What does it mean to come under God's judgment?

Romans 7:24-25 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Romans 7:24
Verse 24. O wretched man that I am! The feeling implied by this lamentation is the result of this painful conflict; and this frequent subjection to sinful propensities. The effect of this conflict is
(1.) to produce pain and distress, it is often an agonizing struggle between good and evil; a struggle which annoys the peace, and renders life wretched.

(2.) It tends to produce humility. It is humbling to man to be thus under the influence of evil passions. It is degrading to his nature; a stain on his glory; and it tends to bring him into the dust, that he is under the control of such propensities, and so often gives indulgence to them. In such circumstances, the mind is overwhelmed with wretchedness, and instinctively sighs for relief. Can the law aid? Can man aid? Can any native strength of conscience or of reason aid? In vain all these are tried, and the Christian then calmly and thankfully acquiesces in the consolations of the apostle, that aid can be obtained only through Jesus Christ.

Who shall deliver me. Who shall rescue me; the condition of a mind in deep distress, and conscious of its own weakness, and looking for aid.

The body of this death. Marg. This body of death. The word body here is probably used as equivalent to flesh, denoting the corrupt and evil propensities on the soul. Cmt. on Ro 7:18. It is thus used to denote the law of sin in the members, as being that with which the apostle was struggling, and from which he desired to be delivered. The expression "body of this death" is a Hebraism, denoting a body deadly in its tendency; and the whole expression may mean the corrupt principles of man; the carnal, evil affections that lead to death or to condemnation. The expression is one of vast strength, and strongly characteristic of the apostle Paul. It indicates,

(1.) that it was near him, attending him, and was distressing in its nature.

(2.) An earnest wish to be delivered from it. Some have supposed that he refers to a custom practised by ancient tyrants, of binding a dead body to a captive as a punishment, and compelling him to drag the cumbersome and offensive burden with him wherever he went. I do not see any evidence that the apostle had this in view. But such a fact may be used as a striking and perhaps not improper illustration of the meaning of the apostle here. No strength of words could express deeper feeling; none more feelingly indicate the necessity of the grace of God to accomplish that to which the unaided human powers are incompetent.

{a} "O wretched" Ps 38:2; 77:3-9
{1} "the body" or, "this body of death"

In Christ: Phillip

Rom 6:16-23 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. (18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. (20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. (21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. (22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Endzone: There is coming a day when God's judgment will be poured out on sin, but I do not believe this day is today (although it is drawing VERY near). Paul tells us in Romans that we become the servants of those things to which we yield ourselves. I do not believe that you are under the judgment of God. Rom. 2:5 tells us that His judgment (His wrath or punishment of sin) is reserved until the end. You have simply opened yourself wide to the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy by continuing in a sin that God desired and still desires to deliver you from. You gave the enemy a stronghold and he took full advantage of it. You feel distant, not because God has withdrawn, but because you have withdrawn. I am sure God was dealing with you about these sins for years, but you continued in them. I can identify because there were areas of my life where I did the same thing. I found myself feeling very distant from God and wondered if He had left me for good. I found in the Bible that I was wrong about that. He promised never to leave or forsake me. Since I have that promise, I know it was me who was doing the leaving and forsaking. I came to a place of repentance and walking away from the sin, and I found God still standing right there, never having left me. When I yielded myself a servant to righteousness, I once again began to experience His life.

Sexual sin is a powerful stronghold and is set apart in scripture as having a very strong effect on a man.

1Co 6:13-20 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. (14) And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. (15) Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. (16) What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. (17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. (19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

You have, through sexual sin, made an agreement with the enemy. This agreement must be broken, and repentance and surrender and submission to God and to the dealings of the Holy Spirit are the only way. I know that there is a certain feeling of safety that comes with the anonymity of a forum such as this. You can admit and confess before people who do not know you. I want to encourage you to find a church in your area (I know there are many in the DFW area) where the word of God is preached without compromise, the grace of God is extend without judgment of man, and the power of the Holy Spirit is in manifest operation, and where the people operate according to the Word of God. You need to know you are safe to open up to mature, Godly leadership about sin issues without your business being broadcast. Then be transparent. Allow God to minister to you. Repent and allow God to change you. There are often underlying issues behind sexual addiction that are the root issues. I have found the primary issue is usually rejection. Pray that God would reveal to you the root of this addiction. God still loves you. It is not He who is judging you. But you need to be delivered from the things that you have allowed to attach themselves to you through this sin.

Do not take this as ridicule or making light of what you have said. I would simply like to take a liberty to see what this would look like in the extreme. I won't take it to the full extreme but rather stop short. Lets say this horrible sexual addiction that you opened the thread with is pedophilia (just to put a clearer face on the backsliding which is what is being proposed in your thread. You counted at least 500 infractions in your sexual addiction of roughly 3 decades. Is it possible that through this that the Spirit of Christ would bear with someone as a priest of the almighty God. Still working in and through that person while they frequent the playgrounds of our youth seeking the next victim? After having stolen the innocence of the youth who then might be possibly traumatized for life, that person makes their way to intercede on behalf of others by way of their prayer ministry? That person attends church, bible studies, fellowship etc....After 500 victims over three decades the Lord finally says enough and removes His anointing hand yet not leaving the defiled temple but rather just taking a back seat while He calls on the oppression of the evil one to take affect? Does this sound plausible? More important, does it sound scriptural?

