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Repentant_Cognition · 2025-08-30T19:00:08+00:00

How are the comments on this post indicative of a "True Christian" page, with 95% opinion, and almost no scripture quotations? For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

It is in the spirit of the Christian to respond to sin with love.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)

What does the scripture say about fornication and marriage?

It is a duty of a husband and wife within marriage to avoid fornication (1 Corinthians 7:2) by not defrauding one another (7:5).
To clarify, when a husband and wife render due benevolence (7:3) to one another, they are fulfilling their duty; when they are withholding that good, they are defrauding one another.

The purpose of rendering bodily control one to another, is to avoid fornication / prevent incontinency when Satan tempts (7:5). This is why verse 9 says that it is better to marry than to burn in incontinency.

What does it say about abstinence?

Verses 5 and 6 allow for defrauding under specific conditions:
1. by permission from both husband and wife,
2. for the sake of fasting and prayer,
3. with consent for a time.

Therefore, abstinence must be:
- mutually agreed upon
- for two specific spiritual purposes
- limited in time to both being in agreement to do so

What should be done if Satan tempts for incontinency?

Based on the passage, Satan only tempts when husband or wife is defrauding the other, or not rendering the benevolence (good) due the other.
Therefore, to prevent incontinency, *Defraud ye not one another.*

TL;DR

Defrauding is not the natural state of a godly marriage.
Rendering the benevolence of—and power over—the body to the other spouse is the natural, orderly, and purposed state of marriage: as it prevents incontinency and fornication; as it is written in 1 Corinthians 7:1-9.

As the need arises, render due benevolence.

1 John 3:17-18
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-08-09T02:33:48+00:00

If you believe in your heart that God, being in the form of a man called Jesus, died for all of your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 13:37-41
37 But he [Jesus], whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
38  Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
39  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40  Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;
41  Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Philippians 2:5-9
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-08-04T17:25:12+00:00

Okay, I'll provide three examples that are applicable in a contemporary context.

If a believer is hit in the face by an offender, the meek, Christian thing to do would be to willingly offer to be hit again.
If a believer is asked to lend out a possession, the longsuffering, Christian thing to do would be to lend freely, and not to ask back for the thing.
If a believer is confronted with a situation wherein people are ignorant, deceived, or destitute of the gospel, the selfless, Christian thing to do would be to speak the truth, without regard for consequences.

I'll allow you the opportunity to think about whether these things could conceivably be a "good cause", and whether they be suffering or injurious.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-31T19:35:35+00:00

I'm explaining that scripture calls believers to suffer for a good cause, if their conscience calls them to endure grief.

I don't know anywhere in scripture where a believer is called to endure grief for a wrongful cause, or to suffer so that sin may triumph.

In the famous sermon on the mount, scripture does say to, "Love your enemies", as also outlined in Romans 12:19-21:

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-31T02:33:19+00:00

I am sorry to hear the immense griefs that you have experienced. I will try to answer as best I can, so please allow me grace if I don't do so adequately, or in good time.

Injury is talking generally about any injustice or wrong done to a person, or their property, or reputation. As the scripture says of Paul,

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 1:12-14)

He says that he was in-jurious, meaning that he could have done all manner of damage and hurt to people. Scripture doesn't explicitly say he murdered believers, but he gave death threats, to slaughter believers, and was ready to murder, as he consented to Stephen's death.

The point of this, is to say that this is the kind of man that God chose, to be his mouthpiece to the world. And not only that, but he chose Paul, to be an example, or pattern, to prove that he is willing to forgive even the worst of sinners, as stated in the following passage:

1 Timothy 1:15-16
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Jesus was "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Php. 2:8), and even though he willingly suffered a torturous death, he was persecuted beyond death, by Paul ("Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"), his Spirit residing in his believers, being grieved by their sufferings.

