Okay, so I have just surrenderd to the ministry. Which means I'm gonna be a preacher. But now my temptations have only gotten stronger and more frequent. Any words of advice and/or encouragement? Preferably bible verses. Thanks:]
2006-10-12 08:12:00 · 16 answers · asked by lil_caesar_08 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Congrats! When you make a decision to serve God, the devil always trys to increase his hold on you. I'm Mormon, and I don't say that to start something, but as such you probably know that we send out missionaries (typically 19 year old men). So, a friend was about to leave for his mission and things had gone smoothly up to that point, but then about 2 weeks before he left, this girl he always liked in High School reentered his life and all but threw herself at him, asking him to marry her and everything (she wasn't Mormon, but said she would convert). He realized that this was just a test and that the devil saw that he would be a wonderful missionary and was trying to change his mind by throwing worldly things at him. He was strong and didn't succumb, but he later said it was the hardest two weeks of his life. And when I began to convert, I could definatly feel the pull of the world in my life. I began to have feelings I had never had before or since that was just so contrary to the way I really was and am. It was really strange. It was very hard to control them, but through Christ I was able to.
I guess my Bible verse to you would be Phillipians 4:13. Just remember that you must be doing something good, because the temptations are increasing. I see it like this, the further along the path of righteousness I get, and as I choose to follow God in more and more areas of my life, the harder the devil trys to take me off the path. So I look at it as the harder things seem before acting the more correct it must be that I do it.
2006-10-12 08:41:07 · answer #1 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ephesians 5:1&2, Ephesians 6:10-18, 2nd Corinthians 5:17, and 7:1,Galatians 5:16, Hebrews 10:36, Romans 8:1, Phillipians 1:27, 1st Timothy 4:12, 6:11-14, 2nd Timothy 2:15, James 1:12-16. Plus don't forget that "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world"
2006-10-12 16:46:20 · answer #2 · answered by Grandma Susie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scripture is very specific about the kind of men (and women) should take the responsibility of ministry. 1 Timothy 3:
This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”  So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.* He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.  He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.  He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.  For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
These last two verses are very important. An elder must be a new believer. That doesn't mean that a new believer can't be preparing himself (or herself) for the ministry, but only that there must elapse some time (and training) before they step into ministry. This is a good time for you to become schooled in scripture, not only intellectually but spiritually, to become schooled in learning how to apply the Word to right and wrong behavior. The Lord will open the door to true ministry when you are really ready to be a leader of His people.
2006-10-12 15:20:24 · answer #3 · answered by servinggodalone 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
young man, you have not surrenderd....you are just now on your way to the true battle front!!!!
Read the first chapter of the book of Joshua....only the first chapter.
see how God tells Joshua not to be afraid of what is to come....but only follow His word. ...don't turn from it to the left or the right. To stay Faithful and obedient to God no matter what.
God was telling Joshua this to prepare him to lead God's people now that Moses was gone.
You are in a similar situatio so ....stay faithful, don't be afraid and don't turn away from God's word no matter what!!
2006-10-12 15:59:44 · answer #4 · answered by Robert b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey man, i'm there with you, i too am going to be a pastor, a youth pastor to be exact, even though i am still in high school, and may not know alot or enough to help you, i too have noticed the devils schemes to draw us backwards from getting closer to God and doing what He has planned for us to do. Take care, God Bless, hopes this helps you, if not, thanks for reading anyways.
2006-10-12 15:27:39 · answer #5 · answered by jsloaner07 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are storming Satan's gates so this is to be expected. You need to pray for a hedge of protection for you and your loved ones. Satan will counter attack. Pray.
Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
God bless your ministry. Keep your eyes on Christ, not on the storm.
PG
2006-10-12 15:18:09 · answer #6 · answered by Pearly Gator 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh yeah I've seen that happen to lots of people in leadership...You have to stay strong and read the bible and keep connected to God hardout! XD I don't know any verses, but there is this one like "God bless you and keep you....something else." Maybe that helps. XD
2006-10-12 15:16:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Satan is attacking you as we draw near to God Satan comes after us.Read Genesis 22:17," I will indeed bless You."
Pray for help, God Bless, What a nice choice !
2006-10-12 15:28:58 · answer #8 · answered by gwhiz1052 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From James 1
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5But 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.
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.
2006-10-12 15:32:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The devil does not temp those who are sitting in a bar.
He goes right to work on those committed to the Lord.
2006-10-12 15:25:54 · answer #10 · answered by Jack G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