i really need to know what's going on with this.



is it true that the punishment fits the crime?



what might then be god's discipline for someone who is deep in pornography?

It is the same punishment that all other sin is that isn't repented for, and eternal punishment in the lake of fire.

He is stating what the Bible tells - and I confirm - the punishment for adultery is eternal punishment in the lake of fire - Repent from that Sin and the sin shall be forgotten - it shall no longer be mentioned, but if the sin is not repented - it shall be known in the day of judgment - every sin committed that is not brought to the cross - will be mentioned in the Just court of Eternity.

Repent from that sin - and do not sin again!.

So, we need to look at what is real repentance? A turning away!

um, God only does that for unrepentant sinner's.



where do you suppose real repentance comes from...where do you supposed THE DESIRE to repent comes from? you people don't know...but i know.



there's alot of us out there trying to no end to quit.

I believe the Lord loves when we take baby steps and/or all we can do to get more of Him.

We are just babies growing in the Lord! He is our Saviour and He will help us (in His timing) with the junk that is still hanging on. Just enjoy the Lord as much as you can; and, He is your Savior - He can take care of the rest! It is a "growth" in life! Natural babies are born into the world perfect; but all they have to do is grow.




Here's a little study that might prove helpful....

CONVICTION THAT LEADS TO REPENTANCE
by Terry Somerville

John 16:8 And when he comes, he will convince (convict) the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

One of the true signs of the Holy Spirit at work is the conviction of sin. Gifts of the Holy Spirit are a teaching of Paul, but Holy Spirit conviction of sin is a teaching of Jesus. We need it in the church! Could it be that we see so little conviction of sin in our ministries because we need this work of God applied to our self?


What is The Conviction of The Holy Spirit?

The conviction of the Holy Spirit is a work of God in the heart. It is not a mere ‘understanding” that we have sinned. It is the heart wrenching revelation of God concerning our true condition. What is it like?

THE CONVICTION OF SIN, says deep inside " I am guilty of that sin!” It is personal, particular and inescapable. While it is specific about sins, it is usually all encompassing as well - involving the whole state of my heart, and why those sins were allowed. Unless the Spirit is grieved away, it will press on the mind and heart until something must be done. The sin will weary us with distress over our guilt and duplicity of heart.

THE CONVICTION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS is deeply knowing what righteousness requires in my situation and that I am not righteous! For instance, I may be convicted of speaking ill of another. I am absolutely certain of what I have done, I know the cruel words I spoke, and furthermore, I know the loving righteous words I should have said. I clearly see what God demands in my innermost being concerning righteousness, and my sin.

THE CONVICTION OF JUDGMENT is the Holy Spirit establishing that I should be condemned and I have no means of escape. I see I am plainly guilty and worthy of condemnation. Jesus said the “prince of this world is judged”. The author of sin is removed, there is no barrier any longer.


CONVICTION
+
REPENTANCE
=
RESTORATION


The ultimate outcome is a great breaking down of the ‘fountains of sin” in the heart. We must ‘break up the fallow ground” of our heart and agree with God against ourself! The selfish life must be brought down for the life Christ to reign!

Conviction is not pleasant and the wicked heart of man has many escape plans! Sometimes we want to relieve the distress, but the wise pastor will not coddle those under conviction. He will force the work to go deeper. The only true remedy is repentance and a life of righteous living by faith! Learn to recognize the signs of avoiding conviction of sin and don't grieve the Spirit by giving in to them!


SIGNS OF AVOIDING CONVICTION OF SIN

Self Pity
• Expressing sadness, regret, and
• Sorry for getting "caught".
• Excuses - "You don't understand"
• May involve crying and distress and willingness to pray,
• It is not repentance.

Anger
• At Self , the preacher, or with God.
• Go from church to church, accusing others, but never resolving the sin.
• "I'm sad so you're bad"
• View of Christianity is based on selfishness
• You will never have peace with God. Need to repent.

Avoiding the Subject
• Focus on another subject or distraction, to occupy the mind.
• Can Entrenched in it for years to avoid the issues with God.
• Need to focus on your heart condition before God.

Justifying Self
• Arguing against the Holy Spirit with excuses,. "everyone does it",
• Denial of sin - it doesn't apply in your case "that doesn't fit me."
• Re-interpreting the bible to fit the sin.
• Whole churches and denominations are devoted to this today.
• You need to agree with God that you love sin more than Him.

