still think that I can't obey God

I think people put obedience to God as an obstacle in a relationship with God such that God has problems working through us to deal with matters of the flesh we suffer from. God tells us to love our brother (one another) and in doing so without giving it thought by loving we won't want to sin against them and thus we would be "obeying" God's desire not to do things such as steal, murder, etc. When you seek God not worrying about your current condition in advance as an obstacle and just trust that he will run to you as akin to the prodigal son for each step we take towards him God leaps miles towards us such that just trying a little goes a tremendously long way.
In other words by focusing too hard on sin, you in turn may be turning away from a closer relationship with God that would encourage you in that effort... and make it seem perhaps in some cases even effortless. Too often we make Christianity into "I" and "Me" focused instead of focusing on God as much as possible. If the Ego (I,Me) is not fed then God has more room in our lives to reside but when it is about "OUR" sins and "OUR" repentance and "OUR" obedience then God is put in second place behind "OUR" or US.

It helps to understand what Christian obedience is and is not. It is not law-based obedience that focuses on keeping rules and regulations, as the old covenant concept did. The Greek word for "obedience" is hupakouo, which means "to listen under." Christians are responsible to "listen under" the Lord to allow Him to reveal what He wants to do next in our life.

Those who obey more are those who increasingly “get” that their standing with God is not based on their imperfect obedience to Jesus, but on Jesus’ perfect obedience for them. The irony of grace is that we are more obedient as we grow to understand that God’s love for us is based on Jesus performance, not ours.

His love for us begets love from us.

if you could 'stop that sinning' on your own, you wouldn't need Jesus. what God wants you to repent of is not all your 'transgressions of His laws'; but your desire to make your own decisions; He wants you to yield to His leading, so that He can guide you to intersect with the blessings He's already put in your future; and as you learn to perceive and follow His leading, you will transgress His laws less and less - effortlessly - as He will never lead you to transgress His laws. we aren't smart enough to know how to apply all of God's laws correctly in any given situation, only He is; we need to know what He has said to us in His written word so that we can recognize His leading in each situation, not so that we can strive to correctly apply and follow His laws according to our own strength and understanding. when you miss His leading, you step briefly into His mercy, receive His already-available forgiveness, and then step boldly back into His Throne room of grace for His next instructions

Psa 37:23 KJV
(23) The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Jer 10:23 KJV
(23) O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Rom 8:1-14 KJV
(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
(4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

hmm well I've often heard that we 'trust and obey' so maybe work on the trusting God part first and obedience will naturally follow.

God is totally trustworthy. I mean, how can you not trust Jesus? He wouldn't do anything to harm you would He? Meditate on that, and just keep saying, Jesus, I trust you. You are Lord.
Do you know what Lord means? It doesn't just mean Jesus is your best bud. He's also like the head chief, the ruler, the King. And in the Bible he always did what was right cos he never sinned. Can you trust someone like that?
So if he tells you something to do, wouldn't you do it?

Dear bowtokingjesus. In Luke 10: 25-28: Jesus is asked: " Master what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus answered: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matthew 22: 35-40) In verse 40:
we read: " on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love, and God wants
loving sons and daughters. Everything we say or do, must be from love or compassion. In Matthew 7: 7-10:
we read: " ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then we thank God and share all with our
neighbour. We keep asking and receiving, then thank God and share all love and joy with our neighbour.
( neighbour being all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends) That is straightforward and not too
hard to understand. We will find that people will treat us the same as we treat people, love is very catching.
God sees our loving efforts, and God will approve and bless us. Life will become enjoyable, less severe.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God for forgiveness and carry on being loving and caring.
The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, and Jesus our Saviour will lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
Love and Compassion will change this imperfect world, and we will be sign-posts to God our Heavenly Father.
Why not try it, bowtokingjesus? let love and compassion take over. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy,
your sister in Christ.

bowtokingjesus said:

Is the answer simply to surrender my obedience to Him? Whenever I hear advice I think "can't do it" I want to put it into practice because I know it would be beneficial like advice on what to do when your worried or angry. For the longest time I thought I couldn't repent of my sin and I eventually did but me always thinking that I can't obey is discouraging almost to the point that I given up on Christianity (I haven't but it's discouraging) Any advice?

Click to expand...

*Reminds me of Gideon in the Bible... his attitude was
along the lines of: "I can't do this"...He was down on himself... look at how he responded to God when he was
told to: “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14)

Gideon replied: "But Lord, how can I rescue Israel?
My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh,
and I am the least in my entire family!”

He wasn't overflowing with faith and confidence.

God replied:
“I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites
as if you were fighting against one man.”

Gideon still had doubts and kept seeking reassurance
from God that it was actually God talking to him.
you can read about this in Judges chapter 6.

I also advise that you continue to seek after the Lord,
lean entirely upon Him and His Word.
This is what our Lord and Savior did and we are to
do the same thing.

Emmy made important point. We just follow the two greatest commandments. Memorize them.

His commandments are not grievous. Ask Him to help you, i mean, a new christian sometimes just doesnt know how to love, cos they were not shown it or realised it before. Thats why, its good to have older christians around you to give you an example.