Flagellation question.

[Lifelong_sinner]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

 

[lastofall]

The only thing that can stop willful sin is to repent; any thing else falls short and is of none effect.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Andddd yet, after many times repenting, i find no relief from my addictions. I have thought about using rubber bands around my wrist, snapping them anytime i feel the need to do something sinful.

 

[Jesus is my Superhero]

Andddd yet, after many times repenting, i find no relief from my addictions. I have thought about using rubber bands around my wrist, snapping them anytime i feel the need to do something sinful.

As a Christian there is an understanding that it is Christ in us, through the Holy Spirit, that accomplishes victory over sins, to include addictions. Do you truly believe, or are you trying to succeed on your own while having pleasant thoughts of God? Is the Holy Spirit dwelling in you? Do you thirst for the righteousness that can only be found In God Almighty?

Lay it all at the feet of Jesus, through prayer and fasting seek His peace and healing. It may take time before you are prepared to cast the addiction from your life. You didn't acquire it in one day, and you won't be rid of it in one day, but through determination and a saving faith in the promises of God above.

 

[com7fy8]

Jesus is almighty. So, Jesus can easily keep us from sinning.

So, it can be a trick to try to use pain to control ourselves. Because this is not depending on Jesus.

We trust You, O God, then, to succeed in us, to win in us, and change us to be like Jesus who is so pleasing to You. Thank You in the name of Christ Your own Son!!!

Now, you call yourself "Lifelong sinner". But God's word calls us "saints" and "children of God".

And what God is doing in us is to change us into the image of Christ who is the Lord of all and our Savior. So, yes we need to not sin, but God is not only working to stop our sinning. But God is changing us to become and to love like Jesus and to be so pleasing to Him . . . so delighting and enjoyable.

And Jesus in us shares with us how He is, in our hearts. And Jesus shares with us how He loves any and all people. And with Jesus we can share and relate as family.

So, yes we want to stop sinning . . . but in order for us to become able to love and share like Jesus.

So, share with people who help you with this. Methods and copy-cat religious practice can not do this. Read and feed on God's word, and trust God to succeed in having us do all His word means to Him. Rest and trust Jesus.

"'Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.'" (Matthew 11:28-29)

God's peace is almighty, not just a fuzzy feeling to select from other feelings > as we pray in God's all-loving and caring way >

"the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (in Philippians 4:6-7)

Your attention belongs here.

 

[Rescued One]

John 14 NIV
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

 

[timf]

It falls into the same category a cutting (self harm often found with teenage girls).

There are several harmful effects from the practice. One is seeing oneself as earning ones own righteousness. Another is becoming addicted to self-stimulation.

A third problem is seeing oneself as the administrator of a sin/payment system so that sin becomes more acceptable because a "payment" will be made.

When a Christian sins, the Spirit of truth should reveal to him what he has done so that he can feel shame and guilt (like king David when Nathan confronted him).

Shame and guilt are useful to help us repent, apologize, make restitution (if needed), and reinforce our desire not to repeat the sin. Once shame and guilt have served their purpose they can be discarded.

Jesus is the one who paid for all our sin. This should keep us humble and grateful. If we try to see ourselves as making a "payment" we begin to steal from Jesus what is rightfully his (our gratitude and indebtedness).

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

It is now clear to me that the "truth" is not in you. Seek out the truth first before you consider such a barbaric ritual. You are in bondage because the truth of salvation has been overshadowed by human error. Ask that He fill you with His Holy Spirit so that His "small still voice " can guild you to righteousness.
I will pray for you.
Be blessed in Him.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

It is now clear to me that the "truth" is not in you. You are in bondage because the truth of salvation has been overshadowed by human error.
Be blessed in Him.

i always value what you have to say, and this time especially. But i have to ask, when you say human error, are you talking about my guilt and shame of sinning?? I dont think you understand just how much guilt and shame i have because of my sins. Sadly, my sins define me, and are a reminder of my weakness. And yet, as much as i pray for deliverance, i see no progress.

why??? God doesnt like it when we sin, so why hasnt He helped me?? Is there something im missing??

 

[PloverWing]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

I don't think it's sinful, but it also may not be healthy for you, depending on what kind of self-flagellation you're talking about.

If you're trying to break an actual addiction, I suggest talking to a therapist who's trained in the psychology of addiction. Similarly, if it's some kind of compulsive behavior, there are therapists trained in treating OCD.

If you're trying to break a habit like holding grudges or saying mean things to people, then your priest or pastor may be able to help you, if they're a wise person that you trust. There are spiritual disciplines (forms of prayer and other mental/spiritual exercises) that can help break old spiritual habits and form new ones.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

i always value what you have to say, and this time especially. But i have to ask, when you say human error, are you talking about my guilt and shame of sinning?? I dont think you understand just how much guilt and shame i have because of my sins. Sadly, my sins define me, and are a reminder of my weakness. And yet, as much as i pray for deliverance, i see no progress.

why??? God doesnt like it when we sin, so why hasnt He helped me?? Is there something im missing??