Religious Self Righteousness
• Throw yourself into religious activity and attitudes.
• Says "look, I'm OK”, without dealing with the heart.
• Common saying "God knows my heart".
• Compare and accuse others, and use bible verses to do it.
• Admit your heart is unresponsive to the Holy Spirit.

Resolutions
• Try harder, to do it right.
• Overcoming sin by will power
• The hope is this will make the conviction go away.
• Heart is unchanged. The sin is in the heart.

WHEN MINISTERING TO SOMEONE UNDER CONVICTION…
• Realize - Conviction of itself, is no value.
• Recognize - they are fighting against the Holy Spirit.
• Conviction must produce Godly sorrow and repentance.
• Do not minimize the conviction so that they leave it behind.
• Don't say "Oh it will pass" or "You'll be alright" Don't let them off.



GODLY SORROW LEADS TO REPENTANCE


Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:9-10



Godly Sorrow Says:
• I have sinned.
• My sinful self life, is alive in my heart and resists God
• I am more concerned for what I want and feel than what God wants.
• I have no excuse and deserve condemnation.

True Repentance Says
• My HEART is completely broken down. Self is crucified.
• I agree with God, against myself (above)
• I now trust in Christ alone for my righteousness.
• I now turn and begin a life of obedience to the Holy Spirit from the heart
• I now trust in Christ alone for my righteousness.


Ask them what's going on inside, to identify the issue, the sin.
Press them to agree with God against themselves.
Urge them to repent.
Command them begin "works fitting repentance" Acts 26:40


portions adapted from Charles Finney

Blessings

Terry Somerville
---------------------------------------------------------

My eyes go throughout the earth looking for those whose heart is after mine. I am looking for those like David who cry out to me and are honest with me who will take the little they have and give it to me to transform for the Kingdom. Even though David's sin was great, his repentance was also great, and his heart was fully mine. Will you allow me to make your heart like that of King David and see what I will do with what you believe is so little.

The Lord has put it on my heart today that many are playing with sin. If you play with fire you will get burned and we need to heed to the seriousness in the word of God concerning sin today.


The Lord desires that all his people turn from sin, yet few are willing to do this. Should one wonder why judgment is falling?
Is it not obvious? Most in the world and in the church desire the lust therein, and sadly there is a serious consequence for having anything to do with sin. Many are playing church they claim they love God but their actions prove to differ.
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1:7
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Ch7:14
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.1 John 2:16
Many believe because they are saved by grace they can continue on in willing sins.
This is untrue. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Hebrews 10:26
Many believe little sins are ok because the Lord is loving, kind and forgiving.
Yes, The Lord is loving, kind and forgiving he is full of mercy and grace, but the Lord will never tell anyone to continue on sinning willfully.
The wage of all sin is death. Sin is sin period.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ro 6:23
When one is living in willing sins he lies to himself saying "Ah the Lord won't mind.." telling himself this is just a small sin, it's no big deal.
Yes it is a big deal in the Lord's eyes, and we must see sin as God sees it, not how we want to see it.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Romans 6:12
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Romans 6:13
Many make every excuse one can think of as to why his or her sins are ok with God, but others sins are wrong.
This is being a hypocrite!
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Job 27:8
Truly one is lying to himself, and is very deceived, if he thinks his sins are ok with God, but another's are wrong.
No sin is ok with God, period!
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. Matthew 7:5
Some believing little sins are ok with God.Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. Song of Solomon 2:15
Some even think a few cuss words, lying, cheating, getting drunk, smoking pot, addictions, adultery, fornication, pornography, masturbation, abominations are allowed. Many makr up excuses that these sins are all fine with God, and that God will understand the lust of the flesh.
Many just live happily in their sins, justifying all their sins saying they are only human, and they have desires.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 1 Co 10:8
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance--as I told you before--that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Ga 5:19
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. Col 3:9
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Ephesians 5:3
If something is causing you to sin pluck it out of your life! If you have an addiction to pornographic material unplug your computer, or block all pornographic sites. Get rid of all pornographic material in your home. If you drink go pour out all the alcohol in your home. If your taking drugs flush them down the toilet. etc....Make an effort to rid whatever it is that is tempting or causing you to sin.
Remove it from your life today.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. Mt 5:29
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. Galatians 5:24
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 2 Corinthians 10:3
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15
God is bursting the bubble and it is time we see sin for what it truly is! Sin is sin, there is no excuse to sin. All sin must be repented of, we must ask the Lord to forgive us when we sin. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
True repentance is TURNING from the sin or sins committed against God. Judgment falls on the church first, we are accountable! The moment one sins, he must repent and feel sorrowful for the sin committed against the Lord. One must turn from this sin and not return to them. Returning to sin is like a dog whom returns to it's vomit. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Proverbs 26:11
The Lord expects us to stop sinning willfully. She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11
The Lord expects us to be holy for he is holy.
Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Leviticus 19:2 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 20:7 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Leviticus 20:26
If we are new creatures in Christ Jesus how can we continue to walk in willing sins? We cannot.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Co 5:17 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. Eph 4:22
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles.Mr 2:22
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. Joh 5:14
The grace of God teaches us to deny sin and to live righteously and we must choose not to live in willing sins or remain on a course of willing sins. Let us not be ignorant to the word of God the Lord has clearly shown us in his word we can not serve sin. There are no excuses.
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41
Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. 2Ki 17:40

