Overcoming condemnation

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Hope in God

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Even after being a Christian since ’72, I still wrestle, at times, with condemnation. I haven’t entirely gotten over choices I made in the past or incidences that aren’t easy to forget. For some of us, unpleasant reminders of our pasts keep popping up. We may find we have very little to tell ourselves or say to overcome such attacks.

But, there is a way of escape, and here it is, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

So, what does that mean? Paul explains it this way: Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The law of sin and death means that whoever sins, dies. Death entered the world because of sin. If we sin, we die, we are under that law of sin and death.

But in Christ Jesus there is another law that sets us free from the law of sin and death. The law of the spirit which sets us free from the first law that condemns us.

So now, even though we should be condemned, we’re not, even though we sin. We’re not condemned, because the law of the spirit has overcome the law of sin and death.

In other words, being in Christ, our past sins are not against us anymore. Once repented of, no matter how devious, dark or hidden our pasts had been -- our sins, bad choices, behaviors – they can never be held against us EVER.

The list of events that cause believers to fall into condemnation and remain there for so long is endless. It could be about an abortion, the abandonment of a family, violence against someone, cheating, stealing, or maybe someone was a prostitute, dealer, or addict at one time in their lives.

Realize, there is a huge difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation keeps a person’s thoughts imprisoned through accusations, causing them to feel unworthy and without an escape from those demeaning thoughts and feelings.

We cannot be punished for the things that condemn us. Instead, they must be overcome by the sword of the Spirit, word of our testimony and blood of Jesus, the weapons of our warfare listed in Ephesians 6.

In contrast, conviction leads a believer into the realization that the sin committed needs to be confessed and forsaken. It carries with it a knowing of the Lord’s immediate forgiveness, love and hope once the sin is repented of, and it is very restorative.
 

CharismaticLady

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In contrast, conviction leads a believer into the realization that the sin committed needs to be confessed and forsaken. It carries with it a knowing of the Lord’s immediate forgiveness, love and hope once the sin is repented of, and it is very restorative.

When you walk in the Spirit, we aren't committing sin in the first place.
 

GTW27

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Even after being a Christian since ’72, I still wrestle, at times, with condemnation. I haven’t entirely gotten over choices I made in the past or incidences that aren’t easy to forget. For some of us, unpleasant reminders of our pasts keep popping up. We may find we have very little to tell ourselves or say to overcome such attacks.

But, there is a way of escape, and here it is, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

So, what does that mean? Paul explains it this way: Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The law of sin and death means that whoever sins, dies. Death entered the world because of sin. If we sin, we die, we are under that law of sin and death.

But in Christ Jesus there is another law that sets us free from the law of sin and death. The law of the spirit which sets us free from the first law that condemns us.

So now, even though we should be condemned, we’re not, even though we sin. We’re not condemned, because the law of the spirit has overcome the law of sin and death.

In other words, being in Christ, our past sins are not against us anymore. Once repented of, no matter how devious, dark or hidden our pasts had been -- our sins, bad choices, behaviors – they can never be held against us EVER.

The list of events that cause believers to fall into condemnation and remain there for so long is endless. It could be about an abortion, the abandonment of a family, violence against someone, cheating, stealing, or maybe someone was a prostitute, dealer, or addict at one time in their lives.

Realize, there is a huge difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation keeps a person’s thoughts imprisoned through accusations, causing them to feel unworthy and without an escape from those demeaning thoughts and feelings.

We cannot be punished for the things that condemn us. Instead, they must be overcome by the sword of the Spirit, word of our testimony and blood of Jesus, the weapons of our warfare listed in Ephesians 6.

In contrast, conviction leads a believer into the realization that the sin committed needs to be confessed and forsaken. It carries with it a knowing of the Lord’s immediate forgiveness, love and hope once the sin is repented of, and it is very restorative.

Blessings in Christ Jesus! When thoughts like these, enter your mind again, speak out loud," Not so" and then Proclaim the word of Romans 8 vs 1. Our enemy does spend the time watching and looking for weaknesses in us all. If you do this, you will see how quickly the thought leaves, as well as the originator of the thought. You will also see how powerful The Word of God is.
 

farouk

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PSS: @RepentantSinner Romans 8 is a great chapter! verse 1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'

The chapter truly ends in a mighty way! :)
 
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Nancy

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Even after being a Christian since ’72, I still wrestle, at times, with condemnation. I haven’t entirely gotten over choices I made in the past or incidences that aren’t easy to forget. For some of us, unpleasant reminders of our pasts keep popping up. We may find we have very little to tell ourselves or say to overcome such attacks.

But, there is a way of escape, and here it is, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

So, what does that mean? Paul explains it this way: Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The law of sin and death means that whoever sins, dies. Death entered the world because of sin. If we sin, we die, we are under that law of sin and death.

But in Christ Jesus there is another law that sets us free from the law of sin and death. The law of the spirit which sets us free from the first law that condemns us.

So now, even though we should be condemned, we’re not, even though we sin. We’re not condemned, because the law of the spirit has overcome the law of sin and death.

In other words, being in Christ, our past sins are not against us anymore. Once repented of, no matter how devious, dark or hidden our pasts had been -- our sins, bad choices, behaviors – they can never be held against us EVER.

The list of events that cause believers to fall into condemnation and remain there for so long is endless. It could be about an abortion, the abandonment of a family, violence against someone, cheating, stealing, or maybe someone was a prostitute, dealer, or addict at one time in their lives.

Realize, there is a huge difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation keeps a person’s thoughts imprisoned through accusations, causing them to feel unworthy and without an escape from those demeaning thoughts and feelings.

We cannot be punished for the things that condemn us. Instead, they must be overcome by the sword of the Spirit, word of our testimony and blood of Jesus, the weapons of our warfare listed in Ephesians 6.

In contrast, conviction leads a believer into the realization that the sin committed needs to be confessed and forsaken. It carries with it a knowing of the Lord’s immediate forgiveness, love and hope once the sin is repented of, and it is very restorative.

I thoroughly understand where you are coming from here Hope. Condemnation definitely comes from Satan. I too still ask (out of habit, I suppose) forgiveness for the past sins that I KNOW have been forgiven, yet i still grieve at some of them. There are also times when God shows me where I am judgmental, critical and hypocritical (conviction) these things come to me suddenly and I then realize I have acted the same as some others that my mind "judges". I believe that is the Holy Spirit bringing to our minds to REPENT of these things right away. They take me by surprise as I hadn't realized I too have done some of the same things I criticize (in my mind) others of doing. He is so faithful to forgive us our sins and we will grow more and more into His likeness when we are open to His Spirit. Walking in the Spirit at all times does not register with me, if that were the case we would all be little Jesus's walking around, perfect, no flaws, never a bad thought, never angry, never coming to a full stop at stop signs and SO much more but, He works with us all as we yield to His bidding.
God Bless!
 

CharismaticLady

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What about when you don't walk in the Spirit? Oops. Sorry. Forgot that you were sinlessly perfect.

We are commanded to not grieve or quench the Spirit, so we should stay in the Spirit. That is actually within our power, so I choose to stay put. Because I can hear His voice and love it, I am constantly listening.

I really don't have many years left, so it is probably that I find it more important than you do. Thus the mocking you like to do. But I truly enjoy the Spirit instead.
 
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