Re: confessions
Submitted by sally on March 28 2002 02:28:33
In reply to confessions submitted by Splash! on March 28 2002 01:07:48
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Splash, I pretty much agree with you. I don't think we need to confess our sins to everyone, nor do I think we need to talk about them all the time and I certainly don't think we need to let them define us. If you confess to someone for accountability purposes then make it a small group and confess and then move on. The good part about confession is that it helps us move on, I think. Sometimes even when we've confessed to God it feels like we're keeping a secret and it is heavy. So I can see the wisdom in confessing to a group like this one where the people understand you temptation but are committed to keeping you from stumbling... As far as confessing to your girlfriend... my concern was that you were living with this boy and seeing him all the time and it sounded like it was really bothering you. I think that if you are attracted to woman you really could benefit from the 1 Corinthians 7 directions. I think it says that you are to have frequent sex with your wife so you won't be tempted. If she was aware of the struggle you were having she could help you in a couple of ways. She could help you by helping the boy to not run around in his underwear and she could help you by having sex with you and probably in other ways. It just sounded like it was pretty intense and something that your best friend in the world should have been sharing with you. The thing about the frequent sex is that a man who is full of meat loaf and mashed potatoes may still smell those ribs on the grill next door, or down the hall, but it is easier to refuse them. Food really smells good to the starving man. And the forbidden food is always what we crave most. So if you fill up on the home cooking you won't be so hungry and tempted to visit the snack machine. But this won't work if you are trying to get filled up anywhere besides the legal filling station. Because when we go to the illegal filling stations we are never satiated-- we want more and more and more. Basically you should not have been living with her and when you sin in one area of your life it is hard to be self-controlled in others. It all bleeds over. But I suppose only you know if you can tell your girlfriend or not. I don't think that the Bible commands you too... Oh, shoot, maybe I should put up the three quarters I cut off earlier. Have you all discussed the putting off and putting on idea of Ephesians chapter 4? I don't think you are commanded to tell her but it may be that you should... And I don't even think you are commanded to tell your friend. But I do think that you may not lie. So it is important to not try to make others think we are better than we are or that we have a better handle on life or that we are something we aren't. We are so tempted to lie... so tempted to pretend to be better than we are. Ok I'm off to bed, I think... I hope to see you all next week... sally |
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