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deception, delusion, experience, faith, following Jesus, listening, Michael Clark, mind, peace, Satan, sin, true faith
This is another joint article Michael Clark and I wrote together.
Jesus was without sin because He only did what He saw His Father doing and He only spoke His words. This is why Paul could say that nothing of itself is sin, but only that which is done without faith… which is not doing what our Daddy in Heaven shows us to do and say. Faith is not law keeping. Faith is obeying the Spirit and the wind of the Spirit blows where no man expects it to. We must be free to follow the leading of the Spirit if we are to walk by faith. This is why Peter was sinning when he refused to eat with Gentiles, though the law forbade him to do so, but the Spirit of the NEW covenant often surpasses the law. The apostle Paul told us the following,
“I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” (Rom 14:14 ESV)
“To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” (Titus 1:15 ESV)
So, we see in the New Testament that nothing of itself is unclean. We need to only follow the leading of the Spirit in ALL things we do and say. But herein lies the danger as well… If we are not walking in faith and are not in tune with the Spirit, we can fall into delusions for our adversary is good at getting us to believe a lie. It is not by law keeping that we are made safe, but rather by living by EVERY word that proceeds from the mouth of God and not living by our fleshly desires and the lies of the serpent. Remember that the devil used scripture to tempt Jesus to sin!
We also know that if we are acting out of unselfish love in whatever we do, we are fulfilling the O.T. law AND the law of Christ.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Galatians 5:14, KJ2000)
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4, KJ2000)
But how do we know if we just now are walking by faith – or not? The Bible tells us,
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Is 26:3 ESV)
We can be sure if we are enwrapped in His peace right now, we are in His will, we are walking by faith and there is no sin so that there would be an open door for Satan to make us fear, worry, or a possibility to deceive or delude us. This was summed up in what Paul wrote to the Philippians…
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:4-8, KJ2000)
So, back to our question, “How do we define sin?” Paul wrote “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23, KJ2000) Any time we are falling short of the glory of God we are in sin… That is any time our lives and our words are not glorifying God and His will for us, we are sinning. We are called to walk as Jesus walked on this earth in total obedience to the Father with lives that glorify Him. “Father, continue to mature us in your Spirit so that we might live lives that only glorify you. Amen.”
Michael said:
The was a great experience to flow in the Spirit with Susanne on this article. He provided the theme and the content as we prayed together and listened to His voice. Truly, “Wherever two or three of you are gathered together in my name I am there in your midst.” Thank you Jesus for being here among us as we seek your face together. Amen.”
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Yes, it was a great experience, dear Michael. Having had blank minds before, God filled them after prayer. It was a joy to write with you, my brother. Thank you! 🙂
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Michael said:
For sure, Susanne. My mind was totally blank of anything from the Lord to write in a blog for three weeks. This was truly refreshing to have this time in the Spirit with you. Thank YOU! 🐻
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re very welcome, my brother!
I am glad to hear that God’s Spirit wind was a refreshing experience for you! 🙂
Your sister in Him,
Susanne 🐱
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Pingback: How do we define SIN? « A Wilderness Voice
Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Thank you very much for the reblog on A Wilderness Voice, Michael! 🙂
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Pat Orr said:
Thank you for the article. The understanding that you have for the definition of sin is the understanding that I have. When ever I am considering my many comings short of the glory of God, my flesh says, “put new rules on yourself”. But My spirit says that has never brought the glory of God. I am convinced that continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit is our provision for not sinning, and for not missing His glory.
Again, thank you, Susanne and Michael. Your words are conviction and joy.
Love in Him,
Pat Orr
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You’re very welcome, dear Pat!
I am happy to hear from you again and I hope you are doing well. Also, I rejoice in the fact that we have the same understanding of sin. I too am inclined to put rules on myself since they seem to give a sort of security at first. But woe to me if I cannot fulfill my own rules. Argh! NO peace then, only self-accusation. 😛
You wrote, “My spirit says that has never brought the glory of God. I am convinced that continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit is our provision for not sinning, and for not missing His glory.”
Amen to that, dear sister! Same here; we are of one spirit. You may know as Michael and I write, our words are conviction and joy for us as well.
Love in HIM,
Susanne ❤
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Michael said:
Pat, you truly bless me!!! I am so glad that you see that following a list of rules does not bring us peace because the flesh cannot please God. Only yielding to the leading of His Spirit from a heart filled with love or Him pleases Him.
God bless you, dear sister!
Michael
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Wow!!! Excellent Spirit-inspired comment, Michael! Am speechless… ⭐
Susanne
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690x35 said:
The ever moving thin line of religion vs relationship. Worshiping the Father in spirit and truth is a lifestyle of giving Him glory in all things. What was righteous yesterday will be sin tomorrow if we don’t settle into dependence on Him in all things. All your heart! All your soul! All your mind! Thank you for being attentive to Him. Blessings, Strength, Clarity flood you both through the Blood of Yeshua for you are marked by His Blood, giving His Spirit the right to minister to you.
Robert
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
You are so welcome, Robert. That was a wonderful comment by you. ⭐ Thank you very much for your Spirit-led and encouraging words! ⭐ I love what you wrote here:
Your wishes for Michael and me really touched my heart since I felt HIS voice in them. Thank you again! 🙂
Every divine blessing to you!
Susanne
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Michael said:
Thank you Robert for your great comment. I also loved that quote from you. “What was righteous yesterday will be sin tomorrow if we don’t settle into dependence on Him in all things. All your heart! All your soul! All your mind!” Sooooo true!
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Pingback: How Dose God Define Sin? « A Wilderness Voice
Jennifer said:
Thank you for posting! A quick note, verse is from Isaiah 26:3, not Jeremiah 26:3.
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Oopsie! 🙄 You are right, Jennifer!! Thank you very much for letting me know.
You are a great proof reader! ⭐ Will fix it ASAP…… DONE! 🙂
Every blessing,
Susanne
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Jennifer said:
Truth be told, I found the verse in Isaiah because Father was slowing me down to study it further…could not find reference for “mind” from verse in Jeremiah, so just scanned references for 26:3, and there it was in Isaiah…lol…Father is so good to us, Manna indeed!
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
XD
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Michael said:
Thanks, Jennifer! We all need one another, for sure.
Michael
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kenneth dawson said:
the last sentence is the clincher–we need to pray for each other so that Gods Spirit teaches us unto maturity for His glory
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Susanne Schuberth (Germany) said:
Amen, Kenneth. Well said!
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