What is the point

[Pax]

What is the point of asking for forgiveness for a sin if you know you are just going to go right back and do that same sin?

If a person stops asking for forgiveness for a sin he or she commits, they will just become numb to sin. This is exactly what the devil wants all of us to do. He wants us to stop worrying about sin and say "hey, whats the point, we are already saved anyway. I can do what ever I want and I'm still going to heaven". Throughout scripture Jesus told up to repent of our sins. Scripture also tells us to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16).

I can tell you from experience that a person can overcome habitual sin. First one must take sin seriously. Many people get so use to commiting a specific sin, they eventually rationalize this behavior. This could be sins of purity, gossip, anger, etc. Once a person realizes that their behavior is a sin, then they have to take themselves away from that sin or getting into an ocassion of sin. This means don't hang around drug abusers if you don't want to take drugs. Don't look at pornography if you expect not to fall to temptations of lust or impurity. Don't hang out with gossipers if you don't want to gossip. When a person is tempted to act out in a sinnful manner ask the Lord for help. This can be through prayer or calling out his name. I am Catholic so I would also add that saying the Rosary has helped me tremendously in times of temptation. I would also encourage people who are struggeling with a specific sin to confess your sins. I am Catholic so this is a Sacrament where I will confess my sins to a priest in private. I can't begin to tell you the benefits of telling your sin to someone who will give you wise council, and just the fact that you can externalize your sins and not have to keep them bottled up inside of you. If not Catholic, I'm sure you could tell your Pastor or Christian mentor your sins and struggles. Do not share information with anyone who is going to tell others your sin. This could also be done in groups such as AA (alcholics annoynomous).

I do want to encourage all of you not to give up when dealing with sin. This is exactly what the devil wants you to do. He wants you to be content with living in sin. Jesus encouraged us to battle sin with fear and trembling until the end of our life.

[Clio]

I don't know, I re-read the, and I can see my own frustrations with the sin in my life.

I mean, what I've seen from Kittylover, I'm more inclined to think she's struggling with temptations that she has a hard time resisting (or something along those lines) than willingly breaking one of the 10 Commandments or something.

Hi... What you're describing sounds like a stronghold. A reaction that we've developed because at one time it helped us to cope with something else, something more basic. When Abba and the Spirit were first working with me on these kinds of issues, They brought into my life a book called "Shattering Your Strongholds" by a lady named Liberty Savard.

4 times They brought it to me. Three times I thought, "That's nice, but I don't have any strongholds, I have sins". and gave it away (I'm a little dense at times ) The fourth time that book was given to me, it finally dawned on me that I was supposed to read it. So I did.

There is a way out, and the Spirit and Abba and Jesus will do the work for you, you just have to surrender and understand the principles Ms. Savard lays out. I prayed through that book once, then did an online study with a group of people from around the country, and now, whenever Abba and Jesus decide I have a particular issue with which I need to deal... out will come that book, my Bible, and my tears of repentance. In about 6 weeks, sometimes less if I'm really motivated and Abba has been kicking my tail pretty good.

When I have some more time, (I'm running late as it is), I'll be glad to discuss it more with you.

Abba bless you.

Clio

[shaitiger]

As a believer in God forgiving me for all my past, current and future sins, I never ask for forgiveness. What I do though is confess my sin. These are not one in the same. Do I have a problem with folks asking for forgiveness...no. We all act redundantly with certian things in life.

[Gerioke]

Psalms 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;

51:2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

78:36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

I think the important thing is to have a relationship with God. If we are asking forgiveness then we are showing our faith and trust in God.

[kittylover0991]

As a believer in God forgiving me for all my past, current and future sins, I never ask for forgiveness. What I do though is confess my sin. These are not one in the same. Do I have a problem with folks asking for forgiveness...no. We all act redundantly with certian things in life.

I know this is really going to sound like an "oxymoron" or hypocritical, but forgiveness of sins.. as I know from times past.. is a special thing between a believer and the Lord. We confessed our sins if we accepted Christ on the cross but the bible also says to repent when we sin. My pastor told me once when I was doubting my salvation that when we have sin in our lives, it can hide God's will from us. Not to mention, something that I have noticed is that when you have unconfessed sin, it leaves you miserable and unhappy. My pastor always says(and it is surely true) that the most miserable person you will ever see is a person outside of God's will. A christian with sin in their lives and heart cannot have that perfect fellowship with God. I don't know about this whole "God already forgives us" thing, but I do know that the bible says we are to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. Jesus already knows the sins we commit, but God also knows our prayers before we ask. However, he still commands us to pray without ceasing. I wish I could explain just how wonderful it is to be able to ask that forgiveness, but.. it is a truly special thing... a personal thing between a believer and their heavenly Father. I hope that you can "experience" this again one day It is truly a miraculous thing. (dont mean to step on anyone's toes.. but just stating biblical truth)

[kittylover0991]

oh no i am so worried i keep asking GOD to forgive me for masterbating but its just so hard to stop does this mean that GOD will send me to hell and not forgive me

Hey, I'm sorry that you are going through this and I can say with honesty that I have had to deal with this too.. however.. just keep fighting... Memorize Romans 6 and 7 It is a wonderful help One more thing, try getting an accountability partner Mine had been my youth pastor a while back Will be praying for you

I know the refence is 1 Cor 10:13.. "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]. "