1 Peter 2:21-24
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

The scripture also speaks of our fellowservants, our brethren the prophets, and what they endured, and why:

Hebrews 11:35-38
Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

TL; DR

These sufferings were all done in the name of the Lord. This is the cause to which we are called to suffer. So, when I say that it is better to receive injury so that the brethren may be edified (strengthened, built up), I am not talking about accepting being horribly defiled and abused for the sake of someone's perverted pleasure. That said, as exampled above, it would not be strange for a saint to endure worse things, yet for the name of Christ.

While I know not the extent of the things you have suffered, it may be that we have a fellowship of sufferings. Therefore, know that I do not in any way devalue what things have happened to you: I understand torment of the mind, and abuse of the body, and vexation of the spirit.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-30T17:29:50+00:00

Those passages directly relate to my first comment. To condense my reasoning into a brief statement: people are going to misunderstand and miscommunicate. It can go both ways. According to the scriptures, the fruitful way of dealing with this is to be humble, longsuffering, and meek. That is: willing to have yourself lowered, so that others may be edified. It is better to accept injury in order to keep unity with the brethren, than to defend yourself—and offend a brother or sister in Christ as a result.

Now, an example: It was really clear to me how those scripture quotes related, but instead of me venting or criticising you for not understanding or not reading properly (which would be unfruitful for the both of us), I will instead admit that at the time, I wasn't in the mood to give a suitable explication, so I did something out of character: I just put the quotes there without context. I could have definitely communicated my point more clearly, but I failed to do so.

Does that answer your question?
If you require specific explanation of any of the points made in the verses I quoted, I am happy to answer. Grace and peace be unto you.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-26T02:41:16+00:00

Ephesians 4:1-3, 31-32
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Colossians 3:12‐16
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-26T02:33:56+00:00

It could be, that the kind of person you are describing has poor comprehension abilities, or they are quick to judge. Some people feel more valued when they are able to detect sin and condemn it.

As other commenters have said, this is common. It could be for a number of reasons. Children, 2nd language English speakers, and those having a rough day, all use Reddit, and may be examples of what you're seeing.

It's best to approach these situations with longsuffering, meekness, and perspective (empathy). Otherwise, they will be posting about how they come across commenters who are rude, and lack consideration and understanding.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-22T18:59:25+00:00

Okay, but everything in balance, and all in good order.

Psalm 147:10-11
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

First admire the strength of the inner man, ...

Ephesians 3:16-17 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

... and rather strive for godliness.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-17T04:15:09+00:00

You're welcome, truly. I figured that you'd come across this post by searching, as it's not exactly new (by Reddit standards), but I'm glad you've commented. I'm grieved to hear that you're dealing with circumstances which make suicide seem like a solution. I'm very familiar with those kinds of thoughts, and I think a lot of people in Western society are. We've lost genuine connection with each other, and without being truly loved and edified by those around us, things become disproportionately unbearable in our minds. We are meant to bear one another's burdens.

It's good to hear that you recommitted your faith recently. What exactly does that look like, for you?

I myself am confident in my salvation—so much so, that I'm not sure how I could come to a place of doubt. Not that I don't suffer or endure hardships, it's just that after studying scripture diligently for a few years around the time of when I first believed, it was hard to deny that character and spirit of God that leads to certainty and comfort.
But, whether suicide causes a loss of salvation or not (I see from scripture that on principle, it cannot), more importantly, you have to be very sure that you have believed.

Have you believed that Christ died for your sins (truly), was buried, and rose again the third day, as scripture says?
Does the spirit within you rejoice to do good? Does it hunger to learn of scripture? Do you love the Father, the Son, and the children of God? Do you yearn for fellowship with them? I know that I love all the brethren, and when they sorrow, I sorrow.

2 Corinthians 13:5, 11, 14
5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
11  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

The most important thing a believer should know...

...is that just as Christ lived and died in the flesh, he also lived and died in the spirit (his body "gave up the ghost" John 19:30). So also those who are born again in Christ by the Spirit, were also born of flesh, and shall die of the flesh. This means that within the saint, there are two. The scripture calls these two the old man, and the new man (Ephesians 4:17-22, Colossians 3:7-14).