No, not guilt or shame, you are missing the Holy Spirit. Your denomination tends to be Cessationist. This leads to "quenching" the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Doubt grieves the Holy Spirit thus He can not work in you. I suggested a while back to seek the truth. Until you do that, His power will not work in you. This IS regeneration, born again. I truly believe your bondage will disappear if you seek Him with other lenses. I suggest, when you are ready to, ask Him to fill you with truth and have faith that He will do so.

 

[bèlla]

Christ said…

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

And

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

There’s no mention of flagellation for a reason. The problem still remains. If beating it to death were the answer we wouldn’t need His sacrifice.

~bella

 

[dqhall]

Andddd yet, after many times repenting, i find no relief from my addictions. I have thought about using rubber bands around my wrist, snapping them anytime i feel the need to do something sinful.

I used AA to help get me off of alcohol. They may believe in a higher power. God helped me more than the rooms, but the meetings reduced isolation and loneliness.

Don’t hurt yourself or others.

 

[Sketcher]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

• Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Flagellation is not training, but abuse of the body.
• Flagellation has been used to manipulate and "punish" others who are around the person. This is not loving your neighbor.
• Even if such manipulation or "punishment" is not at the front of the person's mind, people around that person still suffer. This is not loving your neighbor either.
• When dealing with a sinful addiction, flagellation will not keep the addict from whatever it is for long.
• Flagellation itself can become a habit, which perversely means people can get addicted to flagellating themselves.

So, don't do that. If you have an addiction or want to punish yourself, get professional help.

 

[TheWhat?]

I knew someone who practiced self-harm. It contributed to a twisting of her psychology and thought processes. It may not be solely to blame but she ended up renouncing her faith, although I think she seems much more healthy now. I would say her particular belief system was contributing to her sickness and she almost had to renounce it for her well being.

We're supposed to be renewed by the transforming of the mind. Jesus, the prophets and early martyrs were crucified by others, not themselves. If you think you should be doing that to yourself then honestly I think you need to look into a few things.

 

[TheWhat?]

Andddd yet, after many times repenting, i find no relief from my addictions. I have thought about using rubber bands around my wrist, snapping them anytime i feel the need to do something sinful.

Well, that isn't extreme. Self-harm means injury and mutilation. I've heard of rubber bands used by smokers who are trying to quit. But, there is better science out there.

 

[aiki]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

God does not require such a tactic in order to free a person from addiction. His power is entirely sufficient to free us from all sin.

Philippians 1:6
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:13
13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.

Romans 8:13
13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Ephesians 3:16
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Corinthians 3:18
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Jude 1:24-25
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 

[MikeinSeattle]

Is self flagellation sinful if used to stop from willful sinning?? If it helps an addict from using, is the end result worth it??

It says Job scraped himself with pottery while he was sitting in ashes. And the Jews are said to have walked without shoes on the bare ground to cause pain to there feet as part of "afflicting there souls".

But I think it is important to note that these things were done as part of "seeking God". They were a form of fasting. For the purpose of moving the heart of God to act on behalf of whatever it was they were asking for.

I think the best thing to do is if you use such things use them alongside prayer. It is Gods help you need to overcome whatever your temptations are. If you try to do it in your strength you will fail.

Please be sure that you are trying to live a holy life out of love for the Lord for the salvation He has given you in Jesus. If you are not. If you dont believe that it is the blood of Jesus that saves you, if you think you have to live a holy life to earn his salvation then that is called dead works. And it leads to hell. The book of Galatians elaborates on this.

If that is not your problem then again I would recommend that you focus be prayer for Gods deliverance. If you dont have the faith to pray then you need to find the verses in the scripture that promise God will answer your prayer. And use whatever form of fasting you desire while you pray. And your prayer will be answered faster for it.

If you just try to punish yourself in order to beat the sin out of you the sin will not leave.

Also be sure the things you think are sin are actually sin. The world is filled with religious institutions that condemn anything and everything under the sun as sin and in reality they are nothing more than a bunch of religious pharisees. Who have no love, no understanding of the scriptures and are happy to afflict anyone they can with there man made, oppressive, fake morality. If you think something is sin dont let other people tell you its sin. Find it in the scripture where it clearly says the thing is sin. Not vaguely, clearly. And if there is only one verse in the bible you can find you better look at the Greek to make sure that your translation is translating it correctly. Use biblehub. If you cant find a verse that clearly defines it as sin then you need to do a deep study of that subject to find out what the bible actually says about it. God will help you with this if you pray.

 

[aiki]

Colossians 2:20-23
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—
21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

 

[bèlla]

If I punish myself and the problem still remains and I cease to quit I'd need to question what I'm getting out of it. The practice isn't a remedy. So why do I continue?

~bella