Ok so pretty much ever since i was a kid until about seven years ago i had a big, big problem with sexual immorality. Big problem. But, God changed me and i havent engaged in sexual immorality in about seven-eight years now.
That's the good news. Now? I'm stuck with another really, really bad and big sin. I'm a pathological liar and oftentimes I'll lie without even thinking about it or caring about the consequences. I lie a lot of times to cover up my other lies to cover up those lies to cover up... well you get the idea. It doesn't matter how hard I try I can't kick this habit and the Bible says there's always a way of escape but I just don't see it. All I see are lies to cover up my other lies.
I've talked to my pastor about it and he told me that since I've been making zero progress in my pathological lying that I need to repent and accept Jesus. Great advice, no really I'm not being sarcastic. But I can repent and accept Jesus until the cows come home and my lying doesn't get any better. In fact, many times I lie without even thinking about the consequences or caring that God hates it and that God will judge all who love to lie. Only I hate to lie, I just do it pathologically without thinking. But it's like my pastor said, no sin is outside of God's control and God's ability to forgive and to change even the pathological ones. But, when I kicked my sexual immorality habbit it wasn't due to any effort of my own I just one day stopped sinning and stopped engaging in sexual immorality. I thought it was a sin that I would never break yet, God broke it for me. But, I can't rely on God to break my every sin. The Bible says that part of our victory over sin is obtainable on our own with God's help. But, I do really like that I didn't lie today. And that I'm not lying now at least sometimes I'm capable of the truth...
And Moses says to God, “Behold, I am coming to the sons of Israel, and have said to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they have said to me, What [is] His Name? What do I say to them?” And God says to Moses, “I AM THAT WHICH I AM.” He also says, “Thus you say to the sons of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” And God says again to Moses, “Thus you say to the sons of Israel: YHWH, God of your fathers, God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob, has sent me to you; this [is] My Name for all time, and this [is] My memorial, to generation [and] generation.
So the first problem, language barriers. YHWH doesn't say much in our language, but in the original, YHWH means by it's individual letters "behold the hand behold the nail", but together as word it means any and all forms of "to be" as in this passage.
Second problem then, translation. LORD doesn't translate any of the meanings in the original.
Third problem, the name of his Son. If we say, Yahshua, we use Yah as the root and arrive at the meaning "YHWH saves". But Jesus? Is he the son of Zeus?
But the fourth problem, whether we use Jesus or Yahshua, Lord or Yah, are we hallowing his name by using the right letters and phonetics, or by understanding his will, work and presence? Is succeeding at the former, but failing in the latter, an example of straining out a gnat but swallowing the camel?
In other words, do we gain or lose anything regarding what letters and phonetics we use, or is the only value in the kind of character that he is, or should I say, "the number of his name", sum total value, having taking everything into account?
What would then be some important characteristics, that we should not overlook?
Hello folks. Today's devotional hits hard, as I am a Christian bi guy, but would rather remain single and celibate to uphold Biblical teachings, unless married to a woman.
Date
May 30, 2024 | Celibacy for Christ
Verse
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV): "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathens, who do not know God."
2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV): "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Matthew 19:12b (NIV): "There are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (NIV): "Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion."
Explanation
These four passages from the Bible all address the importance of sexual morality and the call for Christians to live a holy and chaste life. Let's examine each passage in turn and see how they relate to voluntary celibacy.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8: In this passage, the Apostle Paul urges the Thessalonian believers to be sanctified, or set apart for God, and to avoid sexual immorality. He emphasizes the importance of controlling one's body in a way that is holy and honorable, and not in the passionate lust of the heathens who do not know God. While this passage does not explicitly mention voluntary celibacy, it does underscore the importance of sexual self-control and living a godly life.
2 Timothy 2:22: This verse instructs young people to flee evil desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It encourages Christians to surround themselves with like-minded believers and to live a life pleasing to God. While this verse does not directly discuss celibacy, it emphasizes the importance of living a moral life and avoiding sexual sin.
Matthew 19:12b: In this passage, Jesus speaks of those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. A eunuch was a castrated male, and Jesus is using this as a metaphor for those who choose to remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom of God. This verse affirms that voluntary celibacy is a valid choice for those who feel called to it.
1 Corinthians 7:8-9: In this passage, Paul acknowledges that some people struggle with sexual desire and cannot control themselves. He advises that it is better for them to marry than to burn with passion. However, he also affirms the value of celibacy for those who can remain unmarried and dedicates their lives to God.
Societal Relevance
In modern society, Christians who wish to remain celibate to honor God may face challenges in a culture that often celebrates sexuality and promiscuity. To avoid getting into sexual perversions while keeping to biblical standards, Christians can take several steps:
Surround yourself with like-minded believers: Seek out Christian communities, churches, and fellowships where you can build meaningful relationships and be encouraged in your faith.
