Christ acknowledges our sufferings and has allowed that our trials if accepted with faith, help us grow in endurance and thus bring us sanctification and joy in Him as an end result.
This is the experience of every true Christian in their walk with Christ.
The Bible states that He will always make a way of escape from our temptations and no temptations would ever be too great for us to handle. (Book of James)
Consider these teachings from God's Word, The Bible to empower you on your trials and temptations.
Regardless of which temptations, there is power giving from God to overcome them for those who are truly repentant of their sins. When Christ's Spirit indwells us, we are a "new creation" in Christ. "Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new".
Only God can do that for us because we were "dead in trespasses".
Do not believe in the lies so prevalent in today's evil culture which look to self define us by our sinful and sexual impulses and proclivities but instead be renewed in the Truth of the Word which teaches that our identities are found IN CHRIST, and God's inheritance. This is what is meant by being a human created in God's image. Our identities are not found in HUMAN impulses or sinful practices but in Christ likeness which is God's will for us from the beginning.
Thus, we are no longer thieves; we are no longer adulterers; we are no longer con artists; we are no longer homosexuals; we are no longer pedophiles; we are no longer murderers; we are no longer ex cons; we are no longer gang bangers; etc., etc. (Read: 1 Corinthians 6:11)
On Youtube, there are so many personal testimonials recorded of people who have found their identities in Christ from all of the above mentioned lifestyles.
Although we are ALL born into sin, those sins do not make up who we are supposed to be in Christ because Christ has no sin. (1 Peter 2:22; 2 Corinth. 5:21) Therefore, if Christ be IN US, how can we continue on in those lifestyles and sinful practices?
If we truly "confess our sins He is just to forgive us for our sins, and to cleans us of ALL unrighteousness". (1 John 1:9)
The only thing that can separate us from this truth is our own decision to not believe God's Word. And the danger in that is that we end up calling God a liar and will have to give an account of this when we're judged. (Read: Romans 3:3-4)
2 Corinthians Chapt. 5:
For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
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Once God's Spirit indwells us, it is no longer we who live but Christ who lives through us. Our bodies are not our own but His; paid for by the price He paid on the cross and with His blood - for our sins.
Therefore, our lives are a "living sacrifice" to Him, who is pure, who is good and perfect - unlike we who have to continue in this mortal body with it's proclivities and earthly desires. Let us find strength in Him, who is able to carry us through our trials so that we may grow in Spiritual strength and endurance by faith and self discipline for His glory.
2 Corinthians 10:5:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
We have been GIVEN the power to take into captivity every thought in order to obey Christ.
This power can be yours to break free from a culturally self-imposed identity that you know truly isn't you.... but instead a true you awaits to be revealed in Jesus, our Lord.
"And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:" - Ephesians 2:6
He is worthy to be praised!
Praise God and peace, and grace to you in your walk with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
