*Good things* come to who *Believe* ..
*Better things* come to those who are *Patient* ..
… but The *Best Things* come to those who *NEVER GIVE UP.*

TOPIC: *REPENTANCE IS THE BEGINNING NOT THE END: UNDERSTAND THIS SPIRITUAL SECRET*

CIC78: *CELEBRITY IN CHRIST EPISODE 78*

Every life unfolds according to a PURPOSE only God fully understands. Life is an exam in which we all have different QUESTION PAPERS.

Salvation is simply the doorway into the Kingdom of God. But the Kingdom is much bigger. GOD'S REFINING WORK IN US IS A GREAT MIRACLE. We are TRANSFORMED by the Holy Spirit.

This Kingdom of God is here, now. We can enjoy all the benefits of God’s Kingdom today. We don’t have to wait until we step into eternity to enjoy the goodness God has already given us through Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit.

NOTE: *THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, NOT CHURCH ATTENDANCE ALONE.*  Through a daily personal relationship with  our Lord Jesus Christ, not every Sunday RELIGION.

*The Kingdom Of God is our path to freedom from this world’s cursed system and the hope we should be preaching to a suffering world.*

The biblical message is not “Once Saved, Always Saved.” It is ‘He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

*Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, but the faith that saves is a faith that continues to trust Christ.*

God is faithful to preserve those who abide in Him, but He never removes man’s responsibility to continue in faith. This is why believers are repeatedly commanded to endure, remain, continue, hold fast, and persevere.

*IF THERE’S NO ETERNAL LIFE ON EARTH, then THERE’S NO EVERLASTING LIFE IN HEAVEN*

*Everlasting life* is the *Quantity* of life; it means your existence never ends. *Eternal life* is the *Quality* of life; it describes the divine, joyful nature of a personal relationship with God.

There are 4 STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

1. *Natural* (Lost) needs SALVATION.

2. *New* (Saved but immature) needs GROWTH.

3. *Carnal* (Saved but fleshly) needs CORRECTION.

4. *Spiritual* (Mature in Christ) needs CONSISTENCY.

The question is not: Are you saved?
👉 The question is: Are you GROWING?

Have you ever wondered why some people genuinely repent, stop masturbation, stop fornication, stop adultery, stop pornography, and begin pursuing holiness, yet they suddenly start experiencing sexual dreams, intense temptations, and strange battles they never paid attention to before?

*Many become confused.*

Some begin to think their repentance did not work.

Some believe God has abandoned them.

Some become discouraged and return to the very sins they once escaped.

*But there is something every believer must understand:*

The moment you decide to leave a sinful lifestyle and follow God seriously, a battle often begins within your mind, your desires, and your spiritual life.

The enemy does not easily let go of territories he once occupied. This is why many people who have stopped sexual sins physically still find themselves fighting thoughts, memories, temptations, and sometimes sexual dreams.

*THE FIRST THING YOU MUST KNOW IS TEMPTATION IS NOT SIN.*

Many believers condemn themselves because they were tempted. Jesus Himself was tempted, yet He never sinned.

*The Bible says:*

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15

Being tempted does not mean you have failed. The real question is whether you surrendered to the temptation.

*WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN AFTER REPENTANCE?*

There are several possible reasons.

*1. THE MIND IS STILL BEING RENEWED*

Years of sexual sin leave impressions in the mind.

Images.
Memories.
Habits.
Desires.

Even after genuine repentance, the mind needs renewal.

*The Bible says:*

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Romans 12:2

Many people stop the physical act but forget that the mind must also be transformed.

*2. OLD HABITS TRY TO REGAIN CONTROL*

Every habit creates patterns. When you stop feeding those patterns, they do not disappear immediately. They often fight for survival.

This is why temptations sometimes become stronger shortly after someone decides to change.

*3. SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL*

The Christian life involves spiritual warfare.

The Bible tells believers to put on the whole armor of God because there is a real battle against spiritual forces of darkness. "Ephesians 6:12"

This does not mean every dream is demonic. However, believers should remain spiritually alert and prayerful.

*4. THE FLESH DOES NOT SURRENDER EASILY*

The flesh constantly fights against the Spirit.

*The Bible says:*

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." Galatians 5:17

The battle is real. That is why believers must learn to walk in the Spirit daily.

*WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WHEN THESE BATTLES COME?*

_DO NOT PANIC._

_DO NOT CONDEMN YOURSELF._

_DO NOT ASSUME YOU ARE BACKSLIDDEN._

_DO NOT RETURN TO THE SIN._

Instead:

*1. PRAY CONSISTENTLY*

Prayer keeps your spiritual life strong.

Do not only pray when temptation comes.

Develop a daily prayer life.

*2. FAST REGULARLY*

Fasting helps believers focus on God and exercise self-control.

Some battles become easier when the flesh is brought under discipline.

*3. FILL YOUR MIND WITH SCRIPTURE*

Do not leave your mind empty.

Fill it with God's Word.

Jesus defeated temptation by responding with Scripture.

*4. AVOID TRIGGERS*

This is where many believers fail. Some pray all night but spend the entire day watching content that awakens lust.

Avoid anything that feeds the temptation.

Guard your eyes.
Guard your ears.
Guard your heart.

*5. FIND GODLY FELLOWSHIP*

Isolation weakens believers.

Connect with mature Christians who can encourage and pray with you.

*The Bible says:*

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."
James 5:16

*6. STAY BUSY WITH GODLY PURPOSE*

An idle mind becomes an easy target.

Serve God.
Study.
Work.
Evangelize.
Develop productive habits.

*The God who saves does not cease to respect the freedom He created. His grace is irresistible only to those who continue to yield to it.*

A believer is eternally secure in Christ, not independent of Christ.

*THE BIGGEST MISTAKE PEOPLE MAKE*

The biggest mistake is believing that freedom happens overnight.

Many people expect years of struggles to disappear within a few days.

Spiritual growth is often a process.

Sanctification is a journey.

God works in us daily.

Every victory matters.

Every resisted temptation matters.

Every prayer matters.

Every act of obedience matters.

*HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE MAKING PROGRESS?*

You know you are growing when:

You resist temptation more quickly.

Your desire for holiness increases.

Your prayer life becomes stronger.

Your love for God's Word increases.

Sin loses its grip over your life.

Your conscience becomes more sensitive.

You begin to enjoy righteousness more than sin.

*That is growth. That is spiritual maturity.*

*BE ENCOURAGED*

If you have left sexual sin behind but still face temptations, lustful thoughts, or sexual dreams, do not lose heart.

Keep praying.

Keep fasting.

Keep studying the Word.

Keep resisting temptation.

Keep pursuing holiness.

Keep walking with God.

*The battle you are fighting today is not proof that God has abandoned you. It may be evidence that you are no longer surrendering without a fight.*

The Bible says:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
James 4:7

Stand firm.

Stay pure.

Stay watchful.

Stay close to God.

Victory belongs to those who refuse to quit.

Good things come to who Believe
Better things come to those who are Patient
… but The Best Things come to those who NEVER GIVE UP.

*SUMMARY*

. Temptation is not sin.
. Repentance is the beginning, not the end.
. The mind must be renewed.
. Prayer and fasting strengthen believers.
. God's Word is a weapon against temptation.
. Avoiding triggers is wisdom.
. Spiritual growth is a process.
. Those who remain faithful will overcome.

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*Enjoy Your Day* 😉