Why am I stuck in my sin?

Neostarwcc

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?
 

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?
From my experience with the sin in my life, I have come to believe that when I sin it is because I am looking for love, acceptance, meaning, and purpose in life from the world rather than from my relationship with Jesus Christ. You will always have some sin in your life. As you focus on your relationship with the Lord, the byproduct will be a diminishing of sin in your life, but you won't completely get rid of the sin until you die and enter eternity. However, be at peace, God is not counting your sin against you. This isn't to excuse it, but to say that nothing is separating you from your God; including your sin. When you sin, I would suggest asking God, "What am I expecting to get from this sin that I am not receiving from you?" Sin begins in the heart. When God starts to do a work in you and change your heart, you won't want to do those sins anymore. However, this takes time. It won't happen overnight. God is patient with you. Grace and Peace.
 
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ajcarey

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You need to fear God. Caring about sinning is your responsibility and you have to make the choice to not offend God. God has provided the grace already for you to live pure and blameless before Him. You need to understand that you cannot live in uncleanness and go to heaven like that. Christ died to make you holy without spot nor wrinkle- you have to receive that you need to be clean and cooperate with His grace so that you can be an overcomer and stand before Him pure and blameless. If you believe that Jesus died so you don't have to be holy yourself (like many do), then you're going to stay stuck in your sin. If you think (like many do) that He will make you holy without your cooperation in striving to apply His gracious promises of overcoming sin to your life, then you are going to stay stuck in your sin. Below are some helpful Scriptures for your situation. You want to make sure also that you are reading and meditating on Scripture to cultivate a proper view of God and His great power, His exceedingly pure character, His Holy Majesty, etc. The God of Mount Sinai still reigns and everything Christ did is to bring you into line with Himself (Jesus of course is the God of Mount Sinai- He never changes- Hebrews 13:8). Only His holy and redeemed people will not need to call for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them when the day of His wrath is come and He rises to terribly shake the earth. Also know that having been born again before doesn't guarantee you'll be faithful now. We have to enter the strait gate AND endure walking on the narrow way that leads to life to make heaven (Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 24:9-13, Hebrews 3:12-15, Hebrews 12:1-3, etc)

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 7:1 "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

Ephesians 5:3-7 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them."

Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

Revelation 21:6-8 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
 
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Lost4words

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As you grow closer to God, satan will try harder and harder to pull you away from Him. He will throw temptations at you. He will make you feel bad and unworthy etc.

Be strong. Persevere in you faith and love of God.

Everytime you fall, get right back up and head for the open arms of God. He loves you.

Ask God to replace all you bad thoughts etc with His grace.

God bless and protect you
 
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~Anastasia~

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I may not be accurately seeing the situation, but from what you describe this is what I think ...

It sounds like you're praying more, more concerned about what God thinks, and committing less OVERT sin. These are all good things.

But it's a process. And one thing that happens along the way as we draw nearer to God is that our true degree of sinfulness starts to become more apparent when compared to His light. So we will start to see how overwhelmingly we DO sin, or simply are sinful or inclined to sin, when before we might not have been able to recognize that.

It is painful to the soul (or should be) but it's a necessary step.

And ultimately our greatest failing is not loving God. That is after all the first and greatest commandment. And many would say they love God, and they may feel that love. But the command is to love God with ALL your strength, ALL your heart, ALL your mind, ALL your will ...

And the truth is, we don't. But in a way that's ok. When you are teaching your child to walk, you don't mind that he stumbles often, or simply loses his balance and plops down. You comfort him if he's hurt and encourage him to keep trying. If he works diligently through his life and becomes an Olympic athlete, that's good, and you will more and more expect him to have increasing ability. Our spiritual life is supposed to be like that. We start as babes. We progress, we discipline ourselves, we do battle against the flesh, we run the race. The Scriptures even describe the process in terms of an athlete training. We strive for that highest goal. And as long as we are moving in that direction, we are obeying Jesus' words.

It's humbling to see where we fall short. And we always wil fall short. But that's ok too, because humility makes us like Christ too, and we need this in varying degrees to keep us from becoming proud or trusting in ourselves.

