We cannot stop sins on our own. But through Jesus Christ all things are possible.
Why Do I Keep Sinning? How Do I Stop Sexual Sin? What Are Ways to Stop Backsliding?
Overcoming Your Worst Sins The Biblical Way
These are all valid questions that Christians face. No matter where you live, your age or your background, all Christians will be tried and tested with sin in their lives. Living in a world full of sinful temptation makes the battle for Christian purity that much tougher. But the Bible of course, holds the solution to battling and in some cases, eliminating certain sins in your life. This article will explore one of the methods to overcoming your worst sins and keeping them away for good.
The story of King Josiah is a remarkable account of spiritual revival and re-dedication to God in a time of deep sin. Josiah, who became King of Judah at age 8 after his father King Amon was assassinated, led a sinful nation back to holy living and a right relationship with the Lord. Through his actions, a pattern emerges that every Christian can apply to help overcome sin.
Know Your Condition
“for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7.
Josiah’s grandfather, King Manasseh, was one of the worst, most wicked Israelite kings of all time. The king was the spiritual leader of the nation and Manasseh’s reign was one of the lowest points for pure evil, rebellion and satanic behavior:
And [King Manasseh] did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: – 2 Kings 21:2-7.
This list is staggering for the amount of evil Manasseh had fallen into. He built altars of worship to the false gods of the Canaanites, Israel’s enemies. He worshiped Baal, one of the chief pagan gods of that time. In the temple of God, the holiest place in all of the world, he set up altars to worship demons and fallen angels. The King consulted with wizards and communicated with “familiar spirits”, which were demons that impersonated the dead. He even took a graven image of a false god and placed it inside the temple, the very place where God Himself would reveal His presence once a year. On top of all this, Scripture tells us that he performed an occult ritual sacrifice of his own son, causing him to “pass through the fire” or burning his child alive as an offering to a pagan god. This man’s evil is stunning and the Bible says he “led the nation” in performing evil.
Amon, the son of Manasseh, continued all of the evil of his father and reigned only 2 years before being assassinated. And this was the state of the Kingdom of Judah when Josiah took the throne. God’s chosen people, the Israelites, had fallen deep into rebellion. And this is a picture of how far a Christian can fall today. Thought a Christian is not committing the same sins as Manasseh, they can fall into rebellion from the “small sins” in life. The first step to stopping sin is to recognize it. Lying, stealing, being covetous and blasphemy are all evil in the sight of the Lord just as worshiping a pagan god. Sexual sins – whether it be pre-marital sex, watching pornography, adultery or lusting for another person who is not your spouse, are all sins that are can pull a person into a feeling of addictive behavior, where it seems like there is no way to stop the urges to disobey the Lord.
The internet can be a gateway to sinful temptation.
The Bible says with regards to sexual sin:
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? – 1 Corinthians 6:18-19.
If you are a born again Christian, your body is literally the temple for the Holy Ghost, who you received at the moment you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that the the Apostle Paul explains this concept in the context of sexual sin. Fornication, which is sexual activity outside of marriage, is just as sacrilegious and disrespectful to the temple of God as Manasseh setting up satanic altars. How have you treated the temple of the Holy Ghost? Have you protected your body from sin? Have you kept it pure from demonic and satanic influence? Have you kept your eyes and mind away from sinful sexual imagery and thoughts? Have you used your body to seduce others into evil? We all have committed these sins in one form or another. So understand that The Lord sees this as pure rebellion against Him and will judge any Christian who is committing such sin. Thankfully, Scripture provides an example in King Josiah of how to get out of this sinful state.
Put your focus on The Lord
Getting deeper into God’s Word will help avoid sin.
And [King Josiah] did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house.. – 2 Kings 22:2-5.
Despite the rampant sin around him, Josiah was seeking God. He walked “in all the way of David his father”, meaning he was not going to serve false gods, but only worship the true and Living God of the Bible. And he wanted to repair the temple, that had was neglected and damaged over the years of his father’s and grandfather’s reign. In order to overcome sin, a Christian has to acknowledge it and have a heart to get right with God. If you are reading this article, that is a sign that you want to remove sin from your life. [B&E: And this article is specifically for those who are born-again Christian believers, whose sins, past, present and future are already forgiven. If you are not 100% sure that you are going to Heaven when you die, please see our Gospel page first].
Repent
Confess yours sins to God and pray for His Spirit to continue to work in your life.
And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it… And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying, Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. — 2 Kings: 22:6-13.
The Kingdom was so far gone into sin that “the book of the law”, the first 5 books of the Bible (which was the entire Bible for Jews at that point in history) was lost! There were no Bibles in use at all in the Kingdom of Judah. The High Priest happened to find a copy of one during the temple reconstruction project. Josiah at this point was 23 years old and had never even read the actual words of the Bible. But when he heard it, he immediately repented. He understood just how sinful the nation had been and how much of God’s wrath was kindled against them. Where there is sin, there must be repentance. Do not hesitate to get into prayer and confess your sins to God.
Scripture is clear: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9).
Frequent, repeated sin is almost always a sign of lack of time spent in Scripture and prayer. Some Christians have several Bibles in their home, but without reading them regularly, the “book of the law” is just as lost as it was in the days of Josiah. Commit to daily Scripture reading as a way to strengthen your walk, prepare your mind for battling temptation and to increase your faith. As the Book of Romans says: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). You cannot change your behavior on your own. Every person, Christian included, has a sin nature that continues to desire sin as long as we are in our earthly flesh. But it is The Lord who has changed you through faith in Jesus Christ and will continue to work on you through the presence of the Holy Spirit within you.
The refining of a Christian is a supernatural process and trying to use “willpower” or “determination” alone will lead to failure. It is The Lord who works change in us and seeking Him daily is essential to living for Him. Jesus Christ taught: “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). Fill yourself with God’s Spirit! Reading the Bible daily and praying several times a day make it very, very hard to live a wild life of constant sinful rebellion. It is God’s Word that will increase your faith, convict you of sin and bring you to repentance and seeking forgiveness from The Lord.
Now some people at this point may say “I do these things. I acknowledge my sin. I truly feel bad when I commit them and I confess them to God. But yet, I still fall back into the same old sinful habits.” Well beloved, understand, that Josiah was just getting started in his battle against sinful rebellion and so are you.
Commit To Live Holy
Removing sinful behavior from our lives is our reasonable service.
And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD. And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel. –2 Kings 23:1-4.
Josiah made a commitment to live for God and stop the cycle of sinful rebellion that was plaguing the nation. And the foundation of that was The Word of God. The King gathered the entire nation and read them the Bible as the opening of his pledge to lead the people in living for The Lord. Notice he did not make the commitment in private. He made it publicly. Are you ready to stop sinning? Tell people. You do not have to tell them all of your business, but you should let your family and friends know that you have committed to living holier and no longer sinning in the ways you have in the past. This not only holds you accountable to those around you, it is a way to serve as a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a Christian, your life is your testimony. How you live can affect the ways those around you see the Christian faith. What do those close to see as your Christian testimony?
Josiah followed up his commitment by destroying the vessels made to false gods that were in the temple. This is yet another challenging aspect of overcoming sin. Whatever objects in your life that help contribute to your sinful behavior need to be removed from your life. If it is sinful music or DVDs, throw them away. If they are pornographic or inappropriate websites, have someone place a password-coded filter on your computer that can block the websites you do not want to go too (or just remove the electronics altogether). If your temptation is New Age books or occult-themed entertainment, get rid of them. It may be alcohol or drugs which may require more intense methods such as a hospital or rehabilitation center, but the first step is getting rid of your “supply.”
Similarly, if there are places that lead you into more temptation, whether it is a strip club, a certain person’s home, parties, the shopping mall, Facebook, a bar or night club, then cease from them. Galatians 5 explains how critical this spiritual battle is to the Christian life:
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God… And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. – Galatians 5:17-24.
As long as we are still in our sinful flesh bodies, we have a constant war between our born again Spirit, which only seeks to serve God and the sinful lust that remains in us. And if you are of Christ, the command is to “crucify the flesh” – or in other words, destroy the sinful ways in your life. But notice that same verse commands the crucifying of the “affections and lusts” as well. And this is where more of a challenge comes in – are you ready to stop sinning backsliding? Do you really desire it enough to stop going to the places that lead you into sin? This is what the Bible commands Christians to do who want to live after the Spirit and not the flesh.
Living for God is not just about resisting temptation to sin – it is also about avoiding the temptation altogether. 2 Corinthians 10 says: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” The easiest way to get rid of sinful imaginations and bring your thoughts to be more Christ-like is to find the things that are defiling the temple that is your body and remove them from your life.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16.
Get Rid of Your Idolatrous Priests
Certain friends are always ready to lead you back into sinful behavior.
And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people….And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven…And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men’s bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem…
Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. – 2 Kings 23:3-24.
Many of the toughest sins to overcome involve other people. Whether it is a someone from a relationship that involves fornication, friends who lead you into sinful behavior, someone you enjoy gossiping about others with or maybe fellow gang members, there is no shortage of people in one’s life who can serve to pull you away from following the Lord Jesus Christ and instead serving sin. There are even people you may not speak to who lead you into sinful thoughts whether they be sexual, feelings of envy, racist hatred or mockery. King Josiah was well aware of the many people who were assisting Satan in providing temptation into evil and made it his mission to remove every last person who was leading the nation into sinful rebellion and idolatry. This was not a casual effort. Josiah traveled the nation removing and in some cases killing those wicked priests. And this of course is an example for our own lives, that while we should not harm anyone who leads us into sin, we should certainly no longer have them as major factors in our lives.
Again, the question arises: are you serious about overcoming your worst sins? If so, then the people in your life who participate, contribute or help lead you into rebellion against God should not be so influential in your life. If this sounds extreme, it should beloved. Look at the extreme lengths that Josiah went to in order to reconcile his nation back to God and end the downward spiral of sin. Friends can be a major influence in leading a Christian into rebellion. So if they are a major source of continuing in your worst sins, limit the interaction with those people. Share the Gospel with those friends and let them know you have no desire to participate in those sinful acts with them anymore. If the pressure from those friends is too great to bear, then cease from spending time with them.
In some cases you do not have to, or sometimes cannot, disassociate with people. If there is a family member who you are angered with, cannot stand or leads you into sin, reconcile with them. If this is not possible at present, then try to limit interaction with that person. If it is your own spouse that is driving you to extreme anger, bitterness and resentment, forgive them. God has forgiven you for all of your worst, most evil sins and thoughts, without condition. And you are to forgive in a similar fashion. Ephesians 4 says: “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness… Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” The things or people who arouse sinful desires in us are “places” for the Enemy to gain a foothold and introduce more temptation to commit that sin. The reader would do well to remove them to the best extent possible.
If you are in a sinful dating relationship and think: “I love my girlfriend/boyfriend. How am I supposed to just end our relationship?”, there is a simple solution: marry them. The Bible says: “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband…for it is better to marry than to burn.” (1 Corinthians 7). If you are so attached to a person who you are in a sinful sexual relationship with, the Bible commands you to get married. If you are not ready to marry that person, then you are just using the relationship to serve your own rebellious lusts and it should be ended if it cannot be kept holy (as in dating without fornication). Jesus Christ said: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37). Putting relationships with people who lead you into sinful behavior over your relationship with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is on par with not taking up your cross to follow Him. So again, the question is, are you serious about overcoming your sin? If the answer is yes, the steps from Scripture are clear.
Call Upon The Lord
“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears…This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” – Psalm 34:4-7.
When you find the temptations of challenging sins returning, call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Pray to God for help with that specific sin in your time of testing. 1 Corinthians 10 says: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” In any sinful temptation that seems too hard to resist, pray to The Lord for that escape at the time you are experiencing the temptation. King David, after falling deep into the sin of adultery and murder said: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Pray for a right spirit when Satan challenges you.
The Blessing
“[God] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. –Psalm 1:1-2.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Proverbs 16:7.
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart {Josiah] was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. – 2 Kings 22:8-9.
The Kingdom of Judah was so far gone into sin, that God had declared a judgment against them to punish the people for their evil. However, because of Josiah’s amazing efforts to cleanse the nation of its sin and remove the places of evil in the land, The Lord provided a reprieve of His judgment for the entire life of the young King. The entire nation was spared God’s wrath for years, providing more people time to repent. Christians today can avoid the chastening of God by living for Him and showing how serious you are about removing the worst, most difficult sins in your lives. Jesus Christ said: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” You can be freed from the bondage of sin. You can conquer lustful desires. But it is done through the power of Jesus Christ. And in your efforts, you will continue to be blessed by The Lord.
There is no sure-fire way to remove all the sins in your life. The account of Josiah is just one of many examples in Scripture that show that individual sins can be conquered. Before being saved, the Apostle Paul spent years hunting down Christians, delivering them for punishment and execution. And it took one encounter with Jesus Christ to bring that horrible sin to an end. The Apostle Peter denied even knowing who Jesus Christ was three times and then went on to proclaim the name of Christ to the point that he was killed for being so outspoken. Did they ever sin again? Of course. The great men and women of the Bible were just human beings going through the same daily fight against sin like we all do. But through Jesus Christ they did overcome certain sins and were blessed for deciding to live for God over living for the world. God will bless you for committing yourself to battle against sins that are plaguing you. And while every Christian (this author included) will continue to sin as long as we are alive in these earthly bodies, we can trust and know that God will forgive us and give us strength and faith to fight even harder.
For more information on how you can attack and eliminate sin in your life see our next installment:
Spiritual Warfare Basics – Attacking Your Worst Sins
This is what I needed. Thank you, B+E. God bless.
AMAZING!!!!!!! This gave my heart exactly what I needed! PRAISE GOD!
Thank you! the 1st page was helpful. I still need to finish but i thank God for this site
God Bless
Thank you so much for this article! There couldn’t be a more perfect time for me to hear this! May God bless you!
You’re very welcome Jonathan. God’s Word is so powerful and I give Him all the glory. I have reread this article many times to help me with my own walk. May The Lord bless you abundantly in the new year! -B&E
DANNY WI, YOUR ARTICLE IS A DIRECT ANSWER TO MY PLEAD TO GOD TO HELP ME TO YIELD MYSELF TO SIN. HE LITERALLY SET ME FREE!!! THANK YOU !!! YOU ALL DID A GOOD JOB. AMEN
DANNY WI, YOUR ARTICLE IS A DIRECT ANSWER TO MY PLEAD TO GOD TO HELP ME NOT TO YIELD AND GIVE UP MY HOMOSEXUAL SIN. HE LITERALLY SET ME TOTALLY FREE!!! THANK YOU !!! I WANT TO LET ALL HOMOSEUAL THAT GOD CAN, AND WILL MAKE U ABSOLUTELY FREE! YOU ALL DID A GOOD JOB. AMEN
Yes, and me in a big way.
I just found this website by accident. But we all know that GOD does things in ways we’ll never understand, so my finding it wasn’t an accident.. And I’m very grateful for HIM and the Savior for giving me, and all of us the mercy and forgiveness we don’t deserve.Thank you for this page. It has helped me in just the twenty minutes I’ve read it. I pray for your continuous work, because I believe GOD chose you for this. All glory and honor to HIM.
GOD Bless.
God is good, am very grateful i have found an answer to my questions and solutions to my problems, may God bless you
What a reinforcement brother! Thank you God for your Mercy because without your son and your love for this world we would be DEAD! This article of true testimony realigned me?. Thank you for writing it.
Thanks B&E. So encouraging, just what I needed. I struggle with temptation daily and God’s word through his son Jesus Christ is so uplifting. The verses you used are spot on and I really needed to hear them today. This article couldn’t have had more perfect timing, it’s truly a Godsend. I feel like I can take on the world!!
Hi Brandon,
Thanks very much. Glory to God that it was a blessing to you. May God continue to strengthen you in your walk with our Lord Jesus Christ!
I dont know what better way to say thank you. All these years of battle with sin, i either did 2 things: get angry at God or continue purposefully sinning but now i know the truth and it has set me free. May God continue to bless and strenghten you in Jesus name. 🙂
Please help me pray to beat sin in my life, I keep coming back to the same thing and it becomes worse I resent and stop fornication with different men,drinking smoking in tarvens masterbation and pornography and like you mentioned enjoy doing it with friends, when I conquer I even stop ggoing to them and they I feel bad about allowing ppl to feel I am not honestly serving my Lord I wish for them to also repent! I know I am strong and have a calling I need my way [email protected]@confused! I keep asking myself who is this? Referring to myself. I contracted HIV after I left my husband of 16 years who used to cheat and had a baby by a 21 year old, our marriage was painful for very long I kept forgiving him and though he will change but I don’t want to blame him for my own sins, I came back to my childhood village and was preaching the word to my old sinning friends now I sin with them! I feel like a blasphemer!
