Jeremiah 2:19
Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Hebrews 12:1-6
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Proverbs 29:1-11
1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
For one--just because something is desired doesn't mean it's beneficial. He knows my heart better than I, though--so much so. Dross must be purged.
Conformation has been slow going, in ways, due to errant entertainment of pride and stubbornness/willfulness. The more I rush into things, wanting it to be His will, the more humbling an experience becomes. Mortifying, ultimately. Mercifully.
Some things which had developed were counted as approval, yesterday, but counting them as approval is in err. The only calling which matters is to be called of God, so any designs laid by man are not to be revered. The Lord can operate through them, nonetheless. If He so chooses. But not by our will--His, alone.
So many things have been pitfalls. Beyond my wildest imaginings. I had no idea.
How very unsettling it is, to know that certain delusions are so proliferate. So much false doctrine.
There's nothing to be cavalier about in all this. No.
Just...to seek steadfastly, ardently and sincerely yearning for reproval, instruction, and direction.
...now, studying and reading.
And else necessary.
Until very recently, certain things had been wholly taken for granted as given. It's all by grace, though. All of it. To His glory.
He is faithful.
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