So don't be discouraged. Just understand this IS a race, and SHOULD involve spiritual effort. What you do right will lead you to do even better. Where you fail will keep you humble and show you where you need to change. Trust God in this process and always seek His help. It is essential, and He always gives it (even times when we don't sense it).

And there are tools to help - fasting, prayer, spiritual counsel, actively loving others, and so on.

God be with you.

So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?
 
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Joshua S

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?

First off, God will never forsake you while you are here on Earth. He will be with you during the challenges you face whether you realize it or not. His love for you is great. Jesus came so that our sins may be forgiven and you could be forgiven for those sins you've committed and still commit. Sin is essentially worldly temptations. I've sinned many times. I thought I was born again but ended up realizing I wasn't. I've yet to be baptized and born again. However, despite that, God will not forsake you if you're struggling with sin. So many people struggle with sin that if God were to forsake those who have sinned, we'd all be going to Hell. Temptation is everywhere. Satan is the one who benefits from your sins. Satan is attempting to destroy your faith. Satan has done this to me as well. The more your faith gains, the harder Satan will try to destroy it. I'm weak in my faith but you sound strong. Keep pushing and I guarantee your faith in God will overpower Satan. Don't doubt God. Doubt is Satan's Ally. Not God's. It'll get easier. Just keep praying and reading the bible. Full faith in God doesn't happen overnight. That's why we have roughly 60 or so years to get there.
 
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Jen35

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?
It doesn't matter, what matters is you stay faithful to God and keep going no matter how bad it gets, eventually God will miraculously show up someday in your life. And if it is that bad maybe you should meditate on scriptures for a long time privately somewhere alone in his presence and your very own consious which is the only thing making you feel guilty right now. Besides, a good friend told me meditating is good anyway.
 
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JIMINZ

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I am still stuck in my sin. Why?

I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much!

surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do

True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet.

Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really?

A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care.

I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do?

Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do!

What can I do?

These are the 9 major things you have said.

At this point, there is really only one question which needs to be asked.

Have you been Baptized since you Believed?

This is the starting point for every statement you have made.

You have made the statement, you are Born Again, and God has Recreated your spirit, but you know yourself you are not acting anything like what you know a Christian should be..... Thus the question.

Honestly, you sound more like someone who is seeking information on how to become a Believer and doesn't know how, rather than someone who professes to be A Born Again Christian..... Thus the question.
 
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Neostarwcc

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From my experience with the sin in my life, I have come to believe that when I sin it is because I am looking for love, acceptance, meaning, and purpose in life from the world rather than from my relationship with Jesus Christ. You will always have some sin in your life. As you focus on your relationship with the Lord, the byproduct will be a diminishing of sin in your life, but you won't completely get rid of the sin until you die and enter eternity. However, be at peace, God is not counting your sin against you. This isn't to excuse it, but to say that nothing is separating you from your God; including your sin. When you sin, I would suggest asking God, "What am I expecting to get from this sin that I am not receiving from you?" Sin begins in the heart. When God starts to do a work in you and change your heart, you won't want to do those sins anymore. However, this takes time. It won't happen overnight. God is patient with you. Grace and Peace.


What you said makes sense. I'm not looking to completely get rid of sin from my life I know that this is impossible until I see the Lord but it's like. I live in sin and I realize that this is hurting God. A lot of times I'll sin and like not care or I'll feel bad get on my hands and knees and beg God for forgiveness. I know that all of my sins were already forgiven when Christ died for humanity 2,000 years ago but it's like I also shouldn't be hurting God everyday.

I don't even know why I like to sin. It's probably the devil succeeding in his temptations. God has promised to never allow the devil to tempt us more than we can handle but a lot of the times it feels like I am weak and then I just give into the devil and sin anyway. Sometimes I do it to gain the approval from others but it just seems like I sin because I am a sinner and I was just born with that nature. True, I am not the person I used to be. God has changed parts of me but it's like God hasn't changed ALL of me. But maybe I'm just being impatient and this takes time. I after all have only been a Christian since November 2013. So it's not even seven years yet.
 
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bmjackson

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@Neostarwcc

First of all, thank God that you are where you are. Many many peole who claim to follow Christ do nto get to where you are - hearing the call of God upon your soul for holiness.