Hi Agatha,
Thank you for your comments and testimony. I am sorry that you have fallen back into old sins and for your HIV transmission. But the fact that you feel sad and remorseful about your sin is proof that God’s Holy Spirit is convicting you of your sin. It is evidence that you have faith! So be of good cheer. God is with you. What you need to do is repent. It is time to employ the same tactics for overcome sin that are listed in Scripture and take a season away from your friends who you sin with. It is easy to feel like a hypocrite when you proclaim Christ and Christian living and then sin with those same people you preached to. But that does not change your mission to live for our Savior. Do not let your sadness over sin stop you from believing that you are saved.
Jesus took your punishment, so once you repent, if you believe in the Lord Jesus, stop feeling sorry and dwelling on it. Stop feeling that you are unworthy. You are made worthy because of Jesus’ work on the cross. He did the work to take your sin. He did the work to have you declared righteous and sinless before the Father. Colossians 1:14 says of born again believers in Christ: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even] the forgiveness of sins: So repent and believe you are forgiven. And then commit to living better. Remove yourself from the party scene. It is clearly a big stumblingblock. Remove yourself from the pornography and people who lure you into fornication. This is not easy. It is some of the most difficult sinful temptations (as this author certainly can attest), but removing those influences from your presence will go a long way to overcome them. And fill yourself with The Lord.
I am praying for you and our whole team will have you in our prayers this week. May God give you His grace and faith to battle against these temptations and for your health and strength. Give the enemy no space. And instead, give that space and free time to The Lord. Pray, read the Bible, go to church and fellowship with real believers. Give God room to make the change in you and for you. God bless.
If all else fails. Remember, He works in us to WILL and TO DO of His good pleasure ! These are one of the promises of the Bible; and all the promises are yea and amen to those who believe.
very beautiful
Come to Jesus, repent of your ways resist all temptations, find a church that preaching truth will show you in the word how you can live in this present world without sin. Read Titus 3; 11-14 and go to YouTube, listen to Bishop Wendell Archie for spiritual strength.the truth shall make you free.
So beginning and end are you saying that you have not sinned since you’ve been saved?
Hi Londonhermit,
“And while every Christian (this author included) will continue to sin as long as we are alive in these earthly bodies, we can trust and know that God will forgive us and give us strength and faith to fight even harder.”
No, I am not saying I am without sin. I am saying the exact opposite.
Thank you so much B&E for a fresh approach to the way believers struggle with sin. I myself struggle with sexual sin. I find that MANY real Christians do. I often wonder why those types have such a strong grip. Any thoughts? I easily stopped clubbing,smoking,drinking and cursing but fornication has not been so easily mastered. I know God is doing a work because I have such a strong desire to please God and I feel so sad when I give in. For years I would fornicate and not think twice about it, but now it REALLY bothers me . . At this point I am willing to walk away from a well established relationship if need be. NOTHING is more important than my relationship with God. I love the man I’m with but I love my heavenly father more. So to lose is to gain. I ask that you pray my strength as I grow closer to the Lord.
Hi Tala,
Thank you so much for your comments and kind words. Praise Jesus in Heaven that this was a blessing to you. The simple truth is that sexual desire is a powerful force in the human body. So while not everyone will have struggles with sexual temptation, many people will. Our bodies were made to reproduce. But just as our mouths being made to speak does NOT give us a license to curse and say all sorts of bad things, our sexual urges do not give us a license to fornication. We are to live our lives God’s way and reserve intimacy for the context of marriage.
But Satan of course knows the powerful temptation this is and has influenced society to bombard us with sexual imagery, music and thoughts in every way possible. At the same time, as we become more “modern” and “liberated” all manner of sexual sin, not only become acceptable, but are celebrated.
In the case of women, particularly in the past two generations, one of the greatest deceptions has been equating sexuality with “freedom” or “power.” In other words, women should fornicate with no thought of consequence because it shows their “equality” with men and is an “expression of freedom and women’s rights.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Intimacy does not provide any greater respect for a women, much less rampant sin of that nature. It is degrading for a woman and a man and while it’s true that women are often seen in a worse light than men, it does not excuse it.
But Satan wants to remove any negative stigma from intimacy outside of marriage so women will act with no conscience and concern for God’s judgment.
The other problem is being unequally yoked. Dating unbelievers who do not respect God, truly believe in Jesus Christ or have any concern for Biblical living, will of course making maintaining purity a lot more difficult. Because the constant pressure to sin will be there on a daily basis. And choosing not to sin will often lead to negative consequences in the relationship (like the guy feeling rejected, frustrated or that he needs to “look elsewhere”). All this can be avoided by dating someone who is an actual Bible-believing Christian who believes in obeying God. This is why the Bible says: ” Neither give place to the devil. ” (Ephesians 4:27). Dating non-believers invites Satan’s influence directly into your life. But dating a true Christian is being with someone who understands that even if you are saved, if you are in sin, God will chasten you. And if you continue on in an active sinful lifestyle with no repentance, it will be even worse. Someone who respects and loves God and wants to lead you spiritually.
So these are just some things to consider. I am praying for your spiritual strength in the face of such great temptation. In those moments, pray. Go to verses on fornication and memorize them. Build yourself up with God’s Spirit so you are ready when the challenge comes. May God bless you abundantly.
i tank God for this article. I nid your prayers because i have been in sexual sin for a long time and so each time i want to stop, dirty thought keep flashing in my mind and then i go back to sin. I want to stop this backsliding act and return fully to God. I tank God for this article because it has made me see d need to feed more on God’s word and prayer to be able to overcome sin. But what can i do if dirty thought coming into my mind? Thank You.
Hi aduragbemi,
Thanks for your comments. If you really want to battle against these thoughts as the article stated, the first thing is to remove things that can bring that influence in your life. You know things that are in your life that can bring this kind of temptation. The next thing is to fill yourself with God’s Word:
The Bible is clear – if you want to sin less and feel more control over your urges and lusts, study and memorize Scripture. Can you recite 3 different verses about sexual sin from memory? You should be able to. Study these passages. Make them your go to weapons in times of trial. Read accounts from those in the Bible who fell into sexual sin and study them. And most importantly, pray to God to help you. The key is putting our reliance on God and His Word and letting our own ideas take a backseat. Let the Spirit lead your life and you will see a difference. God bless.
Hello [email protected] can you please give me scriptures to guard against sexual thoughts and fantasies.
I truly believe that as a born again Christian I must and can live above sin, that’s why the Lord fills one with His Spirit, it’s not only to be used in prayer but also in holy living. Jesus is coming for a bride without spot, blemish or wrinkle.
Rita
Hi Rita,
Thanks for your comments. I will gladly provide some Scripture:
There is so much to be learned in this short passage. I have highlighted in bold 3 points that stand out to me. The first is that as a born again believer we are purchased with Christ’s blood. We are His possession. And thus our bodies should be treated that way. So if we take a body that is for Christ and use it for fornication, we are dishonoring ourselves and our faith. We also see the phrase “flee fornication” in verse 18. This language is not accidental. The Word commands us to flee, as in run away and escape, from sinful sexual temptation. The verse underscores how difficult it is to deal with this form of lust (for this author included) and says to run away from a situation if necessary. Notice this passage distinguishes sexual sins from other sins (which are outside the body). So the idea that “all sin is the same” is not entirely true. There is a greater component and harm with sexual sin. Because you are desecrating your own body which is The Lord’s.
Finally verses 19 and 20 underscore that our body is literally God’s temple. Once we receive our new spirit, born of God, our body is now the place where it resides. So we should treat our bodies with the honor and respect reserved for the temple of the Old Testament.
Notice in this long list of very bad sins we have things like murder, heresy and witchcraft. Yet Paul lists adultery and fornication first among the works of the flesh. This again demonstrates the severity of this sin.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4.
Pray, read your Bible and attend a Bible-believing church. Build up your faith and use it to wage war against the sinful temptation that Satan has presented around you. Do not let your imagination run wild into sinful desires. Instead put on the mind of Christ. This again is done by staying in The Word and in service to The Lord.
Study and meditate on these verses. Commit them to memory. Call on them in times a temptation begins. Equip yourself with God’s Spirit and you will stand strong in the times the tempter comes. If you have any more questions or need any other verses please let me know. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
The author wrote “Frequent, repeated sin is almost always a sign of lack of time spent in Scripture and prayer. ” This is my reality, going to church on Sundays and Thursdays, and only reading the bible in church.
The author also wrote “Jesus Christ taught: “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63). Fill yourself with God’s Spirit! Reading the Bible daily and praying several times a day make it very, very hard to live a wild life of constant sinful rebellion.” I take this as a sure word meant for me personally right from the throne of God. May God give me the grace and faithfulness to read His word and pray daily in Jesus name Amen.
i really need the grace of God to
Hello , im really struggling right now i turned to Christ when I was 18 and im now 21 i have backslided many times , but i am so fearful of hell, andi feel so unloved , and discouraged , it feels like work to have a relationship with God , i am prideful i dont feel completely sorry for my sins maybe because i always try to find some form of justification to fall on, i feel like one of those christians who fall away in the end times and ive heard theres absolutely no hope for them because they have rejected Christ and sinned willingly , it is so hard im addicted to my laptop i commit idolatry almost all day , watching shows , i used to smoke pot i cut it out cuz i am scared although it feels to easy to fall back to it, i feel selfish and prideful like its only about me , i feel so hopeless how can someonelike me change , i m pretty sure i havnt fully surrendered my life to God , and i dont even know if im saved , i feel like im just in a pit of mush , i feel lazy and tired and depressed and unhappy and extremely lonely , my head is constantly filled with obsessive thoughts about taking the mark of the beast and i dont know if the mark is spiritual or physical so that scares me , too , my life feels like a mess and i know that feelings are decieving but its easier said then dealing with it , please respond 🙁
Hi Rebecca
I was very moved by your comment . I don’t work for or represent [email protected] but as your fellow brother in Christ I feel the Holy Spirit telling me to respond. Everybody has these same feelings, whether it be a new believer or someone who has been a believer for a long time. Remember the Bible tells us we all fall short of the glory of God but are redeemed through Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24. 1599 Geneva Bible
For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and are deprived of the glory of God,
And are justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
We all sin and feel alone at times, try joining a good Bible believing Church. If your at one already then try getting involved with Church more by doing Bible studies, ministry events, anything that can bring you together with other believers and celebrate Jesus Christ. You are never alone when you follow God
(Joshua 1:9, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Matthew 28:19-20). As far as knowing if your saved or a real Christian, see these scriptures (Romans 10:9, Matthew 10:32, John 3:16, Mark 12:30-31, John 14:1-18).
Please search through these scriptures and then try to find more on your own and repeat them when your being tempted or having trouble. If something you own causes you to sin get rid of it. I love you and will be praying for you that Jesus Christ will fill you with the Holy Spirit and that you will gain a better understanding of His word. God bless.
2 Corinthians 3:17 1599 Geneva Bible
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Thanks alot B & E.
Keep up the good work and God will certainly reward your labour of love.
Thanks very much for the kind words. God bless you abundantly.
Bless you and all your good teachings and thank you for all your help
i don’t know if i really have any valid questions since this article answered most of it. i’ve been in a, let’s say, under the “Common Marriage Law” for a while and though I understand that it is not Biblical and sinful(which this article further stated), me and my wife is struggling to persue our plan of getting married because the means of doing it prove to be very challenging. So are we kept sinning by staying together then? by staying together means we have to fulfill each other’s duty towards each other. Please pray for us to have the means for us to finally get married and end this sinful cycle in our lives.
God has never given up on you, don’t believe what you feel, feeling has nothing to do with salvation. There is no sin God will not forgive, you are not forgiving yourself that’s what the problem is. You are so ashamed about your past, and you’ve done so much sin that you believe there is just too much that you have done wrong for God to forgive. You think you have crossed the line. Let me tell you with God their is no line. Go in your prayer closet and talk to Him boldly, no fancy words, just speak to Him honestly. Tell Him how sorry your are for all your sins, tell Him how ashamed you are and you want to live right. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior and to take away this shame and guilt you are feeling. He will forgive you, God cannot lie. And I you make a mistake after your are saved, repent from your heart and move on. Don’t let the devil put ideas in your mind, he does it to me all the time so I know how you feel. email me if you want to talk [email protected]
hi ……i’ve read your message on the web site concerning the trials you went through……i really need someone to talk too…..my hell is all too real to even explain…..beginning with mental insanity when i’m perfectly well……deep deep darkness and unspeakable blasphemous thoughts so horrible and perverse in sexual nature i can’t even explain……the imaginations that hurt because of the weight of it, i would hear such evil and could not even make out the nature or understanding of what i was witnessing, my mouth would whisper evil curse tword the holy trinity… that tore right through my skulll. i began having this extreme fear of jesus and it got to the point where i was unable to open the bible without incredible fear and soon after my heart started to have this incredible fear and it became full blown. my heart would pour out hatred tward god and tremendous evil, then i would suffer the whirlwinds of blasphemous thoughts so unspeakable with tremendous fierceness day and night. i felt a spirit of such heavyness and my heart as though i would have a heart attack at any time….i wanted death but at the same time i feared his wrath to come…. i did not sleep for months my family started to really worry and advised me to go seek phsyciatric help , i’m thinking perhaps i’m really posessed and/or i’m a paranoid schizophrenic or or that his wrath really was upon me…….then i really started panicking when i read about being given up to a reprobate mind wow i don’t know how i’m still here …..i continued to seek the lord day and night crying even though i held bitterness and resentment in my heart tward him from my past… i was sinning in pornography. but it never stopped me from asking him for forgiveness and seeking him….i noticed my dispair became heavier and i started to talk to god very often, i would blame him for my situation at times , i’d be wondering why my life is empty and without nothing, after the military i found myself jobless and i’ve prayed months before leaving the military to help find something so i can hold on to my house, i’ve seeked him often through sermons online.. on a daily basis i would be questioning him until i got angry and i’ve said not nice things to him including wanting my free will back and asked him to take my life quite often.. i’ve pouted and pointed my fist and many times screamed at him for my bleak situation, i’m ashamed to say that i crossed the line, my anger grew to hostility and even spat…..and i would quickly repent..its been 6 months, has tremendously slowed down but not gone,,,,,i’ve had the fear of the unpardonable sin for so long in the back of my mind and the fear of demons and pocessions that lets just say i woke up one morning and all my fears and anxieties and darkness and all my sins came alive……..i was always a nervous person by nature but also very tempermental. before this happened i would talk and preach to my family about christ…… please tell what is happening to me…….
Hello Carlo, I’m terribly sorry your having a hard time. I myself don’t work for [email protected] but I feel as a christian I should help support you in your time of trouble.
As christians, we all face testing times and even though you may say things you often won’t mean, hHs love is abundantly strong and he’ll never turn His back on you. If you haven’t, you ought to read the parable of the flock of sheep and how even if He has 100 sheep, He would search for the one who went missing. His love is endless for you and if your truely repent and speak to God about your deepest feelings and ultimately devote your life to Him, God will forgive you and the Holy Spirit will be in your heart from now until the day that you die, because His love isn’t temporary and evem in your most troubling times His love is always enough to get you through.
Also, don’t feel as though your alone, I’m sure everyone has a fear of hell and I think that your fear of the bible comes from your knowledge that you aren’t enough, but I promise you that with God you will be enough.
Don’t beat yourself up for past sins because once you repent, and truly repent and begin to do what’s right, none of it matters because God’s not keeping count, He loves us and wants what’s best for us.
I hope this has helped and I think it would be beneficial for you to go to church meetings and get more involved as well as making many christians friends who can help you find the right path. I will be praying for you brother and I hope your life will get better and better and each days goes on.
hi,
i don’t know if i have any valid questions since most of it has been answered by this post. i have been on a common law of marriage term and though I understand that as non-Biblical and sinful (which this article further testitified) me and my wife however are struggling to persue our plans of getting marriage. Reason being is that the means to do it proves to be very challenging though we’ve been trying very hard for a while now. So de we kept sinning by staying together, in which term means we have to fulfill our sexual duty to each other.? may we ask for your prayer for God to show us the means to finally get married and end this cycle of sin in our lives.
I really appreciate that God has led me to read this. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m gonna fight my sinful nature, with the help of The Lord. I just wanted to also say to Rebecca C (not sure if it’s too late for her to read it) that she too has this help from God Almighty himself. Fight with me!! Jesus is worth it, my heart knows this very well. God bless everyone who reads this.
Thank you for making me feel good in the name of lord jesus christ I am a born christian who is experiencing the sweetness of jesus christ everyday in my life.. The word of lord makes me live I live in christ..
Praise be to god jesus christ..
