Can You Be a Christian and Struggle with Addiction?

True Christians struggle with addiction and hide it from others. Best is one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

We pray you had a wonderful weekend Fourth of July coming up, and a lot of people looking for that three-day weekend. You can call us right now with your question.

At 833. The core our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes or so swap on the phone right now to talk to Pastor Israel 833-843-2673. By the way, you can also post your question on one of our social media sites and you can email us anytime at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Selah in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Selah what your question for Pastor Israel radio program that what I've heard somebody say that how do you know when you don't remember your gang when you were born again. I remember my day when I was born again. How do we know where born again like you.

I'm not sure if I am going to elaborate. Thank you for that question.

See like I can see why this would be such a big concern, especially us as an individual you don't feel like you know you could pinpoint that the day or the moment where you experienced the new birth I was born again on you know June 2, 1978 or will you what I think are some people who who can point to moments in time like that but then there are others who really they can't, and just to be honest with you, so that when I think back to my life you I think ways in which God was working in my life throughout my childhood and into my teens and and even as an adult, but I can't. I can't point to an exact moment where I can say that was the moment where I for sure experienced the spiritual new birth now in Scripture it's often associated with baptism. Baptism is the sign and seal of our new birth and God can work it in. Through these we sometimes refer to us as means of grace.

But just because an individual was baptized doesn't mean that they've experienced the new birth and of course the language comes from John chapter 3 where Jesus is speaking with a religious man named Nicodemus about seeing the kingdom of God uses unless you're born again you cannot see the kingdom of publisher born of water and the Spirit in their Jesus seems to be echoing a promise made way back bite by the prophet Ezekiel were God was salmon to sprinkle my people with clean water on the right my law upon their hearts, to wash away all of their sin. All of their idolatry. So this is really fundamentally we cannot be. We are not Christians.

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit and to your question more specifically, how can I know I'm born again will let me just point you took to one verse in the book of first John in first John chapter 5 verse one.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. That is to say, if you truly confess Jesus is Lord. If you believe that he is the Christ. Now of course there are all sorts of people who have different beliefs about Jesus out there in the world who don't confess him to be the Christ, the eternal son of God me that I wouldn't say that there born again is because they have some beliefs about Jesus, led by false beliefs about Jesus. But if you believe in the true Jesus as he is revealed in holy Scripture. If you if you trust in him will that's a sign of the fact that you have been born again and so seal I guess my question to you is do you believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of God working in a way that I don't even believe I really do. That prompted me horrified me when somebody said that radio that I don't know the day you know when that that's okay because it's not so much about knowing the day it's it's realizing that by faith in Jesus and you know you're born again because you believe in Jesus and in his you said that the spirit of God is working in you and will continue to work in and through you did to produce the fruit of the spirit as the apostle Paul refers to them.

Love Joy peace patients that I want you to have the piece of knowing that that because you believe you can say I am born again and then I'm just echoing what John said there in in first John chapter 5 verse one. Look, everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.

Then he goes on to say in verse 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life that something that you can know Selah and Reston and it's Jesus who holds on to you and clings to you. God bless you sister and thank you for giving us a call. Selah. Thank you so much for listing.

We loved also sent Selah a copy of the book core Christianity we can have a whole animal on for second her information will send you a copy of that book. We think will be helpful to you.

This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Let's go to Dave in Springfield, Missouri Dave, what's your question for Pastor Israel.

Yes or my question castrated real has to do with Satan in Job chapters 1 and two we see instances where Satan appeared before the Lord on when the sons of God gathered before the Lord and know the Lord asked him where you been. He said I've been roaming around the earth and and he got into the discussion with Job and accused Job so there we see that Satan was active roaming around New York, but he also had access to God in heaven because it appeared before him now in the New Testament. My understanding is that Satan still kinda roams around the earth. It says in first Peter 58 that he goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour in revelation it also refers to him as the accuser of the brethren which I picture takes place in heaven now in in in Revelation 1279. It talks about a day when Satan will be cast out of heaven that he and his angels will be cast out of heaven. So my first question was Satan, am I correct in understanding that Satan does roam around New York today but still has access to God's throne in heaven and my second question is that passage in Revelation, where he is cast out of heaven is that a future event or was that something that happened back before because I previously understood that he you know that's how he ends up in it and in the garden was a been cast out of heaven and the rebellion took place before them. Hey Dave, thank you so much for you for your questions there there there are a handful of questions there, but I think that the heart of the heart of the question is really in it. Is Satan still working and accusing the brethren in the exact same way that he was in the Old Testament think of of Joe versus has there been a definitive shift in the way in which he is working in the world today and I would say that the answer to that question is yes, there has been a definitive shift and that shift came about through what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross.

Paul says in in Colossians that that the rulers and authorities of been disarmed through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout Jesus's earthly ministry.

He talked about finding Satan binding the strongman so that he might plunder his house and that's that's what's happening right now through the new covenant under the new covenant. The promise of the forgiveness of sins, the advancement of the gospel that the house of Satan.

If you will, is being plundered by God's word and spirit and through the work of Jesus Christ and so Satan does not have the same access that it that he once had infected in in in a real definitive sense.

