Besetting Sin

[Introverted1293]

I don't know why I keep doing this. I know that my sin will ultimately send me to hell. But I keep forgetting about that when I am tempted.

I have this one besetting sin that is just hard to overcome. I know when I am doing it that it is sin. I know that what I am doing will eventually send me to hell. But I keep doing it. My sin is like a drug to me.

Just like drug addicts, they know that the drugs that they're taking could ultimately kill them. It's the same thing with me I know that my sin, unless repented of, will send me to hell. I think this is what is causing my depression.

I love my sin obviously. But at the same time I hate my sin because it is so addicting, and I know the consequences of my sin.

I don't know if you have any good words of encouragement or any advice. But if you do please share with me.

 

[Goatee]

Temptations.......

A never ending cycle of sin, confession. Sin, confession, sin, confession.

For me, it's adultery.

It's a vicious cycle. It can be so heart breaking to sin yet again! To betray God. To know how you will feel immediately after the filthy act.

The most important thing to remember is that Jesus came to save sinners. He said you can forgive many many times. If you do fall and sin, get up IMMEDIATELY and turn to Jesus and repent. In my case I seek out my local priest too.

It's not easy to be pure and sin free. Those that say it is easy have not been tested.

Be strong. Ask God for guidance. Never give up on God, no matter how hard it is or how many times you sin. Jesus is mercy. Jesus loves you so much.

Have faith. God bless you friend

 

[YesMe]

Hello there, Jesus has all the answers, He is the answer.

Matthew 18:21 "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?"

Jesus answers in Matthew 12:22 "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

You see, at the heart of the law is mercy.Remember that Petter sinned badly by denying Jesus 3 times.It's extremely important to not give up, to seek again and again God's forgiveness, fasting is one of the best way to conquer any sin.It's a good thing that you are aware of the bad things created by sin, but fight against it, not with your powers, with Jesus's powers, His powers are made perfect in our weaknesses.When you are tempted, call for Jesus, shout for Jesus, He said that He is with us till the end of time, every single moment of our lives.By the way, when you are tempted, you have one of the best chances to show God how much you desire Him.

 

[A_Thinker]

I don't know why I keep doing this. I know that my sin will ultimately send me to hell. But I keep forgetting about that when I am tempted.

I have this one besetting sin that is just hard to overcome. I know when I am doing it that it is sin. I know that what I am doing will eventually send me to hell. But I keep doing it. My sin is like a drug to me.

Just like drug addicts, they know that the drugs that they're taking could ultimately kill them. It's the same thing with me I know that my sin, unless repented of, will send me to hell. I think this is what is causing my depression.

I love my sin obviously. But at the same time I hate my sin because it is so addicting, and I know the consequences of my sin.

I don't know if you have any good words of encouragement or any advice. But if you do please share with me.

The great Apostle Paul had similar issues ...

Romans 7

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

But, the gospel is GOOD NEWS to those who are in Christ ...

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

The process of GROWTH in the christian is ... stay close to God, ... follow the guidance of the Spirit, ... avoid ALL the sin you can, ... if and when you do sin, ask God's forgiveness, get up, and get back to your godly life.

"If we confess our sins, GOD IS FAITHFUL and just to FORGIVE US our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Pray that God would grant you victory over your besetting sins.

The man after God's own heart, David, also had issues with besetting sin. During his life of service to God, David sinned many times, sometimes egregiously. But David knew how to go to God, ask for His forgiveness, ... and to receive the strength and cleansing to go forward in God's service.

Check out Psalms 51 for David's prayer of forgiveness to God.

So long as your sins don't turn you from a desire to please God, ... God will forgive your sin, and put you back on the path to growth in Him. And, ultimately, He will empower you to overcome your besetting sins.

 

[A_Thinker]

Temptations.......

A never ending cycle of sin, confession. Sin, confession, sin, confession.

For me, it's adultery.

It's a vicious cycle. It can be so heart breaking to sin yet again! To betray God. To know how you will feel immediately after the filthy act.

The most important thing to remember is that Jesus came to save sinners. He said you can forgive many many times. If you do fall and sin, get up IMMEDIATELY and turn to Jesus and repent. In my case I seek out my local priest too.

It's not easy to be pure and sin free. Those that say it is easy have not been tested.

Be strong. Ask God for guidance. Never give up on God, no matter how hard it is or how many times you sin. Jesus is mercy. Jesus loves you so much.

Have faith. God bless you friend

God bless you ...

 

[Adstar]

I don't know why I keep doing this. I know that my sin will ultimately send me to hell. But I keep forgetting about that when I am tempted.