ONE LORD
ONE GOD
JESUS
-Amen
I am a 56 year old male. I doubt I am a Christian. I fell into a gross sin again and feel hopeless and helpless. I am attending a healthy church founded by John MacArthur. I live in Everett WA. and I feel I have no I have any hope anymore I’ve worn down myself with hopelessness and despair. I also believe I am lost forever. I have been through this for years. I’ll be moving forward I thought b
Hello my brother,
The bible says a just man will fall seven times, yet will he raise again. Remember, there is nothing more powerful than words. Do not confess you are lost, even when you feel you have done the worst thing in the world, trust iin God in moments like this, we are all fighting a battle, even the ones that you think they look so upright and holy. Life is a battle my brother, this is a tasting ground, but remember Jesus gave promise of victory to the believer, it is not about how many sins you have done or how many more you will do, just surrender to him, and continually seek his mercy, it doesn’t matter what you have done, if you know in your heart that you honestly love God and you keep faling in sin, then just remember it is not you, it is the enemy trying to take you back to old nature, the master said ” he that comes to me, I in no wise will cast him out” Keep on beleveing and forget about the five senses, just live by faith, whether you make a mistake or not.
I live in Everett Washington an have found myself fallen down again. Homosexual contact is my once a year fall. I don’t know why I do this, but, the horror inside of me tells me I am hopeless and helpless.
I live in Everett Washington an have found myself fallen down again. Homosexual contact is my once a year fall. I don’t know why I do this, but, the horror inside of me tells me I am hopeless and helpless.
Once a year I fall into a gross sexual sin. I thought I was a Christian. I am in a state of fear and hopelessness. I live in Everett Washington. Any suggestions as how to stay pure and with some sort of hope? I need to talk with a sound person…especially a Christian leader, counselor….something or someone.
Greg, have no fear!! There is only one unpardonable sin, and after reading your posts I am sure you have not committed it! The only unpardonable sin is blaspheming the Holy Spirit (attributing the works of God/Jesus to Satan). There is no reason to be hopeless, but to have all the hope in the world!! I too often find myself falling into sexual sin (in fact, I am convinced this is the hardest sin for humans to overcome) I also find after I have stumbled in the darkness, I always come back to the great light! Jesus always calls me back after I have stumbled and my relationship with him grows stronger because of it. My guilty conscience (much like yours) convicts me, which is a good thing. Use that conviction of your guilty conscience to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Pray, earnestly seek his forgiveness, humble yourself before him with true repentance of heart and mind, and he shall set you free!! Jesus loves you, and does not want you removed from the fold, that is why your conscience (Spirit) convicts you today. That is God’s way of calling you back. You can be, and in fact already are forgiven, for your sins. Remember the story of the Jewish woman who was caught in the literal act of adultery. Jesus proclaims that he who is without sin may cast the first stone, and everyone leaves!! We are all sinners, in the same boat as you, in one way or the other. Jesus does not condemn the woman, but shows her unconditional love and tells her to sin no more. Much like that adulteress, you are not condemned Greg!! You are forgiven, by the love, grace and mercy that flows from the fountain of living water known as Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Also remember that Jesus makes clear too, that those of us the Father has given him, not one will be plucked from his hand. Although we all stray from time to time, the Good Shepherd will always find us and call us home. God Bless You
Praise God B&E team,
I’m from India. I’m from a Hindu family. I was born because of fornication. Even before my mom was married, she got pregnant, and my father, seeing this, he ran away. Never seen him since my birth, This is how I was born, such a hopeless beginning I had.
Through God’s abundant grace & predestined plan, I encountered Christ when I was 14 years old, and since then God has lifted me from Hopelessness to a Living Hope.(even my mom is saved now, )
From Age 14, now 22, I’ve been to different places in my city sharing my testimony and God’s Word through Open Door Ministries, India, , however after few years, I started living a horrible personal life. Sin started ruling my private life, falling and standing has become a daily routine. Even though I knew everything I did not give an ear to the silent whispers of Holy Spirit. I sinned and sinned till I thought of giving up my life, lost all hope, even though I have been going to church and bible studies, it was like some spirit was controlling my mind to do shameful things. I used to realize after sinning and then used to tell myself “wish I could have overcome”, I gave up and decided to end all this, but a small pinch of zeal towards God’s Word started disturbing me, I cried honestly in church, during a service and accepted all my wrong doings, that led to a repentance and commitment, and because of His never ending Grace my joy in the Lord and His Promise is restored in me – I practiced the same points exactly what you guys have shared,
Knowing my condition, repenting, Committing Myself, Getting rid of all my friends and sources that led me to sin & calling upon God again & again.
B&E, I’ve been reading your articles past few days. Truly I can say that His Spirit is leading you’ll to share the right Word. Praise God.
Continue to pray for me and will do the same for your team too…right now, through Gods grace I’m an employee now, however I have a great desire to serve God full time, please pray about that.
A big thank you B&E, I’m really blessed by your articles, the articles your team is sharing is truly filled with ‘Spirit & Life’, and all glory to Jesus for appointing you’ll as ‘Internet Fishermen’ sharing His Word, leading and strengthening souls in Christ.
Glory to Jesus.
{All readers of B&E I would like to say that this article is 100% scriptural & true,. This has worked in my life and will do the same in all of your lives, if you put your trust in JESUS,.}
Thank you so much for this article! I am a sinner saved by the grace of God holding onto His promises and His correction, a work in progress! God bless your work for Him!
Amen Patricia, never forget…
Philippians 4:13 1599 Geneva Bible
I am able to do all things through the help of Christ, which stengtheneth me.
I really need this every hour and every day…DAILY !!! How about you. Life is short. Hell is forever!!!!!. I am talking to myself. The challenge is, Can I stay this way “DAILY” ?
Hi Greg
First off let me start by saying: Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
You said, ” the challenge is, can I stay this way DAILY”? First, we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) . But, scripture makes it clear that all things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26). We must trust the word of God, for it is mighty, lively and sharper than any two edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). The word tells us that we have a great high Priest, the Son of God our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who knows all our feelings and was tempted just as we are yet without sin, and because of that we can look to the throne for grace in a time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16).
When we are tempted by sin it’s because we are enticed by our own lusts (James 1:14). So in these times we need faith to look past the sin, and to look towards Jesus Christ, because he is the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). I would suggest to read the Bible daily, as much as you can each day. God’s word can get you through anything, and will help you succeed in your good works (2 Timothy 3: 15-17), and it never fades (Isaiah 40:8). So my verdict is, that you can do it brother. I will be praying for your walk with Jesus Christ. I would suggest to search through these scriptures I gave you and try to find some of your own that can help you deal with sin and temptation. We all sin brother, but with Christ’s strength, we can do anything. God bless
Philippians 4:13 1599 Geneva Bible
I am able to do all things through the help of Christ, which strengtheneth me.
Thank you so much the scripture is right on the money you have helped me so much through JESUS FOR ME TO FIND THIS SITE WAS GOD SENT I THANK GOD SO MUCH FOR ALL WAYS SENDING ME TO THE RIGHT PLACE PLEASE PRAY FOR ME THAT I WILL BE STRONG WITH JESUS HELP TO OVER COME SIN IN MY LIFE
THIS IS REAL…I HAVE JUST READ HALF OF IT …BUY A CHRISTIAN IS NOT A SINNER…THOUGH HE MIGHT SIN…WHAT MAKES A SINNER,A SINNER IS THE NATURE…BUT WE ARE BORN OF GOD WE HAVE THE NATURE OF CHRIST…ALL WE NEED TO DO IS TO RENEW OUR MINDS…
This is exactly what I needed. Encouraging and very thoughtful.Guilt was always a staple that kept me from realizing how wonderful and powerful the LORD’S amazing grace and forgiveness is.
Hi Ernest,
Thanks for your comments. God’s grace is truly amazing. Praise The Lord that the article was a help. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
Thank you Beginning and End it’s like you are talking to me,I am a born again Christian I’ve sinned again,I am even afraid to pray and ask for forgiveness,maybe I’m bothering God now and maybe he’s tired of me, How do I repent? please help me.
Hi Pat,
Thanks so much for your comments. There is NEVER any reason to be scared to pray. Remember, you have done nothing to earn your salvation and nothing to earn your privilege to approach God’s throne in prayer. It was all done by Jesus Christ. If you believe in Jesus Christ and truly trust in His sacrifice on the cross for you, then stop putting the emphasis on yourself. Jesus is worthy. And by His grace, you are worthy in Him. You are all forgiven, in Him. You are cleaned, in Him.
1 John says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Notice it says if we confess our sins God is 1) faithful – meaning He will always do it and 2) Just – meaning He is fully justified in forgiving all your sins. How is this possible? Because Jesus took the punishment for them.
So do not hesitate. Pray to God and confess your sins. And seek forgiveness on the basis of Jesus, not on the basis of your own “goodness” or promises to try harder, etc. And know that you are indeed forgiven. And beyond that, fill yourself with God’s Spirit. Read and study your Bible, pray often, find a Bible-believing church where you can build yourself in the knowledge of God, fellowship and learn from believers and serve God in ministry. All of these things will help you serve the spirit more than the flesh. I hope that helps and I am praying for you. God bless. -B&E
Thank you for praying for me please continue to pray I want to get close to JESUS AND DO WHAT HE WANTS ME TO DO I STILL MAKE MISTAKES BUT I KNOW HE STILL LOVE ME
Please send me that article via email it will surely benefit many brothers and sisters who can not access the internet this way.thank you.
Magnifique poste, comme d’hab
I have back sled and sined a very bad sin like sex with my self and realy truely would love to stop that but can not do it on my owne please. help me stop doing this please this is from my heart I am so sad and so is god how can I be truely forgiven by the father the son and the holy goast when thank you robert rowden
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your comments. I would recommend following what the article says. If you want forgiveness, get on your knees, confess your sins to God, and ask for it. And if you want to stop sinning, you have to start removing those things lead you to sin. It is very rare for sexual sin to take place without some type of stimulus, whether it is a person, picture, movie, etc. Something normally leads a person into sexual lust. Whatever it is that leads you, is your private business, but you should work to remove it from your life. In whatever way is feasible for you. And continue to pray to God for strength to resist the temptation when it shows up.
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.” – James 5:17.
Elijah, the great prophet of God, who did so many amazing miracles was a “man subject to like passions as we are..” In other words, Elijah was dealing with all the same sinful temptations and lust we are dealing with today. And what did he do? PRAYED. He prayed for no rain because of the sin of his nation. He prayed for no rain to show God he was serious about repenting and his people repenting and turning back to God. Seek God early and often each day. Study your Bible daily. Fill your mind with Christ and less of the things that bring you back to sin. God will do all the rest to reshape you into the child He wants you to be. God bless.
You mean you masturbated? That is actually normal even kids, toddlers do it. They have no longer of sex but it normal to bee curious about your body and how it functions but obvoously your an adult so why do you think masturbation is wrong?
Tell me, what do you think about when you pleasure yourself? This is where the sin is produced because it is not possible to pleasure yourself to completion without lustful thoughts.
Um, i dont masturbate & of course one needs sexual thoughts to masturbate unless they are kids which in their case its just pure curiosity about their bodies which is normal.
Great article. I really needed to see this. I have recently rededicated my life to Christ. My biggest struggle has always been fornication. i just feel so weak and powerless sometimes. I also feel terrible when I backslide. I see that I must get rooted in the word. It is just so difficult sometimes. My question is what do I do about the shame and guilt I feel about sinning after I have repented.
pray for me that God would put a person in my life to help me, a good Christian counselor, sexual sin and pornography is ruining my life.the guilt and shame is overwhelming
I know how you feel I’ve been saved since I was about 28 years old I’m know 50 I have struggled with this sin for years I still fall short and comit this sin from time to time I feel so bad when I do I need to get rid of all art phones and tablets in my house there a temptation I pray and I know GOD will help me but I haft to help my self to please pray for me to GOD bless you
Hi everyone,
I’ve given my life to Jesus. Yet I struggle with sin frequently. Jesus has given me strength to stop fornicating and my husband and I have gotten married. I struggled with masterbation since I was very young. But I came across an article about masterbation even while being married, it led me to understand the damage that I was doing in my marriage. I was convicted to stop doing that. I use to smoke pot daily and now I don’t do that either. My husband still smokes pot daily and yet with the grace God has given me I have little to no urges to do that. I use to be moved to rage easily, I’d curse and yell and feel so much hate it was awful. My Savior has done so much in my life I rarely am moved to anger like that. And even when I do get angry l don’t get enraged as I use to. My God has done and still is doing a work in me. One night while I was at work I was praying and crying out to my God and His presence was felt. I had peace in that moment and I knew that my God my Savior is real and alive. While feeling such peace I went outside for a cigarette and as I was standing there asking myself what is this peace that I have, it started pouring raining hard out of nowhere. The wind blew joy and love and gratitude for my God blew into my heart. I have never had any experience or feelings such as this. i know without a doubt that my Savior is alive and He hears me. Even with that experience and the love of Jesus in me I still am having trouble quitting smoking cigarettes and I feel as though I’m being moved to tithe. Also I think I should find some service to tend to in my church but it’s difficult because I work the night shift at my job. I also am struggling with reading the word and studying it daily. Please pray for me brothers and sisters. I’ll pray for you as well. Don’t give up our Lord hears us and answers our prayers. I live in Ohio in the middle of nowhere but my Lord hears me and answers my prayers. This path is never easy but I won’t give up and neither should you. Paul said in Romans 8:38 – and I am convinced that NOTHING can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries for tomorrow– not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Praise God!!!
Thank u for this help I struggled needed to know how to deal with temptation of fornication with my ex husband that won’t leave his mothers that’s why were divorce but I am involved in a relationship hoping for a marriage proposal that God will bless. I knew these principals of the law of being obedient I just wasn’t putting them into practice. Thank you
Hey Beginning and End your article is useful me.
Thanks for you best ideas in this article !
I appreciate the living counsel on overcoming sin.This goes along way in helping me
offer my body as a living sacrifice unto the Lord as an acceptable service to Him.
Pray for me as I am born again but lately I failed God because I have watched porn on-line and I really do not feel comfortable with it but sometimes watching it and lusting gets the better of me. Please say a prayer for me that God will help me to stop lusting and watching this garbage! Thank you so much
Hello B&E, i have asked you for advice regarding my revelations but no answer yet.
I really want to know the source,
I believe your analysis and that’s why i felt u worthy for advice.
Plz, if possible, write to me so that i ask you again
[email protected]
Very good post. I will be dealing with a few
of these issues as well..
I am thankful for this article, i cried while i was reading it because i had fallen to exactly the same things but im now tired of fighting alone, im seeking help from the elders at church and whenever i think about these things i punish my mind by going to study the word of God and praying even more….Deliverance is our portion for we are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus!!….Thank God for you B&E people
Hey Mooos,
Thanks you so much for your comment and testimony. It brings this passage to mind:
I praise God for your comments Mooos. Mourning and weeping over our sin (something I have definitely done) is what God desires from us and shows your desire for repentance. I pray that you keep fighting the good fight through Jesus Christ and His Word. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
This is a great article. I too fall short and have sinned. I have been a christian for many years and have been having trouble with stopping cigarettes. I also had stopped drinking a for over a year and little by little have been having a beer here and there and for the last two weeks have been drinking heavily. I have been experiencing financial difficulties due to job loss and am in jeopardy of losing my home which I feel may have triggered my drinking again. I am feeling very guilty and have prayed for forgiveness, but I am feeling not worthy. Please pray for me, a job and that I do not lose my home or my family. I believe in Jesus Christ and am not ashamed of the Gospel. I need encouragement.
Please pray for me. I was saved many years ago then I fell into a very immoral sexual lifestyle. I did many of the horrible sins for years, why did I do them? I hate myself. I’ve gotten very sick over this. I pray that God will forgive me and that there’s grace enough for me. I’m so very sorry for what I’ve done. I’m ashamed.
Hi Patricia,
There is always grace when you seek it. Never doubt God’s love or capacity to forgive. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). God is FAITHFUL to forgive, meaning, He will ALWAYS do it. The fact that you feel shame is the first step:
Your broken heart over your sin is what The Lord wants. It is acknowledging you have fallen short and calling on Him for mercy. So cry out for forgiveness in prayer and believe in it. Do not let your guilt consume you and prevent you from serving The Lord. Do not wonder if you are worthy. NONE of us our worthy (myself definitely included). It is only Jesus Christ who is worthy and we are forgiven and blessed in Him.
I have prayed for your spiritual walk and continued growth in Christ. Take the example from this article to heart. Seek God in Bible study, prayer and church and conform your lifestyle to please God, not your lusts. And let the Spirit of God continue to renew your mind and help you win your battles with sinful temptation. God bless.
I really need help on my condition is sexual behaviour it all started when I was ten and I look eat nude pictures of since then I have been addicted to pornography and masterbating. I guess it was curiosity that led me to it and now I am addicted I am willing to stop until I go on the Internet and search up stuff I am not ment to. The longest I have gone without watching porn and masterbating was 1 month I can not get over the fact that it felt so good not to do it for a month. However, I back slides into the same sin again please help me. Today I watched porn and I felt guilty so I was looking for help on the Internet and found this article. I thank god that I found it i also thank him for giving allowing u to make this article please help me.
Hi,
You do know that masturbation is a healthy normal human function right? Babies, children even masturbate though parents stop them before it becomes a bad habit because kids don’t understand that its something you dont do when young or in public.