Focus on your relationship with God: Cultivate a deep and personal relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and worship.
Seek accountability: Find trusted friends or mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and support in your spiritual journey.
Avoid situations that tempt you: Be intentional about the media you consume, the friends you keep, and the places you go.
Live a life of service: Voluntary celibacy is not just about avoiding sexual sin but also about using your time, talents, and resources to serve God and others.
Practice self-control: Cultivate habits of self-discipline and self-control in all areas of your life, not just in your sexuality.
Seek professional help if needed: If you are struggling with pornography or other sexual addictions, consider seeking help from a professional counselor or support group.
Ultimately, the call to celibacy is a personal one that requires prayerful consideration and discernment. As Christians, we are called to live a life pleasing to God, and that may look different for each of us. May we all strive to follow God's will for our lives, whether that be in marriage or in celibacy.
For myself, as a Christian bi guy, I will remain single and celibate unless married to a woman, in order to stay true to God’s teaching, and prevent catching or spreading disease. Celibacy is similar to a seat belt or face mask, as these are methods to protect people from harm. Yes, there are a lot of handsome guys out there in the world, but it feels morally wrong for me to go against scripture and put others at risk. After hearing about the Mpox outbreak in 2022 (spread primarily by gay folks, but also straight intercourse), it has made me realize that even if hypothetically being “homosexual” is not a sin, verses about celibacy and homosexuality are in the Bible to warn us about protecting our health, as our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). According to a June 2012 study by the Guttmacher Institute, gay males are 2.3-6.9x more likely to receive an STD compared to straight male counterparts. In other words, it is safer for others and myself to remain celibate if gay or bi, instead of being in a homosexual relationship.
The verdict is in. We now witnessing history. The first man to be elected President a felon
Please........
Make your excuses. Spout your conspiracy theories. Tell us how this makes him an even better candidate. Also comment on what sentencing will look like. Between his outbursts, his contempt of court flirtations, his addressing the jury when that's a no-no. What I want to hear about most is how corrupt the judge was when he was found guilty by a jury of his peers......
After you justify all of his felonies and inform us of the corruption of his judge and the court system in general. Let us know about the same courts' fairness as it relates to race because every known statistic shows the disparity. When you do that, please explain why this is a corrupt court and the courts that have created a disparity between blacks and whites when it comes to pulling citizens over, convicting at a higher rate, charging higher bail, and not approving bail as often as whites, and longer sentences for black who are in the same legal situation as whites and are convicted of the same or similar crimes.
Trump Found Guilty on All 34 Counts In Hush-Money Trial
Jury deliberated for less than 12 hours before reaching verdict
Donald Trump has been found guilty of using a criminal hush-money scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.
The verdict came after a jury deliberated for less than twelve hours in the unprecedented first criminal trial against a US president.
Trump was convicted by a jury of 12 New Yorkers of felony falsification of business records, which makes it a crime for a person to make or cause false entries in records with the intent to commit a second crime.
In Trump’s case, the Manhattan district attorney’s office alleged Trump falsely recorded the reimbursements he made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid the adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 for her silence about her affair with Trump, as “legal expenses”. The prosecution alleged the falsifications were made to conceal Trump’s violation of New York state election law, which makes it a crime to promote the election of any person to office through unlawful means.
Prosecutors argued in part that those unlawful means were the $130,000 payment to Daniels, which was in effect an illegal campaign contribution, because it was done solely for the benefit of his 2016 campaign and exceeded the $2,700 individual contribution cap.
It marks a perilous political moment for Trump, the presumptive nominee for the Republican nomination, whose poll numbers have remained unchanged throughout the trial but could tank at any moment.
Good on the guy for waiting until the NDA expired. I imagine it would have been hard to stay silent during the past two election cycles but those kind of punishments would likely cripple a person so, they'd need to wait.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday for the National Rifle Association in a dispute over whether a New York state official had violated the group’s First Amendment rights when she told companies to consider their reputations in doing business with the gun rights group.
www.washingtontimes.com
Supreme Court unanimously sides with NRA in First Amendment dispute with New York official
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday for the National Rifle Association in a dispute over whether a New York state official had violated the group’s First Amendment rights when she told companies to consider their reputations in doing business with the gun rights group.
The NRA brought the case against Maria Vullo, the former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, saying she pushed financial firms to deny the group services because of its gun rights advocacy.
In a unanimous ruling, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the group plausibly argued that its rights were violated, reversing the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to dismiss the lawsuit.
Both Liberal and Conservative justices acted in harmony in speaking truth to power! Bravo for the Court.
Idoni was first placed in solitary confinement for sharing food with another inmate. She remained there, in isolation, for two weeks. She was out of confinement for less than a day when she was sent back, this time for taking off her wrist ID bracelet. Idoni has severe carpal tunnel syndrome and may have removed her bracelet because of pain.
