> there is no way i can call anyone to tell them the temptation
is
> getting the best of me. I pray but it isn't the same as when
i was on
> fire, and up to this very minute, the devil has almost always
won.
> i don't need this, i don't want it (well, part of me
apparently does).
> i have tried to pray, but i think He has spewed me
out....with good
> reason!
It is my belief that the Church is the hands and feet of
Christ, and they are the ones that you need for support. You
seem to be trying to do this alone (just me and God!) and God
rarely works that way. First you need to dump your pride, the
idea that you CAN beat this thing alone. You are going to need
the help of others, close friends, MALE friends, esp. in a
situation like this. Look around your church, or around other
churches, for men that you can meet with on a regular basis.
People that you can trust enough to tell them what you have
said here. People that will not judge or try to fix your
problem, just that will listen, pray and be there for support
when you need it. (My advice to most people is that they should
have 4 people praying for them every day).
Next:
Don't avoid the pain that you are in, it is God's way of
getting your attention. If God didn't care he would allow you
to do these things and not feel the pain. As is, the amount
pain is an indicator of the seriousness of the situation and
the consequences of these actions.
BTW-Sometimes our spiritual life is hurt because we feel too
guilty to really come before God, we think it will hurt too
much to ask forgiveness again for the same thing. This is a
lie from the pit. God's love (and salvation) for us is
unending and unconditional with regards to our sins. He will
always pick us up, forgive us, and accept us back into his
presence (thanks be to Christ, Jesus). This is your chance to
come before God in a type of humility that most never get the
"honor" to experience, and to know His forgiveness in the same
way. (I say this because we all have committed sins that are
just a grievous to God, but most never admit it and so never
find the joy of so rich a salvation)
My Prayers Go with you,
JCB
God Bless,
Chris
P.S. If possible, go to a PK conference this year. It's a great
opportunity to nail those sins to the cross, literally.
> there is no way i can call anyone to tell them the temptation is
> getting the best of me. I pray but it isn't the same as when i was on
> fire, and up to this very minute, the devil has almost always won.
> i don't need this, i don't want it (well, part of me apparently does).
> i have tried to pray, but i think He has spewed me out....with good
> reason!
> Is there anyone out there who is in same current situation? ever been?
> any help?
> thank you!
Back in '92 I began a "walk with the Lord." I was very much on fire,
witnessing wherever I went. I had lived a promiscous life before, and I
suddenly quit *everything.* Then about a year and a half later in '93 a
(christian) woman came along and I suddenly found out that what I had
considered "strengths" in my christian walk were suddenly crumbling! I
eventually got out of the relationship for several reasons, although it was
hard.
But here's the key that has helped me in my christian life: My identity in
Him. Growing in it. Growing in the knowledge and experience of who I am in
Him. The blood of Jesus bought you a brand new identity. We *are* New
Creations in Him, whether we live like it or not. But the more you focus on
HIM and what He had done for you and what He has already made you (by His
grace), the less you are likely to live in a way that is contrary to that.
I am always sorry to hear people struggling with sin and getting advice on
what to *do* to change things. We already know what we're "supposed" to do!
That's why Christians are so filled with guilt. We know what to do but yet
don't do it. However, the apostle Paul shared a better way than guilt when
we fail. He called himself a wretched man, after having been a Christian
for many years (in his letter to the Romans) He said he hates the things he
does (sin) and doesn't do the things he knows to do. But instead of getting
all hung up in guilt and despondancy, he looks forward to the day when he'll
no longer be in his "body of death." He *knows* and admits that he is
carnal. But he says, "it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in
me." But he doesn't *focus* on how evil he knows he is in the flesh.
Rather, he puts His trust in the grace of God. He doesn't focus on what he
needs to *do* to get right with God. He focuses on who God has already made
Him to *be* by grace.
In other places he also exhorts and encourages Christians to live like
saints, because they *are* saints. I recently read a book that made a good
point. A prince won't live like a prince if he doesn't think of himself as
a prince. The identity that God has given us as His children, as saints, as
accepted in the beloved, as holy, as pure, etc etc, is given to us by His
grace alone. If you don't *see* yourself the way God sees you, then it's
highly doubtful that you'll live that way either.
It has taken me several years (and will take many more) to even begin to
understand who I am in Christ, by His grace. But the more and more I grow
in grace (rather than in fear of sinning and rather than focusing on my
sin), the less and less I cling to certain habits. I'm certainly not
anywhere near sinless, and won't be in this lifetime, but my focus is on
Christ, not my sin. I believe that's how it should be.
Rom 7:14-20
14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do
not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16If, then, I do what I will not
to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17But now, it is no longer I
who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in
my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to
perform what is good I do not find. 19For the good that I will to do, I do
not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20Now if I do what I
will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
NKJV
Rom 7:24-25
24O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25I
thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself
serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin. NKJV
Not seen this group before and have a neighbor who said he was part of
"promisekeepers". I did not know what it was, but I think I have heard of it
before.
I read this thread and was wondering when someone was going to quote some
scriptures to guide this man out of his difficult problem. It was good to
see some scriptures!
I am a Christian and was baptized 11 years ago. I attend a sound
congregation of the church of Christ.
We have elders, recently appointed, and simply follow the guidelines set
forth in the bible and the examples of Jesus Christ.
Whenever I know of a man and what their troubles are I usually refer them to
several different areas to illustrate what the man's role is in a marriage,
in his relationship with Christ and God and within their local congregation.
First Timothy and Titus are short books that lay out God's plan for the
organization of church and home. Men's roles and responsibilities and
women's roles and responsibilities. That is a great place to look for
structure and organization.
Regarding your feelings about this situation - you should take a quick look
at Matthew 5:28 and begin to realize that even thinking about adultery is
the same as doing it.
Anyway, I hope you study the scriptures and find that talking to other guys
is not what you really need. I have found that unless the guy is a solid,
sound Christian, talking does little.
Talking to Jesus and God is your best bet on who to speak to.
Well, it took me a couple days to get to responding, but I hope it helps.
Jim
"James Marchetti" wrote:
> I read this thread and was wondering when someone was going to quote some
> scriptures to guide this man out of his difficult problem. It was good to
> see some scriptures!
Scriptures are obviously the best source for counsel on many matters.
However, God has also put in each of us the ability to learn and teach, to
admonish and counsel, etc. Often our wisdom comes from the Bible, but so
many times in life we also learn from experience and in many other ways.
> Anyway, I hope you study the scriptures and find that talking to other
guys
> is not what you really need. I have found that unless the guy is a solid,
> sound Christian, talking does little.
The Bible is indeed full of words about listening to the counsel and
instruction of God, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with people
counseling each other. A person will hopefully listen to the counsel of
others *and* seek God on the counsel he or she has received.
The following verses are just a snippet of the Bible counseling us to
counsel each other.
Prov 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry,
But in the multitude of counselors they are established.
Prov 11:14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing
with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and
good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the
manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see
the Day approaching.
James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another,
that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much.