As for your addiction to porn, do you have a hobby like biking or joining a book club? You obviously are a christian so like many on this site will probably tell you is to read the bible or go to a meeting for people who suffer from porn addiction or do both.
Thank you for this post!! I was looking for info on feeling remorse for backsliding and found this article just what I needed. I will use this in my personal bible study!:)
I do agree whit the methored by always stay in God sprit but I to agree that lust is the most difficult sin to give up and when n persone is not married en is alone then a persone do attend to feel that you need someons arms around you feeling flesh next to you but people that are not alone and by yourself will understand how it feels. To me it is a grate battle field when it comes to lust because a persone feels alone. I’m am very happy to have come to this wepside to see answers. But I don’t want to begin a war but let me tell you waht the spirit of God said. That the curches is worshiping the wrong God. Please people you have to study the word but ask God for seeing the answers why I say so. So if you are worshiping the wrong God then my question will be that if you ask the wrong God if your prayers would be answered. Come out of her my people. We have an opbligation to God. To defnatly repent that means get clean of mind soul and body if you realy want to get into the Kingdom of God and God said in His word. Don’t be afraid because He will be with you. If you obey His commandments and love your neighbour as yourself. We have to turn back to God time is running out things on earth is going to get worse more temtations and more lustfull things it sould be a defnate desition Jesus is comeing to rule on earth as King. There is no rapture. Only when He will come and collect His children on the four coners of the earth. Me and my sisters and brothers in Jesus are syudying the bible for almost 4 jaers with the Holy Spirits help and what we have come across is that satan realy have decieved the world by lieing to so many things and people and one of them is churches the churches is fallowing pagan believe and doctrines look it up for youselfs all domination is daughters of the grate babilon the grate hore which The Mighty God is going to destroy. Please look it up for youselfs go and see where they get there doctrines from. It will be rome. The romen empire which has never left and Which is ghangeing protestand churches why is the Protestand churches not protesting anymore and why is there no miricals in the chuches today where is the power of God in the churches today why is it when you say in the name of jesus that that man standup from his weelchair and is running because if God heals a persone he is healed directly. God say my people is going under because of a lack of wisdom. Poeple please this is a warning to the humans of this world. The only faith is In The Lord Jesus Christ and our hope to be saved. Things are happening under your nose and you don’t see it. Wakeup and realise that the hole world is deceived exsept Gods real children which is written in the book of life. Our task is not to make you convert or to ghange your minds ist there to warn you and we are also there to remind you of Gods love for you as a sinner and that He is comeing soon to heal everything and make this world a place of how it sould have been for the start The Lord Jesus Christ is not bringing peace as yet because He is bringing the sword. We are going throu the tribulations be prepared the way of our Lord Jesus Christ. But first dustruction will come. World war 3. Why is that christians allways want to hear good news and ignore the bad news. Why is it that most of the people are hardining there hearts and ears. Don’t you think that tere will be a end to suffering sins and unholyness the word of God is testefing to all thees things I have talled you. The word of God is a lovestory that He has written for His children. We have to realy seek Gods Face and do what He says. I myself testefing on my own soul that what I said on this wepside is the hole truth and nothing but the truth and be the spirit of God testefing to it as we’ll for me and my house we serve the Lord and also admitting our sins of lust and not obeyiing because of satans wraft falling on us because of this truth. Please heed to this warning. And remmember that God Loves us if we love Him back. And not foresake Him. Hold fast to Him. So also did Jesus ressurect on sabbath day saterday kill wensday rose saterday 72 ours in the belly of the earth. As Joan was 3 days and nights in the belly of the wale satan talled everbody a big lie. Seach the scriptures and ask God for the Holy spirit to help you. If anyone wants to know more please feel free to contact me ad [email protected]. God Bless and keep you save and make us all strong in Hos light. We will keep on praying to God for mercy. Please feel free to contact me we have evidents to proof it. To proof all of it. We pray that the workers will be more for the havest.
Wow, thanks for this article, I really needed it. I am addicted to pornograpghy and masturbation. I found relief from my favorite preacher, joyce meyer. I’m a big fan of her books. But suddenly I couldn’t read her books again or the bible even and commit those atrocities with those books by my side. I have failed God several times, I feel so down. Who said masturbation wasnt a sin…didnt christ say looking at a woman lustfully alone is sin. Masturbation is simply fulfilling the lust of the flesh. GOD help me. I know his grace is sufficient for me.
Hi Y’all, I have really serious misgivings about all this. Namely ‘sin; seems to be focused primarily on ‘sins of the flesh’…
It seems like a cruel hoax, to create us as flesh, with an endocrine system, glands and hormones…
For Me I believe this is where I lost my faith.
I was born into a Christian, catholic family, went through catholic education, but I also had a sexual nature, even from a young age, which innately contradicted everything I was taught.
One of my earliest memories was being violently assaulted at primary school by the parish priest, I’d ben caught out down the back of the school ‘exploring’ with a girl.
I’ve struggled with shame and guilt all my life and havehad a compelling fascination for all things sexual in nature.
I was deprived of my innocence at a young age also, at the hands of an older man, which confused me, as it actually felt pretty good!
I made the choice around puberty to disown the church, there seemed too much disparity, contradiction in what I was told and how I felt.
The shame and the guilt have never left me, I have always been sexually inadequete, almost obsessed with sex, yet unable to develop proper relationships with women, my thoughts and desires turn inward and I am further isolated from true love of another.
So I can see why Christianity is so unpopular and how overt sexuality is on the rise, it goes against our animal nature which is inherent in us all, creates a contradiction…
I found it really hard to read the body of the text here, just pray. It so took me back to the days of my religious indoctrination, to the priests (who were later convicted as paedophiles, although not me {wonder what I did wrong, perhaps I wasn’t good enough}).
Anyway, now I am struggling witht the whole concept of sin.
I agree, do no harm to others, that is how I live my life.
I’m not saying I am not a Christian, however according to the text I am doomed to eternal damnation anyway. I’m pretty sure in my years of doubt and pain I have denied God and juxtaposed satanic ways.
Another memory is skipping church service, we were told it was a mortal sin to miss mass. I did, so I was doomed from the beginning.
Still in the context of sin, I do not understand how we are born in sin, and how all men are sinners? Sorry I just don’t get that.
I thought there was some kind of leniency on Gods behalf, because we were flesh?
I remember going to confession, ganging up with my mates and deciding in advance what we were going to confess to, imagine an 8 yr old confessing adultery…
But the point is, how can we digress and be forgiven again and again?
Surely that is not repentance. I’m sorry God (but I’ll do it again and I know you will forgive me).
It’s easier to live a life of ‘sin’ and repent at the last possible moment.
I know to myself what is a sin, what harms others, and what makes me feel bad and I do try to live these guidelines.
I have no faith in religious institutions and by proxy have difficulty accepting any Mans word.
Maybe I’m self serving, arguing from my selfish point of view, perhaps I’m picking the eyes out of religious texts to suit myself.
It really throws me when I read ‘pray harder etc’ how many steps away is that from scourging yourself?
Which is the greater sin, denial of nature, or self flagellation?
I really feel for the younger members of this community, bless them all, struggling with very real issues, really how helpful is it to tell a horny teenager to pray? Certainly didn’t work for me, in fact just made a mess of my ife, which I’m still living with to this day…
Please, to any who may wish to respond to this, it has taken me 40 years to come to terms with all of this, I came to hate religion, but I believe I always knew God.
In other ways I’ve led a ‘charmed’ life, like someone has been watching over me and my family…
But please don’t hate me because I have spoken my mind, I’m not heretic, just as honest as I can be.
Love to all.
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your comments. I would like to address some of your points:
First off, I am very, very sorry for the abuse you suffered as a child. It is a horrible thing and clearly not your fault as you were victimized by someone who was using their position in their church for sinful gain. But to get to your point about having hormones and physical desires being a “cruel hoax” – it should be clear that in the Bible sex in and of itself is not a sin. It is just to be done within the parameters God set out for us. Sex is to be restricted to marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says: “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Sexual activity between a husband and wife is not a sin in any way. So yes, we have desires, and well we should because it is by sexual intimacy that the human race perpetuates itself. But sex is only honorable when done according to God’s very clear parameters.
We are all born with hunger. That doesn’t mean that we can eat glass or drink gasoline and say “well I was made with an appetite and these items were here..so it’s God fault I ate them.” We have our own set parameters on what is safe to eat and what is not. By your logic any predator could be justified in their abuse because they can simply blame it on hormones. That does not excuse our own volition and free will. We choose sin. There are no excuses.
As for you disowning the church, it sounds like you were in a Roman Catholic church. As has been stated many times on this website, the Roman Catholic Church is a political institution that has very little to do with Biblical Christianity. So you were not getting a representation in your studies of what the Bible is saying, from an accuracy standpoint. There are no “confessionals” in the Bible. Nor are there special priests, nuns, popes, mass services, confirmation, infant baptism, prayers to Mary, prayers to “saints”, indulgences and many other number of wildly unbiblical practices that are done by the Catholic church on a regular basis.
The shame and guilt of abuse is one of the hardest feelings in the world to conquer. But just know that any abuse you suffered as a child is not your fault. You were the victim. But also know that there is free forgiveness in Jesus Christ. The Bible says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This is what God wants for you. To let the spirit of this fallen world that is in you pass away and give you a new spirit, born of God, that seeks to please The Lord because you are at peace with The Lord. That is what being “born again” means. And this is what comes with true, Biblical salvation. But that starts with acknowledging your sin. And I am not referring to the abuse in your childhood. I am talking about sins you willingly committed through your life. The “struggle with sin” people have as a concept emerges for one reason – people do not want to think of themselves as sinners. The idea of being guilty for the many thousands of sins we have committed through the years and then one day being judged for them by a Holy and Just God is very repulsive. The thought of going to Hell and burning in the lake of fire is also an unpleasant idea. So the most immediate response is to just reject and deny them. Either by saying God doesn’t exist or making up our own God that we are personally comfortable with (and who overlooks our own sin). When you say things like “Do not harm anyone..that’s the way I live” it is an attempt to justify yourself. You are putting yourself in the position of God and declaring yourself innocent and “good.” This is a deception. The Bible is clear that we all fallen short of the glory of God. The book of Hebrews says: “it is appointed unto men once to die, then judgment.” The reality is that we are going to be judged for our sins. And that God, being a just judge, must give out punishment for every sin we committed. Including myself and the many thousands of sins I have committed and still commit. So what can we do to save ourselves from this fate? NOTHING. There is no action or good deed that can save us. Living a life where we “do no harm” to others will not excuse our many sins. What can save us faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ came to this Earth in a human body to do what we could not – live a sin free life and offer Himself as a just sacrifice to pay for our sins. The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ was “tempted in all ways, yet without sin.” Jesus had glands, hormones and all those organs and yet didn’t sin. And in doing so, He was able to stand in my place to receive the punishment I deserve, on the cross. And this how we can be forgiven. This is who we can experience God’s salvation and receive a new spirit as a new creature in Jesus Christ. This is how we can overcome the pain, depression and anxiety of our past. But it starts with faith. You have to get to know God through the Bible, not through a priest or an institution. Pray to God for understanding. Ask and it will be given.
I question if you have a full understanding of the Gospel message of the Bible. If you believe in Jesus Christ you are not “going to hell anyways.” You are saved from the wrath of God and promised eternal life. There are no “mortal sins.” This is just a man-made term and concept that is never found in the Bible. This is precisely why it’s critical to know Christianity from the Word of God and not the words of men. As for a sinful nature – it is what we received from our original parent, Adam. It’s just the propensity to sin (which we all have). We still have to choose to carry out whatever act it is.
We can sin and be forgiven because God is our FATHER. That is what good, loving, merciful fathers do – they forgive their children over and over again. A good father is not going to disown their child the 10th time they do something wrong. They are going to keep forgiving them and loving them. Now if corrupt, sinful humans are capable of such mercy, imagine the mercy and love of God who is perfect and whose love is “everlasting.” That is who we are forgiven. God is outside of time. He sees our end from the beginning. When you are a born again Christian, you receive the righteous, sinless life of Christ as your own “record”. Thus God does not see you as just the sum of the sinful flesh, but instead sees the beautiful, divinely-made spirit you receive at salvation, that has no sin and will never sin. It’s only our sinful body which retains the sin nature as a Christian. And that body will not be going to Heaven. It will be shed at death and then a believer will eventually be given a new, perfect body free of a sin nature.
Thinking you can sin your life away and “repent at the last moment” is yet another self-deceptive game to play. How sincere would your profession of faith be if you knowingly reject God with the intent to try and get saved in your last breath? This does not mean that people cannot be saved on their death bed. or on death row. It happens all the time. Facing death makes it a lot easier to think about your eternal fate.
The other delusion with this idea is that it presumes that you know when you are going to die. You don’t. Do not take it for granted that you will live another 40 years on this Earth. You and I could both die today. So thinking that you’ll come to God when you’re an elderly man, sitting in bed, is a questionable idea at best. Do not wait to secure your eternal destiny.
I have to respectfully disagree here. I do not believe for a moment that prayer is what ruined your life. It was sin. The sins of others and your own later. You mock the power of prayer because you do not have faith. Romans 10:17 says:“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” You do not have faith because you do not know God’s Word. No born again Christian would mock prayer. It is how we commune with God. No one who “knows” the God of the Bible, would speak of prayer like you do. How else can you share your thoughts with God absent prayer? how can you cast all your concerns and trouble at God’s feet without prayer? I again submit, that the God you know is an idol – a “god” you have molded to suit your lifestyle. This is a danger because it keeps you from worshiping the true God and acknowledging your sin.
You also raise a straw man argument by saying “how does telling someone ‘pray harder’ help?” This article did not say “pray harder.” So your just trying to diminish it by attacking points that were never mentioned.
Please know I do not hate you. I actually care about you and want you to go to Heaven. There is nothing more I want for you. And I’m praying for you. I truly hope that you will humble yourself and pray to God for forgiveness. I also hope that you start to read the Bible with an open heart and mind. And then you can meet the real God of the Bible and experience His grace.
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of The Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13.
How To Get To Heaven
https://beginningandend.com/how-to-get-to-heaven/
I think you have misunderstood me, and rushed to reply missing the point I was trying to make.
Perhaps I was not particularly lucid, this being an emotional topic for me etc.
Yes I am cynical but you have cherry picked my text and replied to suit your own needs.
I’m not going back to defend myself on a word for word basis but you have misinterpreted me.
Have a deep breath and read it again…
Sorry this was not meant to be a personal attack, I had a lot more insight to offer.
Did.
I still disagree, although I’m sure you will correct me, my instinct tells me that is for the benefit of younger readers.
To be sure, you will never find me in a church or belonging to a religion if this is what you peddle.
I don’t believe for a secong God created us to be burdened with guilt and shame, to be fearful and afraid of our own natural desire to further the species.
I have other Christain forums that have responded in a far more generous way, discussing my points, not just negating them with self serving quotes.
You read a lot into my comments and I felt you dealt with them unfairly, what I would call a win-lose scenario.
I won’t be back.
Stephen, don’t know if you followed through and don’t visit this site anymore. but in case you do, perhaps my late reply may be of some help. No disrespect to the author of this site and the excellent article written. But it is very often true that many christians, pastors included, have a very sparse understanding of abuse, – they get that it hurts and damages and causes pain and know how to express condolences and that sort of thing but they don’t understand directly how abuse makes wrong connections in our hearts and minds. For instance, I’d hazard a guess that your difficulty in relating to women has to do with that initial incident of severe punishment over sexual exploration. I don’t know if the priest who punished you added to the shaming verbal and emotional/physical abuse, a sexual assault. But what that would have done is “rewire” your feelings so that your feelings about God, and about relating to females were now linked to shame, hurt, fear and violent contempt. It would have given you some pretty bad ideas about God and authority. Since God and authority are powerfully linked ideas, it would take some major inner healilng of the wounds and some real work to overcome areas of sinful response to such wounds. I say this without condemation. We are all human and its pretty human to wind up reacting to evil done us by doing some form of evil to others. An example would be a woman who had an incestuous father developing a hatred of men and an inability to cooperate with male authority. Understandble and God has mercy on it. But not justifiable as a continued way of life because it would be basing one’s life on evil instead of on God and His love and truth,which would be sin. It’s pretty hard to have normal feelings that way, when you’ve been “rewired” in a wrong direction. Adding to that, a homosexual assault later on would only further yank your wiring out and reconnect it in wrong and confusing ways. Few can understand this kind of pain unless they have experienced it themselves or worked extensively with those who have surived this kind of violation and interference. I was molested as a child by the husband of a babysitter and also had a father whose attitude towards me can only be called incestuous. It set me up for all kind of violation later on. My internal wiring was pretty messed up so that I equated sexual interest with validation and approval and even yearned for it, finding that kind of inappropraite atention to be almost irrestible. i thought it was normal attraction and didn’t realize there was even a demonic aspect to it, where the enemy had utilized these things to try and propel me into further bondage. I can tell you with sincerity that this has caused me to have real spiritual battles. Don’t underestimate how the enemy of your soul knows how to use these wrong pathways for his own destructive, hating ends to turn you from God and cause you to curse Him to his face. he plays dirty. If you haven’t found someone who knows how to minister to these kinds of things, I would encourage you to keep seeking. Someone who will deal with both being sinned against and the need for inner healing and dlieverance, as well as helping you identify sinful patterns you may have developed in response. I pray you do not give up and let evil have the final say in your life. Blessings to you.
