Well, God and christ both teach us we are to grow in God to become more- "Christ-like". this is not in looking like Him, but thinking and operating more like Him. Otherwise, how can you be a witness for christ, if not demonstrating His thinking and actions, as according to what God's Word declares of this?
We cannot become gods, but we are to think, act and live as Christ thought, acted and lived on earth also. The Holy Spirit dwells within us to help us to do this as well. Fear is of the devil and we are to work to stop his influence from keeping us from becoming the child of God, God is trying to work in each of us to become.
We will make mistakes, we will trip, fall etc. But God teaches us not to let Satan keep us down, but let the Holy Spirit pick us up again and go on. No human is exempt from this happening.
Charles-
Regardless of what you have experienced, you need to realize these are commands of God to become more like him. As Boenerges shows, Scriptures commands us to do this.
If you have mistakenly allowed Satan to mislead you, so what? You've learned from that right? Now, just don't let that happen again, while still following God's commands. Don't let Satan hold you back, from allowing God to help you become the "Christ-like" Child God wants and knows you can be for Him.
I knew of someone who quit reading God's Word and would never discuss it because not so long ago, they'd belonged to a cult that used God's Word in a very controlling way over thier followers. So, they refused to believe we had to deal with the "Law" whatsoever.
But, they finally realized, God's Word is necessary to learn, for understanding the guidelines to help us discern sin from good and to do the good and avoid sin. They realized, on our Site we were not Lording over people, but lovingly sharing God's Word for guidance, not control.
All people have the right to choose how they want to live. But, God also shows us, the results in the end for wanting to do things our way, rather than God's. And if fear of past mistakes, keeps us from following God correctly, Satan has then won, thru instilling fear in us as such.
That is something you will need to pray to God about and seek his will for you in this matter concerning your fear(s). but, God's Word has been made clear to you from others here what God expects. Now, its your choice to accept God's guidance by that, or go with Satan and reject it.
God bless!!
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