Warn all to turn from sin.
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Eze 3:20
Walk after the spirit not after the flesh.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Romans. 8:5
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans. 8:6
Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:13
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Re 2:5

Prayer,

Father God I pray today that all would heed to your word. Please forgive us Lord for any sins committed against thee.I pray Father that all whom are lukewarm or compromising with sin would come before you in true repentance this very day turning from all willing sins. Father your word declares when we are weak we are strong so I pray every person would gain strength from you today Lord to walk away from all willing sins doing whatever it takes to keep oneself from willingly sinning.Father I thank you for your word. I thank you for what your doing in the lives of those whom have read the seriousness of your word today. May we never Father take your grace for granted.I love you Lord and I thank you for your people.May all draw closer to you today Lord because today is the day of salvation. To you O Lord belongs all Glory. Praise your Holy, Glorious, Righteous name! In Jesus name I pray. Amen and Amen

Psalms 51:2 Wash away my guilt,and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalms 51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean, wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.


There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.Romans 8:1

Where in the Bible does it say: "God want us to try"?
Did Jesus tell the woman on the well: Go, and try not to sin no more?


NO - He did not say that - nor anywhere in the Bible does it say - TRY.


The word TRY is a doubt word - I can TRY - but
you see - doubt

I can TRY - but I don´t think
you see - it gets worse

I can TRY - but I don´t beleive
you see - this way of teaching will lead to doubt.


Jesus said: DO NOT SIN!
And that is what he said - so that is what I say.


God´s Disipline is eternal - and we that follow him, must not teach doubt - but instead teach Gods Law, Gods Way and Gods Truth - do NOT add whicked thinking or whicked lifestyle to the word of GOD.


You either do it Gods way - or you´re not going anywhere - Repent from your sinfull discusting way - and let Gods spirit cleans you from your sin - and do NOT sin again.


Let this be a warning in your heart- God HATES sin - because Sin seperates his creation from the creator - it is very important - do not tell a lie, do not steal, do not commit adultery - do not lust into breaking Gods commandments.

Let the spirit guide your life - not the flesh.

Agree, you are right, go and sin no more. when I posted try, I ment make an effort, to go forword an find ways to change. I totally believe when you take the steps to change, change is what happens. Doesnt that mean we will not ever fall down and mass up, no! I was talking about Sand in general and were he is in his walk. I have seen through the years many how take it apone themselves to condem those that in the act of taking the steps to change, fall into temtation, those that judge against them....making it harder on that person.

I don't dought that it isn't possible to change, G-d always helps, giving what ever we need to do so. Paul seeks on his strong with sin. I feel this make it clear, that in order to over come sin, you need to keep at the act of over coming. Taking action, fighting against it.

Sand, I have struggled with many things. Learning over the years to get books that might help, taking to others, praying and fasting over those things I was still having a struggle, fighting against it as hard as I can. There are times, for many reasons that I seem to not have the strangth, and end up falling back into it. Be aware of the kick you when your down thing. At times i would beat myself up, but not get anyware, as well as Saten will always find those around you that wouldn't mind setting themselfs up to help kick you with their Judgements. Be aware of those types of people and move on. G-d makes it so that in our walk we can learn to over come those things witch insnare up, trap us, and keep us down. I want you to know that you are not alone, others might not have the strangth like you to come out and say this is a proublem for you. That is a start of change, to say you have a proublem, the other is finding ways around it.