For some time I’ve been struggling with watching porn. It isn’t something I do daily, but probably once a month and I usually watch for hours. Its very shameful and its like the desire is given into so quickly. Im not sure what to do, and I’m not sure where I stand with God because of this. I might do good then slip up again.
Hi Y,
If you truly believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and confess your sins, God will forgive you of ALL of them. That is where you stand. All Christians sin as long as we are housed in our sinful flesh. This does not give us a license to sin freely. But it does make us vulnerable to temptation. This article was written to help you battle that temptation. If you take it seriously, then apply the Biblical principles found in it and pray to God for help with battling temptation. You can indeed overcome sin. Many people in Scripture did. Maybe you will not completely defeat your porn-sinful issue, but you can certainly make great steps in battling it. Trust in God and remove the sinful influences from your sight. Give God more room, and the Devil much less. Spiritual warfare takes a mature approach to the faith. Daily Bible study. Daily Prayer. Attending a Bible believing church. Sharing the Gospel. Taking these critical steps will go along way in your battle. And of course repentance, repentance and more repentance. I am praying for you. May God bless you abundantly. -B&E
I understand that the only way we can get rid of any sin and its tgoughts is PRAYER.Its powerful.Pray to our lord.He can do amazing things.l believe..God I believe in your power.Amen.
hi,,,I keep committing the same sin..I am a recovering heroin addict and I relasped 2 months ago..I have been using on and off for 35 years…I use on the weekends but tried to stop this weekend but failed….I cry each time to jesus to forgive me..I feel so horrible after I use..I seem to do the things(sin)that I don’t want to do…I feel as though jesus will not forgive me for repeatedly sinning against him….how much patience is jesus suppose to have for me..please help me and god bless you
I found this article interesting and wait to see all of your opinions. Now i can see where the writer is coming from in terms of women and virginity in the church.
http://www.xojane.com/sex/true-love-waits-pledge
Hi all
I really would like som help as I’ve recently found my faith again although I still struggle with doubt etc, I really worry about going to hell due to my past and present. I used to drink, take drugs, I’ve engaged in homosexual activity, I’ve cheated on my girlfriend, I’ve slept with prostitutes, took part in violence. The last year or so I’ve battled with self harming, I curse and try not to and can get very angry about the world. I really need help and a guiding hand, problem is the last four years I’ve had an undiagnosed condition which has caused pain and suffering and I’ve had suicidal thoughts but I’d never act them out due to love for my family and girlfriend. I work in a care home and I’m a very loving person and I do the extra amount for these people, I’m genuinely remorseful for my actions although porn is definitely a problem. I read my bible daily and I do prey even though now and again I may sin through anger, cursing and fornification. I’m always scared of hell due to my past, tattoos, cursing and arrogance. I’ve really been chipped away by illness though so it’s been Very hard to keep going, if anyone can help please get in touch. I want to be a good person,btw I also had quite a traumatic childhood , I was bullied and had physical and mental abuse at the hands of my stepfather and my mum simply let it happen as she was scared, she is still with him though. I’ve had my heart broken numerous times although I have a lovely girlfriend now praise God. My Dad died when I was two so I’ve always been looked after by my older sister
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your comments. First off, I am sorry for the physical, emotional and spiritual pain and agony you have been through. It is sin that has brought so much suffering into this world and all people (myself definitely included) have contributed to this by continuing to violate God’s commands. But the good thing is that 1 John tells us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.” God is faithful to forgive us – meaning He will ALWAYS do it. And He is just in doing so, because your sins have been punished – when Christ died on the cross. And He will forgive “all” unrighteousness – meaning even those sins that you find so deplorable and that you feel so ashamed of. The Lord will forgive ALL of them.
The fact that you are seeking resources on how to stop sinning and writing in shame about them is the first step to forgiveness and overcoming them. There are many people who have done the things you have and feel no remorse about them whatsoever. God wants you to remove sexual immorality from your life. The Lord wants you to escape the bondage of drinking and drugs. But you have to receive His Spirit. Reading your Bible daily and prayer is an excellent foundation. I would also recommend joining a Bible believing church. Get active in group study and ministry. Spend your free time minding God’s business, not your own. And as this article recommends, I would start removing the people, places and items from your life that draw you back into sinful temptation. It is much, much harder to overcome sinful living when you are drinking and taking drugs. But those two vices often involve another person (even if it’s just your drug dealer). You have to decide if you are willing to cut off those people entirely. I hope and pray that you are.
Make Psalm 51 a passage to mediate on and memorize. King David wrote this after being confronted with his own sin. He had an affair with a married woman, impregnated her and than had her husband killed to cover up his sin. It sums up so much of what deep Biblical repentance is:
Let this be your prayer. Pray for a clean heart and a right spirit. Pray for the joy of salvation to return to you. Ask for forgiveness and make active, real changes in your life to remove sinful temptation. God loves you and wants to restore you in every way. Fill your life with His presence Psalm 68 says The Lord is a “father to the fatherless.” Earthly fathers may have let you down or hurt you, but your Heavenly Father never will. I am praying for you. God bless. -B&E
Hi
I didn’t know how to reply but it warms my heart for your response, I will work hard to destroy the sinful things in my life and I will pray more, thanks you for such a quick response.
You’re very welcome Paul. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
Here my story. I am sorry for my sins & truly thought I was a good person until recently. I learned that I have been hiv positive for 16 years. I have had several tests over the years. I was told they were negative. I have been with my husband for a little over 15 of those years. He is a wonderful man, the kind of guy little girls dream of marrying. We have 2 small children together. I was tested 3 times during my pregnancies. I never cheat though I looked at porn. I have stopped. I can not image a more horrible sin than giving the people you love most a deadly disease. My other sins would include tell lies, cheating in school, and I stole a couple of things. I did have a abortions in my teens. Those were the sins I prayed to be for given for before I learned the truth. I do believe God was always trying to help me. I just could not see it. I love Jesus and pray all day and night most days. I believe is the savor, I pray for those I have harmed without knowing. Thank you
Praise God for the holy spirit to lead us right and the evidence of speaking in tongues
Wow.. Lord god this article was not a coincidence whatsoever. After over 5 years of battling nicotine and cigarettes and trying daily to walk in faith and not my feelings. By gods grace i managed two months cold and felt the beat ever and was used by god by just being me. Jesus brought ne home after marrying an unbeliever and has given me hope to be all i can be in this life to enjoy eternal life one day with him. Im so blessed to be chosen and called to know Jesus. However I deeply desire not tonlet my urges and feelings take gods place and funny enough yesterday his spirit spoke me saying ” come to me all that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light” he said when i want to smoke read his word and pray and after al day till 7pm I didn’t spend time with god properly today at all but tried to keep busy and overcome in my strength. From tomorrow a new day I will seek the lord hard and trust in his power alone to deliver me from this tourment as im starting to feel depressed everytime i fail ;( B&E i thank god for you, your gifts, talents and abilities that convey such a message in a captivating way of the Holy Spirit. Thank you lord for leading me not into despair but hope. I dont need any other material right now but a humbke repentant heart towards my father god. May the end of 2014 be not only the best because i became a mom to the most beautiful boy and atheist daddy came and supported me in his dedication last month but because whom the son sets free is free indeed. Amen amen
Hi K,
Thanks very much for your kind words and your very powerful testimony. May God bless you abundantly as you grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and continue to live and fight for His glory. -B&E
Thank you for this article it has really saved my life! And helped me in how to go wif life! The bible is our life guide in life against temptation! Reading it each day feels our spirit making us stronger against temptation! Its really true. We all can’t do it with willpower but by the help of God! May God bless this article and the writer has it has blessed me! God is Good!
I guess I have to get rid of all food out of my house and not carry money or my debit card when I go out in public.
Thank you so much for this article,the word of God is right in saying “a good word makes the heart glad” and I had a heavy heart with a weary soul, I found peace and grace in this article through Jesus Christ! God bless!!!!
Thank you so much for this article,the word of God is right in saying “a good word makes the heart glad” and I had a heavy heart with a weary soul, I found peace and grace in this article through Jesus Christ! God bless!!!!
God is so AWESOME. May we all praise and glorify him and thank him for Lord Jesus. Thank you god for being so AMAZING. And thank you for this post. It really helps.
Please send Bible studies to my email address
How do I stop dining by giving your life to the lord he is sharper who leads us to the right path. No one can stop sin by its self you are forgiven by his grace And mercy
Hai praise the lord my name is jyothibabu iam alredy baptised but coming to worrest bad things please pry.
Thanks for this I repeatedly fall into sin but through this I came to know my weak spot pray for me b&e
thank you for this article, B&E.
what a blessing it is to know that even King Manasseh became saved! He could not change the results of his sinful ways, but he did get right with God, and tried to encourage others to do the same. thank you again for your ministry here. God bless you, and all of your readers. Ephesians 3:20-21
I’m struggling to forgive myself and this seems like it would help.
I’m 19 and live across my uncle and aunt. She’s a very Christian woman and she and my cousin helped me become a Christian in September. However, her husband isn’t as devout as she is, but he’s still nice. He gave me my first job, would give me pep talks by telling me I was beautiful, essentially made me more confident. He was my best friend and dad. And, according to my therapist, he was grooming me for what happened. I don’t remember much of what happened between us in the last month or so, but I did finally tell someone and then my aunt. However, my uncle is much better at talking and was able to convince her that it was consensual. I just remember feeling so shamed and guilty that I didnt try to stop him more, and yet he says it’s consensual…? I need to be able to tell her my point of view, but everytime I try to I’m just reminded that I ruined her family and lose my courage. I still feel immense guilt over it and just want to feel clean again. Bless you.
Sierra, I read your post with sadness in my heart, not because of what has happened to you but because you seem to have no clue as to who you are in Christ Jesus. You said you are born again, if so, Jesus is with you always. Our Father God has made you His Righteousness through the Blood of His Beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
What has happened to you is awful and there is no way you can forgive yourself because your are not guilty of anything. You are a victim and even if you feel that you were somehow responsible for what has happened God will restore you. No sin we commit or have ever committed has been charged to our account. Jesus took it all on the Cross. Past, present and future sins. Yes, Christians sin as well. Practicing sin is something a professing Christian has to address because perhaps they are not truly born again and need to commit their life to the One who died for us.
Condemnation is a killer of our soul and body. The Bible says that there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8). Forgiving ourselves and not feeling condemnation is only done by realizing how much Our Father loves us in Christ Jesus. How do we grow in that knowledge…by feasting on His Word and seeing the Love and Mercy of God in every passage ; listening to messages preached by those who unveil the Love of Christ and His Grace and Mercy each time they open their mouth; avoiding those who preach condemnation. A simple test, if you feel condemned and less than who you are in Christ after you listen to a sermon, the message of Jesus Christ was not preached. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He fellow-shipped with sinners and healed all those who would receive. Jesus reserved His harsh and strong words for the Pharisees and Religious Leaders of His time. Jesus admonished the proud but was merciful to the humble. Proclaim every day when you rise from your sleep, “I am the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” and rest in Him. Your Father God will do the rest through His Precious Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Bless you and know that God is always with you!
Thank you very much what I needed got me back to remember how God Devine purpose is to shun sin and remember always our bodies are the temple of our lord. It’s but I know with Gid noting is impossible bless you and that B & E
Jeez you religious nuts prattle on about sex a lot, you are obsessed by it.
Sin only exists in the bible, and that has be rewritten more times and probably more recently than Harry Potter.
Grow up, guys, stop spoiling things for other people, stop crediting some evil force with things you do not agree with, cant or don’t want to understand.
Stop. And think.
Think where you are, and think some more.
I want to let people know to not give up. I came to know Christ 11 years ago, but for 10 of those years I struggled with a sexual addiction. 11 years ago I met my Christian wife, and I knowingly had HPV and did not tell her, so I made up a lie telling her that about not knowing about it. I gave my life to God, but not really all of it because I vowed that I must still go on with the lie. For the 1st 10 years of my marriage I was addicted to porn and other disgusting behavior. For 10 years I battled this. I would do good for a week or two then do it again. I never told anything. Then in year 9 it got real bad, I thought God gave up on me. I began to lose hope. I would do good for a week then have a hard heart and overcome with sin for 3 weeks. My heart was growing cold, I wanted to feel bad and repent but I couldnt. I hated myself, I prayed that God would punish me and put me through pain so I would change. Then in year 10 I came to my senses. I repented at church. The kind of repentance that is in the will of God. I went up front in church, and God knowing that soon after this moment I would be so overcome that I would trust Jesus with my entire life. God new I was sincere and was going to come clean of the lies of all these years. God breathed life back into me and made me alive again that moment I went up to the front of church and rededicated my life to Christ. At this moment God delivered me from my sexual addiction. Something I battled for over 20 years, 10 of those professing to be a Christian. GOD gave me supernatural power to resist temptation. Over the next 3 months God revealed to me how disgusting my sin was and how holy He is. God told me I needed to come clean with my wife (knowing full well that she may leave me), but I trusted in God. I obeyed, God put in me a new heart. After 3 months I wanted to hate sexual sin even more. I prayed that God would change my conciounce, so that I would no longer commit a sexual any sooner than I would commit murder. GOD answered my prayer to a T. He delivered me to satan, to further destroy my sinful nature. For much of the rest of the time satan tormented me with doubts about if God could ever forgive me. I was tormented crying for forgiveness, I literally tasted hell. My sinful nature was destoyed, now sexual sin hardly even tempts me. I am an overcomer not because of anything I did, but because of what God did. Don’t give up hope, if you can not overcome this repent and turn everything over to God, even if that means you will look like a fool. To be able to be counted worthy to be a disciple you must be willing to give up everything and trust in Jesus. At least that is when God had performed this miracle in me. So once I repented up church, I never fell back into porn. I would suggest that if you are sincere to be delivered of the sin pray that God hands you over to satan for the destruction of your sinful nature so your soul might be save on the day of the Lord (1corinthians). But be prepared, satan can make your life hell, he may make you get in a horrible car accident, or kill your family, or any horrible thing GOD let’s him dor to you, so that you will come to your senses and realize just how horrible your sin is. For me God was merciful and just tormented me with doubt, God will most likely deal with everyone different. Basically pray for a spanking from God, but I guaranty you it will hurt, but if it saves your soul it will be worth it. GOD CAN MAKE YOU AN OVERCOMER SO DO NOT GIVE UP.
I will keep my reply short and sweet. Thank you so much for writing this. It is such a blessing. Firm, but compassionate – after the manner of our Lord. I truly needed this teaching in my life today. Thank you!
I have been battling with fornication, with whoever comes into my life. I sincerely dislike myself and my way of living. The worst part is God is all I have and I can’t afford to be rebellious against Him with my sinful nature. Things are beginning to fall apart for me and I really don’t know where to start from, if I can ever be redeemed or be forgiven as this is a repeated sin that I always end of biting myself over. I need God’s help.
Hello B&E. Am greatful to God got giving me the opportunity os stumbling to this site. I had to share the site with some of my friends. I really struggle to read the bible always and deep in my heart I want to be a vessle to be used by God but my laziness wount allow me pray or read the bible yet I want to be spirit filled. Can u be of any help? And also do u have any article on marriage because am confused on the kind of man to get married to. Not sure if christ condemns marring two wives
For one to be saved one MUST obey Acts 2:38, for that is the only plan of Salvation. Everyone MUST repent MUST be baptised in the name of JESUS and ONLY in His name by full immersion in water and receive the HOLY GHOST speaking with other tongues as the Spirit of GOD gives the utterance, live a holy and obedient life unto Him. As for marriage it was from the beginning when GOD created Adam and Eve one man and one woman only to be united in marriage, you cannot marry two. I hope I’ve helped you. Rita.
