What to do when you are beyond repentance?

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Lady Crosstalk

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Have you ever read any of Dr Leaf's stuff 'over thinking' and negative thinking and what it does to our system?
I like reading her better than watching her... but both are very good.
We can see why God talks about 'how we think' in the bible in relation to our health.

I keep seeing typos and mistakes in my already posted responses.
Red face.
I hope people just think that maybe English is not my first language!! :D

LOL--I constantly edit and revise my posts for the same reason. ;)
 
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bbyrd009

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Have you ever read any of Dr Leaf's stuff 'over thinking' and negative thinking and what it does to our system?
I like reading her better than watching her... but both are very good.
We can see why God talks about 'how we think' in the bible in relation to our health.

I keep seeing typos and mistakes in my already posted responses.
Red face.
I hope people just think that maybe English is not my first language!! :D
Ah no on Leaf, "Dr" is um troubling to me but i just grabbed a psych link, she might be better if you got one ty. I doubt gueros wanna hear yogis much :)
 
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Helen

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Ah no on Leaf, "Dr" is um troubling to me but i just grabbed a psych link, she might be better if you got one ty. I doubt gueros wanna hear yogis much :)

You'd like her she's pretty. :) ( south african )
Many many vids on Youtube.

I've read a book and stuff.
The one which grabbed me most was the one which talks about negative thoughts actually grow like a tree with thorns in the body, etc etc I'll see if I can find it...but here is just a page ...you can go from there. ( and yes, she is a proper doctor in something or other, it will tell you...)

About Dr. Leaf | Dr. Caroline Leaf
 
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Helen

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@bbyrd009

I wish I could find the written article , I like it better...this is just 20 mins..did not listen, so I don't know if it mentions the "good tree, and the thorny tree"

 
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aspen

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I think we are often wracked by guilt and shame for past thoughts and behaviors.....Yet, as we know, rumination doesn’t erase or fix or lessen feelings of guilt - instead, they magnify it. As a person who has struggled with addiction, I know firsthand the consequences of spending too much time in the past! Now, when past sins, which have all been confessed and forgiven, pop into my head, I see them as red flags, which prompt my brain to switch my thoughts to gratitude and get outside and get active. Depression is rumination on past events - anxiety is focused on the future and both are escapes from the present and lead to chemical escapes. Gratitude is all about the present moment and that is where I try to stay.
 

batheltler01

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With my will I am constantly trying to push back into relationship with the Lord. I know that only in him is there true joy and satisfaction. Psalm 16:11. But my heart feels like a stone in my chest and I can't honestly say I desire repentance. It doesn't seem to desire anything. But I want to keep pushing into Christ. Can I still be a Christian and be this way?
I'm finding myself feeling extremely condemned and fearful of that condemnation. As I examine myself I see how my heart and mind have changed completely. However, when I allow myself to be sure that I am still a Christian, I find that I have much less of a desire to pursue Christ. He seems less important. This ought not be and hasn't been in the past. I feel like I'm only able to fear my condemnation but not desire to be in relationship with Christ. I've asked the Lord to change my heart and help me desire and love him again, but nothing is changing. I know I haven't willingly, consciously said that I do not want a relationship with the Lord, but it very much seems like, from the state of my heart, that the I am beyond repentance.
 

Lady Crosstalk

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With my will I am constantly trying to push back into relationship with the Lord. I know that only in him is there true joy and satisfaction. Psalm 16:11. But my heart feels like a stone in my chest and I can't honestly say I desire repentance. It doesn't seem to desire anything. But I want to keep pushing into Christ. Can I still be a Christian and be this way?
I'm finding myself feeling extremely condemned and fearful of that condemnation. As I examine myself I see how my heart and mind have changed completely. However, when I allow myself to be sure that I am still a Christian, I find that I have much less of a desire to pursue Christ. He seems less important. This ought not be and hasn't been in the past. I feel like I'm only able to fear my condemnation but not desire to be in relationship with Christ. I've asked the Lord to change my heart and help me desire and love him again, but nothing is changing. I know I haven't willingly, consciously said that I do not want a relationship with the Lord, but it very much seems like, from the state of my heart, that the I am beyond repentance.

If I had to guess, I would guess that you are depressed (probably pretty natural under the circumstances) and your will to be a Christian, exhausted. But, we are Christians only if the Holy Spirit indwells us (see Romans 8:9)--willpower won't do it. God the Father calls us, the Blood of Jesus saves us, and the Holy Spirit gives us the joy of our salvation. ("...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..." Galatians 5:22).

