“Hey look, I want to live for God, but something keeps pulling me back. When I take one step forward, I’m pulled back two steps.” These words were from a young man I reached out to while pastoring in Sunrise, Florida.
The Will is Weakened
He had lived a life of sin and went away from God for so long that it seemed impossible for him to take a firm step. He wanted to follow Jesus, but he just couldn’t overcome the force pulling him back.
Repeated falling away from God’s ways puts a person on a steep path toward more sin. It’s some sort of spiritual bondage that seems impossible to break. The person’s will is weakened and cannot take a firm step in the right direction.
Spiritual Bondage
The book of Hosea says that these people experience a “spirit of whoredom” that keeps people bound and pulls them away from God (Hos 5:4).This “spirit” keeps the person going in the opposite direction when God’s Spirit calls them. The person may have the desire, but it will seem like an impossible task to turn to God.
How can we help such a person? Maybe you are in such a trap and need to be free.
 

Steps to Freedom

Ownership
Take ownership of all your sinful actions. Acknowledge you have sinned and done what is against God and his word. This opens up the channel for the Holy Spirit to begin his work in your life. Until you acknowledge and take ownership of your sinful behavior, there is little hope of freedom.
Confession
Confess every sin to God. Tell him you are sorry for your sins. Ask him for forgiveness. He will wash you clean with the power of the cross through the blood of Jesus. Then by faith, receive the forgiveness he gives you.
Decision
By an act of your will, decide to walk away from sinful behaviors. Note that our first two steps honestly and earnestly taken before God will begin to break the bondages in your life. This important step toward freedom will allow you to make such an important decision. It’s a 360 degree turn away from your old lifestyle to God’s ways.
Reminder
Write down this decision and keep it in a prominent place as a “milestone,” a constant reminder. You may want to keep it on your desk, wallet, or phone. Find a place where you will repeatedly look throughout the day. The old desires will continue to haunt you, but remember to yield to God’s Spirit and to his promptings.
I wish you well on your way toward freedom from everything that holds you back.
Your thoughts?
I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment directly on the blog post.
 

“If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.”  This statement by Voltaire was quoted by Dr. Vilayanur Ramachandran, who runs the University of California, San Diego’s center for Brain and Cognition.  Dr. Ramachandran claims that he has found certain parts of the brain, in the temporal lobe that may make people more prone to believe in God.
Dr. Ramanchandran noticed that statements about God or religious matters induced a measurable amount of stimuli in the brain.  That stimuli corresponds with an electrochemical reaction in the brain that is quite distinct from responses from other violent and sensual stimuli.
If it is true that the brain has a built in “God-module”, how must we react to that?  Has God put in something physically that will attract us to Him?  Does Dr. Ramachandran’s theory have any connection with the “God-shaped vacuum” idea that is so often spoken of?  Do those who do not know God have any understanding of Him?  Does He expect them to know?
Paul made it clear that “Even when Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong.  They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right” Romans 2:14-15 (NLT).
God has revealed himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.  Through a personal relationship with Jesus, we can live to the fullest extent o f God’s plan for us.  God has put his laws within our hearts for this one purpose: that we would seek and turn to him.
It is not certain if Dr. Ramachandran’s assertions are accurate.  But we know what the Biblical author has indicated in Romans.  God’s plan for mankind from the beginning is for us to be in a proper relationship to Him.  Jesus has opened the way for us to draw near to God.  Yes, there is something in us that draws us to the one who has created us.  God put it there to bring you to Jesus.
Your thoughts on God consciousness?
I would love to hear from you. Please leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.
 
Was this post useful? Please share using the buttons below.