Hello B&E!This is a follow-up testimony for ALL readers. I posted my initial comment here on 7/28/13,at which time I was still struggling hard to break free from fornication. Around December 2013,God allowed some things to happen in my relationship that helped me get into a place were I began to seek Him just like you advise in the article. I’ve been free from sexual immortality for almost 2 years now! ALL GLORY TO GOD. I must admit that I’ve fallen twice in that time,but even in the fall,I noticed a difference in my heart. The desire wasn’t there to wallow in what I’d done & keep doing it. I immediately asked God to forgive me & He’s given me revelation on how i got caught up.I’m more determined than ever to keep the temple of the Holy Spirit pure & submitted to Christ. I did all the things you said & drew closer to the Lord & HE freed me. I’d been trying in my own strength for a long time but I didn’t have the strength. Now I talk to God all day, I devote my time to Him & my thoughts to His word. I study the word & only listen to music or sermons about living for Christ. I reread your article today & still was able to get new insight on this issue. My bf & I still talk daily and I’m praying for marriage. He has yet to come into agreement with my decision willfully, but I know all things in God’s timing.I’m no longer afraid of what will come of our relationship because my love for Jesus is what matters most these days. I want to encourage anybody reading to take the advice in this article to heart & do it. You WILL be set free from sexual immortality in Jesus name. Please keep praying for me & prayerfully I can return with ANOTHER testimony soon. God bless!
i became a born again Christian a few months ago and I felt so alive until my surroundings(people,students,friends,media) tempted me back into my youthful lusts. I felt so convicted that I cried out to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and read Bible scriptures after feeling convicted and then I felt much better because I believed and trusted in God to redeem me. But sadly again last night I became tempted once again and this time I felt ashamed and didn’t want to be seen by God because I felt like a filthy rag. I didn’t know what to do because I was tired of falling into sin because of my surroundings tempting me back into sin. I came across this article and I teared up while reading it. I know God loves me and I will continue to sin but I need to eliminate my biggest battle which is porn addiction. Because of this article I feel much better now and I’m praying now to God for forgiveness. I’m going to trust in him and remove the things in my life that tempt me back into sin. God bless you! And everyone!
Hello BornAgainTeen,
I just want to tell you welcome to the family. As part of God’s family you should know that our Father knows what and who His children are. Nothing you do ever surprises our Father. He knows that you will struggle with sin. With your new nature in Christ our Father knows how much you hate to sin and most particularly in the area that you have the most weakness in. This is the Christian life brother- to do what you don’t want to do because of your flesh, and that which is good that you want to do you fail to do, once again because of the flesh. Youre not going through anything different than what your other brother and sisters in Christ are going through. Just because we are saved and a part of God’s family does not make us any more immune to sin. In fact, Satan takes great measures to tempt us and keep us as far from God as possible by tormenting us telling us that we really blew it by sinning. This stops us from praying and seeking God. Brother I pray that this helps you to know that you are still a child of the Most High. He has you firmly in His hand even when you mess up. Let nothing stop you from coming to Him. Bless you and I’ll be praying for you.
Hey BornAgainTeen,
Thanks so so much for your amazing testimony! Your humility towards God is inspiring and such a great proof of God’s Holy Spirit within you! I thank and Praise The Lord Jesus Christ that this article was a blessing to you. Keep trusting in God and His Holy Word to refine you and make you stronger in your walk. We will be praying for you! God bless you abundantly. -B&E
I realize I’m a little late to join the discussion but I have just found this article and would like to share my experience and possibly get some much needed insight. I struggled mostly with anger, holding grudges and resentment towards people who have hurt me in one way or another. I used to take everything personally and held grudges for years over tiniest things. What helped me was the tapping technique where you focus on negative feelings while tapping on acupressure points on the body. This clears negative feelings in a way that is measurable.. for example if my anger towards a certain person had been 10 in intensity on a 0-10 scale and then after a few rounds of tapping it went to a 5, then 2, then 0 I would no longer feel any negative emotion towards that person and could let go of the grudge, therefore let go of the sin. As a born again Christian, I’m warned about anything that has to do with acupressure or meridians in our body and struggle to understand why. I have done a lot of research and have yet to find a good reasoning against this. I don’t understand how can something that helps you stop sinning be of evil source. This technique has helped me forgive people and become more joyous and the more joyous I am the closer to God I feel. This technique has also helped people get over their addictions, even to sex and pornography which I think is a huge thing since so many people struggle with these addictions. Why can’t this be seen as a gift from God only because it’s based on eastern medicine? Any thoughts on this? I’d love to hear from 100% devoted Christians, please. I really struggle with whether to continue using this technique. Before I became a Christian I wanted to pursue this as a career because I was convinced that it’s the right thing to do and because it helps so many but now I’m so confused….
Please shed some light..
Wonderful and resourceful website btw!
Hi QuestionEverything,
Thanks for your post. I am not as familiar with accupressure (if that is something different from acupuncture). But I will certainly look into this and get back to you. I will say this – the fact that you have such a desire to remove sin from your life is incredible and the sign of a heart that is humble to God’s Word. God bless. -B&E
Hi, B&E and thanks for taking time to reply. Acupressure is based on the same principle as acupuncture, except it doesn’t use needles, but instead uses the pressure on certain points of the body. If acupuncture is not acceptable to Christians then any therapy based on it would not be either. I just wonder why that would be. Any ideas?
Hey – I am still studying so I do not want to make any dogmatic statement at present. But I found this article to be very informative:
http://www.gotquestions.org/acupuncture-Christian.html
I have been in sexual sin right from my childhood, but now am in a big mess
my elder brother wife is playing romantic love, I gave my life to Christ but am still struggling with sin .
Am now under punishment , I got admission into higher institutions only for me to fall sick and hospitalized, I spent almost the exact amount I needed for my school fees in the hospital returning back to school now no money
l have been wallowing in guilt feeling like to kill my self and all is lost
I have ask God on several occasions for forgiveness but feeling as if am still alone
To be free from sexual or any other sin,we MUST repent. That means we must confess it’s wrong & turn away from the sin while turning to God. The desire to stop starts in your heart, but when you acknowledge you can’t stop on your own & cry out to Jesus, He will help you. Also you must get close to Him through devotion. Set time aside each day to pray & read the bible. Read what the word says about sin & ask God to give you revelation on it. Information is good but revelation changes you. Ask the Lord to create in you a clean heart so you lose the desire to sin against Him. Sin is bondage but Jesus came to set the captive free. May you find freedom in Christ Jesus. God bless!
I have tried to stop masturbating for the last two decades.I have knelt before God’s alter in church and given my life publicly to Jesus.Yet,i keep coming back to this,after seven days i feel the urge to do it.Its like my mind is forcefully turned.I decide to stop this evil now,for example.But after a week or so,my mind is turned so strongly i feel myself blocking God from my mind.First i buy ‘Miraa’,a stimulating drug that is grown here in Meru,Kenya.This is so that as i chew,i am able to get sharp imaginations,revolving around one specific woman,who is also supposed to be my relative,though a far off one.Then later,i smoke bhang to get an even clearer picture.Then i masturbate,despite having a gorgeous wife as my spouse.Then the following morning,the guilt and shame start.The repenting follows.Then just when i think am breaking free,praying intensely,the monster rears its head again,and i follow the same course again.Its tiring.It has stagnated me.I feel God sees me as unreliable,a liar who keeps lying to Him.Please help me to stop.Pray for me…i know you are good people,pray for my soul.Thank you.
Thanks very much for this 🙂 just what I needed to read. God Bless you B&E.
Thank you B&E for this wonderful article.
I accepted christ as my savior when i was in 10th grade. I started to encounter pornography at 12th grade. My friend used to make fun of me because don’t know about this things. So i started to find things out by myself. Thus i started to watch porn and enjoyed masturbation. I know that i was doing sin and disgracing God through my actions. I tried to stop it but i failed. I did like this many times. I hated myself. I felt depressed. I feeling that i am dirty before christ. But God helped to overcome it. I started to pray more and started to read bible more because of this i was able to overcome masturbation. I was able to stop doing it almost a couple of a week. But i again fell for it. It happened like this for three times. I able overcome guilt and stop masturbation for week throught prayer but i again felt for it. I want a permanent solution for this.
Your article gave me strenght me very much. Please pray for me to overcome it. Thank you very much…☺
Hi Mathen,
Thank you so much for your powerful testimony! I give glory to God that this article helped you with you your walk. The fact that you acknowledge your own sin before God is proof that the Holy Spirit is in you. We share in the same battles against sinful temptation daily. Continue to study the Word, pray to God and fight the good fight of the faith of our Lord, Savior and Coming King, Jesus Christ. God bless you abundantly. -B&E
Hello
I am a true believer of Jesus and my trust is only in HIM. I pray daily for forgiveness and I truly love Jesus as my Lord and savior. The problem is I keep backsliding and beg God daily to guide me out of committing the same sins however after many years of sincere prayers , I continue with no deliverence.Its frustrating committing the same cycle over and over and over!
WHAT DO I DO?
Hi No Deliverance – Thanks for your comments. The cycle of sin can indeed be frustrating and feel hopeless. but understand that just the simple fact that you are aware of your struggles and failure and feel terrible about it is evidence of God’s Spirit working in you. So do not give up hope. I would only recommend taking the steps the Bible shows us through its accounts as described in this article. Take the bold steps necessary to avoid whatever sin is plaguing you. Pray fervently for God to lead you from it and commit to studying the Word daily. And if you have a trusted friend, share your struggles and your goal to conquer that cycle of sin. With God, all things are possible. God bless you abundantly. – B&E
This was the most powerful article I have read in a very long time, I battle with sexual sin and porn, and I go to church and have gifts from God that I can’t use fully because of this issue. I feel down,depressed,unfulfilled, and disgusting after I watch porn, and have sex with my partner. Guilt reigns more in my life than the very breath I take….I know God, I know Jesus and I know the holy spirit is real. I just dont listen and have struggled with this for a very long time, all my life. I am confused and very miserable with these sins in my life. I dont want to contract any diseases, the sad part is, is that I only have one partner, but I know he cheats, and I’m still not strong enough to leave…I will go to church to a powerful service and have him waiting there at home when I return, for me to please him. I won’t make him the complete blame, most of the time I initiate the act, its like I’m drawn to it!! Lord please help me….
Hi Christ Rules,
Thank you for your comments and your very honest testimony. Acknowledging your sin is the first step in overcoming it. We can and should confess our sins to The Lord in repentance. And from your comments, I believe you do that. But the question is – have you taken the other steps the Bible outlines to overcome your sin?
If you are in daily prayer and Bible study it will help strengthen you for the bigger issue – that you are living with someone who is clearly drawing you into sin and who on top of that may not be a believer. It seems that you know this relationship is unbiblical. I am not saying any of this is easy, but it can only be resolved by leaning and God and letting the Holy Spirit lead. The real question is – are you ready to let Christ rule in your life or are you going to maintain control to satisfy sinful lust? If you want The Lord Jesus Christ to rule – He will.
What’s a good start in this? Praying to God for it. Then I would advise going through Scripture, specifically in the New Testament and looking at the passage that discuss the sin of fornication. And memorize them. When Our Lord was being tempted in the wilderness, He did not just respond to the Devil with Scripture, He responded with the specific Scriptures that addressed the temptation being presented to Him. Start memorizing passages about fornication. Commit them to memory. This is filling yourself with the Spirit and not serving the flesh.
Here is a link to verses on fornication. I would advise looking at them in context and making them your memory verses for the near future.
We are in prayer for you. God bless you abundantly. – B&E
I have found myself entangled with a sin that I keep coming back to after God has delivered me from time and time again. I hate the place I find myself in today. I have caused alot of confusion in my life, having financial issues, feel alone but I know I am not and hate the Man I am today. I so grateful of God’s Mercy and Grace but I do not want to keep going around the same mountain for I will never reach the place of God’s purpose and destiny he wants me to fulfill which will allow him maximum service from me which he gets the Glory. I need pray from others and help with this problem. I have repented sincerely numerous times but find myself involved with the same sin again. I have a problem with drugs and alcohol. Can someone give me some direction?
First off we ALL have fallen short of God’s glory in our lives. But it is not His will that you be continually defeated in any area. If you have been delivered then at some point you CHOSE to go back and become entangled again. The key is in our CHOICE. The word commands that we STAY free and not to go back. Like Lotts wife CHOSE to look back and had a heavy consequence. We must keep moving forward in Christ. The enemy will ALWAYS tempt. But we must not give our will into his hands. Sometimes we feel like we “just can’t help it”. That is because our spirit man is weak and he must be strengthened by fasting,praying and RESISTING the devil. Commit yourself to drawing close to God by doing those things and you WILL overcome. It will be uncomfortable,but tell your flesh NO and devote to feeding your spirit on the Word of God. Start with 10-15 min a day thats TOTALLY committed to Him with NO DISTRACTIONS. In due time you’ll feel strong enough to despise and HATE the sin that ensnares you now. I pray you walk in the revelation of Jesus Christ. God bless.
Just remember we are all sinners!
Nobody is perfect
Believe in the scripture John 3:16
hi, im mike
i have giving my life to the lord 2 times in 6 months, in these case it was not my main idea or i was pushed to do it and then after a while im back to square in with my addiction and lustful desires.. how do i recover from these does it mean im meant to be evil…
Hello Mike, you said you’d given to your life to the Lord twice but you were pushed to do it, yet you’re concerned about the fact that you are not living according to His will. That tells me that within you, there is a desire to live for the Lord. This is GREAT!! You were NOT “meant to be evil”. The word of God says ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Even though a newborn baby has done no wrong, it still has a sinful “nature”. Your sinful “nature” is what’s causing you to do what you want to stop doing. This is the “carnal” man/mind. The “carnal/sinful” mind has to be put to death. As the “carnal” mind dies, you must take on the mind of Christ. To take on the mind of Christ you must develop a relationship with Him through praying, reading the bible and even fasting. As you do these things, those desires may still arise but YOU MUST RESIST. Do not allow yourself to go back to those sinful ways. The more you pray, read the Word, praise God and fast, the less you will desire to do the things that seem to have such a strong grip on you. When those things loose their hold on you, you will be SET FREE. You will be transformed because your mind will be filled with Jesus and His word and you will take on Christ “nature”. Be encouraged, it will not be easy, but it WILL be worth being FREE!!!
Hi,B&E…(sorry,its gona be a bit long) i thnk the LORD GOD is ministering to me through this article! Ever since i was young i loved God,i grew up in a religious family.My mom used to make us sit round the kitchen fire and we would pray as a family.My dad never agreed to that! He was the lion in the family,too harsh to even talk to.I didnt get the correct guidance to Salvation.I mean fear and stress hindered me,but the urge to be with God ruled me.I aspired to sing for God bt never made it and got married just a month after college in 2007.I finally gave my life to God in 2009.It was so sweet to finally knw my Redeemer! I composed songs for Him bt backslid again!! Marriage problems,Adultery,cursing, I lost Hope,separation and kids left to suffer.B&E,I have had massive,endless problems (the source of my backsliding).Unemployed for almost 10yrs,mocked by my own siblings,been called a begger.My own sister threw me out of her house.The list is endless.But i still hung to Hope.Once am up,am knocked down again by all my problems,my past and everythng.I always tel God am tired but NO ANSWER.I NEED HOPE.I WANT GOD ALONE.I NEED MY PROBLEMS TO END AND I KNW HE ALONE CAN DO IT! Iam just 1 month 3 weeks and 3 days after my daughter was born from a different man who claimed to be saved and has gone quiet on me!! HELP! i find myself cursing him! Av no money to feed the girl,i stay with parents even with my Education.WHY ALL THIS? IS GOD AWARE OF ALL THESE? I WANT TO COME BACK TO HIM TONIGHT…THANK U
Hey yes I came to this website for a reason. I need help. I keep on doing the same sin all over and over again. Once I feel forgiven I do the same sin again. I really need some help please.
Thank you so much for giving us the right direction.
Thanks so much for this piece.
I am not sure if you are still strugling as i see this reponse was written a while back .as mentioned in the article no one is sinless, So your struggle with sin is not uncommon .My struggle with sin has got me to read this article and and i feel terribile after commiting that sin again and again..but i would say that the very fact we are on this page is a indication that God wants us to turn away from sin …David was under grief when he had commited adultery and you can feel his pain when you read psalms 51 and yet bible describes him as a Man close to Gods own heart ..you can see the same struggle with Paul as well ,when at the peak of his ministry he was still fighting with sin …but one thing is common both had hope in the person and the work of Jesus Christ and i would give you the same Hope and also to myself
Rebecca C your story really touched me and reminded me of where I once was. Jesus loves and accepts you right where you are! In Jeremiah 3:14 God says He is married to the backslider. But He also tells us to TURN from our sin. I’ll be the first to admit, this is NOT always easy. But we can do it. God loves us and He DOES NOT play games. He would not ask us to do something beyond our ability. Therefore you must make a conscious decision to turn away from ALL the things you know are keeping you from Him. He will help you give up the sinful behavior as you do this. In turning away from the sin you must turn to Jesus. Instead of being on your laptop or watching tv, spend some time pouring out your heart to Jesus. Tell Him exactly what thoughts and feelings you have, but how you desperately want to change. Tell Him how you want to escape hell’s fire and spend eternity with Him. Also if you have a bible begin to read scriptures on His love for you, beginning with John 3:16. Ask God to allow you to feel His love so you’ll begin to understand it. You can start off with 10-15min a day at first. As you begin to spend this time with Him(on purpose)everyday your whole life WILL change! I know because mine has. I used to be like you, but when I made up my mind to get serious and really know God, my live has not been the same. The enemy wants to bombard us with evil thoughts to keep us bound in a cycle of frustration, but Rebecca if you want to be free take it! Take your freedom in Christ, don’t spend another day letting the enemy keep you frustrated. It is work. But freedom is your reward. I’m praying for you. I love you and more importantly Jesus loves you and He’s waiting for you right now!