You are with Paul in Romans 7 when he cries out and cannot do the things he ought and cannot stop the things he should not do. This is not the position of an unbeliever who does not have this war going on.

You must choose whether to listen to those who have not received the call, who work for the devil, or move forward in stepping off the cliff edge and submitting ALL to Christ.

.
 
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Jen35

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What you said makes sense. I'm not looking to completely get rid of sin from my life I know that this is impossible until I see the Lord but it's like. I live in sin and I realize that this is hurting God. A lot of times I'll sin and like not care or I'll feel bad get on my hands and knees and beg God for forgiveness. I know that all of my sins were already forgiven when Christ died for humanity 2,000 years ago but it's like I also shouldn't be hurting God everyday.

I don't even know why I like to sin. It's probably the devil succeeding in his temptations. God has promised to never allow the devil to tempt us more than we can handle but a lot of the times it feels like I am weak and then I just give into the devil and sin anyway. Sometimes I do it to gain the approval from others but it just seems like I sin because I am a sinner and I was just born with that nature. True, I am not the person I used to be. God has changed parts of me but it's like God hasn't changed ALL of me. But maybe I'm just being impatient and this takes time. I after all have only been a Christian since November 2013. So it's not even seven years yet.
But that's the thing with some of you people around here some of you only will respond to a post that is only agreeable to you and whaty you want to hear when in fact I think what Jiminz said in his post seems more true and seems like the realest problem to all your answers no matter how you try to justify it...y'all come on here and ask for sound advice and when someone gives it to some of you, y'all ignore them...
 
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Mountainmanbob

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?

For the ones that are truly Born Again.
If we keep on deliberately sinning
physically, mentally and spiritually
we will grow weaker and weaker.

We will be so sick and tired of ourselves
that we will start to
hate the one we see in the mirror.

The only way out is to Repent.

M-Bob
 
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carp614

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"But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do."

This is a relatively fundamental misunderstanding of the Christian Faith.

Christians don't sin less. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made aware of our sin, we fight it, we resist it. Sin has no real power over a Believer (unless you give it power), but Christians sin just like everyone else. I certainly do struggle with sin on a daily basis and fail in dealing with it just as often. I am no less a Christian for my failure. I simply have to learn to lean on the Lord.
 
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Mountainmanbob

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"Christians don't sin less.



Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made aware of our sin, we fight it, we resist it. Sin has no real power over a Believer (unless you give it power), but Christians sin just like everyone else. I certainly do struggle with sin on a daily basis and fail in dealing with it just as often. I am no less a Christian for my failure. I simply have to learn to lean on the Lord.

Don't be fooled by that one.

As I grow older I sin far less but,
my sin bothers me much more.

Maybe you relate to that?
Maybe you don't?
M-Bob
 
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GraceBro

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What you said makes sense. I'm not looking to completely get rid of sin from my life I know that this is impossible until I see the Lord but it's like. I live in sin and I realize that this is hurting God. A lot of times I'll sin and like not care or I'll feel bad get on my hands and knees and beg God for forgiveness. I know that all of my sins were already forgiven when Christ died for humanity 2,000 years ago but it's like I also shouldn't be hurting God everyday.

I don't even know why I like to sin. It's probably the devil succeeding in his temptations. God has promised to never allow the devil to tempt us more than we can handle but a lot of the times it feels like I am weak and then I just give into the devil and sin anyway. Sometimes I do it to gain the approval from others but it just seems like I sin because I am a sinner and I was just born with that nature. True, I am not the person I used to be. God has changed parts of me but it's like God hasn't changed ALL of me. But maybe I'm just being impatient and this takes time. I after all have only been a Christian since November 2013. So it's not even seven years yet.
The one thing I would tell you to do without going into detail about everything you have said, is to ask yourself one question, "What is your understanding of the Gospel?" By that, I mean what is the condition of mankind prior to salvation and what is God's provision offered in Christ Jesus? This is where you start. Most people believe the Gospel to be that Jesus Christ died for my sins so that when I die I get to go to heaven. Now that is not wrong, but it is incomplete. With that understanding of the Gospel, people are left to basically fend for themselves between the time of salvation and the time they physically die. Normally, what fills the void is the belief that the Christian life is about trying to stop sinning. And in order to stop sinning we must subject ourselves to laws which identify the sins in our life and give us blessings and cursings based on our success or failure at living obediently to those laws. I submit that the goal of the Christian life Is to learn how to trust and depend on God in the midst of our sins. The more we do that the more we will start to see the sin in our life diminish as a byproduct of getting to know our God. If you need resources, I can direct you to some Grace and Peace
 
