StephenMartyr
Puritan Board Freshman
Hey again all!
The analytic type me is in a bit of an issue tonight.
I wanted to look up what others have said about tithing. I searched my epub of one person and not much came up. The next one I tried was a Brakel and again, not too much came up. One section that did have it was vol.2, pg. 313. The main issue wasn't on tithing but it was in the chapter about saving faith. One of the verses that came up was 1 Cor. 11:28.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
How does one examine himself without "arrows" from the evil one? How does one begin and continue the process without "intrusions"?
So for example (and I don't mean this flippantly), I could sit down and start praying to God, really seeking Him. Praying and asking God if I was a true believer. Suddenly, the thought comes up in my mind "no you're not". Then I'm startled! Was that God's voice or was that the enemy? Now I'm in a quandry. In the process of taking examination seriously, how do you know your thoughts. They could come from three sources, God, the devil, or your own thoughts. (I suppose in one sense, your own thoughts giving you the thumbs up that you're okay would be those of a "temporary faith" or those deceiving themselves?).
What does the process look for you guys?
How do you navigate the process and know what your thoughts are?
I understand we base "God's voice" on His Word. God doesn't say "Bob, good morning! I'd like you to do..." in an audible voice in your head. I understand people sometimes of "being led" to do something more based on intuition / feelings? Anyways, that one is an aside.
If I go down the route of a prayer / conversation with God, I feel I'm opening myself to lies that can come against me. Or will it be God's voice all time?
The analytic type me is in a bit of an issue tonight.
I wanted to look up what others have said about tithing. I searched my epub of one person and not much came up. The next one I tried was a Brakel and again, not too much came up. One section that did have it was vol.2, pg. 313. The main issue wasn't on tithing but it was in the chapter about saving faith. One of the verses that came up was 1 Cor. 11:28.
1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
How does one examine himself without "arrows" from the evil one? How does one begin and continue the process without "intrusions"?
So for example (and I don't mean this flippantly), I could sit down and start praying to God, really seeking Him. Praying and asking God if I was a true believer. Suddenly, the thought comes up in my mind "no you're not". Then I'm startled! Was that God's voice or was that the enemy? Now I'm in a quandry. In the process of taking examination seriously, how do you know your thoughts. They could come from three sources, God, the devil, or your own thoughts. (I suppose in one sense, your own thoughts giving you the thumbs up that you're okay would be those of a "temporary faith" or those deceiving themselves?).
What does the process look for you guys?
How do you navigate the process and know what your thoughts are?
I understand we base "God's voice" on His Word. God doesn't say "Bob, good morning! I'd like you to do..." in an audible voice in your head. I understand people sometimes of "being led" to do something more based on intuition / feelings? Anyways, that one is an aside.
If I go down the route of a prayer / conversation with God, I feel I'm opening myself to lies that can come against me. Or will it be God's voice all time?