For these “crimes,” she spent twenty-two days in solitary confinement. Staff kept the jail cell’s lights on all day and night.
Pro-life activist Heather Idoni, 59, who is awaiting sentencing for blocking entrances to abortion facilities, suffered a stroke at Northern Neck Regional Jail in West Virginia after being subjected to extended solitary confinement and other inhumane treatment. Information in this article comes...
Latinos are using personal credibility to fight online rumors.
In the early hours of a Saturday morning in April, a man in a bar fight in the Miami suburb of Doral shot and killed a security guard who tried to intervene. Soon residents started sharing a rumor over WhatsApp and Telegram. The killer, conspiracists asserted, must have belonged to a criminal gang from Venezuela infiltrating the United States. Known as Tren de Aragua, the criminal organization has become a recurring boogeyman in anti-immigrant conspiracy theories circulating in Spanish-speaking diaspora communities over the past year.
By the time the Miami-Dade Police Department released the name of the actual shooter — who was not an immigrant from Venezuela or anywhere else and whom police also shot and killed — the lie had already penetrated community gossip circles. Lost in the early rumor mill was that an immigrant family was the victim of the crime: The 23-year-old fallen security guard was George Castellanos, an aspiring police officer and the father of an adorable little girl.
I recently spoke with the leader of a community organization in South Florida called We Are Más who also dreads this future [of misinformation amplified on social media in an environment that is fairly lax even for English-language content] — and spends her days fighting to prevent it. Evelyn Pérez-Verdía works to quell rumors in Spanish-speaking diaspora communities, using the same group chats where they already are and drawing on trusted community voices to influence them. As part of a collaboration with the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, Pérez-Verdía recently recruited 25 local messengers — including the head of a YWCA chapter and a Colombian American hairdresser — to swat rumors as they start flying in South Florida.
The local influencers began by listening for questions and narratives taking hold in the community. They ranged from how safe it was to get the shingles vaccine to whether President Biden had a body double, from how to get a mammogram if underinsured to whether the 2024 presidential election had been canceled — a notion now circulating among Latinos in swing states thanks to a social media post translated into Spanish featuring the Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
The impact of this kind of work on community awareness is still being documented, but it offers a useful counterpoint to the latest trend in investment to fight online rumors, which is far too focused on technological fixes for what is fundamentally a human problem. What resonates most are the stories that speak to people emotionally and that they feel engaged in — whether or not they are true. Bad information meets people where they are when they are afraid and in the dark.
So I apparently have extremely severe autism, will be diagnosed very a soon. But before you say somthing about how you know about autism you have to realize its a SPECTRUM. If You don't know what that means, google it(watching videos on youtube can be somewhat useful). But basically it means that just because we have autism does not mean that it affects us all the same way. I have things going on that I haven't heard of any autistic person having. I guess one thing that sticks out to me is that I have many of the same thoughts replaying over and over like a broken record(way my dad describes it I wouldn't have realized if he wouldn't have said that) can't spell well and cant understand alot of basic words. People keep telling me if I try hard enough I can figure all this out( which hurts more than helps). I have been trying to figure out how to learn and remember all of my life and gotten basically no were. Doctors say that autism doesn't get worse over time...well..they haven't met me. I know people say there is no cure and I say yes with man it is impossible but with God...
They may not have heard of the name Jesus, but everyone has heard of the way, the truth, or the life. An ancient Chinese philosophy called Taoism literally means Way. The founder of Taoism, Laozi, never claimed to be the Way, but he pointed people to the Way, which, according to John 14:6, is Jesus himself.
Revelation 20:
13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life." Really?
Yes, really. If you know the way, the truth, or the life, you indirectly know Jesus. If you directly know Jesus now, you have the Paraclete in you while alive.
This is not an actual OP. This is going to be used throughout this series for reference. These pictures will get copied and used to show a point as it arises.
AD 29 - AD 50 Jesus' followers are with him. They follow him where he goes, and preach the gospel of the kingdom with him, as they are instructed.
Luke 8:1-3 1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.
Luke 10:1, 2 1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Many disciple leave Jesus.
John 6:66 ...many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him. The twelve (12) remain.
John 6:67, 68 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
Jesus celebrates the last Passover before his execution, with the twelve.
Matthew 26:20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. Judas Iscariot abandons Jesus, betraying him.
Mark 14:10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them.
At Jesus arrest, all his followers abandon him and flee for fear of their lives.
Matthew 26:56 ...At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Jesus is alone, but he is not alone, as his father is with him.
On Jesus' resurrection, he seeks company with his friends - his followers, and they are united again.
Matthew 28:16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. Jesus gives them instruction to continue the work they were doing before his death.
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus' followers have been doing that work, since. On their own? No.