I think we can even say that he has been bound. Now there's a very controversial passage of Scripture in Revelation chapter 20 where this is described in there's debate about wind. This binding took place. It's my position that the binding of Satan took place through the work of Jesus Christ and that now because Satan has been bound in one sense he's no longer free to deceive the nations as he once was. Think of under the old covenant, the nations of the world essentially just immersed in idolatry and you had God's covenant people that the Hebrews called to be a light to the world and they too were instead of instead of doing that they they basically embrace the idolatry of the rest of the world. And so, Jesus, the true Israelite comes and accomplishes salvation. He is the light and is now advancing his gospel throughout the whole world so that the nations are no longer being deceived in the same way that they once were. Revelation chapter 20 verse one then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand.

The key to the bottomless pit and a great chain and he sees the Dragon that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years and threw them into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him so that he might not deceive the nations any longer as a purpose clause there that this binding of Satan in Revelation 20 is is primarily related to his deception of the nations, and so I would say, through the work of the gospel through the accomplishment of Jesus Christ. Satan's is presently bound, so that he's not deceiving the nations the whole world as he once was.

And yet we also know and you referred to this. You know what what Peter says that he goes about still is a roaring lion, seeking to devour people and so you have the sort of mystery that the evil one has been bound.

He's been broken. If you will, by the work of Christ on the cross. He knows that his time is short and he's out about in the world today trying to deceive, trying to take people's eyes off of Jesus, but he doesn't have the same power that he once had, because of what Christ has accomplished through his earthly ministry, and ultimately through the cross. And so, so we have to factor in the redemptive work of Jesus and the implications of that work on the present activity of Satan. Thank you Dave for your question, for giving us a call. May the Lord bless you, great! On that complicated issue. Israel, thanks so much for clarifying that for us. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and by the way, if you have a question but can't get to us during the live program. You can always leave a voicemail 24 hours a day at our number 833 the core, you might want to make a note of that in case you know you come across a Bible passage that's confusing to you, or you have a conversation with someone. I'm really not sure how to answer that you can know call and leave a voicemail 833 the core there's a voicemail we received earlier this week. Now, Lord, wondering however you truly feel like a light. I really you and I don't bless us that we can we can truly be saved and still have struggles fights even addictions. I would say I would want to distinguish between an individual who was, as you said, leading a double life meaning. This is something that they're not confessing and repenting of their day. Maybe they go to church and they look really good externally, but they have the secrets these things that they hold onto these idols that they worship in the dark that they're not willing to confess. Maybe they don't even treat them as they think that they're sending to Satan you know this is kinda my thing like my pet sit over here nobody needs to know about it and end date. They are leading this hypocritical double life. I think of the Pharisees, for example, they looked really good externally, but Jesus said that they were full of dead men's bones. He says you don't clean the inside of the cup. Now that doesn't mean again that that genuine believers can't struggle with sin and the reality is you will. We will mean that we we are in this real fight, there's this this fight between the lust of the flesh which we experience and in the spirit and being led by the spirit. Paul talks about this in Galatians chapter 5, or even in Romans chapter 7 this is I think intense battle that we all experience whereby we were called to day by day put to death the old word is mortify the sinful deeds of our bodies, and we can't do that alone or in our own strength. It's only through the grace of the Holy Spirit. It's only by the spirit that that can happen but but that is the real Christian experience it's it's this fight.

There isn't one person who does good and doesn't sin in in the whole world, but if there's an individual who, as you said is is concealing the enemy with it. Like you said, they go to church and they look good on the outside but but they are addicted to all these things and sins. And they're not willing to repent of them are not confessing them will I would be really concerned about that that could be indicative of the fact that maybe this person right is just as external show that they're putting on but they they truly don't know Christ not have any desire to even confess their sins, as I would. I would maybe distinguish between those two, but if your concern is. Can someone really struggle as a Christian and still be saved.

I would just say to you, yes they can, and been what saves us is not help help perfectly. We do in that struggle. It's the fact that Jesus holds on to us and he keeps us and he forgives us so. Thank you for your question so important for us always to remember the finished work of Jesus on the cross and it's not you know our brownie points are gold stars. The fact that we we don't sin because we are going to send this process very clearly struggle with that throughout our lives into were glorified, but thank the Lord there is no condemnation.

Jesus Christ absolutely belied. I just yesterday preached on Genesis 11 the story of the Tower of Babel where you had this group of people who essentially want to ascend into heaven through their own works through their own efforts through technology wisdom, so on and so forth in their building their way into the sky with mud bricks. Too many times you know it is funny but the reality is too often even as Christians is precisely what we try to do what we think we can do we we we treat our good works as the things with which we are building our way into the heavens into God's good graces. But the reality is, those bricks are made of mud their cracked there broken and were broken and that's why our only hope is as you said, not our brownie points or golden stars. It's the fact that God came down to us in Jesus and forgave our sins and we were raised up with him by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Amen. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and summertime is here are some of the kids out of school right now and a lot of parents going man how I keep my kids busy will.

