I recently mentioned a controversy that has been brewing primarily within reformed academic circles about a doctrine known as concupiscence. The word refers to strong desire and is often explicitly lined with sexual desire. I’ve not really commented much on this yet but thought it was worth sharing some preliminary comments here. Late in the… Continue reading Do you need to repent of your desires?
Tag: Temptation
Tempted
The story now switches back to Egypt where Joseph has been sold by the traders. If Judah had failed the test and so was not vindicated or justified when it came to relationships, how would Joseph fare? Read Genesis 39:1-20 The traders sell Jospeh to Potiphar, a commander in the Egyptian army. It seems that… Continue reading Tempted
True repentance
How does grace work in the life of the believer? The answer is that it does in pretty much the same way as in the life of a new convert. God’s grace by bringing down the proud and lifting up the humble starts by working repentance in our hearts A look at the text (Read… Continue reading True repentance
Failure
Satan has launched at attack on Eden, seeking to tempt Adam and Eve to disobey God’s one command, he casts doubt on God’s truthfulness and goodness. How will they respond? Read Genesis 3:5-8 The woman observes three things about the fruit. It looks good, it is suitable food – suggesting it is likely to taste… Continue reading Failure
Millstones and amputations (Mark 9:42-50)
Jesus has a serious warning for those who lead others into sin. He says: it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. God has a great love and concern for the vulnerable and so we have a great responsibility for them. … Continue reading Millstones and amputations (Mark 9:42-50)
Get behind me (Mark 8:27-38)
Strong and shocking words from Jesus “Get behind me Satan”. Why does he use such strong language? It’s because he recognises in Peter’s response to his teaching that he must suffer and die one of the devil’s big temptations. Earlier we saw how the Pharisee’s demand for a sign echoed Satan’s encouragement that Jesus should… Continue reading Get behind me (Mark 8:27-38)
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (3) I am tempted to believe that I am dependent on others for my relationship with Christ (v11-13)
The commander in chief of David’s army, Amasa’s body lies in the road. Joab has assassinated him. One of Joab’s men then stands by the body and calls out: “Whoever favours Joab, and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab.”[1] Loyalty to David has now been explicitly linked to loyalty to Joab. The both… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (3) I am tempted to believe that I am dependent on others for my relationship with Christ (v11-13)
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (2) I am tempted to believe that my agenda is what matters (2 Samuel 20 v4-10)
King David is under attack from Sheba, a worthless man. He has sent the new commander of the arm, Amasa to muster the soldiers of Judah but Amasa is delayed in returning. We are not sure why Amasa takes so long. It is possible that despite his loyalty and willingness, he isn’t an affective commander.… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (2) I am tempted to believe that my agenda is what matters (2 Samuel 20 v4-10)
Relentless Spiritual Warfare (1) I am tempted to believe that I have no share in the inheritance offered by Christ (2 Samuel 20 v 1-3)
In this mini-series of articles I identify 4 types of temptation that we face. The context is 2 Samuel 20 where we see that David faced relentless trouble and opposition in the later years of his reign following his sin with Bathsheba. We live in a fallen world and this means that spiritual warfare is… Continue reading Relentless Spiritual Warfare (1) I am tempted to believe that I have no share in the inheritance offered by Christ (2 Samuel 20 v 1-3)
The pandemic – faith and emotional health
Earlier this week, I shared the results of a survey that I had done among my twitter followers picking up on the impact of the pandemic. The survey showed that whilst quite a few people are able to talk positively about the impact on their spiritual health in terms of relationship to church family and… Continue reading The pandemic – faith and emotional health
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