CABL Forum - We lose our freedom to choose when

Principle #9
We lose our freedom to choose when we give in to temptation. Our consequences are inevitable and incalculable and up to God.

When we first take hold of a vice, it is extremely pleasurable. At times, it may seem to be the only time we feel happy, the only time we experience any comfort in our lives. However, the Bible warns in Proverbs 20:17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. You can clearly see that while deceitful and wrong actions may bring temporary pleasure, afterwards it leaves a very bad taste in your mouth. The consequences for your behavior then belong to God. Prov 9:17-18 indicates that ...Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. No matter how much enjoyment we may receive from our stubborn habit or addiction, we can be sure that the consequences are never worth it.
We must realize that God is watching us. He watches every single thing we do. Prov 5:21 says...For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. That word “ponders” means to weigh or consider. What does He consider? He considers the proper actions that should be taken against our behavior to bring a proper reaction from us. His desire is for a repentance and a dependence on Him, rather than on some vice that only brings temporal advice. Look at the warning that is given in the very next verse and ask yourself if you are in this position….vs. 22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. This verse clearly indicates that once we grab hold of a wicked vice that it will begin to wrap itself around us. Though, at the beginning we may be able to get out of its hold, eventually, the cord will be tightened around us and we will be held in bondage with the cords of our sin. Oh, how that is what happened to me! Next is the important warning to those of us who struggle to fight back. The next verse...23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray. This consequence (going astray, which leads to a premature physical and spiritual death) cannot be monitored by us. It is determined by God. Until that unfortunate time that we experience this untimely demise, we will live among consequences that are designed to bring us back to God. The cure….very simple Isaiah 55:7 the Reformers Key Verse: Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way (#1), and the unrighteous man his thoughts (2): and let him return unto the LORD (#3) and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. We need Gods mercy (not getting what we deserve). We need God’s pardon (penalty removed for what we’ve done) so that we may start over. That is accomplished by simply turning from our way of doing things and from our way of thinking and returning to the Lord. Reformers Unanimous is here to show you how to do this. I hope you listen to what God has to say to you. God bless.

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We lose our freedom to choose when