Thank you.. God bless u.
Brother, its me again. I can’t stop doing masturbation. Help me
Hi. Im having a rough time. How do i stop thinking of sexual thoughts? I want to live my life for God and flee from sexual immorality. I need help
Whenever we are having trouble with our flesh, the remedy for it is prayer and fasting.
help me….i need your help. God groomed me from childhood….but in my teens 16 to20 i was a sinner….so I decided to follow Jesus and trust GOD. AVE read the bible learnt alll but…. ave fornication is disturbing me… masturbation and pornography have tested me…..am confused…. after Sunday church and I constantly sin on Monday….I have believed God and in need of his help. those day I was a strong believer and I cud stand in the word….but these day my heart has become soft ….. and tempted….. ave given in to Sin over and over…. I pray God ever forgives me…. I ave tried to stop Sinning but like for a week… really. even that one week….. temptations test my heart…. I give in….I need God’s Help. why do we sin..? even after prayer..? even wen I feel God near….Sin sweeps me off my feet…. I need Jesus to help me…. pray for me….. am also scared of the wrath of God and rejection from God because of sin….. what shall I do mere mortal…? psalms 82 says we are gods….. how is it that I face all these challenges and decisions….. I no God”s way is perfect. how can mere mortals walk rightsous…..
our God is faithful ever since I read this article I feel encouraged so much n its my sincere prayer to God to follow him until the end .just a request if you know how I can block adult content I’m my Samsung phone plz share with me I have tryied but to no avail this is becoz i want to block those channels that make me backslide each time and may God bless what you doing n keep encouraging pple to know God in trueth
Hello your word is gives me joy and hope truly and make me want to be a more grateful ,cauragiuos and fearful of God but I still keep failing on my face again
When I was in my twenties I supposedly prayed a prayer to receive the Lord Jesus Is My Savior and I did believe that he was the son of God and the Savior but I continued to live a life for me years of lust and lying and cheating and willingly and intentionally and then I’d feel guilty and confessing that go right back and do it again and again and again and again and again and again and eventually it led to divorce and adultery and marrying someone else in that adultery and then their divorce broke me the Lord used it to reveal how really wicked and sinful I was and then I turned from all of this but my question is was I truly saved when I was living in that was years of lying and cheating and lust and adultery and doing it intentionally and willingly was I really saved or was I just being totally rebellious against God
i just cant stop pornography,sexual lost,masturbation..
i became born again 31 december 2015 after feeling great conviction,i ended my relationship with my girlfriend,but now i am falling into my old habits..pls help me
1st I would like to say thank you for this article. Question. How can one get into heaven if he can never be 100% sin free on this earth? I’m really scared of being in a backslidden state and/or struggling with sins when those clouds open up. Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. God Bless.
I feel as if just reading this is and of itself is a huge and great factor in aiding those who, like other born again Christians, struggle with sin and its hold on us. It was a very convicting and helpful read and I am thankful you took the time to write it.
Thank you so much B+E. This article is most timely and much needed in the my life right now. May God continue to bless and strengthen you always in Jesus mighty name, amen.
This so helping knowing that um not alone,give me hope that smday i will overcome evil temptations n be fully commited to christ,from today onwards iwill fight the evil lord m asking for ur forgiveness n help to strenghten me,please do keep me awaY from sins,iwill sin nomore n the name of almigty Jesus crist amen!
This so helping knowing that um not alone,give me hope that smday i will overcome evil temptations n be fully commited to christ,from today onwards iwill fight the evil lord m asking for ur forgiveness n help to strenghten me,please do keep me awaY from sins,iwill sin nomore n the name of Jesus christ amen!
Thanks B&E this what I needed Because I am struggling with Pornography addiction and Masturbation. Thanks a lot And God Bless!
Thanks B&E this what I needed Because I am struggling with Pornography addiction and Masturbation. Thanks for this information it help me a lot. Thank you very much! God Bless!
This is the most captivating and changing message i have seen since my secret adventure in search of help to quench my fleshy will and desires,God bless you,more grace to us all in Jesus name….
I would counsel everyone to discover a “Biblical hobby”. What is this? Glad you asked. We all have a tendency to return to our original sinful ways, but instead I was looking for the “drug” of the sin I was continuing to commit, and the way it made me feel after doing it I hated myself. So, I took on a “Biblical hobby” of studying prophecy. What a blessing to me. Reading about what is coming makes me want to serve GOD with abandon. I don’t want to be left here after Jesus returns because of my sins. This got me into reading more of the Bible, not just what is going to happen at ANY TIME, but other things that can help to make life better. Finding the outlet to study more of the Word will change your life, lift your spirit, and actually feel His presence. That helps. I’m not saying I don’t still slip, but knowing that my eternal life can be affected by continuous ignoring of the Holy Spirit letting me know that what I’m doing is wrong, well, let’s just say that I want my time on Earth to be used pleasing HIM, not myself. I will pray for all of you that GOD gives you an inspiration to take on a “Biblical hobby”, so we can all be with Him when it is time.
Hi B&E,
Thanks for answering my questions which have been disturbing my mind. Sinning has never been acceptable in the eyes of God, but now I comprend that sometimes is a precursor to knowing deeply rooted insights about God’s word. I thank God for enabling me come across this article. Let the Holy Ghost continue guiding you as you prepare for us more insightful divine articles.
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
Amen Brother!
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
Amen
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
Stay encouraged Brother
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
God Bless
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
God Bless
God Bless. Stay encouraged.
http://subsplash.com/freshlifechurch/v/50c5c68
Hi B&E thank you for this message God bless u, my problem is masturbation. I have tried to stop but i keep doing it.i want you to advise me and pray for me because i need the holy spirit in my life i dont to be a sinner anymore
Hi,
Thanks for your article. I am a 23yr old guy, and despite having a strong relationship with God over the past 2years (I was saved in 2013), I still struggle with sexual sin. Particularly my same sex attractions. I promised to never return to the gay lifestyle When I became a Christian. But this year I crossed that line – and have done so multiple times. When I feel sad or alone, I look for other men.. it is so easy to meet with other guys for sex nowadays through apps etc. I feel so so stupid for returning to it. Leaving the gay lifestyle was a part of my testimony that I’d share with others.. but now I have returned to it.. how can I look at my Christian friends in the eye again? How can I share the gospel now? How can I encourage others with my testimony again? I’ve thrown it all away. I feel like the biggest Christian fraud. I had been trying to keep an eye out for a Christian girl that I could potentially marry one day. But my sexual history is no longer a part of my pre-christian past but now still a current issue. I don’t want to deal with this anymore. .. please pray for me. I hate this situation I’m in.
I don’t know that much about the same sex lifestyle but I do know about sin and in God’s eyes there is no degree of sin, and your Christian friend’s are sinners too, so you can look into their eyes just the same we are all sinners. Thankfully, God sees the heart, which man cannot see, and He sees what we are trying to do and be for Him. Keep praying and seeking Christian friends who will help you walk this journey…that is the reason God put us all together to help one another. God bless you.
http://www.life.church/watch/i-choose/#3
Only in Him my hope dwells
After many personal and failing attempts of dropping fornication, your article gave me a hope that i can still lead my life in a christian way again. Being a pragmatic person, your article inspired me in practical steps as to what I need to do to get out of my prison.
I thank you and I ask the Lord through the blessing of His son Jesus Christ to be my Sheppard as i undertake this huge mission that I have been failing for more than 14 years.
Praise the Lord.
Danny
Thank you God for delivering me from this sinful life i know one day i will be someone great in life.thank you jesus may your name be praised.lord pray for your grace in me and my family,friends,relatives,Christains to stop ever similar sin.plz pray for us may God bless you amen.
Thank you so much beloved brethren for this article. I’m a born again Christian and its been a wonderful two months with Christ Jesus. Before taking the decision of giving my life to Jesus and carrying the cross, i was a worldly wayward child. I was born into a Christian family, going to church every Sunday and attending fellowship meetings when the opportunity was present but i didn’t know what the meaning and purpose of Christ sacrifice in my life was. I was fornicating, dating older men, disrespecting my parents and i was a serious and hocked porn addict but i thank God for putting me in such a situation in order to know and depend Him…. Recently I encountered a guy that i loved dearly and passionately but with so much lust and i managed to get rid of Him completely cause he was one of the people that lead me into sexual immorality. I’m glad i came across this article cause i had the feeling that i was backsliding and turning back to my old self. I thank God for whoever was responsible for this article cause it changed me in an indescribable way. Praise the Lord! I encourage each and everyone who has the urge of abandoning his/her greatest sin and living for Christ to read inspiration Christian based articles like this. God is good 🙂 !!!!!
HI this is tad
…after I overcome such sin by his grace I found myself in, at this time I am having a problem up to people look my pant the visible change of my organ
pray for me for deliverance
So if as long as we are in fleshly bodies we will continue to sin then that means that you never trully over come because to overcome means that you no longer fall into those sins ” for in christ we are made a new creature all old things are passed away” so what you are saying is perfection is impossible what you are saying is we will always backslide its only a matter of when this cant be tru because the bible teaches us that god is coming for a church without spot nor rinckle so if u say we cant help but sin because our flesh then how can we be spotless ?
Thank you so much! I haven’t read it all the way through yet, but from the title and what I’ve read so far, it’s just what I need, and it’s backed up and explained with scripture, and not just “you shouldn’t be doing that because you’re a Christian” Thanks again
Thank you so much for this amazing message. It fits exactly with what I have been struggling with. I believe that from today, I am going to realize the impact of the holy spirit in my life. With Jesus, I am able to fight against every sin especially obscenity and lust.
Hi,
My problem is I’m in a relationship with a man who lives with the mother of his 2 kids and claims to not be married, deep down I am 100% sure he is. I have tried to break up with him so many times and he somehow always begs his way back into my life. I am not having sex with him, and he’s promised to get rid of his ‘ housemate’ . May you please pray with me, that he releases me and makes things work with the mother of his kids. I believe all relationships have challenges and God wouldn’t give me someone with a housemate, he’s a very nice person. But I’m not a home wrecker. I have prayed and made efforts to leave him, but he’s on me like a tick. I need your prayers.
Get rid of him. God is not the author of confusion. Everything that God gives us a good.
Hello everyone, I’ve been struggling with sin. Please pray for me that I may overcome it.
good article heart touching .let it share to entire universe .any one can share his behaviour changed by this article .please let me know .i may also share my experience with you soon
regards
krupavaram
8712881725
always share with contact details for better encouragement ,other needs your help .whom we ask .when will see your reply/my reply .many websites are like this ,may not find it again
God bless you
Good morning we have a young unmarried praise and worship leader who is 6 months pregnant by a church ministerand living with him in sin and Who is still leading praise and worship
Our Bishop seys its ok because Jesus rewrote grace,in the new testament
Alot of people jn church are very upset by this, in a heated conversation we were told that we should then leave,our pastor had his inauguration to Bishop and had this same worship leader lead the whole service.
Sm i wrong to oppose this
You are not wrong for opposing this. We have grace to TURN from sin not glory in it. The Word talks about those who turn the grace of our Lord into lasciviousness and thats what we do when we willfully live in sin. The Word says let God be true and EVERY man a lie, if your “bishop” doesn’t agree with the Word on fornication then he is a liar. I would seriously seek to leave a place that the leader condones such sinful activity. Those people are walking in the flesh and fulfilling the lust of their flesh and will have to answer to God lest they REPENT!
I thank God for the work you do, for websites like this. There is hope and an answer
Don’t give up Jesus will carry you through this amen
Thank you so much for this article, I really needed this. I have been struggling with one sin for over 30 hears, it comes and goes, and over the past few years I thought I had it conquered, but lately it has reared it’s ugly head again. I have abstained from actual sex but I talk sex to men in an explicit way, which I believe is a sin. I keep doing it over and over knowing I am doing wrong but it has plagued me in one form or other, like I said, for over 30 years. I am a stumbling block to my own self it seems. I guess I am trying to do it on my own, and not seeking enough of God and His wisdom, but your article really hit home and made me feel there is hope for this one sin I can get away from. Thank you for writing it and sharing with us.
Hi Sunny,
Thanks for your kind words. Know that we are struggling together until we are glorified in our Savior Christ Jesus. God bless you abundantly.
-B&E
Thank you for your kind words, I forget sometimes we all have our thorns in the flesh to deal with, and I also forget that I have the most powerful being on my side, God. I am such a strong minded person I forget that my first step is to reach out to God, before I try to deal with anything. I tend to try to deal with it, on my own, make a bigger mess and then seek Jesus…big mistake. But I recognize my headaches a lot sooner now..lol..which is a big help in my walk with God and resolving my issues and sins in life. Thank you again for the great article.
Amen ?
may god bless you for touching so many souls including mine by making us understand the ways of the lord. I am also a sinner just like any other human being and I have been struggling to repent from my sins. it seems every time I try to let god into my life, I always commit this sinful tendencies; I am envious of everyone and everything in my life, I have such unhealthy pride, I am a pathological liar, I am so selfish I even despise my self sometime, and the most hurtful is that I haven’t been able to forgive my father and my brother this has been made so bitter and angry most times that it near impossible to handle it. I lack courage and I don’t know how to get the courage to do all this. to make matters worse I also have a spiritual husband who visits me usually at night to rape me. what would be your advise?
Thank you..
B+E,
Thank you for this article, but one huge problem is glaringly absent. Unfortunately, I find that it’s absent in many Christian articles such as this. The Bible says to avoid sexual sin by getting married so that the husband may enjoy his wife, and the wife her husband. Great…good…that’s what I expected before I got married. The reality is quite different though. My wife and I are both Christians, so a loving sexual life was expected. However, over 10 years into our marriage, and after two wonderful kids, her pattern of hardly ever wanting intimacy continues. We’ve gone down the path of counseling, putting all the burden on me to love her more purely, etc. Nothing helps. She’s just not interested. Aside from when we wanted kids, if we have sex 3-4 times a year it’s a good year (and her attitude is that it’s more than enough and I’d better like it like that). She sees no problem with this and treats me like some sort of deranged pervert for desiring her more. I hate that I look at things online that I shouldn’t, but after years of praying about it, begging God to either heal her or take away my desire, spending more time in my Bible, etc, nothing is changing. My libido is just as strong as ever. I keep falling back into sin because I have no other outlet, and no supernatural relief. The gift from God through my wife wants nothing to do with intimacy, yet I’m not supposed to have any other release. To say I’m confused and have inner torment is an understatement.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your comments and openly sharing your struggles. You clearly are aware of the sinful temptations in your life. This article is more focused on the sin, not Christian marriage. But your point is a good one – the Bible commands couples to have an intimate relationship and warns of the sins that can be associated with marriages lacking intimacy. We are going to address marriage specifically in a series of articles on love that are forthcoming. But understand this – your marriage was not created for your happiness. A Christian marriage is for God’s glory. EVERY Christian marriage is going to have its own set of challenges. Our duty as believers is to understand that we honor our marriage despite problems, anxiety, acrimony or temptations, we glorify God. When a wife respects her husband even when he “doesn’t deserve it” she honors God. So there should be no expectation of a problem-free marriage.
Lack of intimacy is not an excuse or justification for sexual sin. I think you recognize this but it can’t be stated enough. At the same time, you said you wife “sees no problem” with the situation. That is a highly unbiblical attitude:
You said you received counseling. Was your wife counsel by a Godly (as in one who knows sound Biblical doctrine) woman? This is a more of a private conversation, but the Scripture meaning is quite clear. I would strongly question the leadership you are under if this passage was not discussed during counseling sessions as it clearly calls for her repentance.
Marriage is for God’s glory and God’s glory alone. If your marriage brings pain or grief, love your wife even more. As the husband, you are commanded to love your wife as Christ loved the Church. And the means you are to lead with grace. You are the leader of mercy and forgiveness as Christ our Lord is to the Church. Remember the grace God extends to you each morning So let go of the bitterness as your sins have been forgotten. Study the Word with your wife, pray with her and these things can’t be discussed peaceably, seek seriously Biblical counseling – from church leaders who use Scripture to counsel with a sound understanding. The enemy wants you to seek “your own way” to solve your issues. Submit to The Lord. Cry out to our Savior and do things His way. God bless you abundantly.
Hallo Brian,
I am not sure if you will see my comment now , but regarding your wife not desiring sexual intimacy with you, I can highly recommend that both of you start reading all the articles on a blog called “To love, honour and vacuum” . The christian author of the blog specifically addresses low desire in women and she is also busy writing a book called “The great sex rescue”.