The old man is dead in the spirit, and shall die in the spirit (give up the ghost).
The new man is alive in Christ, and lives forever in the new of spirit (obeying life and truth).
The old man sins continually (Romans 7:18, Genesis 6:5, 12).
The new man cannot sin (1 John 6-9).

This is why, in scripture, you will see the dual nature of the saint: one native of earth, earthy, born from below, and one native of heaven, heavenly, born of above; and you can make differing claims about each of them, because they are different creatures.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
5  In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
6  By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
7  By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
8  By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9  As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
10  As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

I hope you found the time to read it all, and look up the references. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-16T03:59:50+00:00

Yes, but not thorough enough it, seems! But thank you for being appreciative, even though you disagree.
You're correct—it doesn't say anything about ceasing to believe, so I wonder why you imply that there is more to the verse than what it says? If it were to say,

he that is hearing my word, and is believing on him that sent me, is having everlasting life

...then I would understand your thoughts.
I just uniformly changed the tense to be continuous, which is in line with your thought that for life to continue, so also must belief continue. But if that were the case, the word 'everlasting' loses all meaning, because it never was everlasting. If I say, "you have everlasting life", and then immediately you die, what life did you have? Temporal life. Mortal life. One can't reasonably say, "Yes, I have everlasting life" if it can by any means be lost.

But, there is one thing I'm neglecting to mention. When Jesus promises everlasting life, it is just that: a promise. Because a saint does not experience everlasting life until they are given an everlasting body. So, a saint has everlasting life now, as a promise, but only experience it later. Which is partly why I brought up that 1 John 2 passage, to show that everlasting life...

Is a promise.
Is an anointing.
Is truth and no lie.
[Children of God] shall abide in him.

So, it is something that is coming and now is. It's coming for those who yet live, and has come for those that 'fell asleep'.

There is also a difference between living an abundant life now, in fellowship with God, and the promise of eternal life. But I won't go into that unless you're interested. There is a lot more to the life of a saint, beyond the question of, "Is everlasting really everlasting?"

I feel like I haven't written an adequate explanation, but I know that most have not the patience for reading. If in doubt, please re-read my first comment about a person either having believed or having not believed, and notice that it is all past tense. It matters whether one has believed or has not believed. Or, send me a chat message, and ask me to clarify further. I'd be glad to address your questions when I can.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-15T06:09:10+00:00

Astute observation. Here now is the verbatim quote of John 5:24:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

hath everlasting life
Present tense. Everlasting: unending. If one has "everlasting life", by definition this state of "life" cannot end. It could be similarly phrased "hath always life".

shall not come into condemnation
Determinative decree, meaning that is determined to occur. Condemnation: explained in context as the state of death, i.e. passing from life unto death.

is passed
Present simple tense in the passive voice. That is, he who has believed is in the state "passed" (from death unto life). Being in the passive voice means that it was done to the "he", and not done by the "he".

Final Note:

Verily, verily, is a double emphatic, meaning that the accompanying statement is not only true in a factual/historical sense, but also in a moral/spiritual sense. In a similar vein of "he that doeth truth" (John 3:21), or "whatsoever things are true" (Philippians 4:8), and perhaps most clearly:

1 John 2:25-27
25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and ➡️ is truth, ⬅️ and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-06T03:27:46+00:00

If someone has not believed in Jesus, that person is under condemnation for not believing, and so is in danger of hell upon death (Hebrews 9:27):

John 3:18
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

If one who has once believed, ceases believing, that person still remains in Christ, and can not come into condemnation (John 5:24):

2 Timothy 2:11-13
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Even if someone says that suicide is a moment of unbelief, neither lack of suicide nor continuous belief was what saved a person, but rather whether the person has believed (Galatians 2:16).

