Beauty for ashes: receiving emotional healing by Joyce Meyer

Author:Joyce Meyer [Meyer, Joyce]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion, Christian Life - General, Christian Life, Christian Theology, Spiritual Growth, Family & Relationships, Religious life, General, Child abuse, Adult child sexual abuse victims, Meyer; Joyce, Abuse, Adult child sexual abuse victims - Religious life, Spirituality
ISBN: 9780446691154
Publisher: New York : Warner Books, 2002.
Published: 2002-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

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We are to confess our faults to one another. But this does not mean that every time we sin, we need to confess it to another person. We know that Jesus is our High Priest. We do not have to go to people to receive forgiveness from God. That was the case under the old covenant, but not under the new covenant.What is the practical application of James 5:16? I believe we not only need to know the Word of God, but how to apply it practically to our daily lives. A person can be bleeding and know that he has a bandage, but if he does not know how to apply the bandage, he can bleed to death. Many people have the Word of God, yet they are "bleeding to death" (living in torment), because they do not know how to apply the Word in everyday situations.

I believe that James 5:16 should be applied in this manner. First, be sure you know that man cannot forgive sin-that is God's job. Yet, man can pronounce and declare God's forgiveness to you. Man can agree with you concerning your forgiveness. Someone can even pray for you to be forgiven (see 1 John 5:16), just as Jesus did when He was on the cross praying for those who had persecuted Him to be forgiven.

When do you need to apply this passage? I believe a time to consider placing James 5:16 into action is when you are being tormented by your past sins. Being poisoned inwardly keeps you from getting well-physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally.

Once exposed to the light, things hidden in darkness lose their power. People hide things because of fear. Satan pounds at the mind with thoughts such as:What will people say if they learn that I was abused? Everyone will think I'm horrible! I'll be rejected,etc.

In my meetings, numerous people have come to me for prayer, confiding in me, "I have never told this to anyone, butIfeel I need to get it out of my system; I was abused." Often

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they weep uncontrollably. With this weeping, however, often there comes a release that is desperately needed. Hurting people feel safe with me because they know that I was abused also.Now,pleaseunderstand that I am not saying that everyone needs to admit to being abused and to ask for prayer for healing. If you are suffering from the effects of abuse, be led by the Holy Spirit, not only in deciding whether you need to confess to someone, but also in deciding to whom you should make your confession. The person must be carefully chosen. I suggest a mature Christian you know you can trust. If you are married, and your spouse fits these criteria, consider him or her first.

You should know that often when a spouse finds out about the situation, he or she will respond with anger toward the abuser. Therefore before you make your confession you should be sure that your spouse is Spirit-controlled and willing to follow God's leading and not personal feelings.

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