Can't stop backsliding

-Luca

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What are your "old sinful ways"? Are you robbing and raping? Or are you simply thinking lustful thoughts and masturbating? There's quite a difference between those two "sinful ways."

It sounds to me like you're swinging between the pendulum of attempting to be holier than is humanly possible and then feeling as though you've failed miserably when you simply can't achieve this sort of holiness. This just isn't realistic - for anyone, let alone someone who's 21.

Not knowing any more than I do, I'd say "Lighten up." I've been a Christian for 51 years, and I probably couldn't say there has been a half-day when I haven't sinned in some respect. A fumbling, stumbling Christian walk isn't "backsliding" - it's simply the inevitable result of still being in the flesh.

I often do think preachers do a disservice by messages suggesting they have somehow risen above or defeated all the temptations that plague the rest of us. No, they haven't - take my word for it.
Yeah, I have pretty bad black and white thinking and I am a perfectionist, so everything is a lot harder. The sins I fall back on would be lust / masturbation and I would say a hatred for people - when I stray from God I can get sociopathic at times
 
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I mean, even without church I am basically a hermit who doesn't really go out much and interact with people, even at uni.
Would you call that success?
 
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Psalm 27

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This is has been a recurring theme since I was 16. I will re-establish my relationship with God, walk holy, read my bible daily, pray without ceasing throughout the day; life is good.
Then I will return to my old sinful ways after a period of time. This phase tends to be a lot longer than the 'God' phase. I hate it so much. I hate this cycle I wish I could escape it but I just don't know how. I always end up turning back to sin, I don't want to of course, I just can't control myself, and I hate myself for it. I feel like God is getting tired of this as well, as though he expects me to stop repeating the same mistakes over again. I have noticed that each time I backslide I become more twisted and evil; this has gone on for so long that I am completely different to how I was 2 years ago, although there are certainly life factors that have influenced this.

I am young, foolish, and have much to learn about myself, yet these micro-traumas from failing God takes a huge toll - much so that living without God feels like less of a burden. Yet I can't do that because God lets the Devil torment me in an attempt to have me go back to him.
Your post reminded me of Romans 7.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Numbers 6:24-26
 
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Psalm 27

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I don't go to church, I know that I should but there are a few things that stop me: I have bad experiences with some of the ones I've been to, and I am really socially awkward / have bad social anxiety, so communicating with people can be a challenge a lot of the time. Is it really necessary for me to go to church?
Personally, I don't think so, but reading The Bible is :)
 
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-Luca

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Would you call that success?
The measure of success for myself doesn't depend on whether I am particularly social or not. To be quite frank, I can't stand to be in the company of most people (especially around my age), hence why going to church is hard for me
 
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Psalm 27

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The measure of success for myself doesn't depend on whether I am particularly social or not. To be quite frank, I can't stand to be in the company of most people (especially around my age), hence why going to church is hard for me
Good for you. Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
 
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The measure of success for myself doesn't depend on whether I am particularly social or not. To be quite frank, I can't stand to be in the company of most people (especially around my age), hence why going to church is hard for me
So,
  1. How do you propose to stop backsliding, then? and
  2. Why did you start this thread if you already have a workable plan...??
 
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-Luca

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So,
  1. How do you propose to stop backsliding, then? and
  2. Why did you start this thread if you already have a workable plan...??
I can't stop backsliding, but I can change my attitude for when I do by being more compassionate and going easy on myself
 
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Psalm 27

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I can't stop backsliding, but I can change my attitude for when I do by being more compassionate and going easy on myself
Dear luca, dont lose it... Read The Bible. I'm going to do the same right now.
Good night, and God bless
 
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Psalm 27

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Good night! :]

[/QUOTE]
Hi there, this is what I just read
isaiah 22:14
Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,
“Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you,
Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts.

If The Lord said this to His own people, how much more will He say it to us, who are grafted in.

Take it from an old person, whose been there. you will regret backsliding when you're older.
 
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...but I can change my attitude for when I do by being more compassionate and going easy on myself
...And you could change your attitude toward church, which God said was healthful for you [Hebrews 10:24-25].
Are you going to live your Christianity on your terms, or His...?
 
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Psalm 27

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...And you could change your attitude toward church, which God said was healthful for you [Hebrews 10:24-25].
Are you going to live your Christianity on your terms, or His...?
Healthful?
Not always
 
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aiki

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I can't stop backsliding, but I can change my attitude for when I do by being more compassionate and going easy on myself

You can stop backsliding - by God's power, not your own. Read: Romans 6, Romans 8:1-18, Philippians 2:13, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, etc.

The heart of backsliding is compromise with Self and sin. It is taking a human view of sin rather than a divine one. Humans are born in sin, live in it every day, commit sin and love it, often; humans urge each other to sin, too, constantly calling good what God calls evil. If you give sin an inch, it will take a mile; if you see sin as "no big deal" and make yourself comfortable about having committed sin, you cannot draw near to your thrice-holy God who HATES sin and condemns and judges the wicked, who even turns His face from His own children while they maintain wicked living. (Galatians 6:7-8; Psalms 66:18; Isaiah 59:2; 1 Peter 3:10-12, 1 John 1:5, etc.)

You will never become more like Christ by contemplating and bemoaning your sin, but you cannot, you must not, treat sin lightly. (Romans 6:23; James 1:14-16; Galatians 6:7-8) Your sin, if you're a born-again believer, cannot ever separate you from your Heavenly Father, but it can totally halt your fellowship, your joyful, life-changing communion with Him. And it is only in fellowship with God that His transformation of you can really go on. Without this transformation, you will never win free of sin.

Refuse the lie that a backslidden state is unavoidable. It's not. Refuse the lie that it is good to "be easy on yourself" when you sin. It's not. Consider the apostle James's words:

James 4:4-10
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
 
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This is has been a recurring theme since I was 16. I will re-establish my relationship with God, walk holy, read my bible daily, pray without ceasing throughout the day; life is good.
Then I will return to my old sinful ways after a period of time. This phase tends to be a lot longer than the 'God' phase. I hate it so much. I hate this cycle I wish I could escape it but I just don't know how. I always end up turning back to sin, I don't want to of course, I just can't control myself, and I hate myself for it. I feel like God is getting tired of this as well, as though he expects me to stop repeating the same mistakes over again. I have noticed that each time I backslide I become more twisted and evil; this has gone on for so long that I am completely different to how I was 2 years ago, although there are certainly life factors that have influenced this.

I am young, foolish, and have much to learn about myself, yet these micro-traumas from failing God takes a huge toll - much so that living without God feels like less of a burden. Yet I can't do that because God lets the Devil torment me in an attempt to have me go back to him.
***My prayer's to God for you, I'm an old man, and one day you will be too. Remember this, you are not the only one trying to be perfect in this life. Jesus came so that we could throw all that on Him. Yes, there's nothing wrong with you, you know Jesus, you just have to apply his teaching. Busying myself with music, writing, watching biographies about virtuous people, working a job has kept me away from back-sliding and I have back-slid many times in my life. But you also have to forgive yourself and carry on. Life sucks at times, but the sun always rises. As long as you're not committing any crimes you're just like anybody else in society, a sinner struggling with the world, your own self, and the Devil. Busy yourself and the Devil will walk away. Stay alive, we need you. Read Chapter 3 of Romans it will make you feel good that everybody is messed up. DL
 
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