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Halbhh

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So lately I have been immersed in prayer more and in my bible. I've been spending more time with God. It hasn't been a daily I admit but it's been a lot better than the last six months. I've even become a really good friend to an ex Christian who I hope to eventually bring back to God. So I guess I am living for God a little bit more and more everyday. But I am still stuck in my sin. Why? I think sin is funny. I think that trolling people is funny. I cuss and talk sexual in front of my wife and family all the time. It's just so disrespectful! I'm just so dirty minded and I just sin so much! True im not the person I used to be since God recreated my spirit but I am not 100% better yet. God has helped me overcome some of my sins though. I have not given into sexual temptations like inappropriate contentography and other temptations for like six months. I used to be so obsessed with inappropriate contentography that I used it several times a day. I thought I would never be set free. But then over the course of the last year God began to change me. So I guess eventually God will make me the creation he wants me to be and will tackle my many sins one at a time. But right now? They seem so numerous that I'm starting to have doubts that I was ever born again even though I saw it with my own eyes. But surely born again Christian's wouldn't sin as much as I do or forget about God as much as I do. Sure I tell God every single night that I love him but do I really? A true person who loves God would want to battle his sin. But its like I dont even care. I just give into sins many temptations! What can I do? I'm hurting God each and every day that I live like this! Hes probably left and forsaken me by now because of everything ice done and continue to do! What can I do?
At one point in the middle reading I started to wonder: what among these things you are still seeing remaining are actual sins, versus some of them possibly not even being sins. We can tell whether something is a sin generally by using the powerful aid taught to us by our Lord here:
Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Does the joke in question break this rule? Breaking it for instance could be such as telling a joke at someone's clear expense (not embracing in love), or telling a joke that demeans their gender for instance.

But if the joke doesn't break the rule of Matthew 7:12 in your eyes, then it's probably ok. You kinda know at some point, if you pay attention to the feelings of conscience, which can be a twinge that tells you something.

On the whole, you have told us you are growing, changing, in good ways, see, and that's evidence, along with your actions of prayer and reading scripture, that shows you are following Him, even when you like any will sometimes stumble. When we do stumble, any of us, we learn in 1rst John chapter 1 what to do: to confess humbly to God, truthfully, our wrong doing, and then He cleanses us, for having confessed.

I hope and strongly urge you that among your prayers you do the prayer Christ gave us to pray daily in Matthew chapter 6 -- it will help very much on exactly what you are posting about here!

I know -- it's far easier for me to keep Matthew 7:12 at times on days when I've prayed this perfect prayer He gave us.
 
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Neostarwcc

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I may not be accurately seeing the situation, but from what you describe this is what I think ...

It sounds like you're praying more, more concerned about what God thinks, and committing less OVERT sin. These are all good things.

But it's a process. And one thing that happens along the way as we draw nearer to God is that our true degree of sinfulness starts to become more apparent when compared to His light. So we will start to see how overwhelmingly we DO sin, or simply are sinful or inclined to sin, when before we might not have been able to recognize that.

It is painful to the soul (or should be) but it's a necessary step.

And ultimately our greatest failing is not loving God. That is after all the first and greatest commandment. And many would say they love God, and they may feel that love. But the command is to love God with ALL your strength, ALL your heart, ALL your mind, ALL your will ...

And the truth is, we don't. But in a way that's ok. When you are teaching your child to walk, you don't mind that he stumbles often, or simply loses his balance and plops down. You comfort him if he's hurt and encourage him to keep trying. If he works diligently through his life and becomes an Olympic athlete, that's good, and you will more and more expect him to have increasing ability. Our spiritual life is supposed to be like that. We start as babes. We progress, we discipline ourselves, we do battle against the flesh, we run the race. The Scriptures even describe the process in terms of an athlete training. We strive for that highest goal. And as long as we are moving in that direction, we are obeying Jesus' words.

