JohnD Posted January 17, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 0 Topic Count: 905 Topics Per Day: 0.19 Content Count: 9,646 Content Per Day: 2.02 Reputation: 5,832 Days Won: 9 Joined: 04/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted January 17, 2021 1. God gave us sexuality and sexual urges. This was IMHO to assist in perpetuating humanity which would otherwise be at each other's throats rather than even the consideration of intimacy. Now, just because God gave us these urges by nature does not preclude we are hopelessly enslaved to them. Think about potty training. Imagine if went around going number one or number two anywhere anytime the urge hits us (like sheep). 2. We live in a sex saturated society... as if controlling our natural urges wasn't hard enough... There's no escaping what the Bible teaches is shameful nudity exposed (Isaiah 47:1-3) even in Church. Now we live under Grace and not Law (which hundreds of millions of Christians and billions of unbelievers are spared judgment for)... But that doesn't elevate or relieve conditions rife for lust. 3. Lust is the problem. Unmanaged sexual urges fueled by unmanaged immodest attire and behavior... and when people (men and women) seek some sort of release... there stands the Church, Christians, the whole world (especially towards men these days / it used to be aimed just at women but it has reversed) ready to shell out judgment... guilt... and our own consciences are eager to assist them in this self deprecation. 4. The oldest profession... why isn't it wiped out by now? And why were people so harsh on men and women who were just trying to survive? Jesus did not condemn prostitutes or even the woman caught in adultery. Why must we? I am not condoning anything. I am simply identifying the fallen world we live in. And maybe we won't be so harsh on ourselves and others. There's the ideal... and then there's the practical. There's the ideal... and there's the realistic. It would be such a grand world if people just stopped lying, for example. The Law / 10 Commandments are condemnation for all who do not believe in the Savior. They are also indicators that we need a Savior. Jesus Christ saves us from ALL sin. You CAN pray. You can ask for divine deliverance from lust (even in this sex saturated world)... but the one and only truly exempt human being from lust was Jesus Christ himself. He knew no sin. Sin was not in his nature. It certainly is in all of ours ! ! ! If you do an in depth study into the scriptures about the taboos in lust and sexuality and realize they are all there because they are common to mankind (men and women) otherwise they would not even be there... you will realize you are in a vast company of people with the same problems. I recommend praying for God to bring you HIS ideal mate to you and then stay out of his way. That's precisely how it worked for me 40 years ago. Hand to God. Up to that point I kept doing the searching and pursuing. Then I stopped and the next day I met the love of my life. And even then there will be times when temptation to lust turns your head or your computer on... What to do with all sin once you are saved (read 1 John 1:5- 1 John 2:17 in a single setting / as one passage over and over until you realize all sin is forgiven in Christ and confession to God alone [Psalm 51:4] is about getting back in touch with your relationship to Christ 1 John 1:9 "confess" means to come along side / agree / face our sins which he is [imperfect Greek tense] forgiven / forgiving / shall forgive all along anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted January 17, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 0 Topic Count: 905 Topics Per Day: 0.19 Content Count: 9,646 Content Per Day: 2.02 Reputation: 5,832 Days Won: 9 Joined: 04/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted January 17, 2021 Christianity is not a guilt trip. Just the opposite. Jesus said my yoke is easy my burden is light. This is not to free us up to sin... but to free us up to do good... to participate in our unique ministries towards the ultimate goal: evangelizing the lost. We are all priest of God in Christ (Revelation 1:6 / 5:10 / 1 Peter 2:3-9) we have unique gifts, and a unique calling to use those gifts (it could be your very vocation). This is about love not guilt or submission to tyranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted January 17, 2021 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 0 Topic Count: 905 Topics Per Day: 0.19 Content Count: 9,646 Content Per Day: 2.02 Reputation: 5,832 Days Won: 9 Joined: 04/07/2011 Status: Offline Share Posted January 17, 2021 By the manner in which we deal with temptation... demonizing it... aren't we in effect aiding its irresistibly rather than conquering it? I am not advocating free indulgence... But given our human nature... ought we not so demonize over eating cheesecake that we keep eating the whole thing... time after time. Jesus conquered death and sin. Let his Grace do its due diligence. Smoking has no appeal to me for example. It's a non consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walty Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Members Followers: 2 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 44 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 75 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/27/2015 Status: Offline Birthday: 11/14/1971 Share Posted March 25, 2021 (edited) "He that overcomes" is mentioned time and time again in the book of Revelation. Even Jesus himself stated "as I have overcome". It looks like we all have something or somethings in our lives that we must overcome. Of course our precious Lord, by the Holy Spirit, will help us, but there is a CTA (call to action) in our lives. Remember, those "he that overcomes" were written to believers. My question is; how much living by either the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eye, or the pride of life can we get away with, unrepented, and still make it into heaven? A little or a lot? I'm not talking about being perfect. No, no one is perfect, meaning, we all make mistakes, sometimes accidentally or blatantly. It's what we do to ourselves after we fall. For the "righteous will fall seven times, but still get up", what will you do after you fall? Here's one, I'm sure years of ignoring that call on our lives, doing what "we" want to do instead of what God wants us to do, let alone watching a little porn, is okay right? To me, watching porn (whether a little or a lot), giving into anger (whether a little or a lot), losing control of ourselves to the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, or the pride of life are avoided by; if we "put on the whole armor if God", and "walk in the Spirit". What red flags are in our lives, to let us know where are we at in our spiritual walk with God? Remember, the Fruits of the Spirit are just that "Fruits". They are effects of us being planted in good ground and being fed correctly. Whereas the works of the flesh, seventeen of them listed in Galatians 5:19-21, we are commanded to crucify on our part. Edited March 25, 2021 by Walty Grammar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duck Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 0 Topic Count: 27 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 404 Content Per Day: 0.32 Reputation: 240 Days Won: 0 Joined: 10/28/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 (edited) Deliverance from addiction is always an option. Am praying for everyone who contributed honestly. i was delivered of this particular sin, (I still have issues, but this was a big distraction for me) with The Lord, all things are possible ? Edited March 25, 2021 by Duck 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiards Ball Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 5 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,502 Content Per Day: 0.66 Reputation: 662 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/05/2018 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Walty said: "He that overcomes" is mentioned time and time again in the book of Revelation. Even Jesus himself stated "as I have overcome". It looks like we all have something or somethings in our lives that we must overcome. Of course our precious Lord, by the Holy Spirit, will help us, but there is a CTA (call to action) in our lives. Remember, those "he that overcomes" were written to believers. My question is; how much living by either the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eye, or the pride of life can we get away with, unrepented, and still make it into heaven? A little or a lot? I'm not talking about being perfect. No, no one is perfect, meaning, we all make mistakes, sometimes accidentally or blatantly. It's what we do to ourselves after we fall. For the "righteous will fall seven times, but still get up", what will you do after you fall? Here's one, I'm sure years of ignoring that call on our lives, doing what "we" want to do instead of what God wants us to do, let alone watching a little porn, is okay right? To me, watching porn (whether a little or a lot), giving into anger (whether a little or a lot), losing control of ourselves to the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes, or the pride of life are avoided by; if we "put on the whole armor if God", and "walk in the Spirit". What red flags are in our lives, to let us know where are we at in our spiritual walk with God? Remember, the Fruits of the Spirit are just that "Fruits". They are effects of us being planted in good ground and being fed correctly. Whereas the works of the flesh, seventeen of them listed in Galatians 5:19-21, we are commanded to crucify on our part. Did you know that 1 John answers the question, "Who is he who overcomes?