After Straying

[Serene Repose]

After you've strayed a lot from the Lord by committing so much sin and going through lots of habit in prayer and other things, how do you get closer to Him? How do you ignore what your friends are doing and focus on Him, instead of the mortal, fleshly world?

 

[fishstix]

Sometimes you need to actually separate yourself from your friends. Don't hang around with them if they are doing stuff that pulls you away from God. Instead, spend time alone with God - praying and reading the Bible and spend time with Christians - go to church and find some Christian friends who will influence you in a positive way to hang out with. Remember that no matter what sins you were involved in, God can and will forgive you if you will confess those sins to Him and repent (turn away from the sins).

 

[shadowed_eyes]

I agree with fishstix..... no matter what you've done, god will forgive you if you truly repent and ask for forgiveness. And as for your friends, if they are really dragging you away form God, then you might have to stop hanging with them... go to church, pray more, ask God to work in your life to show you the path your meant to be taking, pray and pray and pray.

When my friends started to drag me away, i stopped hanging around with them as much and made some new friends, and now things are going better, perhaps this is a wake-up-call so you can stop the downward spiral whilst you still can, and as my last words to you...

Prayer holds a power you cannot possibly understand, give everything to God and he wil help you and guide you. Pray to him for guidence and things will improve. Promise.

S_E

 

[Johnnz]

It is a road to follow. Memories linger, experiences are now part of our life history. Paul wrote about being "transformed by the renewing of your minds". This is a process whereby we learn about God's ways, and steadily make them our focus. It doe not happen overnight, but it is very real for those who determine to make the effort.

John
NZ

 

[Evie]

After you've strayed a lot from the Lord by committing so much sin and going through lots of habit in prayer and other things, how do you get closer to Him? How do you ignore what your friends are doing and focus on Him, instead of the mortal, fleshly world?

just want to say from experience that I went through this also. I gave myself entirely to Christ. I asked for forgiveness,prayed and read His word. I constantly tried to be at church as much as I could to get involved with others.Um,as far as your friends go,you will not grow with friends like that. They will drag you down,you don't need that sweetie. Do you have anyone else to hang out with from the church,or a fellow believer? Beenthere done thatit does not work. You're gonna have to decide,Christ or friends andbelieve me,He's worth it all!!!

 

[junebugz]

I heard it once put this way ... If you stick a nice clean white glove in a puddle of mud, the puddle does not get glovey, however, the glove does get muddy.

The Bible puts it like this ...

Amos 3:3 - Can two walk together unless they are agreed? ... you will never truly be able to have that same type of friendship with someone who is unsaved until they too become saved because your convictions and beliefs should be different and that will cause friction and conviction

also

I Cor 15:33 - Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good morals."

I understand that leaving friends you have know for a while (and in some cases all your life) is a very, very, very difficult thing to do. However, recently I have heard at least three of my friends share their testimonies of how when they got saved they felt a need to disassociate with their friends and when they took that step of faith (that is exactly what it is ... a step of trusting God) He blessed them with new friends who were also Christians and they wouldn't trade them for anyone else. When you follow God's steps for your life He will bless you. I know you probably wouldn't, but don't ignore them ... just let God bring more edifying influences into your life. You won't regret it.

 

[Rafael]

Fast, read the Bible, and pray, asking God for His will in your life. Seperate yourself unto the Lord for a time and see what He reveals through His word. Jesus said that His words are spirit and life. That's right, the words of life are in the Bible. Seek them out and live fully, living a life well lived for your Creator.

Joh 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

 

[wild01]

After you've strayed a lot from the Lord by committing so much sin and going through lots of habit in prayer and other things, how do you get closer to Him? How do you ignore what your friends are doing and focus on Him, instead of the mortal, fleshly world?

SP, one of the things that has helped me in the past is realizing just how discusting my behavior must be to God. I don't know why, but my walk with God is often times a cycle of srtaying and drawing closer. I'm not saying that this is the best way to follow God, just that it happens sometimes and if you let any thoughts of unworthiness come detween you and God, then satan wins.
As far as not associating with your non-christian friends, that is usually a side effect of drawing closer to God, whether you intentionally disassociate yourself with them or not.
One analogy that has helped me in the past is this: my walk with God is often like climbing a mountain occasionally I slip and slide backwards, but the part that I already climbed is easier to climb again, i.e. 'well, not gonna put my foot there again, that ledge won't hold.' and Just like climbing a mountain every time you climb a little higher, i.e. you have a closer relationship with God, but whenever you fall there is always that voice of the enemy wispering, "just give up, it's always easier to go down than up" but the truth is most climbing accidents happen on the way back down, and just like climbing we do ourselves the most harm when we stop striving to move closer to God.
Remember, God loves you no matter what, and no matter how far you stray from him, it only takes one step to come back, it doesn't matter where you are on the mountain as long as you keep climbing.
I apologize in advance for all the analogies, I realize that how something comes together in my own head, doesn't always translate to type. Hopefully I made sence if not let me know and I'll try to clarify.

 

[TheMainException]

LOTS of prayer.......

Try the Jesus prayer sometime or this website: http://www.jesuit.ie/prayer/

Jesus Prayer: on the breathe in repeat this to yourself: "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God." and on the breathe out, repeat this to yourself: "have mercy on me, a sinner"

I suggest doing that for a couple minutes every day....on a bus, in your car, before bed, whenever.....