1- my husband tells me when he starts to feel the need to look....
tell some one, find another man that promises to pray for you, and with you in those moments. That doesnt mean he can drell you on the ways, whens and hows on how you got there. Just prayer!

2- my husband makes a point never to go into parts of stories with sexy women shown on or in magizens and books.

3- even to the point of turning the chennel when commercals come on that doesnt help him. He skips parts of moves that don't help, and or turns them off.

4- he doesnt watch tv, or go see movies with those that wouldn't support him in fighting agaisnt this.

5- he doesnt get on the computer unless his kid, or I are close by, so in away he is forcing himself not to go there because of temptation to look.

if there are those around you that would rather beat you up because you struggle with this, than don't tell them, you need support not judgement for others, we seem to really good with the judgement on our own, beating ourselves up, so we don't need help with that at all.

Brother, these are some of the same kinds of things i have learned to do. Do I fall back down at times, yes! This time though it is harder to do so, because of those things I have set up to gard me from falling back into sin again. It can be done. Don't give up. Take action, I know you can!

When I post the word "try" I was meaning to take action, I dont' dought at all that we arent able through christ to make the change that is right for our lives when it comes to overcoming sin. I hope that you didn't make it a point to pick my word appart again, Togarma!

Sand knows me well enought to know what I ment. To take action. There are times that we come to the point were we fall back down, but have to get back up again.

Sand, there are things that you can do to over come. The biggist part is saying you have a proublem and need help.

1- my husband don't go around others that would support him inovercoming this area.

2- when instores, he doesn't go to areas to were there is books or mags. unless I am there with him.

3- he has other men that he talks to about this and gets prayer. Being hald accountable it a big part of.

4- stay way from those that want to pick you apart and set in judgemant of you on the hows, whens, and weres. Most of the time it is because they feel better when they hear the bad parts of you struggle, as if they are better than you, self rightouse. These kinds of people tend to leave you dry, and you fall much easyer around them, because they aren't there to build you up, but to tare you down, and leave you feeling volnerable in the end. This is one of the big reasons I fall back into sin, the lack of true support well weeken you. They must believe that you can over come too. Or don't bother going and telling them.

5- my husband doesnt go on the computer unless his kid is by him or I am, setting were I could see what he is doing. I also by him asking, not me forcing myself, go into his computer and clean off anything that might be tempting him, like emails, or other things that lead down that way.

6- stay away from those that feel that their sin isn't as bad as yours, like some how you are worse, for your not. all have sined and fallen short of the glory of G-d.

7- read books on being an over comer, teachings on it over the net, tv sermans help. I myself, I like to type and get on the forums at the times when I struggle, that way, I am praying, and doing something possitive and not giving myself a chance to fall. It seems to help, and I have noted that I am not tempted as much doing this.

There is so much more, and knowing that i might have missed something, you need to get in the word and dig for yourself, find something there that seems to be what you need and hange on to it, helping yourself. I like reading parts of the word like the book of Psalms an Proverbs. This gives just what I am in ended of to motivate me.



QUOTE(togarma @ Sep 12 2007, 06:03 AM)


QUOTE(peacemaker @ Sep 12 2007, 12:59 AM)

G-d looks for us to keep trying, to turn away from that that causes sin, even going to the point of helping us find ways so that it is stopped, we are washed by the blood of the lamb, and set free by the word of our testamony.




Where in the Bible does it say: "God want us to try"?
Did Jesus tell the woman on the well: Go, and try not to sin no more?


NO - He did not say that - nor anywhere in the Bible does it say - TRY.


The word TRY is a doubt word - I can TRY - but
you see - doubt

I can TRY - but I don´t think
you see - it gets worse

I can TRY - but I don´t beleive
you see - this way of teaching will lead to doubt.


Jesus said: DO NOT SIN!
And that is what he said - so that is what I say.


God´s Disipline is eternal - and we that follow him, must not teach doubt - but instead teach Gods Law, Gods Way and Gods Truth - do NOT add whicked thinking or whicked lifestyle to the word of GOD.


You either do it Gods way - or you´re not going anywhere - Repent from your sinfull discusting way - and let Gods spirit cleans you from your sin - and do NOT sin again.