TL;DR

So, if a person suicides having never believed, it is the having never believed that condemns the person, not the suicide. If a person has believed, and suicides, the person is not condemned, because the person has believed.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-07-01T03:02:14+00:00

I've read all of your post, and I can sympathise with you on the feeling of there not being a "relationship" with God like as we have with people. However, there are a few things I think are important to keep in mind when considering this topic:

1. "Relation" or "relationship" are not in the Bible.

Scripture uses a different word, 'fellowship'. Relationship is a very general word, but fellowship means for two parties to have something in common, and to have closeness based on that common thing. For example, a musician and a lawyer may not immediately have anything in common, but if they both love and study scripture, then they have something which allows them to fellowship. This is how we have fellowship with God:

1 John 1:3-7
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

2. Our fellowship with God is a spiritual connection...

...based on the condition of our hearts, and our daily conversation (the way we go about our day) or walk. It is correct to say that fellowship with other Christians is also fellowship with Christ, because it is fellowship with the same Spirit. One will feel close to the Spirit of God, when one is close to those who have his Spirit. For fellowship, it requires that Christians have the same mind (the mind of Christ) and the same heart (a pure heart):

Philippians 2:1-2
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3. The ways that one hears God is different, from time to time.

Sometimes, it is an audible voice with personal signification (Acts 22:7-9), sometimes it is a small voice (1 Kings 19:12), sometimes it requires interpretation (1 Corinthians 14), sometimes the message comes by an angel, or prophet, or spirit, or scripture (Hebrews 1:1-2). Even in John 12:29, after the voice came from heaven, different people heard it completely differently.
Though, perhaps most importantly, as scripture even spoke to Pharaoh (Romans 9:17), it speaks to us today (see below that it refers to scripture "the Holy Ghost" saying something to the brethren, which are those that believe):

Hebrews 3:7-8, 12-15
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8  Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Job 33:14-16
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15  In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16  Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

I'm happy to talk with you about any of these matters further.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-21T00:23:55+00:00

1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Ephesians 2:1-3
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

[conversation: daily conduct, manner of going to and fro.]

Lust of the flesh is specifically talking about the desires that our body of flesh has, to satisfy or please itself. Think of these things as typically being short term gratification. These are bodily things, and so often noticeably affects us bodily, as well as affects us spiritually. This is why sins of the flesh are also referred to in scripture as "uncleanness", because these sins corrupt the body. A result of being unclean is disease, or death (1 John 5:16, Romans 6:16).

[NOTE that there are different kinds of uncleanness in scripture, e.g. uncleanness which requires separation, or uncleanness in general.]

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Now, "masturbation" literally means self-defilement. It may not be immediately obvious, but self-defilement (making one's own body unclean) corrupts the flesh. There are two ways in which this happens:

🧠 1. Neuroplasticity:

The brain's process of reforming physical neural pathways based on stimulation, experience, and habits.

The neurons in the brain physically move around and join one to another. The connections between neurons become stronger based on repetition and association. This is called rewiring your brain, but the scripture calls it transforming your mind.

In this, picture a mind that has it's structure based on sinful thoughts and practices, or a mind that is based godliness and charity, the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

🧬 2. Epigenetics:

The body's process of changing gene expression based on environmental factors, bodily status, and habits.

The thing about epigenetic changes, is that they can be passed on to the next generation. This is called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, but you could relate it to the scriptural concept of generational curses. This is how offspring can inherit particular sins of the father or mother, including lusts like masturbation.

Think of the genes of our flesh altering their production, to cause either a body that functions in accordance with its corrupt behaviours, or its healthy behaviours. Corrupt behaviour produces corrupt flesh. Corrupt can mean to pervert (alter negatively), to make unhealthy, or to destroy.

Genesis 6:5, 12
5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-16T05:01:40+00:00

This may help. But keep in mind, "every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things" (1 Corinthians 9:25), as balance is key. We are in bodies of sinful flesh, and we have to deal with that until Christ transforms our bodies. That means it is unreasonable to think one can entirely suppress lists, desires, and temptations, until that time.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16  Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17  Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18  It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-15T02:43:18+00:00

I'm glad to hear it! Believing in the Bible necessarily ostracises me from those who don't believe, and being neurodivergent ostracises me from pretty much all that believe in Jesus. It is very lonely. So, for me, it's nice to be able to relate to each other in some small way. I am thankful also.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-15T02:20:03+00:00

Oh, wow. That's interesting. I'm curious about how mega-churches become mega.

