In Christian circles we often think in terms of believers and unbelievers. Believers are those people who believe in Jesus, not just that he exists, but that he is the one to uphold us and carry us through. Unbelievers then, are the ones who have rejected the message of salvation through Jesus. I was challenged recently (as I continue to work my way slowly through Tim Chesters' "You Can Change") to consider that all sin is a matter of unbelief. The sin I still struggle with, after believing in Jesus, is still an expression of unbelief.
I may cry out in bitterness during hardship in my life, because I am listening to the lie that "God is not there or he doesn't love me." I may be tempted to look at pornography or seek the affections of another woman, if I believe the lie "the forbidden woman will be good and sweet and better." My lack of trust in God will lead to all kinds of lying, cheating, stealing, covetousness, on and on it goes.
Satan always tries to question the truthfulness of God. As Jesus was baptized he heard the words from the Father "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." He walked from that place into the wilderness where he fasted for 40 days. Then Satan came to him and begins his assault. Satan's first attack as he came upon hungry tired Jesus is "Can you really believe God?" He said "If you are the son of God..." The last thing Jesus heard before the temptation was God speaking from heaven "you are my son." Now Satan was challenging it. That is not only the case with Jesus temptation, but with every temptation. Can you believe God?
I want to strive to be a believing believer. I believe in Jesus in such a way as to rely upon him for salvation. I keep believing him day after day.
I may cry out in bitterness during hardship in my life, because I am listening to the lie that "God is not there or he doesn't love me." I may be tempted to look at pornography or seek the affections of another woman, if I believe the lie "the forbidden woman will be good and sweet and better." My lack of trust in God will lead to all kinds of lying, cheating, stealing, covetousness, on and on it goes.
Satan always tries to question the truthfulness of God. As Jesus was baptized he heard the words from the Father "This is my son in whom I am well pleased." He walked from that place into the wilderness where he fasted for 40 days. Then Satan came to him and begins his assault. Satan's first attack as he came upon hungry tired Jesus is "Can you really believe God?" He said "If you are the son of God..." The last thing Jesus heard before the temptation was God speaking from heaven "you are my son." Now Satan was challenging it. That is not only the case with Jesus temptation, but with every temptation. Can you believe God?
I want to strive to be a believing believer. I believe in Jesus in such a way as to rely upon him for salvation. I keep believing him day after day.
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