Acts 1:8 ...you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Jesus is directing them from heaven, and blessing the increase. The workers are increasing, and more people are being reached, in all the earth.
Acts 2:4 And everyone present (120 followers - Acts 1:15) was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.
Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Acts 4:4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.
Acts 5:14 And more believing in the Lord were added, multitudes both of men and women,
Nothing could stop the work Jesus assigned, because he was backing his followers, who were on fire with zeal. Acts 5:27-29; Acts 8:4; Acts 17:17
Jesus is with his followers, as promised. Matthew 28:20. The gospel has to be preached to all nations. Matthew 24:14
AD 2024 Who are Jesus' followers, and what identifies them as Jesus' followers, according to scripture?
I like the post in the thread Are you unapproachable?
It indicates that you are a very open-minded person, and I like about you that you, share openly from the scriptures.
It suggests that you are opened to having your words tested, and being corrected.
I'll like to ask a few questions on what you said, and relating to this thread.
Are there any particular scriptures you can think of, which gives the mark of true disciples of Christ? Are there any in the OP?
How do we identify followers of Christ?
Can you think of any scripture(s) which show we can study the scriptures for ourselves under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit?
I really would greatly appreciate your participation. Thank you.
2 Peter 1:16-18 [RSV] For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," (18) we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
2Peter 1:16-18 [NWT] 16 No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. u 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these* were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” v 18 Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.
Saint Peter recalls the mount of Transfiguration and the Father's testimony to (and about) Jesus Christ. It's interesting that even Jehovah's witnesses fairly accurately translate this passage, with the exception of "coming" which they do not use substituting "presence" in its place.
Saint Peter regards the Father's testimony as a guarantee of the truth which is even more reliable than holy scripture, insofar as it relies on God alone rather than being mediated through a prophet and writings left by the prophet. He continues saying the following:
2 Peter 1:19-21 [RSV] And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (20) First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, (21) because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:19-21 [NWT ]19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp w shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar x rises) in your hearts. 20 For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. 21 For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, y but men spoke from God as they were moved* by holy spirit. z
I think the main reason for me is because I don't have much money due to a chronic illness. I'm not sure what to do about this to be honest. I have thought about approaching women in my neighborhood but haven't due to lack of confidence because of lack of money. If I had money I would approach women with no problem. So I'm not really sure what to do about this but what about you guys? Whats the main reason you're single?
Hello folks. What is your favorite Catholic Bible version? Mine is the NRSV-CE, which would be between "word-for-word" and "thought-for-thought" on the first chart. Sadly, these charts are missing a lot of Catholic Bibles.
Hello folks. How can we discern if a church is worldly (idolizes the world) or spiritual? Have any of you encountered a "worldly" church? What were some warning signs or red flags that helped you decide to leave a church?
Here is a 10-part checklist to help aid us on our church journeys.
1. Lack of emphasis on prayer and the study of scripture. If a church does not prioritize these spiritual disciplines, it may indicate a drift toward worldliness.
2. Emphasis on entertainment or popularity rather than holiness and worship. A church that focuses more on providing an entertaining experience than cultivating a holy and reverent atmosphere may be becoming too worldly.
3. Compromise on biblical truth for the sake of inclusivity or cultural relevance. Churches should strive to be welcoming and relevant, but not at the expense of abandoning core Christian beliefs.
4. Materialism or wealth-focused messages. A church that places undue emphasis on material possessions, financial success, or prosperity may be drifting into worldliness.
5. Toleration of sinful behavior among members. A truly biblical church will uphold God's standards for morality and sexual purity, and will lovingly confront and correct any member who persists in sin.
6. Lack of accountability or transparency from leadership. Church leaders should be above reproach and subject to oversight by other mature Christians. Any hint of secrecy or deceit could suggest worldliness.
7. Focus on self-help or personal fulfillment rather than discipleship and obedience to Christ. While personal growth is important, it must always take a back seat to following Jesus and obeying His commands.
8. Worldly associations or partnerships. A church that allies itself with unbelievers or secular organizations without careful discernment may be compromising its witness for the gospel.
9. Watered-down preaching or teaching. Messages that avoid controversy or challenge listeners to repentance may be catering to worldly sensibilities instead of proclaiming the full counsel of God.
10. Absence of true community or fellowship. A church that emphasizes individualism over unity and interdependence may be reflecting a broader trend toward worldliness in society as a whole.
Does it make you angry that you can't get women as easily as women can get men? This was just on my mind and I don't know if it makes me angry but it is the reality is all I know. I'm in a situation where if I were female I could get at least someone. But being male theres expectations of me I can't fulfill due to being disabled and low on money. I really feel like if I just approached people in my neighborhood I could find someone but I just don't feel the pull to do so. I kinda have it good since all my needs are met and I don't have any responsibilities or anything to do but I do like being in a relationship.
www.telegraph.co.uk
