How Do You View Your Life? Our Lord wants our hearts and our minds.

How Do You View Your Life? Our Lord wants our hearts and our minds. The molding of the hearts of men involves great pain and struggle.

How Do You View Your Life? Our Lord wants our hearts and our minds. The molding of the hearts of men involves great pain and struggle. Paul described the conflict his first letter caused within the disciples at Corinth. (2 Cor 7:5-11)

How Do You View Your Life? 2 Corinthians 7:5-11 (NKJV) For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

How Do You View Your Life? 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more. 8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while.

How Do You View Your Life? 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

How Do You View Your Life? 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

How Do You View Your Life? There was pain experienced by both Paul and the Corinthians.

How Do You View Your Life? As a result of an open heart the Corinthians was a conviction of sin and a strong understanding of God’s truth that they had not previously known.

How Do You View Your Life? As a result of an open heart the Corinthians was a conviction of sin and a strong understanding of God’s truth that they had not previously known. Sadly many who experience the pain of guilt and the uncertainty of their convictions, do not end up at the same place the Corinthians did.

How Do You View Your Life? Many of the Jews would have reasoned like Phillip when they heard the name “Jesus of Nazareth” and the possibility that He was the Messiah.

How Do You View Your Life? Many of the Jews would have reasoned like Phillip when they heard the name “Jesus of Nazareth” and the possibility that He was the Messiah. The Messiah had to come from Bethlehem! (John 7:41-42)

How Do You View Your Life? John 7:41-42 (NKJV) - Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”

How Do You View Your Life? For many people this planting of doubt was enough to end their struggle.

How Do You View Your Life? For many people this planting of doubt was enough to end their struggle. When that struggle ended, so did their opportunity for eternal life. (Jn 8:24)

How Do You View Your Life? John 8:24 (NKJV) Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Our God provides us a path to certainty Can I know that Jesus is the Son of God?

Our God provides us a path to certainty Can I know that Jesus is the Son of God? John wrote that we might believe and have life! (Jn 20:30-31)

Our God provides us a path to certainty John 20:30-31 (NKJV) And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Luke said that one could “know the certainty” of the life and truth about Jesus. (Luke 1:3-4)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Luke 1:3-4 (NKJV) it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

Our God provides us a path to certainty The steps to belief will always be accompanied by obstacles and doubt.

Our God provides us a path to certainty The steps to belief will always be accompanied by obstacles and doubt. Jesus’ own brothers did not believe at first. (Jn 7:3-5)

Our God provides us a path to certainty John 7:3-5 (NKJV) His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4 For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5 For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Our God provides us a path to certainty They had to reason, test, and struggle. It was not an easy process nor was it a fast one!

Our God provides us a path to certainty They had to reason, test, and struggle. It was not an easy process nor was it a fast one! In the end they came to believe in Jesus. (Acts 1:14)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Acts 1:14 (NKJV) - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Can I know and stand upon “the faith?” (Jude 3)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Jude 3 (NKJV) - Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Here is where many battles are fought and where Satan has destroyed many.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Here is where many battles are fought and where Satan has destroyed many. Some ask: “What in the Bible is “essential” and what is “non-essential?””

Our God provides us a path to certainty Here is where many battles are fought and where Satan has destroyed many. Some ask: “What in the Bible is “essential” and what is “non-essential?”” The answer for me and you is that I must stand upon what I understand.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Here is where many battles are fought and where Satan has destroyed many. Some ask: “What in the Bible is “essential” and what is “non-essential?”” The answer for me and you is that I must stand upon what I understand. I must maintain a purity of heart that will not compromise what I know.

Our God provides us a path to certainty This does not mean that I am perfect, or have perfect knowledge, but that I will keep a good conscience. (Acts 24:15; Rom 14:20, 23)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Acts 24:15 (NKJV) I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Romans 14:20 (NKJV) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Romans 14:23 (NKJV) But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Can I know that I am right with God?

Our God provides us a path to certainty Can I know that I am right with God? Satan will use the doubt of possible hidden sin and hypothetical sudden sins to make one experience guilt without possible relief. (2 Cor 2:10-11)

Our God provides us a path to certainty 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NKJV) Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Our God provides us a path to certainty We serve a God that has given us the ability to know where we stand. We must “continue to believe.” (1 Jn 5:13)

Our God provides us a path to certainty 1 John 5:13 (NKJV) These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Our God provides us a path to certainty What is our God like? It is in Him that we trust and not in our own abilities and strength.

Our God provides us a path to certainty What is our God like? It is in Him that we trust and not in our own abilities and strength. A living faith will always repent when the way of the Lord is known “more accurately.” (Acts 18:26)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Acts 18:26 (NKJV) So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Is there room for occasions of uncertainty?

