I am having a difficult time knowing if I am living in sin while living with my boyfriend. There is no sexual contact! But I struggle to know if it is God's will or not.

4/4/2008 2:46:35 AM by libby, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/4/2008

First, let me welcome you and apologize. I posted a reply to your other questions this morning, but failed to welcome you, which I always try to do for new visitors. Welcome! It's really great to have you here and I hope you find a warm and welcoming home among friends.

I have a hunch, and I hope and pray that I'm not wrong, but here goes. I suspect that the very fact that you're asking means it might not be God's will. Some small voice inside you told you to ask the question, which means that you are uncomfortable with the situation. Your discomfort may come from the Spirit telling you to choose another option. If you had total peace about it, you likely would not have asked and if there was peace, you could be more certain it was God's will for you.

This does not mean that you are sinning - not at all. It may mean that the Spirit is trying to warn you of danger ahead, or may even be telling you that you are making things harder than it should be. Rather than fleeing temptation, you are embracing it.

But as I said, this is not about sin, or even about right and wrong, it's about listening to the Spirit and receiving the good advice and guidance He is offering. I think He is telling you what to do and you need to decide if you will follow His advice or not. Following where the Spirit guides is always simple, but rarely easy. Listen to the voice inside you. For me, the rule of thumb is that when I have peace, I am likely walking in His will. When I feel troubled, I usually am not.

Please know that we all empathize with your situation, and will offer you all the prayer and advice that we can. God Bless!!

4/4/2008 10:51:51 AM by arsindelve, Executive Director, Delve Christian Ministries

Libby,

God bless you, woman of God. I agree with Arsin. If you are feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit, it would go well for you to follow the still, small voice. Pray for grace as you follow the path of holiness.

4/4/2008 11:08:10 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Welcome Libby!
I heard Billy Graham say something like this.
(This is not word perfect!)
He will not even pick up a single woman hitchhiker that he knew. (Because if he did, and people saw them together, even if nothing went on, people could still THINK that something did go on, and he didn't want to ruin his witness for God that way.)
I pray that the Lord let's you know what you should do!

4/4/2008 11:36:36 AM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

This discussion stayed on my mind as it seemed familar to me. I finally remembered there was a couple in my church years ago who were living together and the pastor got wind of it. He preached a sermon about it. Even though they were engaged and doing it to save money for their upcoming marriage and not sexual.

Pastor preached from 1st Thessalonians 5:21-22, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

He said even though their intentions were honorable, it LOOKED like sin.

4/8/2008 9:39:16 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008