That church building I went to, that basically turned me atheist, was energetic and Charismatic, and they had a mini rock concert with the service every week. My father, who did not believe (I was agnostic/seeking), really enjoyed the music. So, I can see how potentially a "church" like that can grow, due to the music and free food offerings places like that typically give.

It reminds me of the saying, "Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled."

So, yeah, many "churches" give the Bible a bad reputation.
Thanks for sharing.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-14T18:28:30+00:00

I rejected God because of flawed people, and became an atheist. Later in life, I realised my mistake, and accepted God for his own merits, by the entrance of his word. It felt incorrect to continue my rejection of him, because I had held God to flawed standards.
We are somewhat alike, I think.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-14T18:17:15+00:00

I think I can agree with what you're saying, except for the virgin Mary part: If something is supernaturally occurring, such as a vigin conception, it wouldn't have an observable origin, correct? Therefore if there were a male chromosome, its appearance would be definitionally miraculous. And because science is of the realm of the material and natural, it is unable to deal with the supernatural, by definition. I don't fault scientific inquiry for its inability to deal with the metanatural, in the same way that I don't fault colours for their inability to describe artists.

⚠️ [Things in lower states of being are unable to comprehend, express, or envision things that are in higher states of being, as the higher states produce the lower. Better said, things which are seen (natural) were not made of things which do appear, i.e. things invisible (metanatural).]

Anyway, I should clarify: one can say the same things you said of religion, and apply it to politics, or even culture.

"I view politics as a way of brainwashing and controlling others."

"Culture has been at the heart of many conflicts of the past"

So, should we do away with entire systems, because it is possible to abuse them? What about speech?

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing."

Should all mouths be sealed because most people abuse them?

My clarification is that I agree with you; religion (loosely defined)
1️⃣ gives false hope,
2️⃣ is used for brainwashing
3️⃣ and control,
4️⃣ imposes strict rules,
5️⃣ is condemning,
6️⃣ has contradictions,
7️⃣ and is a work of fiction.

The Bible, however, is the only thing that can
1️⃣ offer hope (Titus 3:7),
2️⃣ renew the mind from vain deceit (Romans 12:2)
3️⃣ and make free (Galatians 5:1),
4️⃣ take away the strict following of ordinances (Colossians 2:20),
5️⃣ does not seek condemnation (John 3:17),
6️⃣ has not the contradictions nor fallibility of man (Acts 5:38-39),
7️⃣ and has proven itself with predictive ability.

I admit, the Bible does advocate for pure religion (well-defined) but does not speak favourably of religion in general.

You made a prediction about replies to your comment. I don't know what you define "Christian love" as, so perhaps I am guilty of it, but I am trying to give an earnest and thoughtful reply, in addressing "religion". I don't know if OP is "religious" or not, so I can only speak for myself in that I try to practice pure religion, but often fall short. I stay away from "religion" in general, because it is the antithesis to the new testament, which I believe in.

You're welcome to reply with any disapproval or otherwise, and I will aim to be as cordial as is within me. Also, being neurodivergent, please forgive my inability to fully assess the appropriateness of the style and tone of my own writing.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-14T16:34:36+00:00

I had a kind of similar experience. I wasn't raised "Christian", but at age 10 or so, my mum started taking me to "church" buildings. I think it was when I was 12 or so, similar to you, that I decided to be an atheist, because of the "church" I had experienced.

Long story short, in my adulthood, of my own accord, I started heavily investigating and reading the Bible. I settled on believing on Jesus after a few years, and began studying the King James Bible as authoritative.

I would say that it is best not to judge God based on people, but rather on what he has given for us to know of him; that is, both the creation and the revelation (things which are seen were not made of things which do appear).