Here's one idea for you. Just in time for summer. We have a great free resource just for families, 10 verses to memorize as a family this summer. It's a free resource that not only gives your family scriptures to memorize, but also give some some further explanation. Digging into each individual passage of Scripture said something where you guys can really grow together in your understanding even of the passages of the verses that you'll be memorizing one such verse is Psalm 19 verse one the heavens declare the glory of God in the sky above proclaims his handiwork get a hold of this resource. 10 verses to memorize as a family this summer and bills getting you some more information on that you can find it at our website which is core Christianity.com/offers again core Christianity.com/offers and download 10 verses to memorize as a family this summer you if you do that as a family. Let us know how it goes.

We'd love to get your feedback on that you can get that resource in any of our resources. Also by calling us at 833-843-2673 will help you get that offer again that's 833. The core let's go to Kami in Fremont, Nebraska can be welcome to the program. I think you should die for everything. When I was younger and my mother told me about how our time is different from God's time and how it in the Bible saying like it's one day to one hour something we've been looking for and trying to find in the Bible again so I can tell my children about it during the day could help us with that. Yeah, there are there a couple of verses that you might be referring to the one that I think others see it in the context of Peter talking about the coming of Jesus Christ. The second coming of our Lord to return and judge the earth. He says, look there going to be some people who say where is the promise of his coming.

He just hasn't come back yet here you guys are you Christians waiting around looking into the skies.

Living your lives as if Jesus is coming back where's he at scoffers will come. Peter said and he says look you have to you have to remember this second Peter chapter 3 verse five for they that is the scoffers that he describes deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God and that by means of these the world that then existed was day loosed with water and perished by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly, but do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance know Peter's point. There is not that you know God just feels time differently than we do. God God is that the Lord of creation. He created all things, time included is not bound by, or limited by time like we are Peter's Peter's point here is that we might grow impatient, but God is the God of time he created it one day with him with the Lord is the thousand years and a thousand years as one day and so don't don't think that that God is Christ is tarrying and coming back. Actually what this is supposed to demonstrate to us the fact that Jesus has not yet returned is that God is long-suffering to you and he's not willing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance every day we have on earth. God is calling us to himself God is calling you to himself, to know him to walk with him to love him and then that's that's Peter's point there and so we can say about God, Kami, and in terms of, you know, as he relates the time is that he's not limited by it and in it, do you know that God doesn't run out of time as it were he created.

He's the eternal Lord, thank you for your question. Thanks Kami and thanks for digging into God's word. We really do appreciate our listeners who spent time in the Bible and have these great questions. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and by the way, you can leave a voicemail for us 24 hours a day if you can call during the regular program. Make sure to just call and leave your name and where you're calling from 833. The core is the number that's 833. The core is a voicemail from Will and San Diego.

I had a discussion with my brother.

He's an LDS and my brother stated that Jesus and Satan are scared brothers. Now this is nothing new to anybody. My concern is for his soul.

He said that he believes in Jesus Christ and that he is his Savior, but there's something wrong or something missing and he had the story of is made up thing he said it was in the Bible and it wasn't in the Bible. Nothing he said he could point to the Bible Satan is a created being.

Christ is God always was God. He refute everything so just let it go. If Mormons are going to be saved because they believe in Christ, then I should never talk to him about religion again and it's okay.

I'm not saying I'm better than his just very frustrated because he is my brother. I'm concerned for his soul. Anyway, thank you for your time. Let's pray right now for Will's brother because this is a very serious thing gracious heavenly father, thank you for Will and for the concern that he has for his brother soul that he wants his brother Lord God to confess Jesus rightly and to know the true Christ of holy Scripture.

Would you please open his brother's heart to your word. Jesus, would you please be at work in Will's brother.

Would you please trying to be drawing him to yourself and delivering him Lord from the false doctrines that he's embraced God.

We look to you. We ask for your help. In Jesus name, amen.

Will this is a serious thing and I've had many Mormon friends in my life. Some of them who eventually one individual.

I think we shared the gospel with him for many years and he eventually did come to faith. Others were really torn and conflicted as we would talk about issues in the LDS church as we would talk about some of the false theology in the LDS church and they could see that I think on the basis of Scripture. But they had a really hard time leaving because they had connections to the church and so is this the sort of very difficult place for them to be, because I think they had these these serious doubts about LDS dog mommy stuff what you just said that teaching that Jesus and Satan were spirit brothers images absolutely out there. It's bogus is not what the Bible teaches, and yet they they had a hard time leaving the LDS church because they were married and you know how to family and were a part of the temple.

Paul says very clearly in second Corinthians 11 verse four. If someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept the different gospel from the one you accepted and you put up with it readily enough.

Indeed, I consider anything ago that if I'm not in the least inferior to the super apostles, even if I am unskilled and speaking and so on and so forth. He goes on bracelet people can receive a false Jesus, another spirit that's always a don't give up on your brother continued to talk about God's word with him and to share the truth of Jesus. Jesus is the eternal son of God, not the spirit brother of Satan. And it's only by confessing him rightly that we can experience his grace and salvation.

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