Please do not see this entry as uncaring as I am not trying to make light of your predicament but rather, I'm trying to understand your situation. I would also welcome your take on King Saul for there is much I am willing to learn.

Regarding mercy and grace, the half gospel, the consequences of sin, judgement, sowing etc.... I fully agree with you.

You say no one wants to be real? PM me back.

It must of been devestating to him when the Holy Spirit departed and the evil spirit troubled him.

I believe we are warned all throughout the Old Testament about how the Temple of the Lord is 'not' to be handled. Many examples come to mind. These things were written with a view that someday the Temple would not be made of animal skins or stone, but would be made up of living stones. Paul says clearly:

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (I Corinthians 6:19)

When Paul says, "know ye not" there is a great chance that they do not know or they have forgotten. He reminds them. The reminder is consistent with his dealing with the fornicator in chapter 5. It is done for one reason, to secure REPENTANCE. That is, to change the mind about the behavior so as to turn from doing it. So serious was the matter that Paul turned the young man over to Satan. Again, repentance is in view. What does repentance look like and can a person repent of such sin?

We do have David as an example. How do we know David repented? He never committed the sin again. That is as plain as anything. How did he repent?

1. He had a face to face with God.

Nathan deals with David. The story is commonly known so I will not rehearse it. No doubt David had grown cold in his relationship with God leading up to this event. He knew that to regard iniquity in his heart- the LORD would not hear. He was not seeking a place of repentance, he was trying to cover up the sin. This is very important. The time to seek repentance is when God puts His finger on the matter. Don't delay. Behold the time.

And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, [As] the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this [thing] shall surely die: (2 Samual 12:5)

God moved in on David what was dear to his heart. He meets us where He finds us. There is a point in the conversation when David is no longer hearing Nathan, he is hearing GOD speak. This is essential. Thou art the man... signaled that the God who sees- saw what had happened. God pronounced judgment. David's response?

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2 Samuel 12:13)

This is one of the most important passages in all the Bible; for it shows us what must take place for God to take away sins. David came to a place where he quit hiding and ACKNOWLEDGED what he had done. He did not call it a mistake. He did not pass the buck. He owned up with these words, I have sinned against the LORD. We find in the NT John reminding us, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) The word 'confess' here in the Greek means to say the same thing after or to say the same thing as. We have to agree with God. Not in some flippant way, but in a sincerity that God can believe. God's got to be able to believe us.

When God saw the sincerity of David's heart and the revelation that he had sinned against God, he responded immediately; The LORD also hath put away thy sin. God knew what David was thinking. Suddenly he realized that as surely as the man who had dressed the ewe lamb deserved death- he also deserved to die. What did God answer? Again, thou shalt not die. This is more than academics. This is a deep seated understanding that what has happened is a sin against God Almighty, and God alone. There are others involved, but the one True God is the primary offended party.

As soon as David confessed God forgave. As soon as he ended the cover up- he found forgiveness. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) Say the same thing as. Agree with God.

In time David wrote Psalm 51. He had time to reflect on what he had done. He came into a godly sorrow for his sin. It is the goodness of God that leadeth to repentance. Here is a man that had preached to many others, but now he was living on yesterdays experience. There was no real freshness. There was no real unction as before. He was way off of his game as we say. Surely he grew weary and tired of it. Like the prodigal that came to himself, David had a time of sobriety. Drunk, but not with wine, staggering, but not with strong drink- he had an encounter with God and in the Words of the prophet he found grace to take that next step. It was all over but the reaping.

God is not slack concerning his promise as some men count slackness, but is long suffering to us ward- not willing that ANY would perish, but all would come to repentance. ANY is everyone without exception. Today, if you hear His voice harden not your heart. Do not say 'LORD help me', for He is already here to help you. Wilt thou be made whole? The decision is always ours.

Endzone, I'm sorry I'm so late in coming back on the thread. I meant in no way to identify your bondage to sin as pedaphilia. I was just trying to make a point that obviously was not understood. Most likely due to my ineptness to communicate my point. However, regardless of the sin, there is slavery if you are in bondage to it.

I would like to make a quick comparison using KIng Saul and King David, and like RobertW, I will not labor long on what we are so familiar. 1st Samuel 15 reveals so much in the heart of Saul. Given what it reveals I would be hesitant to identify myself in any way with Saul unless I could honestly appraise myself in the worst of Estates.

