Discussion about the Nature of Sin and frustration

[JosephT]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

 

[eleos1954]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

Hello and welcome to CF ... may you find help and encouragement from the Lord and you learn more about Him.

Study His word daily ... pray to Him to help you overcome sin.

Studying His word daily is very important. In doing so ... then one is setting their minds on Him ... the more we set on minds on Him .... the less intrusive thoughts we will have.

Studying - not just reading .... but focusing deeply on what you have read and in what is being taught.


May the Lord help you to focus on Him and not things of the world. Amen

 

[Michie]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

Welcome! You may find more assistance here: Christian Advice

This is just the introduction forum.

 

[Dansiph]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

Welcome @JosephT ! You're on a good path. Keep increasing your reverence for God and consider some practical strategies too is my advice. Not that relying on God isn't practical but I can't think of another word.

Btw your namesake in a last ditch attempt to avoid sin simply ran way from it. Sometimes that works.

 

[Frank Raj]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

The problem is not yours - the sin is yours. Leave the problem at the Lord's feet, stop destroying your body with his help - find your calling in life and replace sin with meaning and purpose. If you sincerely ask him, God will help. Memorize specific scripture verses that relate to your challenges and use them when tempted.

 

[Andrewn]

Welcome to the Christian Forums. This forum is only for introducing yourself. I suggest you check the forums in the CF Community Life section.

 

[Deade]

Hello JosephT,
welcome to CF.

I hope you'll enjoy your stay here. If you know you are not where you need to be, don't stay there. Keep seeking, enlightenment will come.

 

[Anthony2019]

So, I am a Christian, (although I am very bad at it). I struggle with Lust (inappropriate content and such) as well as drinking, lying and other vices. While I know these things will not stop God from loving me, according to the Bible, I still don't want to do them. I wish I could just promise God I will never do them again, but I can't because I know that eventually it is possible for me to sin and that is a terrifying thought for me, because why would I do something against the God who I am trying to love more than anything? It is a trap I feel I cannot escape.

As I have thought more and more deeply about God and how good and holy he is, and learned more about theology, it has all only served to highlight my own depravity, and despite walking with the Lord for some years, I fear that when I examine my own heart and motivations, they are black and twisted as ever. I am a messed up dude.

Here is the thing. When I see non-Christians sin, and not care, I sometimes wonder if it would be better were I one of them. They sin, but they do not realize the goodness of God and how egregious of an error sin is. I pity them for their lack of knowledge.

BUT for me, getting to know God has placed what feels such a heavy burden on me. I now KNOW what sin is and that God is true and good, and I STILL choose, deliberately to let my wandering eye get the better of me. I, knowing the truth of Jesus, should not sin in the same way, I should know better. It really stinks.

One problem I have personally is with intrusive thoughts, it is like: "Don't think about a pink rhino on a unicycle". Of course I am immediately thinking about one.

Same with things like lust: "Don't think about sexy ladies". So of course I think about it. This has become very frustrating to me. So then I just think about what I should NOT do as opposed to what I SHOULD do. I pray a lot, but I just fear falling astray is inevitable.

To be sure, I still try to trust in my salvation that God promised, but I want to do what is good and not evil. The problem cannot be God's, so it must be mine obviously, so what else can I do. Thoughts?

Hi Joseph and welcome to CF. Hope your time here will be a blessing and help to you.