I have this one besetting sin that is just hard to overcome. I know when I am doing it that it is sin. I know that what I am doing will eventually send me to hell. But I keep doing it. My sin is like a drug to me.

Just like drug addicts, they know that the drugs that they're taking could ultimately kill them. It's the same thing with me I know that my sin, unless repented of, will send me to hell. I think this is what is causing my depression.

I love my sin obviously. But at the same time I hate my sin because it is so addicting, and I know the consequences of my sin.

I don't know if you have any good words of encouragement or any advice. But if you do please share with me.

If one believes Jesus and trusts in the Atonement He secured for them they know they will be forgiven their sin not 7 times by 7 x 70 times .. Meaning that as long as one trusts in the Atonement of Jesus then they will be covered no matter how many times they fall down...

Matthew 18: KJV
21 "¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? {22} Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

 

[Dave G.]

Jesus/God loves honesty as much as He hates sin and loves you anyway. He also knows the temptation of the devil. He is just to forgive you. Come before Him and confess the sin. But also as you have here in a general conversation, tell Him you have this sin and you need His help and that you need understanding/knowledge about it. Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart. Also is it really sin or has someone said it is ? Be sure in Gods economy it really is sin in the first place. It's a sin to go against the will of God not average man and their general assumptions.

 

[Introverted1293]

Thank you @NurseAbigail and @paul1149 for your prayers.

 

[Introverted1293]

Jesus/God loves honesty as much as He hates sin and loves you anyway. He also knows the temptation of the devil. He is just to forgive you. Come before Him and confess the sin. But also as you have here in a general conversation, tell Him you have this sin and you need His help and that you need understanding/knowledge about it. Let the Holy Spirit work in your heart. Also is it really sin or has someone said it is ? Be sure in Gods economy it really is sin in the first place. It's a sin to go against the will of God not average man and their general assumptions.

I will. This is good advice. Thank you very much

 

[Introverted1293]

If one believes Jesus and trusts in the Atonement He secured for them they know they will be forgiven their sin not 7 times by 7 x 70 times .. Meaning that as long as one trusts in the Atonement of Jesus then they will be covered no matter how many times they fall down...

Matthew 18: KJV
21 "¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? {22} Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

Thank you very much

 

[Introverted1293]

The great Apostle Paul had similar issues ...

Romans 7

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

But, the gospel is GOOD NEWS to those who are in Christ ...

Romans 8

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

The process of GROWTH in the christian is ... stay close to God, ... follow the guidance of the Spirit, ... avoid ALL the sin you can, ... if and when you do sin, ask God's forgiveness, get up, and get back to your godly life.

"If we confess our sins, GOD IS FAITHFUL and just to FORGIVE US our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Pray that God would grant you victory over your besetting sins.

The man after God's own heart, David, also had issues with besetting sin. During his life of service to God, David sinned many times, sometimes egregiously. But David knew how to go to God, ask for His forgiveness, ... and to receive the strength and cleansing to go forward in God's service.

Check out Psalms 51 for David's prayer of forgiveness to God.

So long as your sins don't turn you from a desire to please God, ... God will forgive your sin, and put you back on the path to growth in Him. And, ultimately, He will empower you to overcome your besetting sins.

I didn't know that about David. I knew that he sent with Bathsheba. But I didn't know that he struggled with sin throughout his life to. Thank you very much this was very encouraging.

 

[Introverted1293]

Temptations.......

A never ending cycle of sin, confession. Sin, confession, sin, confession.

For me, it's adultery.

It's a vicious cycle. It can be so heart breaking to sin yet again! To betray God. To know how you will feel immediately after the filthy act.

The most important thing to remember is that Jesus came to save sinners. He said you can forgive many many times. If you do fall and sin, get up IMMEDIATELY and turn to Jesus and repent. In my case I seek out my local priest too.

It's not easy to be pure and sin free. Those that say it is easy have not been tested.

Be strong. Ask God for guidance. Never give up on God, no matter how hard it is or how many times you sin. Jesus is mercy. Jesus loves you so much.

Have faith. God bless you friend

I Won't Give Up. Thank you very much. This was helpful

 

[Joy]

I'm sorry you are struggling. I know this is difficult But you have a computer so why don't you email a local Christian Church explain your situation and ask if there is anyone who could help you with counsel and prayer.

I am praying you will take this step.

 

[Introverted1293]

I'm sorry you are struggling. I know this is difficult But you have a computer so why don't you email a local Christian Church explain your situation and ask if there is anyone who could help you with counsel and prayer.

