I realize that it isn't because if even Jesus was tempted to wrong it can't be because He was and is sinless and He couldn't have been out perfect sacrifice on the cross. It's only a sin when you give into temptation. However, it still bothers me that I've been getting intrusive thoughts ever since I found a new church of go ahead and skip church, be lazy,.. followed by God is going to be mad at me anyways for having these thoughts so who needs Him?
I'm pretty sure that they're from the devil because that sounds like him all over the place. I do believe that he's just ticked off that I finally found a good Bible believing church and he hates that because he hates anything having to do with church, God, and the Bible and he wants me to turn on God.
However, that doesn't make it any easier because I am left with feelings of guilt and what if he's right about God being mad at me for having these intrusive thoughts even though deep down I know that it's a lie. Am I alone in this?
The nature of one's susceptibility to temptation hinges profoundly upon the specific appeal in question. Missing a visit to an organized religious place of worship would be far down the list of violations
The violation of serious temptations is what matters. There is nothing I know of in any bible that demands one must go to a place of worship. Not in the 10 Commandments or 613 mitzvot.
During my marriage, I encountered numerous occasions wherein an amorous advance from another woman presented itself, circumstances in which my wife would have remained entirely unaware, however, I steadfastly resisted such temptations, for I regarded my nuptial vows with the utmost seriousness. The guilt alone for me pointing to G-d and saying, "remember that rare time I took a vow in your name? Well, I don't care".
Did I, upon beholding a beautifu andl voluptuous woman in my midst, permit my gaze to linger in appreciation? Indoubtably. More instinctively than intentionally. However, THAT was temptation which was offered (more than on one occasion) for which I didn't give in.
The female body is a work of art. Contrary to Jesus instructions, I did not consider my observation akin to cheating on my wife. I used to read muscle mags and admire mens development and I never had gay inclinations lol.
Conversely, should temptation manifest as the impulse to commit murder for financial gain or to orchestrate the destruction of another persons life ? Irrespective of what book, doctrine or verse one reads, to perpetrate such atrocities is to mock G-ds creations and his Commands.
If someone wants to tempt such pursuits I say "roll the dice good sir, I will take my chances living in the way G-d most certainly demands to keep ones soul intact". I've never been a gambling man to that degree.
If there exists light and darkness, so too must there be good and evil. There must exist a G-d and his enemy, his adversary; in whatever reference one makes to this existence. This is particularly true of abuses of the vulnerable, defenseless and oppressed. Temptation thus eminates to varying degrees not all of which are equal in consequences for submitting to these temptations.
Live by your word because in the end even if you are worth billions it is all you have. I speak from personal experience that all I have is the truth and pretending G-d doesn't see this truth is once again a gamble I won't take.
If you can help the downtrodden, do so whenever it is permitted. Not to the point you are left suffering but to the point you can say "I helped that man or woman out as G-d commanded I try.
Your minor indiscretions can thus be nullified. If you do something that is beyond reclaimation of ones soul, well...that's between the individual and the divine. Stay close to G-d, pray and be present, there is no violation if you skip visiting a man-made structure in all I have read.
