Backsliding

[MightyIsTheLord]

I've done it again. The things of this world have become too much for me i've let myself fall back into my old ways.

Man this must be about the tenth time i've backslid in the past 365 days. Its not just the tempting things of this world that have contributed to my backsliding.. When i read the bible i find the words dull and uninteresting so i tend to go and do something more interesting like watch an Un-Godly dvd. When i pray, i feel disconnected, like im praying to nothing.

Something i did many years ago which is the worst thing i've ever done is also causing me to stray from the Lord, when i think of that horrible thing i've done i just want to jump infront of a train.

Yet there is hope, if i was completely lost again, i wouldn't care. But i do care.. Why do i feel like im not good enough for the Lord, like i didn't do enough/like im incapable of serving him. We are to confess our sins, but that thing i did many years ago, i cant even say it outloud to myself let alone confess it to others.

Any suggestions.

[bestill]

I've done it again. The things of this world have become too much for me i've let myself fall back into my old ways.

Man this must be about the tenth time i've backslid in the past 365 days. Its not just the tempting things of this world that have contributed to my backsliding.. When i read the bible i find the words dull and uninteresting so i tend to go and do something more interesting like watch an Un-Godly dvd. When i pray, i feel disconnected, like im praying to nothing.

Something i did many years ago which is the worst thing i've ever done is also causing me to stray from the Lord, when i think of that horrible thing i've done i just want to jump infront of a train.

Yet there is hope, if i was completely lost again, i wouldn't care. But i do care.. Why do i feel like im not good enough for the Lord, like i didn't do enough/like im incapable of serving him. We are to confess our sins, but that thing i did many years ago, i cant even say it outloud to myself let alone confess it to others.

Any suggestions.

Can I ask something? Perhaps the answer will help. Why can't you say outloud that thing you did? Try to look at why you can't as honestly as you can. Are you scared of it? Are you ashamed of it? Is it pride that keeps it a secret? If you can answer this you'll be one your way. I don't know what your answer might be but I do understand where your coming from. There is a great deal of hope. As great as God Almighty.

[EricH]

Moved from Genral Discussion to Looking for Advise

[None]

You don't have to confess your sins publicly or even to another believer. Jesus died for your sins and He has already forgiven you for your past, present and future sins. He knows what they are and what they will be. He's still working on you.

What I see is that sin seems tastier than doing right in the eyes of God. There's the problem.

You've somehow gotten into the pattern of thinking everything that makes God happy is either painful, unappealing or unfulfilling. This is sin nature speaking these lies. By slipping back into sin, you fed and watered it. If you let time pass without feeding it, it will die, as all sin will one day.

But you feel guilt which is a good sign. And you're trying to pray, at least. You're being honest, not trying to seem perfect, impressing others. Acknowledging your sin as sin. You're on the right track.

[OneLight]

I've done it again. The things of this world have become too much for me i've let myself fall back into my old ways.

Man this must be about the tenth time i've backslid in the past 365 days. Its not just the tempting things of this world that have contributed to my backsliding.. When i read the bible i find the words dull and uninteresting so i tend to go and do something more interesting like watch an Un-Godly dvd. When i pray, i feel disconnected, like im praying to nothing.

Something i did many years ago which is the worst thing i've ever done is also causing me to stray from the Lord, when i think of that horrible thing i've done i just want to jump infront of a train.

Yet there is hope, if i was completely lost again, i wouldn't care. But i do care.. Why do i feel like im not good enough for the Lord, like i didn't do enough/like im incapable of serving him. We are to confess our sins, but that thing i did many years ago, i cant even say it outloud to myself let alone confess it to others.

Any suggestions.

Brother MightyIsTheLord,

I was once in your shoes. I felt like I was not connecting to God in prayer. The Bible did nothing for me. All too familiar. Then I realized that I am not worthy of anything God could give me. He gives it because He loves us, not that we deserve it. You need to bring all your sins before God. He already knows what you have done. You do not have to say it out loud, but to Him in prayer. Once we confess our sins, we are then able to stand before God. Sin is not allowed in the Kingdom of God, where He is when we approach in prayer. Only when we are forgiven, can we approach Him.

Sin also inhibits our Bible study time. Pray also that the Holy Spirit teaches you, and become as familiar as you can with the movements of the Spirit. He is our Comforter, Helper, Teacher. Look to the Holy Spirit's guidence when approaching all of life's challenges.

Do Not Allow Satan To Lie To You!

Know The Truth!

Look at my signature and believe every word.

Your Brother in Christ,

OneLight

[Redefine_Me]

I've done it again. The things of this world have become too much for me i've let myself fall back into my old ways.

Man this must be about the tenth time i've backslid in the past 365 days. Its not just the tempting things of this world that have contributed to my backsliding.. When i read the bible i find the words dull and uninteresting so i tend to go and do something more interesting like watch an Un-Godly dvd. When i pray, i feel disconnected, like im praying to nothing.