I am praying you will take this step.

That's very helpful advice. I probably should do that.

 

[A_Thinker]

I didn't know that about David. I knew that he sent with Bathsheba. But I didn't know that he struggled with send throughout his life to. Thank you very much this was very encouraging.

I'm not into downing David (as I mentioned, he was very on point about keeping his relationship with God healthy, despite his life circumstances, including his sin).

But, in addition to his adultery with Bathsheba, he ...

... plotted and suceeded in a plan to have Batsheba's husband killed
... married multiple women (though not as many as his son Solomon)
... had a very hands-off approach to raising his children
... did not implement justice when his eldest son Amnon raped his sister Tamar
... did not implement justice when his son Absolom arranged to have Amnon killed
... did not implement justice when Absolom rebelled against him ... and drove him from Jerusalem
... took a census of the people ... against God's wishes

I believe that, to some extent, David is an example of how much sin God will forgive, on behalf of His children.

 

[Introverted1293]

I'm not into downing David (as I mentioned, he was very on point about keeping his relationship with God healthy, despite his life circumstances, including his sin).

But, in addition to his adultery with Bathsheba, he ...

... plotted and suceeded in a plan to have Batsheba's husband killed
... married multiple women (though not as many as his son Solomon)
... had a very hands-off approach to raising his children
... did not implement justice when his eldest son Amnon raped his sister Tamar
... did not implement justice when his son Absolom arranged to have Amnon killed
... did not implement justice when Absolom rebelled against him ... and drove him from Jerusalem
... took a census of the people ... against God's wishes

I believe that, to some extent, David is an example of how much sin God will forgive, on behalf of His children.

That was supposed to say "But I didn't know that he struggled with sin throughout his life to."

Stupid speaking device on my Android phone.

But I know that you're not downing David. I know that you were just showing me how much God does forgive. And I appreciate everything that you are saying.

 

[GandalfTheWise]

I have this one besetting sin that is just hard to overcome. I know when I am doing it that it is sin. I know that what I am doing will eventually send me to hell. But I keep doing it. My sin is like a drug to me.
I don't know if you have any good words of encouragement or any advice. But if you do please share with me.

Sometimes (not always, but sometimes) besetting sins are symptoms of a deeper root issue. It could be that there is something else God wants to deal with in your life that will resolve this issue.

Some of us have deep spiritual or emotional wounds from things that happened to us when we were younger or before we became Christians. Some of these things require God to do some healing in our lives. It might not just be a matter of forgiving someone, but having some sort of emotional or spiritual healing occur inside of us. The analogy I often use is like having a broken leg. No matter how hard we try, we cannot dance, jump, and run very well until the leg is healed. Also, some amount of limping will occur. Limping is a symptom. Sometimes compulsive stuff in our lives is the spiritual equivalent of limping with a broken leg. Sometimes God can heal those things very quickly; other times He might lead us to a pastor or counselor and take us through a process of healing over time.

Many of us also have lies buried deep within our hearts. "I'm stupid." "I'm worthless." "I deserve what happens to me." "God won't forgive me for doing X, Y, or Z." "No one could love me." These are lies from the enemy that get embedded into our hearts when we are hurt and vulnerable. These lies can keep us in serious emotional or spiritual bondage that we are often not aware of. It's like these things become a part of our identity and lives. It takes God's light shining into our hearts to reveal these lies for what they are. Speaking for myself, I was held bondage by two lies "you don't know what you're doing!" and "you're not a real man!" for much of my life. When God revealed these lies for what they were, it was like a light turned on and I saw significant changes in my life. It felt like a burden lifted that I didn't realize I'd been carrying for decades. Within a few weeks to a month of this, my wife and daughters all remarked on how much I had changed.

Our church has a few people involved with what's called a Transformation Prayer Ministry. There's more information at transformationprayer.org. One of my daughters and a few good friends had God do a lot in their lives through this ministry. It's basically just praying with a wise and trained prayer partner that just sits quietly to one side and asks God to work on whatever He wants to work on. Frequently, it's a matter that He will enlighten people's hearts to things that have held them in bondage for a long time. It's basically just a quiet prayer time focused on asking God what He wants to work on in someone's life. It's not a replacement for counseling or anything like that, but God has set many people free from things during these prayer times.

Sometimes, these types of things can just be dealt with on our own just by being aware that God wants to work on it and following His guiding. Other times it might take talking with a pastor or Christian counselor or a trusted Christian friend or mentor to work through some things.

But anyway, you might want to pray about if this sin really is the main problem on it's own or if it's a symptom of something else that God wants to work on.