Amen
Struggled all my life with sexual sin (fornication). There is no excuse. I even got angry at God and cursed/blamed him because of the war/the world AFTER I was forgiven (doubts, anger, not knowing the why the world had to suffer if He knew everything from the start:even though it was Lucifer and Adam and Eve who are to blame. I was afraid of EVERYTHING. Could not sleep or eat as I was afraid I would die and go to hell. All the warnings of the bible jumped out at me as well as all the sin around and in me. Acted like a Pharisee. Carried my bible because I was looking for someone to relate to (carried it in my hands, not in my heart) because I was afraid. Had a child out of wedlock and was alone. Hallucinated I thought (heard hissing), unless it was a physical symptom from sleep paralysis (not sleeping). 100% sure I have a special place in hell. I’m past middle age now. I try to repent, but I am a dead person walking. I turned from sin and laid everything at the cross: I was crucified, but take heed lest ye fall. And fall I did, to the point of hearing satan laughing over me and attempted suicide and a psyche ward. I cannot tell you the number of souls that were hurt because of me: the soul who knew that being a soul winner for Jesus is all that matters. The soul that rejoiced in the Lord!!! Don’t know where to turn. I was like Samuel as a child (apple of God’s eye), then sinned like crazy: Lucifer himself, then a prodigal, rings and joy and all, then back to a sinful living as I was trash and gave myself to whatever man came around and did to them and let them do to me whatever they wanted, including family: I was useless and my life/dreams/hopes were completely destroyed, what did it matter anymore? My adult child has suffered much due to my sin. Not to confess someone’s sins, only to say I turned him away from God and he is an atheist and boasts of his sins, like I did before turning to Christ. I don’t know what to do. Attempted suicide and people blamed it on religion. It was my sin and stupidity that destroyed my life/soul. Put the blame where it belongs. I have no hope. I try to pray and can’t. I read the bible: the book of love I adored and slept with and now am under condemnation. Did I sin so badly because I am such a proud attention whore or was afraid and didn’t know how to overcome and was overcome by all the evil/suffering in the world. Could play with fire and not get burned???? OM!!!! Didn’t have the tools to be an overcomer, but knew sin like the worse of them. Petted it. A whore. Turned back to it. I am the worst of persons. I always said I was against abortion and I was, but what a hypocrite otherwise! I turned my child against Christ by my sin. It would have been better I were never born: a milstone around my neck. Will/can God have mercy on me? He is just. How could I, a no one, who boasted in the Lord, do the deeds of satan/deeds of the flesh/evil. God doesn’t know me. I am a selfish, proud, evil thing that destroys every person I touch and should and will be destroyed. God have mercy! I will probably die of AIDS, something horrible. God have mercy. ‘-( I boldly asked Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me and that I didn’t care what happened to me. The joy I had at that time was surreal, but I saw warnings and death all around me and became paranoid. I am so sorry, but sorry isn’t enough. This is not a joke, it was my life, my reason for being shot to smithereens. I feel like swiss cheese. No reason to go on. No one cares. I did turn from sin for a minute and knew and saw love/light like I have never known. I don’t know what to do but wait to die. Nothing left of me but a shell. Sifted like wheat. Good for nothing at all. Dead meat.
the problem is not what your going through and how you feel although it must be hell….
the awesomeness of it is that after all that you’ve done your still crying out to god. your feeling this and going through this because of conviction, condemnation is from the evil one…..
god is only seeing his child (you) crying out to him. and that is precious….
and I need to tell this to my self as well.
david wilkersen on his sermon of a call to anguish. that anguish is a wonderful thing to see the condition of what we’ve become…because now we can thirst for what jesus has to offer…..
where the real problem lies is when people don’t know this and don’t even bother to cry out to god….
just crying out to jesus our lord is amazing enough…..king david did ……..countless times
were not any different….
we suffer because were fallen and living in a fallen world….we suffer because we live in a world where our adversary the devil and his minions are the god of this world….we suffer because this cosmic world and its system growing without Christ our lord and his laws to live by…..
that’s what the cross and his suffering was for……while we/the world spat at him and did not take him seriously, while we did not understand, while we were yet sinners, while we turned our backs on him he prayed to the father…”please forgive them for they know not what they do” and even then the father abandoned him and took all the wrath and curse for us ………yeah I consider myself the chief of sinners as paul did…….we all feel that way….but that is exactly how it should be….for the lord says the least of you shall be the first in my kingdom…….
and I pray for you and me and many others
so simple and honest………
LORD JESUS MY GOD THERE ARE NO WORDS WE CAN CONJURE UP TO MAKE IT SOUND NICE OR EVEN TO TRY TO EXPLAIN BUT ONLY TO UTTER ……PLEASE JESUS HELP US AND SAVE.
FOR YOU ARE OUR INTERCESSOR IN HEAVEN AND THATS MORE THAN ENOUGH……WHEN ALL HELL HAS BROKEN LOSE AND THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE…….
I have had my own cycle of sin again and again with sexual sin. Fornication and pornography. It seems that a lost of my job for one reason or another is God’s chastisement for my behavior. I had repented a couple of weeks prior, noticing the deep guilt I felt after sinning. Because of a careless error I lost my job and possibly my license. I am devastated. I have removed and separated myself from the pitfalls that I allowed to continually ensnare me. I am prayerfully waiting for God to deliver me and that all will work out. I guess my greatest fear is that God is turning a deaf ear to my prayers, because I’ve been here to often before.
This is a really helpful article which many will find useful. However, I would like to suggest that in some cases, the root problem of sexual sin is not really lust or having a ‘perverted mind’ but rather loneliness which drives the individual to want to go and sin some more sexually speaking to fill the void in his or her life. What advice would you then give to such people?
as a man believeth God, so he IS….
Phil 2:10-13…for it is God [Father] who GIVES…BOTH the Power-to and the Will-to obey Him.
The God centered man…Divine Natured and born of the Spirit…no longer [evil]self-centered…1John 3:8-11, the one who continues to sin, be a slave of Sin is [a son] of the Devil…but the born again of Spirit, Reborn saint does not sin BECAUSE [Christ] the Living Seed of God REMAINS planted within us by God our Father. So we sons of God…Spirit-controlled [Romans 8] allow no sons of HUMAN fathers to deceive we Children of Divine Nature…we BELONG TO our Father and His Word
Genesis 20:6…then God said TO Abimelech…I did not ALLOW you to sin, I kept you from sinning against Me…[I God your] Integrity is in your heart. IF we deliberately, willfully…continue, keep on sinning AFTER [Grace/Spirit] we have received The Knowledge of Truth…there is no more Sacrifice for Sins [Christ] left…Heb 10:26. Romans 6:12…do not let…allow…Sin to reign in your mortal body [body of death] so that you obey evil [instead of God who Says He gives you both the Will-to…the Power-to say NO to Sin…[Phil 2:10-13].
The sons of HUMAN fathers lipservice…attend church services…while the sons of Divine God…their Divine Father love, therefore obey Him and give up…cease to enjoy the TEMPORARY pleasure of living the human life of Sin…pleasing flesh instead of God.
EXAMINE your “self”…what “spirit” is IN you the soul…the soul’s mind and heart: temporary spirit of AIR, Sin nature…temporary HUMAN life, spirit…or Eternal Spirit of Life, Father of saints? Without Rebirth…without the Spirit…Divine Nature ruling, living…BEing God in you, you remain lost in and OF the world. Cain who belonged to the evil one hated his brother Abel who belonged to God his Father. So it was and so it is even now. The sons of HUMAN fathers DEPISE…HATE…RESENT…RESIST …Reject…ALWAYS the Truth that LIVES IN and Saves those who RECEIVE…He Eternal Life…as their very own, The SOUL filled with Eternal Life fears not the death of the body of death…the mortal. Sons…SOULS Reborn of Eternal Life do not fear…the outer loss of the dying flesh.
I was able to overcome sexual sin by God’s grace. I have made available resources to help anyone in this sin. http://battlesofachristian.com/overcome-sexual-immorality/
I’ve backslided so bad that I don’t feel remorse or guilt after I sin. How can God help me if I love my sin? I want to take it serious, but I love my sin too much. How do I stop loving my sin?
Thank you so much, may the LOrd bless you so much for this good work. i was delivered from sexual masturbation and pornography when i got born again in 2015 but now again i am about to marry and i work in a cyber cafe where i have always been tempted of this many times and i have fallen many times. i usually feel remorseful and repent these sins to God and asking for help from God , i cry to Him every time i fall. please i will apply this and i pray that i may find deliverance and freedom from this sin of sexual sin. please put me in prayers as a back up….Thank you
I need prayer please :(((( I deal with intrusive thoughts :((( there feelings like feelings trying to change what I am saying its horrible. Please pray for me. I read the verses on the unpardonable sin and was scared because bad thoughts came at me against Jesus and fought it and knew it wasn’t me :((( and now I deal with it harder always scared its me :(((( I feel hopeless people cuss around me and I get scared of the cuss words :(((( and I deal with these thoughts I hate this. I don’t know what to do. I deal with all God now. WHyyy 🙁 I feel hopeless I deal with fear and control. I get scared of the cuss word and try to find a positive word to replace the cuss word it worked for a little while now the cuss word comes its horrible :(((( I need prayer what to do. Jesus got me out of drinking, smoking, getting cancer why cant I get out of this :(((
Brittany,
I’m sorry your having these great troubles. My heart goes out to you. Christ Jesus is our salvation not only eternally but also in this life. Firstly are you saved?… 1 Cor. 15:3,4 says:
3¶For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Christ died for our sins. When a person believes the gospel, they are saved. This work is done by God alone. We trust in this.
Even after we get saved we still battle in our minds and bodies because we live in
in our flesh still. What we need to do is get to know Jesus Christ our RISEN Lord…
And all the work he did for us to be able to be saved. I’m speaking of His doctrine.
One of the best ways, I have found to battle the nasty thoughts we have, is to fill our minds with the words of God in Christ’s “preaching of the cross”. Start reading Romans and keep going.
Our position in Christ when we are saved is eternal. We are even sealed with the Spirit of God upon salvation.
Ephesians 1:13 KJV — In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
14 — Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
We are sealed until he comes for us!
We STAND in Christ. He is far above all things including the evil forces operating today trying to stand between you and your Lord.
Also pray for God to help you put on your armour every day…This is our armour:
Ephesians.6:
10¶Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14¶Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
God bless you little sister! I say little sister as I’m 55:)
TRUST IN THE LORD ALWAY!
wow i think the lord lead me here because i just got my answers straight away.
Thank Thank Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.
God bless
I had been struggling with sexual sin for the past 20 years it come and it goes. Is like i cant control it and mostly happens when i am in a relationship .It feels like I cant say no when they ask for it you know,.then afterwards the condemnation will start pouring in.Sometimes feels like I am always Disappointing God.
I really want stop and I know the only way out is marriage however anytime marriage come up something happens and the relationship breaks off and then the cycle begins. A new relationship with sexual sin involved then we talk marriage then something happens…I am now on my 6th relationship. what can I do.
Sometimes I just give up. please help.
hmmm
I had been falling into sexual sin then I decided I wasn’t going to be in any relationship to avoid engaging in such sin but there was a guy that kept bothering me and I like him too but we agreed it was going to be a Godly relationship but it’s been like 2months now and we’ve had sex four times, I really need help and he does too because he is a Christian too, a pastor’s son at that. I really want this relationship to work but God is definitely more important. My question now is that can we make things right with God without having to break up?
I had been falling into sexual sin so I decided not to be in any relationship but there was this guy that kept bothering me and I liked him too so we started dating. He is a pastor’s son so I told him we were gonna have a Godly relationship. But ever since, it’s been a sinful relationship and I really want to make things right with God but I want my relationship as well. My question now is that can we make things right with God without having to end the relationship?
Thank you so much for this. This is just what i need. Praise God for reminding me and give me the strength, for without you i can’t do anything. Forgive me my sins and help me take down all these barriers one at a time.
Christ Jesus died for our sins. Not for our sins only but look what this scripture says…
2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV — For he (God) hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Parenthesis mine…
We live in the dispensation of the grace of God. We are NOT UNDER THE LAW. ChRist gave his life for OUR sin. He bought us already when we believe the gospel.
We need to know that we are saved by what Christ accomplished in his cross work…his blood, death, burial and resurrection. 1 Cor.15:1-4
1 ¶Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 ¶For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
So now when we believe the gospel of Christ…we are justified before God.
Rom.5:
1¶Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
6 ¶For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
12 ¶Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
We don’t EARN God’s favor by not sinning. Rather God teaches love.
We are told to :
Romans 6:11 KJV — Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We need to know our place…
We STAND in Christ alone, by faith because of God’s grace.
2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV — For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 ¶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Peace to all who our Lord Jesus!!
Hello there, I am a 24 years born again christian man. I have been battling with pornography addiction and masturbation for years now. I am seeking spiritual help here and there. I am kindly asking your helping hand in my situation. please pray for me for Jesus to deliver me completely and heal me from this darkest sin that I am currently in. Also I would love to send you my testimony, so please do contact me on the provided email. Thank you and God bless you.
This article has encouraged me. But, I’be been caught up in this sin for decades. Even now, as I send this message from this device, I’m drawn to use it to sin (just being honest). My struggles are deep in me, and I fear my salvation at risk. Not because I might lose it, but because perhaps I’ve never had it. Wouldn’t there have been evidence of change in my life after so many years of the same habitual sin? I truly need help, and ask not only for prayer, but more recommended studies and/or articles like this that will keep me moving. Anybody?
Am a 24 old woman I was sexually abused countless times from when I was 5 years till I was 16 years by my step father and uncle . My problem is when am sad, nervous I feel as if I can be sexually active in a rough way. I try to live the right way but I find myself falling into temptation of fornicating. Please pray for me in Jesus name
I’m sorry you are going through this Noni, I will pray that the Lord will hold you close. Proverbs 3:5-6
Keep praying keep trying God will help you don’t give up Jesus loves you and he will help you God does things in his time because his time is perfect
I have to give honor and Glory to our Father in heaven for using his firm believers to do his WILL.As I read not only this well put together information aswell as reading these comments is really helping/encourage me to move forward in The spirit of our creator and have my mind set on the works of our messiah Yeshewa (Jesus).
I can be honest like everyone else on here and admit that I’ve been struggling with sexual temptations/lusts and.I am happily married but have struggled with lusts for years and I believe Yah is setting me free.I had issues of not only using porn but using social media to entice lusts as in looking at pictures /videos even enticed by something so minor but realized that I am not the only one that struggle with the thought of women in certain clothing such as lusting over them in leather.Its a battle to the point that I see it more often on television and sites and look when I see it in public.I had to remove myself from social media and limit my time with television because that seems to be the fashion today.Not to say when I see women in it that I will attack in rape,but that its lust to me and I’m sure it is to others and it’s bad that even though I am dealing with these lustful thoughts and trying to fast and remove myself from them,It pop’s up in my dream.I knowingly had this issue and for it to come up in my dreams I’ve woken up and immediately ask for forgiveness because its stained my brain and its something my flesh been attracted to since a child.I know I can’t do this without the spirit of YAH and I know he’s working on me and my wife is also aware of this.But i say this because This guide is allowing me to put things in prospective.I DO NOT WANT TO KEEP BACKSLIDING INTO THESE DEMONIC THOUGHTS so please pray for me as I try my best to live for him and may Our Elohim bless you and everyone .
I have a great challenge.From my childhood a have living ungodly life.Stealing,evil is the other of the day.I was not brought up in a godly way.Liars.everyday one sin or the order.
1998, I was laid to Christ.Shortly was baptized.But along the way I started doing things I was not doing before,stealing became the other of the day,covetousness, unforgiveness,from time to time at a time I was only church.Come back church and commit formication.At a time the word was not in me,I only quote but nothing fellow.
At a time I went to the church when the church was moving to her moving to her prominent side.As the technical head,in the church started moving somethings to my house,even went far as selling some(among which are television, stabilize, fans,etc)It was serious that I feet no guilt
Then I was not married. Few year I got married,Didn’t tell my wife,cos no guilt at heart.No shelf for the with children,as per praying morning devotion and night. We only pray casually. That spirit continued that I left the continued adulterous act .Infact,all the sin in world I committed.All this while I thought I was serving God
2017, I found myself clubbing, drinking of alcohol which I have never done in life. Late that year I started having palpitation of with ulcer.work stop and I started getting depressed, how will I pay,for this and that.Before you it sleep left my eyes as we speak
Fear and anxiety took over.I have spent all I have sold my car .Just to get sleep .All to no avoid. In this process different voices have been talking to my this your end.and manner.It was now done that I wasn’t serving God.I have confessed all my sins,giving my life back to Him.But each time I try to read the Bible this voice keep calling me wicked man,evil man your enemies are at work,you serving God..God can never answer you.I have tried committing suicide.My flesh is skin,I can’t go for work.Nightmare all time.
I have Jesus over n over into my life.I am isolated.Get angry.I feel God has refused to forgive me all my sin.I confessed to my wife later.She forgave me .But the work load and shame is so much.No more call from the family member,church etc.Is my life doomed. What will I do