'

Hebrews 10:26-27 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Basically my question is... if someone is 'saved' and shows no fruits of the spirit and continues to walk in sin does that mean maybe they have no salvation? And if the answer is yes, how come some Christians can stop sinning in their daily lives and others can't? And how does someone know if they have committed the 'unforgivable sin'? (Mark 3:29)

Thanks for reading,

LaSombra.

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Hello LaSombra , welcome to the Oasis , glad to have you with us .

I Just simply love those sort of questions , I used to ask them myself (though they didn't seem to be that much "fun" at those times) , but , when I hear them today , my face just lights up ! , and I thank you for that .

Before I go on sharing my experience , let me ask this question , just for the sake of setting the fitting atmosphere . Do people , non-addicts , who are , or say they are , saved , stay saved ? Well , that question is not much of a brainer is it ?
Of course they do , right ? Ok , ... surprize quiz time !!! ..... Do they falter from their walks ? What happens to them when they start to "backslide" ? What if they went from one denomination to another ? . Now , I can't answer any of those questions , because I had never been a non-addict . But I had been walking this Christian walk long enough to know , that when I see a brother or sister laying by the curb or a bench , I don't ask them whether they are addicts or not , to base my decision whether extend my arm to them or not .

I was saved a long , long time ago . In fact so long ago that I started thinking I was BORN saved ! BUT , because of my self-centered fleshly desires , I had taken some actions that many "christians" thought they themselves would get defiled just by looking at me , let alone the mentioning of my name ! . You know , sad as it may seem , to tell the truth , I personally don't want absolutely nothing to do with such high-nosed , self-rightuos "christians" . EACH and EVERYTIME I fell back , the Hand of my Almighty Lord had been there for me through , and ironically so , another "relapser" .

When we see a brother or sister fall , and decide to turn our heads and look the other way pretending we are way too far "saved" , our "punishments" will be way too severe than the one's who fell , for the one who fell , is punishing himself bad enough and we don't need any added insults to our injuries now do we ? ..... What would our Lord do ?


In Christ , our Lord
vahn

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Hello,
Just wanted to say I was saved at the age of 12.
later when I had the chance to play with alcohol, I done it.
As I got older (25 and up; it started causing all types of problems.
I knew I was saved and I also knew I was sinning.
But, I got were I could not give it up; that the disease part had me.
At the age of about 30 ; I started trying via the Bible, AA, and treatment centers.
In conclusion, I personally believe it is a disease and a sin.
And very few make it out of the hole.
I am proud to have found this place 5 years ago as it has helped me to be accountable and I can always come hers 24/7.
You asked a very good question and my answer is in love.
Others might believe different and that's ok too.
Thank You for sharing and the replies thus far.
We haven't met so I want to Welcome You To Oasis.

GBU

Real