Let this be a warning in your heart- God HATES sin - because Sin seperates his creation from the creator - it is very important - do not tell a lie, do not steal, do not commit adultery - do not lust into breaking Gods commandments.

Let the spirit guide your life - not the flesh.





Agree, you are right, go and sin no more. when I posted try, I ment make an effort, to go forword an find ways to change. I totally believe when you take the steps to change, change is what happens. Doesnt that mean we will not ever fall down and mass up, no! I was talking about Sand in general and were he is in his walk. I have seen through the years many how take it apone themselves to condem those that in the act of taking the steps to change, fall into temtation, those that judge against them....making it harder on that person.

I don't dought that it isn't possible to change, G-d always helps, giving what ever we need to do so. Paul seeks on his strong with sin. I feel this make it clear, that in order to over come sin, you need to keep at the act of over coming. Taking action, fighting against it.

Sand, I have struggled with many things. Learning over the years to get books that might help, taking to others, praying and fasting over those things I was still having a struggle, fighting against it as hard as I can. There are times, for many reasons that I seem to not have the strangth, and end up falling back into it. Be aware of the kick you when your down thing. At times i would beat myself up, but not get anyware, as well as Saten will always find those around you that wouldn't mind setting themselfs up to help kick you with their Judgements. Be aware of those types of people and move on. G-d makes it so that in our walk we can learn to over come those things witch insnare up, trap us, and keep us down. I want you to know that you are not alone, others might not have the strangth like you to come out and say this is a proublem for you. That is a start of change, to say you have a proublem, the other is finding ways around it.

1- my husband tells me when he starts to feel the need to look....
tell some one, find another man that promises to pray for you, and with you in those moments. That doesnt mean he can drell you on the ways, whens and hows on how you got there. Just prayer!

2- my husband makes a point never to go into parts of stories with sexy women shown on or in magizens and books.

3- even to the point of turning the chennel when commercals come on that doesnt help him. He skips parts of moves that don't help, and or turns them off.

4- he doesnt watch tv, or go see movies with those that wouldn't support him in fighting agaisnt this.

5- he doesnt get on the computer unless his kid, or I are close by, so in away he is forcing himself not to go there because of temptation to look.

if there are those around you that would rather beat you up because you struggle with this, than don't tell them, you need support not judgement for others, we seem to really good with the judgement on our own, beating ourselves up, so we don't need help with that at all.

Brother, these are some of the same kinds of things i have learned to do. Do I fall back down at times, yes! This time though it is harder to do so, because of those things I have set up to gard me from falling back into sin again. It can be done. Don't give up. Take action, I know you can!
(i am posting this again, for I delete what post I did, and noted that everything was pulled that was under it. Not wanting togarma's posts to be gone with me, I found it and put it back.)

Sand, Toga, Peace: Blessings....

on: Today at 07:31:10am
Guard Your "Eye Gate"
by Jill Austin
www.masterpotter.com
Excerpts taken from
Dancing With Destiny: Awaken your Heart to Dream, to Love, to War




We cannot take the Holy Spirit for granted and assume that He will move through dirty vessels. Many times we think we get away with watching sex, violence and profanity on TV or at the movies, but the Holy Spirit is right there with us telling us He is being offended. We are not filled with the Holy Spirit only when we witness to the lost; we are modern-day Arks of the Covenant wherever we go, all the time.

A number of years ago when our ministry team was in the Midwest, a couple took one of my actresses named Naomi and me to a movie. After five minutes, I began to "see" something in the Spirit: Demons were coming out of the screen and filling the theater. I realized that I should leave, but I was looking forward to a relaxing time, since it was my first night out after holding meetings all week. Besides, wouldn't it offend our hosts?

I was wrestling with all of this because the Lord kept telling me to leave. He told me that I would be ministering to His people the next day, and He wanted me to be clean. He did not want me to watch that movie.

I had no recourse. It was not okay for me to get slimy at the show when He had told me to leave. I could not become covered with all kinds of filth, and then say, "Forgive me, God. Amen." I would not have been a fit vessel for Jesus in the meetings if I had stayed.

I leaned over to Naomi and said, "Do you see anything coming out of the screen?"

She said, "Oh, no, Jill. You mean we have to leave?"

I whispered that we would be in trouble if we stayed. We both knew it would not be worth it.

I explained to our hosts that the Lord was not allowing us to sit through the movie since there was sex and violence going on. They said, "Well, we have paid our money. If you want to wait in the lobby, that's fine."