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 16 Topic Count: 107 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 3,820 Content Per Day: 1.29 Reputation: 4,806 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/31/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 (edited) On 11/24/2020 at 12:02 AM, F_Ivan said: I struggle with porn addiction since I was 8 years old. Everytime i watch porn i feel bad and guilty but i cant seem to feel personally sorry to god ....... Here's the deal as to why you don't feel any sorrow as to how you have greatly offended God. The Bible says in a handful of places that we are to love God with [in total]: all our heart all our soul all our mind all our strength Guess what addictions do - and not just porn - but substance abuse, food, alcohol, bitterness, hatred, and more. they MASTER and ENSLAVE your heart, soul, mind, and strength Guess what the addict does. He/she offers their heart, soul, mind, and strength as an offering TO the god of their addiction. This is why you feel nothing towards God. You "feel" EVERYTHING towards the porn and it has mastered you, enslaved you, and is killing you. Listen carefully - your "relationship" with porn is taking the place of all healthy and normal relationships. ALL ADDICTION does that. All addiction robs the addict of normal and healthy relationships. The source of the addiction is now the spouse and lover, the child to protect, the friend to hang with, and more. But most sadly of all, the source of the addiction is now the GOD! This post is too long already, so I will give you a help in the next post. Edited March 25, 2021 by Jayne 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Royal Member Followers: 16 Topic Count: 107 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 3,820 Content Per Day: 1.29 Reputation: 4,806 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/31/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 Being delivered from this will take much work. Unpleasurable work that involves your heart, mind, soul, and body. I would advise you talk to your doctor and ask for some ideas for professional help. Especially since you are 20 years old and have been addicted since you were 8 years old. Please - see your doctor. He will keep everything private. Meditate on this: 2 Timothy 2:22. You can remember it by all those twos. "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Paul is talking to Timothy, the young preacher, who is just starting out. He give three critical steps: [1] "Flee the evil desires of youth....." = That means to RUN! Turn the computer off. Abstain from it as much as possible. Concentrate on what this has done to your body, your heart, your mind, and your soul and FLEE! God says in the Bible that there is a "way of escape" from the burden of temptation - that we can BEAR it. What is that? The first thing is to ask God for mercy and grace. Hebrews 4:16 says to "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [2] "...and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...." = You can't run away from something without running TOWARDS something else that's better. If you don't have something to run TO, you will be like the dog that returns to eat its own vomit as Proverbs 26:11 says. Find things that exercise your heart, soul, strength, and mind the RIGHT way. Read the Bible everyday, pray daily, exercise, eat right, get good hours of sleep/rest, find productive things to do, hang out with good and godly friends, find hobbies that don't require you to use the computer. And don't tiptoe AROUND this addiction like it isn't there. BOLDLY rebuke it, attack it, call it for what it is - an abomination before God, and turn your back on it. [3] "....along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." = You must find others who have defeated this and fellowship somehow with them. Develop Christian bonds with a small few whom you can trust to help hold you accountable. There REALLY is strength in numbers. But most of all strength in Christ Jesus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whyme Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 82 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 2,300 Content Per Day: 1.97 Reputation: 1,125 Days Won: 10 Joined: 02/16/2021 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 The apostle Paul teaches us to meditate on pure things. Not sure if that helps you but it helps me. Not only that but I'm tired of sin, I want Jesus. I want the joy and peace. Never give up, never. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popsthebuilder Posted March 25, 2021 Group: Non-Trinitarian Followers: 2 Topic Count: 3 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 299 Content Per Day: 0.24 Reputation: 87 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/13/2020 Status: Offline Share Posted March 25, 2021 On 11/25/2020 at 3:32 AM, AnOrangeCat said: One of the things that's important to remember is that are feelings are fleeting, fickle things. It's nice when our feelings align with what we know to be right, but that's a luxury and not something we can always count on. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that are hearts are "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". Quite often in life, both for material reasons and spiritual ones, we have to go against what our feelings tell us because we know better. More "desires" than the whole of "feelings"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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