(King Saul)1st Samuel chapter 15 when Samuel says you are the man (so to speak)

Verse:
12 SAUL ROBS THE GLORY DUE GOD
15 lies to Samuel
20 DEFENDS HIS SIN
21 lays blame by his words shows his relationship with God
is not personal
24 MORE AFRAID OF MEN THAN GOD
25 SEEKS FORGIVENESS OF MAN BUT NOT GOD
30 MORE CONCERNED WITH APPEARANCE THAN REPENTANCE

(this hardly speaks to one born of God)

(King David) 2nd Samuel chapter 12 when Nathan says you are the man

verse:
12 I have sinned against the Lord! (Thats it)(this is the heart of one born of God)

The beautiful psalms that show the physical and mental state of David in sin identify the misery of a chosen one of the Lord who is hiding in unrepentance. He is on the verge of death because there is no rest for him. Guilt is almost unbearable as he is practically dying before our eyes. Nathan saying, "you are the man", brings the greatest relief to David as He is put right back into fellowship with the Lord. Where he belongs.

Are you the man?

I just wNted to try 2 connect with you because I'm going through a similar situation. I ignored the Hoy Spirit 4 2 long. I haven't heard or sensed Him in a long time. And I have zoo many evil thoughts and voices going on. I miss His comfort. If you get this maybe we can communicate. I posted a new topic because I'm a newcomer. Have things gotten better for you?
I believe I'm under His wrath and judgement....what I'm experiencing is really indescribable..but it hasn't been good.
Hope you have gotten better.

QUOTE: " You feel distant, not because God has withdrawn, but because you have withdrawn. I am sure God was dealing with you about these sins for years, but you continued in them. I can identify because there were areas of my life where I did the same thing. I found myself feeling very distant from God and wondered if He had left me for good. I found in the Bible that I was wrong about that. He promised never to leave or forsake me. Since I have that promise, I know it was me who was doing the leaving and forsaking."==TWAYNEB

Wow Twayneb, that is very helpful and powerful. Great words.

I think this problem is shared by the vast majority of Christians in America today. It may be the reason so few of us received answers to prayer or see any progress?

I think the same thing happened with me in that i at some point grieved the Spirit. Not sure when nor how but i suspect it may have had to do with my anger and wrath which was provoked by some very wicked and unreasonable relatives and others who did me great evil. Soon outrageous things were happening on a daily basis that seemed designed to get at me. I then got in the habit of justifying my wrath/anger and it became a habit itself and it is only recently that God opened my eyes to the damage that anger does. Twenty years before all this i never used to be such an angry person; there was certainly some anger in childhood but i had not had a problem with anger in like a decade. I also became angry at God a lot. Recently when my eyes were opened to the terrible destructive nature of my anger and how it damages my testimony i grieved over it and now that i recently decided to humble myself it is amazing how much fewer outrageous things are happening to provoke me to anger. Before it was like some sadistic spirit was persecuting me daily and nightly.

QUOTE: " When I pray I hear the distracting demonic voices in my mind harassing me. If the Lord doesn't come back, the remaining years of my life are going to be very painful. I'm not sure that I can even hold a job now, and I look to healthy on the outside to ever get disability. I could be headed for the streets."==ANONYMOUS

Dear Brother Craig,

A coupla things. First, when you hear those demonic, distracting voices/words in your mind, it helps to immediately OUT LOUD praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST and/or Holy Ghost. Believe me, it works. I have experienced those demonic attacks on my mind and this is what i do and it works for me. They may persist for a while to test you to see if you will stay with it but keep it up. Let them know that every time they put those blasphemous etc thoughts in your mind that the Lord is going to get praised! This has worked for me every time. And those spirits can be very subtle and sneaky; they make you think the thoughts are your own and it can be hard to discern the diff. When you are not sure, just praise the Lord OUT LOUD anyway.

Secondly, it does not matter how you look on the outside, you can still get disability. It is called an "invisible disability". There are many. Diabetes and Epilepsy, for example, are invisible. If you are in a too fragile mental-emotional state to work right now then that is as much a disability as a physical one. Quite frankly, i have seen people with mental disabilities get disability easier than those with physical disabilities. I do not know why this is. People with physical disabilities often have to get a lawyer and fight for it. If you truly cannot work then i suggest you just go apply for disability now rather than wait til you are almost on the street. The worst that can happen is you get turned down. And if you improve then you can work part-time or go back to work full-time, it doesn't have to be a life sentence. Contrary to what self-righteous people make it out to be, being on disability is not some kind of picnic. Your assets and income will be limited and the payments will barely be enough to keep you off the street unless you have had some good paying jobs over the years with which you paid in FICA tax. Of all the people i have known on disability, none is living in luxury and all are hurting. One elderly Christian man i know receives only $700/month and has been living on the street for years, even in -60 below weather. (But don't be despaired by this. He also is a horder (covetous?)and doesnt want to spend his money on a room for rent or even on a postage stamp. With God's help you will survive.)

Please do not kill yourself. Give God the benefit of the doubt and TIME to work.