Expert: Brenda Martin - 6/4/2009

Question
Hello there Mrs. Martin,
lately i've been bothered by the recurring thought in my head that won't leave me alone. It all started a week ago at my job. I remember i was working by the cash register when suddenly I made some sort of mistake. I forgot what it was I did wrong, but I was like "great i didn't get this right." My co-worker was like "oscar, what am I going to do with you?" And out of nowhere without thinking about it I said, "I work in mysterious ways." I said it smiling and then a second later it hit me... "did i just say that? only God works in mysterious ways!" I asked the Lord to forgive me. Well the though of what i said that day has been on my mind lately. I know that God knows my heart and that i didn't mean anything else by what i said. I mean when i said it, i didn't say it like I was trying to be like the Lord. Never would i dare think like that! But like i said the thought has not left me alone. I asked the Lord a couple of times now to forgive me for what i said. I mean i trully fear the Lord. I still don't understand why those words came out of my mouth. In my heart i didn't have any malice or anything like that. I just want to have peace of mind now and let that recurring thought go... I mean i asked for forgiveness.
I talked to a pastor on the phone, and he told me that it was just an ignorant sin. He said: "well you didn't wake up that morning and thought to your self: 'I'll say this today'" I told him that no, of course i didn't think it thoroughly to say it. The phrase just came out of my mouth. I remember that 2 days before this unthinkable thing happened I was praying to God and I had told Him that out of my mouth only words of praise should come out for Him. And then 2 days later i go on and with thinking said that... i felt guilty even though i knew in my heart i didn't say it in a way were i wanted someone to think of me as someone great. But i felt guilty still for saying that... I mean those words, that very phrase, belongs to God alone. Only he works in mysterious ways... I still don't know why those words came out of my mouth. What i did was something ignorant and sinful right? please help... i just want to stop thinking about it and trully know that God still loves me and that I do have His forgiveness. Thanks!

Answer
Hi Oscar, When I read your question it made me think of the scripture that says; "you will know the TRUTH & the truth will set you FREE" (John 8:31, 32)

Jesus expects his followers to remain in his word—that is, to stick to his teachings. Instead, religious teachers claiming to follow Christ have replaced Jesus’ teachings with, among others, ideas like the immortality of the soul, a belief in purgatory, worship of Mary, and a clergy class—ideas borrowed from pagan religions and philosophers.—1 Corinthians 1:19-21; 3:18-20.

Religious teachers have also introduced the incomprehensible doctrine of the Trinity, elevating Jesus to a position he never claimed for himself.(Matthew 5:16; 6:9; John 14:28; 20:17)

so when folk are members of a religion that teaches such falsehoods they are not being taught the "truth" so in consequence they are not "free"

If you were being taught the truth from God's word you wouldnt be worried about stuff like this, you would know God, his purpose for the earth & his personality & armed with that vital knowledge you would be "free" from concern over such things.

It is possible to know the truth, even in these critical “last days” when falsehood and untruth abound. (2 Timothy 3:1)

The book "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" is designed to help people to examine the Bible’s clear answers to vital questions.

There is no greater treasure to be found. Bible truth liberates us from superstition, confusion, and morbid fear. It gives us hope, purpose, and joy. Jesus said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32.

You can obtain a copy of this book (free of charge) from www.watchtower.org

But in the meantime here is the bible's answer to your question--

“we all stumble many times,” James 3;2)

‘if errors were what Jehovah watched, who could stand?’(Ps. 130:3)

This will help us to keep a balanced view of ourselves and others as we continually work to “put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” (Eph. 4:24)

This balanced view enables us to realize that, although each of us should manifest progress in putting on the new personality, none of us reaches the stage where he does not sin and need forgiveness daily for his shortcomings.—1 John 2:1, 2.

all the best
Brenda