It's humbling to see where we fall short. And we always wil fall short. But that's ok too, because humility makes us like Christ too, and we need this in varying degrees to keep us from becoming proud or trusting in ourselves.

So don't be discouraged. Just understand this IS a race, and SHOULD involve spiritual effort. What you do right will lead you to do even better. Where you fail will keep you humble and show you where you need to change. Trust God in this process and always seek His help. It is essential, and He always gives it (even times when we don't sense it).

And there are tools to help - fasting, prayer, spiritual counsel, actively loving others, and so on.

God be with you.

So what you are saying is that over time as God continues to change me I will sin less and less? Obviously sinless perfection is not possible in this life but over time as God changes me to become more like Christ I will learn to obey God more and more each day I work at it? I always heard that sanctification is God's job and that it's a lifelong process and just because I sin a lot now doesn't mean that I will sin a lot later. But still, I hate sinning against God (But then again we all do). I hate disappointing him everyday by my sin and believe me, before I came to Christ I had a lot of them. I was DEFINITELY not a good person.

I mean, like I stated I've pretty much given up inappropriate contentography and I'm barely tempted by it. Yet for almost all of my life I've been addicted to hentai and I thought it was a sin that would NEVER leave me. But, eventually over the course of the last 7 years God changed me.

So I can see what your saying. I should just be more patient and wait. Eventually when I die I won't have a single sin anymore anyway.
 
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Neostarwcc

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@Neostarwcc

First of all, thank God that you are where you are. Many many peole who claim to follow Christ do nto get to where you are - hearing the call of God upon your soul for holiness.

You are with Paul in Romans 7 when he cries out and cannot do the things he ought and cannot stop the things he should not do. This is not the position of an unbeliever who does not have this war going on.

You must choose whether to listen to those who have not received the call, who work for the devil, or move forward in stepping off the cliff edge and submitting ALL to Christ.

.

Well said. I forgot that Paul went through the same thing.
 
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AWorkInProgress

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So what you are saying is that over time as God continues to change me I will sin less and less? Obviously sinless perfection is not possible in this life but over time as God changes me to become more like Christ I will learn to obey God more and more each day I work at it? I always heard that sanctification is God's job and that it's a lifelong process and just because I sin a lot now doesn't mean that I will sin a lot later. But still, I hate sinning against God (But then again we all do). I hate disappointing him everyday by my sin and believe me, before I came to Christ I had a lot of them. I was DEFINITELY not a good person.

I mean, like I stated I've pretty much given up inappropriate contentography and I'm barely tempted by it. Yet for almost all of my life I've been addicted to hentai and I thought it was a sin that would NEVER leave me. But, eventually over the course of the last 7 years God changed me.

So I can see what your saying. I should just be more patient and wait. Eventually when I die I won't have a single sin anymore anyway.

You are on the right track!

We are inherently evil do to the actions of Adam, the representative of all man-kind. God made a promised to redeem his creation by the "Seed of the woman". Jesus was born by a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit to bypass the curse of Adam. Jesus walked in complete obediance according to the Law and the Prophets. He is truly the only righteous man that lived on this Earth. Jesus became the "second Adam" and those who believe in his work of redemption recieves the great exchange.

Jesus takes our dirty rags, our sins and exchange it for His righteousiness. So the Father doesn't see us, He sees His Son in us. Since we are sinners in the root of our soul, that corruption doesn't leave us while we breathe on this Earth. We shed off our corruption when we leave this Earth and we get our new glorified bodies.

Until that day comes, we are in a constant state of santification. As you said the Lord God teaches us to hate sin and he helps us to let it go more and more. Yet it never fully goes away because we are sinners till we die. Beautiful thing is, we aren't alone and God himself is our teacher in life. As you stated you already seen the change, but please don't stress the challenges before you. Take it one day at a time, one challenge at a time. Thankfully our God's mercy is great. In my experiences, He is more merciful than I am to myself.
 
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