Something i did many years ago which is the worst thing i've ever done is also causing me to stray from the Lord, when i think of that horrible thing i've done i just want to jump infront of a train.

Yet there is hope, if i was completely lost again, i wouldn't care. But i do care.. Why do i feel like im not good enough for the Lord, like i didn't do enough/like im incapable of serving him. We are to confess our sins, but that thing i did many years ago, i cant even say it outloud to myself let alone confess it to others.

Any suggestions.

Dear brother, God has washed you clean of whatever you did 10 years ago. He doesn't think about it, so neither should you. He wants to free you from the bondage of that past sin. Accept that freedom from Him.

[bestill]

I want to make sure there's no misunderstanding. I'm not suggesting that you confess your sins in this forum. On the contrary, that's not a good idea. But I know from personal experience that past sins can have a hold on you even though you know and believe that you are forgiven in Christ. It's like you know with your head that Christ has seperated your sins from you as far as the east is from the west but in your heart you still feel condemned. So how does that head knowledge become heart knowledge?

I'm speaking for myself now. Based on my own experiences. I hope there's something in here that helps you.

Bringing it out into the open with a trusted and mature Christian can be powerful. Satan loves to keep things in the dark. I kept certain things secret for quite a while because I was ashamed of them and too proud to admit to it. It was quite freeing when I first spoke about it. The shame and dread lost it's grip on me. It was also very humbling which is a good thing.

Sometimes too, if our sin has hurt someone we need to answer to that. Yes, we are forgiven in Christ but it helps our healing to own up to it and ask for the injured parties forgivness. It may even mean answering to the law if we've broken the law. God forgives our sins through Christ but sin still has it's consequences.

I sincerely hope this is of some help to you. God bless you.

[evetsegap]

When i pray, i feel disconnected, like im praying to nothing. ............

Any suggestions.

I'd like to address this one sentence. In times when you feel disconnected, you must tell yourself it's not about feelings it's about faith. Keep praying and praising until your Joy returns. He does not withdraw from you, ever. In times like these I like to read to read the 23rd and 51st Psalms. And them lift them up as prayers to the Lord.

Father we praise you and we thank you Lord that you are always present. Create in us new hearts Father. Increase our faith in you. We Praise you Jesus. Amen

[shepherdsgrace]

An important word here is "pattern". When we are in a pattern of giving into our sinful nature then it takes awhile for that pattern to break as we begin once again to seek the LORD. I have found that it takes several days of prayer times and Bible times etc before I begin to discern that sweet presence of the Lord if I fall back into my old fleshy ways of ignoring the LORD. So it is far better to have that prayer time, even it if is just out of duty for awhile, and have that time in the Bible on a continuing basis. Soon the breakthrough will come. Sin and flesh puts up a barrier between us and the presence of God. But it is soon broken down by the mercies of God as you continue to seek Him.

And it is always easier to go after the things of the world. We can move out of apathy and slothfulness into the pleasures of the world. But it takes decisions and effort to move after the things of God. It helps to look down the road and see where our paths are taking us.

It is a terrible thing to have a past sin hanging over you, tormenting your mind. It is simple torment. Once and for all lay the sin at the foot of the cross. One more time tell God that you did it but you got to leave it. Tell him you can no longer bear the memory or thoughts of it. Tell him you understand the seriousness and consequences but you just got to leave it under the blood of the Lamb. Once you have it all said, Once you have poured it all out, one more time, Then get up and leave it. From that point on give it no power over you. That decision is up to you. When the memory comes to mind simply do not respond to it. Let it die. If you do not feed the memory with your agonized responses then eventually it will no longer have the power to torment you. It is dependent upon your response. Your mind is your own.

God bless you as you continue your walk in the LORD. More of us understand what you are saying than you could ever guess.

[Trusting Jesus]

When I think of the things I did when I was in rebellion, I am ashamed. But, I am also humbled by the awesome God we serve that He has forgiven me and forgotten those things I did. I think that at the low times in my life, when I wasn't walking with Him, that He was in front of me with His arms outstretched saying"Come this way". You just need to go to Him, too. No matter what you did, He is bigger. Is this thing something you can apologize for? Or pay back? Maybe that's what you need to do. If it is something you have done to yourself, then maybe you need to forgive yourself. Don't let this come between you and God.

Maybe you should bet some DVD's that are Christian, and get rid of the un-godly ones. I bought one for my husband last Christmas called "John in Exile" and it is a wonderful movie. He watches it quite often. But there are others, too, which are good, wholesome movies that won't lead you astray. But do spend time in your Bible. Even if it is 10 minutes. Do you attend a strong, Bible believing, Christ centered church? Is there someone there who you can look to for support?

But do pray. Don't lose that connection with our Lord.

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Nathele