Our God provides us a path to certainty Is there room for occasions of uncertainty? John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Luke 7:19-20 (NKJV) 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’”

Our God provides us a path to certainty Consider the example of Habakkuk. (Hab 1:2-4)

Our God provides us a path to certainty Habakkuk 2:1-4 (NKJV) - I will stand my watch And set myself on the rampart, And watch to see what He will say to me, And what I will answer when I am corrected. 2 Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

Our God provides us a path to certainty 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. 4 “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

Our God provides us a path to certainty Some of the most effective workers for Satan have in their pride been “certain” about that which they should have been filled with doubts.

Our God provides us a path to certainty It is not weakness to recognize your own limitations by pursuing further study and prayer on a matter.

How Satan uses doubt Satan’s goal is to deny the power of God’s word in our hearts.

How Satan uses doubt Satan’s goal is to deny the power of God’s word in our hearts. Without the certainty that God’s word brings, a man cannot stand against Satan. (Rom 8:24-25)

How Satan uses doubt Romans 8:24-25 (NKJV) For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

How Satan uses doubt Doubt should be a temporary state not a permanent one. It is like a doorway that you pass through. Satan wants you to live in the doorway!

How Satan uses doubt Doubt should be a temporary state not a permanent one. It is like a doorway that you pass through. Satan wants you to live in the doorway! Those who live in uncertainty do not yet have a living faith. (2 Tim 3:5-7)

How Satan uses doubt 2 Timothy 3:5-7 (NKJV) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

How Satan uses doubt Satan uses doubt to close minds. (Lk 7:33-35)

How Satan uses doubt Luke 7:33-35 (NKJV) For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

How Satan uses doubt It is very easy to raise questions and doubts about anything!

How Satan uses doubt It is very easy to raise questions and doubts about anything! Satan knows that throwing “clouds of dust” in the air will stop most from further study.

How Satan uses doubt It is very easy to raise questions and doubts about anything! Satan knows that throwing “clouds of dust” in the air will stop most from further study. A “sound mind” will not be intimidated by these things.

How Satan uses doubt It is very easy to raise questions and doubts about anything! Satan knows that throwing “clouds of dust” in the air will stop most from further study. A “sound mind” will not be intimidated by these things. Satan uses false teachers to paralyze and then destroy our faith. (2 Cor 2:10-11)

How Satan uses doubt 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (NKJV) Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

How Satan uses doubt Often false teachers are good at diagnosing legitimate problems; however their solution is often worse than the problem itself.

How Satan uses doubt Often false teachers are good at diagnosing legitimate problems; however their solution is often worse than the problem itself. False teachers will boast about your “spirituality” because you are unsure about an issue they consider “traditional.” They will try to separate you from brethren rather than bring unity through struggle and study. (2 Cor 11:4, 19-20)

How Satan uses doubt 2 Corinthians 11:4 (NKJV) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

How Satan uses doubt 2 Corinthians 11:19-20 (NKJV) For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise! 20For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face.

How Satan uses doubt Some try to advance their own “spirituality” by constantly introducing doubts and then attacking their “legalistic” brethren.

The heart that overcomes doubt We cannot win the fight without a pure heart.

The heart that overcomes doubt We cannot win the fight without a pure heart. How did Nathanael overcome his doubt? (John 1:46-49)

The heart that overcomes doubt John 1:46-49 (NKJV) - And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, “Come and see.”47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”48Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”

The heart that overcomes doubt Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

The heart that overcomes doubt There are many things that can divide our hearts and block answers that we dearly need. (James 1:6-7)

The heart that overcomes doubt James 1:6-7 (NKJV) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

The heart that overcomes doubt We must fight against the pride that looks at men and weights the possible consequences of accepting a new truth. (Jn 5:41-44)

The heart that overcomes doubt John 5:41-44 (NKJV) “I do not receive honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. 44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

The heart that overcomes doubt Men will often disappoint us. Those men may believe different things.

The heart that overcomes doubt Men will often disappoint us. Those men may believe different things. Let us never be of the mind to reject the truth of a matter because of the actions of a few hypocrites. (Rom 3:4)

The heart that overcomes doubt Romans 3:4 (NKJV) Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

The heart that overcomes doubt It is my prayer that when you are tested that your faith will stand and grow stronger. This is what Jesus said to Peter. (Lk 22:31-32)

The heart that overcomes doubt Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV) And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

The heart that overcomes doubt What was the sifting like for Peter? It was for his good. Will you begin to turn your doubts to certainty? Sometimes doubt is what you need to change directions. Will your doubt lead to faith or unbelief?