Acts chapter 19 tells of a group of believers who had "received John's baptism" (a baptism of repentance) but who had not received the Holy Spirit baptism. When you were baptized, did the elders of the church lay hands on you to receive the Holy Spirit? Did you receive spiritual gifts at that time? (see 1 Timothy 4:14). Do you know what they are? If you haven't been baptized in the Holy Spirit, you could ask them now to lay hands on you and pray for you that you would receive Him. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. (Hebrews 12:2) Also, He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it unto the Day of Redemption. (Philippians 1:6) He said He would not leave us as "orphans". (John 14:18)

Sin can make a believer feel that there is a wall of separation between him/her and God the Father through His Son. In reality, it is more-than-likely a "wall of shame" that the enemy of your soul has constructed to keep you from victory in Christ. Shame is just one of the mechanisms Satan and his demons use to separate us from God. Adam and Eve hid from God, so great was their shame. Sexual sin, in particular, seems to be a source of much shame and Satan is quite effective in using it. God can and will break through that wall of shame in the time and place of His choosing.

Have you spent a day in fasting and prayer? Often, fasting is a part of getting rid of a besetting sin of the flesh--which, as I said before, is difficult to concentrate on because it is concentrating on a negative. On the other hand, denial of the flesh through fasting, is a positive--mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. (Did you know that fasting has been shown to have a lot of benefits physically?) There are many Christians who know about fasting for cleansing the body, mind and spirit. If you can't find another Christian who fasts, there is a lot of information about Christian fasting on the internet. I have and will pray for you.
 

Jon Mathews

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So I made a post some time ago looking for wisdom about whether my sin had killed me spiritually.

If you care to read the post, here it is:
Has my sin killed me spiritually? Loss of salvation


I have come to determine with a great level of certainty that my heart has hardened past the point of repentance due to continued sin. I feel no brokenness or conviction over my sin nor do I have the desires of the Lord anymore. I find no ability to turn away from sin from a heart level like I once did. All that I am left with is severe fear of my future condemnation. As I read Hebrews, I see that my life now matches up perfectly with Hebrews 6:4, as well as Hebrews 10:26. I have spent time consulting with my pastor and other believing friends. They seem to believe that I am still a believer, but I sincerely disagree. I think they are coming around though.

As I have come to the conclusion that I am beyond repentance, my question is what is the best thing for me to do next. I cannot spend my life walking in apostasy creating greater condemnation for myself upon my death. Life is too much to live apart from Christ. There is no meaning to life other than Christ and there is no joy apart from him. I cannot continue with life apart from Christ. However, I see no other way to handle the situation other than suicide. Does anyone have any better suggestions or wisdom to give?

I know some of you may land in a more reformed camp like I once did, but there is no denial that someone can become like those mentioned in Hebrews. I have become one. What then do I do now?

Despite how you feel, the Word of God says "all sin will be forgiven men" (Matthew 12:31) and promises forgiveness and cleansing if we confess our sins (1 John 1:9).

There are only 3 unpardonable sins listed in Scripture:
1) Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:32)
2) Receiving the mark of the Beast (Revelation 14:9-11)
3) Suicide (1 Corinthians 3:17)

These are Satan's endgame goals... they mean eternal damnation.

You are not beyond hope of the Grace of God because you have not committed any of these sins.

Do not let Satan deceive you.... if you commit suicide, you will wake up in Hell and God will eternally destroy you in the Lake of Fire.
 

justbyfaith

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While a man should certainly fear eternal punishment on the occasion that they would commit suicide, it is contrary to the comforting of the Holy Spirit to say that all who have committed suicide have gone to hell and then the lake of fire. Those who have loved ones who have committed suicide need to have a semblance of hope for their loved ones who have passed away.

Sometimes the devil can win a battle but not win the war. If a person truly has faith in Christ and does not forget that Christ died for him, was buried, and rose again according to the scriptures, and commits suicide, I believe that their faith in Christ will prevail for their eternal state

Of course, there is the issue that if anyone is in Christ and bearing the fruit of the Spirit, they will have the joy of the Lord, which might be contrary to a decision to commit suicide.

I believe that the issue is addressed in the most powerful way in Philippians 1:21-25.
 
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Lady Crosstalk

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Is it possible for a true believer to become like Esau?

We have no evidence that Esau was ultimately condemned by God. Esau seems to have softened toward his brother Jacob when Jacob returned after many years away. "Love overcomes a multitude of evils."

I suspect that when God said, "Esau, I hated" He was referring to Esau's wicked descendants--the people of Edom. The Bible often refers to the descendants of a specific individual by his name. Thus, "Judah" can be seen as referring to all of the Tribe of Judah. God pronounced a judgment on Edom, through the prophet, Obadiah, for being such jerks toward Israel.
 
