Affliction: When God Speaks Loud

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Part 22 –
Affliction: When God Speaks Loud
This episode addresses the impasse that many believers discover in sanctification: they agree and delight with the Law of God in the inner man, but they’re really not convinced that God’s way is better. While many would give lip service to the Scriptural claim that sin leads to corruption (Gal 6:8), many are not really convinced. The apparent consequences of sin are ignored or considered tolerable. So unless God reveals that sowing to the flesh really does lead to corruption, we likely continue in sin. This dynamic is typical for every believer undergoing sanctification, and the answer to this predicament is the same as the psalmist in Psalm 119. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67) Affliction is the God-given means to destroy the self-delusions that sin is tolerable and/or that sin is without painful consequences. And, affliction is God’s answer to the psalmist’s prayer that his ways be established to keep God’s statutes. (Psalm 119:5) The Holy Spirit, who always intercedes according to the perfect will of God, pleads the same petition, sometimes resulting in pain in the lives of believers. Is it possible that believers’ lack of conviction that God’s way is better, requiring affliction as the remedy, is the reason why Paul declared “we do not know how to pray as we ought..?” (Rom. 8:26)

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Part 22 –
Affliction: When God Speaks Loud

Podcast (kingdomquestions): Play in new window | Download | Embed

This episode addresses the impasse that many believers discover in sanctification: they agree and delight with the Law of God in the inner man, but they’re really not convinced that God’s way is better. While many would give lip service to the Scriptural claim that sin leads to corruption (Gal 6:8), many are not really convinced. The apparent consequences of sin are ignored or considered tolerable. So unless God reveals that sowing to the flesh really does lead to corruption, we likely continue in sin. This dynamic is typical for every believer undergoing sanctification, and the answer to this predicament is the same as the psalmist in Psalm 119. “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.” (Psalm 119:67) Affliction is the God-given means to destroy the self-delusions that sin is tolerable and/or that sin is without painful consequences. And, affliction is God’s answer to the psalmist’s prayer that his ways be established to keep God’s statutes. (Psalm 119:5) The Holy Spirit, who always intercedes according to the perfect will of God, pleads the same petition, sometimes resulting in pain in the lives of believers. Is it possible that believers’ lack of conviction that God’s way is better, requiring affliction as the remedy, is the reason why Paul declared “we do not know how to pray as we ought..?” (Rom. 8:26)

Episode Scripture References -

1 John 5:4, Psalm 119:104, Romans 7:22, Romans 8:26, Psalm 139:23-24, Galatians 6:8, Psalm 119:5, Psalm 119:67

More About This Episode -

Victor opens the discussion by suggesting that sin often stems from a lack of conviction that God’s way is better. He posits that when individuals engage in a pattern of sin, it indicates a disconnection between their actions and the understanding of God’s laws. He encourages listeners to pray for God to establish their ways in alignment with His statutes, acknowledging the need for God’s help in overcoming this disconnection.


Victor refers to Augustine’s conflicted prayer for chastity as an illustration of the struggle between wanting to align with God’s ways and the hesitation to fully embrace them. He emphasizes that prayer should include honesty about desires and the inner turmoil that accompanies sinful behavior.


He explains that God’s grace may be revealed through various means, including allowing individuals to experience the consequences of their actions. Victor emphasizes that those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, and he elaborates that this affliction can take many forms, such as a lack of peace or direct consequences, often serving as God’s means to get our attention.


Victor references the psalmist’s declaration about affliction leading to a realization of one’s ways, highlighting the notion that before one is afflicted, they may deviate from the right path. He stresses the importance of recognizing the disconnect between personal desires and God’s statutes while encouraging listeners to pray for God’s guidance and conviction.

Key Terms From This Episode -

Main Theme: Application of Psalm 119 in everyday Christian life

    Key Points:

  • Sin results from a lack of conviction in God’s better way
  • Engaging in sin reflects a disconnection from understanding God’s laws
  • Reference to Augustine’s conflicted prayer about chastity as an example of inner turmoil and desire conflict
  • God’s grace revealed through consequences of actions; affliction serves to get attention
  • Importance of recognizing discrepancies between personal desires and God’s statutes

    • Episode Scripture References -

    1 John 5:4, Psalm 119:104, Romans 7:22, Romans 8:26, Psalm 139:23-24, Galatians 6:8, Psalm 119:5, Psalm 119:67

    More About This Episode -

    Victor opens the discussion by suggesting that sin often stems from a lack of conviction that God’s way is better. He posits that when individuals engage in a pattern of sin, it indicates a disconnection between their actions and the understanding of God’s laws. He encourages listeners to pray for God to establish their ways in alignment with His statutes, acknowledging the need for God’s help in overcoming this disconnection.


    Victor refers to Augustine’s conflicted prayer for chastity as an illustration of the struggle between wanting to align with God’s ways and the hesitation to fully embrace them. He emphasizes that prayer should include honesty about desires and the inner turmoil that accompanies sinful behavior.


    He explains that God’s grace may be revealed through various means, including allowing individuals to experience the consequences of their actions. Victor emphasizes that those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption, and he elaborates that this affliction can take many forms, such as a lack of peace or direct consequences, often serving as God’s means to get our attention.


    Victor references the psalmist’s declaration about affliction leading to a realization of one’s ways, highlighting the notion that before one is afflicted, they may deviate from the right path. He stresses the importance of recognizing the disconnect between personal desires and God’s statutes while encouraging listeners to pray for God’s guidance and conviction.

    Key Terms From This Episode -

    Main Theme: Application of Psalm 119 in everyday Christian life

      Key Points:

  • Sin results from a lack of conviction in God’s better way
  • Engaging in sin reflects a disconnection from understanding God’s laws
  • Reference to Augustine’s conflicted prayer about chastity as an example of inner turmoil and desire conflict
  • God’s grace revealed through consequences of actions; affliction serves to get attention
  • Importance of recognizing discrepancies between personal desires and God’s statutes
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