Naomi and I plopped on benches in the lobby for the next hour and a half. The best part was that God moved powerfully the next day in both of the services. I knew in my heart that I was clean before the Lord and obedient to what He wanted.

Because I am an artist and I was born and raised in Hollywood, movies have been a way for me to relax and have fun; there are great films out there, and I have a real passion for the movie industry. But the content of many has become perverted, violent and subtly laced with the occult.

We fight many battles in spiritual warfare, and one of the most powerful weapons of the enemy against us is his ability to pollute our minds through the "eye gate." The more evil that passes through our eyes into our hearts and minds, the more clouded our vision becomes and the less we are able to see in the realm of the Spirit.

This infiltration has increased in every aspect of the electronic age-television, movies, the Internet, radio, computer and video games, cartoons. The written word-magazines, books, newspapers, ads, comic books-is also affected. We are, in fact, bombarded by destructive visual images. The danger is that we become culturally desensitized; those images begin to seem normal because they are so familiar. The line between biblical truth and cultural acceptance becomes fuzzy after a while.

Think about it: Are you asking the Lord to help you see in the Spirit realm, but then going to a movie where all kinds of perversion are displayed? Maybe you are attending a meeting where the presence and power of God is moving and you are learning to hear His voice; your child is sitting next to you reading a Harry Potter book, beguiling stories from the second heaven-the satanic realms. Both are supernatural gates.

The enemy has anesthetized us, and we do not even recognize the compromise in our own lives. We need discernment and wisdom desperately. We must be watchful and let the Holy Spirit speak to us about what to do and what not to do. In addition, it is important that we humble ourselves and repent where we have sinned. Before you have the authority to bring freedom to others, you must deal with those sins in your own life.

While I am on the subject of entertainment, I want to mention something that I hope will help cast a vision for the arts and media: We must not throw entertainment from the electronic age out the window entirely! We need to wake up to the potential before us. These methods of communication are going to be used powerfully by the Lord to harvest whole nations. We need to be on the cutting edge. This is one of the most strategic battlefronts we face, because it affects the minds, hearts and passions of the masses.

I love the Internet! It is a platform that touches the world. Limitations in ministry are no longer an issue-no one is held back because of education, nationality, age, finances or anything else. Boundless opportunities are at our fingertips in all areas of electronic communication and the arts. But as it stands now, we have lost control of one of the most influential forms of evangelism in the 21 st century. We need to repent, take back the territory we have lost and infiltrate all of these ranks for Jesus.

We must become culturally relevant with first-class performances in all of these areas to have an impact on the world. Jesus moves with excellence, and He wants to draw the world back to Himself using the very best plays, movies, music and dance. Remember: Jesus was a master storyteller. The Bible is full of parables, prophecies and truths that are not evident at first glance but that penetrate the heart.

I feel that God wants to give fresh revelation for electronic communication and the arts. We must pray that God will give us brilliant ideas, creative imaginations and funds for these extraordinary means of spreading the Gospel .

about the movies...



my dad thinks he is master of the house here.



whether i am 3 years old, or 20 years old, i HAVE to go to church, i HAVE to go to the movies...



i remember one time getting up out of the theatre because i didn't want to watch the stupid movie...



and my dad ACTUALLY came looking for me and told me to get back in there.



i'm sick of him. WHEN will i be able to move out of this house!?



cause i can't wait to rub it in his face.



and all everyone else who annoyed the hell out of me for no good reason for all this time now.

Sand,
Have not read all of your posts, but some. I am understanding that you say God is not hearing, working..........if I am remembering correctly. Who sent you a Christian forum? You have Love in you, as I could hear it in your posts about your sister. About your question, it works just like a good dad. God can put pressure on, or "punishes". you for things that are not a part of Heaven. You already seem to know when things are not right. (I don't know your story)...after enough pressure, it gets to the point that you say, ok God, I give up, and in doing so He also shows you why you were wrong and changes your heart so you don't have the desire to do the bad things again. The good news is, on the other side of the pressure/punishment, is a time of really good, and thanks. The trick is, don't give up until the good comes, and it will. The devil wants you to quit. Stand in there like a God-filled man and use the strength that God is putting in you to fight back against the devil, instead of using it as anger. Hope there were no cliches. This is part of how it happenes for me, don't know about others.

Ed

nothing else can be said, i just can't believe this mess is happening.