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batheltler01

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We have no evidence that Esau was ultimately condemned by God. Esau seems to have softened toward his brother Jacob when Jacob returned after many years away. "Love overcomes a multitude of evils."

I suspect that when God said, "Esau, I hated" He was referring to Esau's wicked descendants--the people of Edom. The Bible often refers to the descendants of a specific individual by his name. Thus, "Judah" can be seen as referring to all of the Tribe of Judah. God pronounced a judgment on Edom, through the prophet, Obadiah, for being such jerks toward Israel.

But what about a believer becoming so hardened by unrepentant sin that they cannot truly repent?
 

justbyfaith

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@batheltler01,

Please consider the following scripture and perhaps follow it as an example:

Mar 9:23, Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Mar 9:24, And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
 

Earburner

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So I made a post some time ago looking for wisdom about whether my sin had killed me spiritually.

If you care to read the post, here it is:
Has my sin killed me spiritually? Loss of salvation


I have come to determine with a great level of certainty that my heart has hardened past the point of repentance due to continued sin. I feel no brokenness or conviction over my sin nor do I have the desires of the Lord anymore. I find no ability to turn away from sin from a heart level like I once did. All that I am left with is severe fear of my future condemnation. As I read Hebrews, I see that my life now matches up perfectly with Hebrews 6:4, as well as Hebrews 10:26. I have spent time consulting with my pastor and other believing friends. They seem to believe that I am still a believer, but I sincerely disagree. I think they are coming around though.

As I have come to the conclusion that I am beyond repentance, my question is what is the best thing for me to do next. I cannot spend my life walking in apostasy creating greater condemnation for myself upon my death. Life is too much to live apart from Christ. There is no meaning to life other than Christ and there is no joy apart from him. I cannot continue with life apart from Christ. However, I see no other way to handle the situation other than suicide. Does anyone have any better suggestions or wisdom to give?

I know some of you may land in a more reformed camp like I once did, but there is no denial that someone can become like those mentioned in Hebrews. I have become one. What then do I do now?
To sin wilfully, or to willfully sin, IS NOT about the sins that are common to men, of which are ALL forgiven.
ONLY the sin of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Since you have read Heb. 10, then when you read verse 28, in the way that it is written in the KJV, it will help you to understand that YOU HAVE NOT reached the point of no return, of which is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, or as it is written "hath done, despite unto the spirit of Grace".

Now, when you read the context, please notice the example of Moses, that Paul provides.
Heb. 10[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

[28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
.
In listening to the heart of your will, I do not hear you as one who is "despising" the Blood of Christ, as counting it to be an unholy thing! You still believe in His forgiveness, because if you didn't, you would be saying words that prove that you despise the blood of His covenant!
.
Therefore, I perceive that you have not committed the unforgivable sin.
 

batheltler01

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To sin wilfully, or to willfully sin, IS NOT about the sins that are common to men, of which are ALL forgiven.
ONLY the sin of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Since you have read Heb. 10, then when you read verse 28, in the way that it is written in the KJV, it will help you to understand that YOU HAVE NOT reached the point of no return, of which is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit, or as it is written "hath done, despite unto the spirit of Grace".

Now, when you read the context, please notice the example of Moses, that Paul provides.
Heb. 10[26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
[27] But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

[28] He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
[29] Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
.
In listening to the heart of your will, I do not hear you as one who is "despising" the Blood of Christ, as counting it to be an unholy thing! You still believe in His forgiveness, because if you didn't, you would be saying words that prove that you despise the blood of His covenant!
.
Therefore, I perceive that you have not committed the unforgivable sin.

Then why is my heart so hard? Why do I not desire repentance from the heart like I once did?

I read this article and I see myself as Esau. Unable to repent from a pure heart. So hardened that my repentance has become hollow.

Has My Sexual Sin Made Me Unsavable?

"There came a point where God withdrew from Esau. This meant that Esau was so hardened in his heart that even his weeping in search of repentance was phony at the root. He sought repentance with tears and they were fake. They weren’t penitent tears. He couldn’t cry real tears of repentance anymore. His tears were not true. He wanted the blessing. He wanted the safety. He wanted the gifts. He wanted the inheritance. He wanted heaven. But he did not want God."

I find myself wanting to enter back into relationship with God. Having wanted to from the first moment this started. But finding no love or desire for God within myself when I hardened up. These things describe me to a T.

The only way I have not become like Esau is if the Lord has withdrawn from me temporarily as a disciplinary measure. But I do not know how I can know with any degree of positivity.