Felt frustrated today at Bible study because they asked if we had "ever been in a situation where we turned away from God, despite his promises, because of someone's (or yourself's) disbelief?" Just like the Israelites going to Canaan and not believing in God (Num 13-14, I think).
And then people offered up situations where they were certain of their path in life and then other people laughed or shook their heads, etc.
Uhhhh how does that make any logical sense? That's normal. Even that happens to people who aren't Christian. So how is it different?
It seems to me more that it's looking at what exactly are God's promises to us before asking that question. Otherwise we might as well just be a self-help group for personal issues.
It's more like a let's-be-open! scenario that only tangentially relates.
Or spiritual warfare.... I have a lot of uncertainty on this issue.
T- shared his story about spiritual warfare about the enemy putting thoughts of doubt and lack of self-worth before he was going on a health care trip.
Is it spiritual warfare, or just general anxiety?
Even non-Christians go through doubt and lack of self-worth.
So why do we call it spiritual warfare when Christians go through it?
-_____-"
At the end of the day, there should be a difference that sets us apart as children of God. Whether it's a peace, or joy through suffering, or our attitudes towards certain things, the reason behind our actions, or whatever, there should be something.
So when I don't see any difference at all, I am skeptical.
>.<
"what exactly are God's promises to us" --> yes! the "have you ever..." question is good to start discussion, but is not good to continue/end discussion. frame topic, gospel truth, application.
ReplyDeletecan non-Christians go through spiritual warfare? i think so... in this day and age, Satan's strategy's probably to assault us (all people) with distractions and cripple us with self-doubt and fear. because then we're caught up in ourselves and forget Christ. forget that he's bigger, better than all the other things we could run after (are running after). the difference for Christians though is that we have seen the light -- at least had a glimpse of his glory, and trusted him once, and confessed Christ and claimed salvation -- but the rest of our lives we battle our unbelief still. the difference is that we should know the truth, and that should make all the difference in how we fight spiritual warfare: with God's word as our sword, prayer as a weapon, and faith as our shield.
mm btw thanks for switching labs tmrw =) i know it meant a lot to J to be able to come back to Houston a tad earlier. you wanna come visit next weekend? =) Z's coming down from Plano! and i'd love to catch up on food-making adventures.