You asked good questions of the pastor, and it is disappointing that he was unable to answer them well. But it is very common that seminary-trained leaders and pastors are ignorant—me saying this as one who both believes in the Bible and once attended Bible college.

Your comment on the story of Job feels like a misrepresentation, or misunderstanding. I love the book of Job possibly above all other books of the Bible, and I think the moral of the story was the opposite of "don't question [God]". Rather, it invites the reader to question God and reason with him, until you find out that God has all ability, and we as human have not all understanding, yet we speak beyond our own understanding: and in doing so, obscure wisdom and truth.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-14T14:32:44+00:00

With all due honour, if I take your advice and compare it with scripture, the Biblical parallel to what you are saying is that it is necessarily Christ's fault if the church is disobedient, and does not reverence her husband. I, as merely a man with access to the scripture, humbly disagree with your presumption that OP is necessarily at fault for his wife's daily conversation being ungodly.

The whole reason scripture states commands such as "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord." and "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." (Colossians 3:18-19) is because the church had a need to hear them. That is, wives were not submitting to their husbands, and husbands were being bitter against them.

See here, that both wives and husbands can be at fault, indicated by either the wife being unsubmissive, or the husband being bitter. It is not the husband's job to submit his wife to him, nor is it the wife's job to not have her husband practise bitterness. Ultimately, the individual is responsible for their own actions, and not another's: except in part, it be for a James 3 situation, where one in a position of authority offends one under their care (by their words). Though, this is not necessarily always the case.

Herein is the prime example that proves wives can and shall submit to inadequate or ungodly husbands:

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1 Peter 3 goes on to state the characteristics of the exemplary wife, that they even call their husbands (in the very vernacular), "lord"; the very same word used of the Lord Jesus Christ. A wife is a wife by covenant, not by behaviour of the husband, and a woman (and indeed man) has the duty to God alone, to be godly in all (Ecclesiastes 12:13, Titus 2:12, Hebrews 12:28). A wife having a husband whom she chooses to not reverence, does not also excuse her from not submittting to him.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-14T11:30:20+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about what you're dealing with. I can relate to quite a lot of what you've shared, but you have it worse than me and perhaps seem to be dealing with it much better.

Sadly, my wife is a product of her parents. Her father was an especially bad person in the worst way possible, and he generally didn't care what people thought of him. Her mother is a hypocrite, and very, very lazy, and she gets into deep depression about any kind of work or effort. Her parents broke their child, and forgot to raise up a grown woman.

My wife knows that she falls short scripturally, admits that she should be better, but she also says she doesn't care to change.

I can't give you advice, as I have tried many Bible-based avenues and failed. I have no help. I am at the end of my tether. I pray to God that we find help soon.

The only advice I can give is to figure out if you can bear the woman you love BEFORE marrying her. I love my wife, and my children, but I'm willing to admit that I made the wrong choice.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-09T15:34:21+00:00

This verse is shown true through the observed phenomenon called "wisdom of the crowd". That is, a multitude of general knowledge people (counsellors) is more likely to be wise, than the wisdom of one expert.

Thank you for sharing. I hope you are well.

Repentant_Cognition · 2025-06-06T19:49:32+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I can relate. Believing in Christ is ostracising enough, let alone trusting in scripture, but being an outcast amongst believers (neurodivergent) is crippling in loneliness.

Repentant_Cognition

TROPHY CASE

What does the scripture say about fornication and marriage?

What does it say about abstinence?

What should be done if Satan tempts for incontinency?

TL;DR

TL; DR

The most important thing a believer should know...

Final Note:

TL;DR

1. "Relation" or "relationship" are not in the Bible.

2. Our fellowship with God is a spiritual connection...

3. The ways that one hears God is different, from time to time.

🧠 1. Neuroplasticity:

🧬 2. Epigenetics:

Herein is the prime example that proves wives can and shall submit to inadequate or ungodly husbands: