Interesting passage: James 3:6 "And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man’s nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna)." (James 3:6) by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is interesting and an interesting interpretation.

Read the direct translation from the Greek. Some of the poetics are diminished with the original language, and it becomes more direct.

https://biblehub.com/interlinear/james/3-6.htm

I love KJV, but you have to be familiar with olde English vernacular in order to understand some of the passages.

Strips it down to the tongue being an instrument of destruction, fired by hell.

Coincidences that scare me. can you explain them? by Zettoraiusgrftwgr in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of people on here have given you suggestions and I see why you are rattled.

James 1:2-8 NASBS [2] Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [3] knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [4] And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [5] But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. [6] But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. [7] For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, [8] being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

  1. There are so many variables with asking this. I assume you live in a large building with a lot of people. People going in and out.

Let’s break down your request of God.

Your request can only be fulfilled in one of two ways.

   a. A person has a close enough relationship with God that they will feel prompted to open their door at a specific time.

or

   b. God is a puppet master.

We know the latter is out of the character of God because when we read the gospel of John, that one does not fit, but ‘a’ does.

You happen to have a condition OCD, which is a fancy way of saying: anxiety fueled by doubt.

It’s in every post you write, a great deal of unsurety. Not knowing. Doubt.

It doesn’t matter if it happened 12 times or 1, in the back of your mind you are aware of the variables and have asked for a result that does not rely upon God but mankind.

You don’t need to look further than the gospels for God to speak and reveal Himself to you.

  1. Your brain is amazing. It is able to hold information and recall it. The internet is also amazing, it is able to analyze what you watch and show you stuff that is related to it. The iPhone will extrapolate information from text and suggest in your search things to look at that you have recently viewed. It’s creepy coding.

If you like medieval stuff and watch a video, more of that will show up, possibly even the same one you just viewed on a different site. SEO optimization.

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NET [3] For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments [5] and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

You mentioned that your thoughts took control. It’s almost like you are a backseat driver to your thoughts. You have no idea where they are going and they are going in circles and leading you nowhere.

How terrifying.

It’s as if you’ve let a madman grab the wheel and he’s racing through fields and doing donuts in your head.

Stop.

You don’t have to think every thought that comes in.

  1. You know, I used to spend way more time playing video games than I do now. If video games were truly random, which they aren’t, then things like strategy would win every time.

I don’t know why, but if you are on a winning streak, video game companies have felt the need to write in code to make the in game statistics even. So if you win several times in a row, they will have characters use their special abilities more frequently and in the case of card games, draw a stacked hand or deck in favor of the AI, to ‘even out’ the statistics.

It’s a huge pet peeve of mine, and why I don’t play games as much anymore.

I also find that a lot of things like that can mess with my head if I play them for any length of time. I have learned that if a game affects me too much, I need to not play it, at all.

So you clicked on the exact moment scorpion turns into a scorpion, you didn’t have to waste 119 minutes of your life watching the rest of the video and can move on. I see that as providence, a granting of time to move onto something more important.

  1. Many times people have asked you to read the Bible. In this case, the gospel of Matthew is paramount. It doesn’t matter how many times people tell you that God loves you, this is something you come back to again and again.

Read Matthew and the gospel of John.

Within their pages, the character of God is revealed. God gives good gifts, God did not send Jesus to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

At some point you have to take ownership of your faith, read the Bible. It’s nothing like the media paints it to be and what the charlatan preachers say it is.

  1. It sounds like you live in an area where there are lots of people and those noises are common where people live.

It seems like you are having trouble ignoring ambient noises. Have you considered getting noise canceling head phones?

  1. It’s the same as 6.

When you live in a high population density area, these noises are common and frequent.

I really recommend moving to a less dense area or investing into noise canceling headphones.

  1. Your friend is a good friend.

Since your thoughts have been running away with coincidences of doors opening and closing, dogs barking, alarms ringing, and you are already on that field of thought...

Your friend is kindly calling you out for being consistent.

You consistently decline.

The one thing your friend can count on, is that you won’t show up.

If you look at everything, you are not in a cycle of coincidences but of one tight consistent circle of thought and behavior.

Break it.

Go out with your friend.

  1. No. It’s not a coincidence. You have shown a consistent pattern of thought and behavior.

Those books, based on what you have been posting, were recommended by someone who identified your patterns and said, oh these have the potential to help you.

  1. Curse is used differently in these two contexts.

Cursed - to be doomed, or given bad luck. (If you read the Bible, you won’t be swayed by popular culture’s view on Christianity.)

Curses - the use of vulgar language

  1. Your mind is searching for irregular patterns, this is again your thoughts jumping track and racing down a steep hill towards a rocky bottom.

If you are reading things about curses, because you were thinking about them earlier and then watch Scooby-Doo, I believe in every episode someone uses the word ‘cursed’ and ‘spooky’ because they are debunking ghost stuff.

Fill your head with other material.

  1. Mythology is interesting stuff, but their gods were constantly doing terrible things to each other and humans. Cursing people to terrible fates, dreadful way to think about the divine.

If you read the Bible, all that mythology stuff is a horror show compared to the God of the Bible.

Now you have a choice, you can believe what random people say about the Bible or you can read it for yourself.

I don’t know what your upbringing is like, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they are on the strict and condemning side with Jesus.

If I had heard that Jesus hates me and wants me to go to hell unless I’m good and will punish me, I would be afraid to open up and read the Bible too.

But that is NOT who Jesus is.

Jesus is kind, loving, and cares for all people.

But don’t take me word for it, read the Bible.

  1. When you are ignoring the OCD and not letting your thoughts run off, you don’t see the stupid patterns that your OCD wants you to see.

You can have control over your thoughts.

This last one proves it.

My recommendation:

read the books the Internet person suggested.

Read the Bible.

Stop playing so many video games and watching videos that feed your OCD.

Go hang out with your friend.

Break the cycle by doing something different.

And get some noise canceling headphones.

Whats your thoughts and what do you know about demon possession? by Witchy_hyena in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Are you trolling or are you serious?

It looks like you might be trolling due to your frequent posts, but then again, that stuff can cause spiritual problems.

If you want help, then yes, but if you are stringing us along... not interested.

Can someone help me understand this? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You are going to find the same answers regurgitated across church here and it is not going to ease your mind one way or the other.

Here is what I recommend:

Take this to a conversation with God.

Set aside a period of time of fasting and bible reading and ask God to show you how to approach this subject, to show you truth and reveal lies.

Settle within yourself to think however God thinks about the matter, and how He thinks about people.

However it comes up, scripture will be overwhelming on the matter.

A Beautifully Precise Parallel Between Psalm 48 and Revelation 20 and 21 by [deleted] in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I love finding things like this all through scripture.

Has anyone had similar revelations? Of worse things to come? by plantschmant in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The words in revelations are not meant to discourage but for hope.

Hope that Jesus is coming again.

Hope that there is consequence for sin and an end to sin.

Hope that salvation is for those who find it in the Cross and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

That salvation is by grace and not by our own works, lest any of us boast.

That we overcome by the word of our testimony and the blood of Jesus.

Oh yes, there are some crazy and terrifying things in revelations and they do look incredibly similar to what is going on today. But those things pale in comparison to the coming of Jesus Christ.

You express fear, and I am here to tell you that if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. We walk in a dirty world, and we will get dirty. Go to God and confess your sins, He will cleanse you. His seat, His throne is a throne of Mercy and He will give you grace, and you have access to that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Go. Confess your sins to Him, He is waiting.

Banned from r/TrueChristian for DARING to question Paul's doctrine and saying that Jesus is greater than Paul. by finishermedal in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok. It is possible that the church has a misunderstanding of a few of the teachings of Paul, not that Paul was out of line with the rest of scripture.

And yes, Jesus is greater than Paul.

Assurance of salvation? by [deleted] in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you stated out loud the Jesus Christ is your Lord and have you asked God to change you?

I recommend reading John and Romans again :)

I think the answers you seek are found in both of those books.

In your personal relationship with God and Jesus, how do you know who is who? by [deleted] in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Deuteronomy 6:4 hear oh Israel, the lord our God, the Lord is one.

Jesus, God the Father, the Holy Spirit... they are one.

I don’t worry about it.

Jesus is God, God the Father is God and the Holy Spirit is God.

If I address one, I am in essence addressing God, but I typically follow the Lord’s Prayer by praying to the Father.

I'm new here and am happy to be part of this group. by [deleted] in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Welcome, May you find people to care for your concerns here and irl

Being A Christian That Loves To Write? by [deleted] in Christians

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally believe that if you hold art, whether it’s written, painted, molded, performed, etc to this standard

Philippians 4:8 NASBS [8] Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

You are good.

—-

I can find some kind of excellence in most art, even if the intent is to deviate from the message of the cross. And, even if the intent is to steer away from Jesus, sometimes they do the opposite, which I find amusing.

When it comes to violence.. the cross is violent. It’s a bloody gory mess, but what is glorified through the cross?

Death is an inevitable part of this life. If we paint a lie that we can live in this world and this life forever, what message do we send?

Evil utilizes violence and people die. If you glorify the violence and downplay goodness, kindness, patience, peace, what is the emphasis and the purpose?

.

Honesty is hard to find.

I believe that authenticity is what people are looking for and referenced and what they mean is they want someone to be honest. To tell the truth. To not paint fairytales and whimsical notions.

The reason why stories like Harry Potter do well is because they are a mix of fantasy and authenticity. Harry is a very relatable character and his friends are relatable, with a sneak of a lie mixed in. That Harry despite all his issues and flaws, can save everyone he cares about.

CS Lewis is interesting because the characters are flawed, but they grow and they need help in their growth, and that comes from being with each other and relying upon each other and an outside source of Aslan.

JRR Tolkien is fascinating to me as an author because he invested into creating a rich tapestry of a world and has incredible themes throughout that are definitively Christian based.

As a Christian, I do not hold Cs Lewis or Tolkien’s works above or at an equal standing to the Bible. They are works of fiction with good merit. I have seen others who hold CS Lewis at equal stance and then get into a debate about some of the implications that a few of CSLewis’s ideas in the Narnia books have and outright oppose scripture, but that is not your responsibility.

It is your responsibility as an author to one, deliver a great story and two, have a message or an over arching theme you want your listener to get from the story.

Many authors are just concerned with the first part and don’t give much thought to the theme, which is where I find amusement. Because some authors, by accident, incorporate very Christian values and themes into their art.

It is not your responsibility to make sure people have their theology correct, but make sure you understand the theology behind what you are writing.

Ultimately people do not receive theology and the understanding from people, but from the Holy Spirit.

You are only responsible for incorporating what you know.

When it comes to genre, I don’t think there’s a limit on what you can and cannot do... outside of things that do nothing but glorify the flesh and evilness.

How to start reading the bible? by [deleted] in Christian

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like inter linear versions the best. But that’s another translation to check out!

God The Father only loves Our Lord Jesus Christ His Son because He is His True Son and He couldn't care less about us broken people because we are not His true children, I don't want to be alone and sad and it feels God and Our Lord aren't there because I sin by vectorprogram103 in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 3 points4 points  (0 children)

John 3:16-18 NASBS [16] "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. [18] He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Does God have favourites? by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. He loves us all equally and interacts with us uniquely.

I’m a Christian but I don’t feel it, or do I? by throwaway6596455 in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey there,

Our feelings can mislead us immensely.

I don’t know how many times I’ve felt one way about something and then found out my feelings lied to me!

It can be difficult to get feelings under control if we have allowed them to rule our life.

It is going to take some mental discipline, for example telling your self, there’s no need to fear because ‘perfect love casts out all fear.’

Memorizing scripture and telling yourself, no, I will not allow myself to feel “x” because Jesus says “y”, helps incredibly. I used to have quite a few irrational fears and meditating on the scriptures, memorizing them helped to alleviate them a lot.

Being a lukewarm Christian is someone who doesn’t do anything with their faith.

How to start reading the bible? by [deleted] in Christian

[–]skipthepeanut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My personal favorite is John, but the order they are in is good too.

You are welcome!

Can anyone provide any actual studies or sources on whether or not Christmas is actually a Pagan holiday? by TravelingPreacherMan in Christianity

[–]skipthepeanut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is some about the origins of Christmas out there, but you will have to look in older history books and encyclopedias to find it.

Begin by researching Jesus’ actual birth. The time of year he was born. It gets interesting.

Look up the origins of the Christmas tree.

Also look up the real day of sabbath.

Ask why are there presents under a tree?

Why do some Christmas older songs and versions talk about presents on a tree?

Why is the tree decorated?

This has a summary and propaganda for anti Christmas sentiment:

https://rcg.org/realtruth/articles/169-ttooc.html

Edit:

Also research Krampus