I’m afraid I’ve committed false repentance part 2

[Blaise N]

Hi guys,

I wanted to reach out again because I’ve been doing my research and I’ve come to the conclusion that repentance out of fear of hell is selfish,and I don’t want to be selfish!,”repentance requires Godly sorrow”,I admit when I fell into temptation to look at inappropriate content last Thursday,I was plagues with Guilt,sorrow,and hopelessness;all traits of Worldly sorrow!,and it’s scaring me,and I’m back again afraid that I’m concerned about not having godly sorrow out of fear of hell!,it’s a confusing cycle,I feel like I cannot reassure myself with anything biblical without the phrase “only doing/thinking/changing/wanting/desiring out of fear of hell”


I’m scared still because I’ve noticed many other times I’ve tried to repent of inappropriate content,has been out of fear of punishment and judgement,and I don’t want that to be the case.If I want Godly sorrow,and possibly since I haven’t repented,will God give me Godly sorrow?

also,I don’t want to be selfish,how can I ask God to change my selfishness.I’m very worried I’m not a Christian!,please can someone help?

 

[.Jeremiah.]

Well, imo, God can change your ways, but God needs your cooperation

 

[Blaise N]

Well, imo, God can change your ways, but God needs your cooperation

I’m 100% fully prepared to cooperate by any means

 

[.Jeremiah.]

I’m 100% fully prepared to cooperate by any means

Good for you.
Then you will be successful.
But, remember, we all have battles to fight.
I’m fighting daily.
And from my experience, let me say, the battles are not conquered overnight.
Our battles will likely be for the rest of our lives on this earth.
But when we’re done, eternity will be a beautiful blessing.
Lord, I know you are working in Blaise’s life, and he is willing to cooperate as necessary.
Thank you Lord.

 

[Blaise N]

Good for you.
Then you will be successful.
But, remember, we all have battles to fight.
I’m fighting daily.
And from my experience, let me say, the battles are not conquered overnight.
Our battles will likely be for the rest of our lives on this earth.
But when we’re done, eternity will be a beautiful blessing.
Lord, I know you are working in Blaise’s life, and he is willing to cooperate as necessary.
Thank you Lord.

Jeremiah,if I ask God,even if I’m still un repented,will he still hear prayers asking for Godly sorrow?

 

[William J]

That sounds like a very scary and distressing situation to be in, Blaise. The fact that you care, in my opinion, is a very good sign. You want to having a meaningful relationship with Jesus, and you know that any form of sin is going to strain that relationship. God can and will forgive any sins that we commit, but out of our desire to serve God we should try to avoid sin as much as possible. You've identified that God doesn't want you to look at inappropriate content, now the tough part is following through. If there is some way to involve other Christians that you trust, that would be ideal. If you can find a community that can support you and hold you accountable, that would be great. This website can be that community to some extent, but it might also be helpful if you could find a group of Christians in "real life" who supported each other in avoid inappropriate contentography.

 

[Blaise N]

That sounds like a very scary and distressing situation to be in, Blaise. The fact that you care, in my opinion, is a very good sign. You want to having a meaningful relationship with Jesus, and you know that any form of sin is going to strain that relationship. God can and will forgive any sins that we commit, but out of our desire to serve God we should try to avoid sin as much as possible. You've identified that God doesn't want you to look at inappropriate content, now the tough part is following through. If there is some way to involve other Christians that you trust, that would be ideal. If you can find a community that can support you and hold you accountable, that would be great. This website can be that community to some extent, but it might also be helpful if you could find a group of Christians in "real life" who supported each other in avoid inappropriate contentography.

One of the e things tj at drove me to repentance of inappropriate contentography was sadly fear,I was afraid rbag if I kept indulging in this,I’ll surely end up in hell,also I was scared of now being a Christian because of it,so I repented and out of hate over what it does to be vowed never to return,but recently it feels like only fear keeps me in place,and I know that’s not what God wants.I can’t live life peacefully without Jesus,I can’t go run errands,eat meals,work,go on vacation,or even relax without me knowing my relationship with Jesus is genuine and secure,mainly because He is my only hope,but also because I moderately fear hell.I hope fear of hell isn’t selfish.

 

[Derf]

One of the e things tj at drove me to repentance of inappropriate contentography was sadly fear,I was afraid rbag if I kept indulging in this,I’ll surely end up in hell,also I was scared of now being a Christian because of it,so I repented and out of hate over what it does to be vowed never to return,but recently it feels like only fear keeps me in place,and I know that’s not what God wants.I can’t live life peacefully without Jesus,I can’t go run errands,eat meals,work,go on vacation,or even relax without me knowing my relationship with Jesus is genuine and secure,mainly because He is my only hope,but also because I moderately fear hell.I hope fear of hell isn’t selfish.

A couple of things:
1. God used the fear of death to try to keep Adam and Eve from sinning in the Garden. Why is it wrong to do something out of fear of hell?
2. [Luk 17:4 KJV] 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
If Jesus requires us to continue to forgive someone who trespasses against us seven times in a single day, won't God be at least as merciful to us?

False repentance doesn't mean you never do the thing again, according to that verse in Luke. It means that you don't repent at all, just pretend like it.

You sound like your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak. Keep working out your salvation in fear and trembling, not that it is our work that saves us, but that we work in gratitude and love for our Savior.

 

[.Jeremiah.]

Jeremiah,if I ask God,even if I’m still un repented,will he still hear prayers asking for Godly sorrow?

Ok, remember when I speak, it’s only my opinion
The truth can only be found in the Lord.

So, imo, God always hears you. Always.
Not only that, he knows your needs even before you do.
He is always ready to heal you.
Just do your part.
The first step is repentance. Ask yourself what repentance is.
Then stop doing whatever it is you’re repeating of.
And, of utmost importance, do NOT condemn yourself, and do not worry. Worry and self condemnation are not what God wants.
Just do your absolute best, and when you slip up, recognize it, move on, and make a sincere effort to avoid it in the future.
Like I said, my battles continue, but I can look back and honestly say, I’m better today than I was last year and the year before.
But I also realize I’m not as good as I will be next year.
Thank you Lord.

 

[Albion]

Hi guys,
I wanted to reach out again because I’ve been doing my research and I’ve come to the conclusion that repentance out of fear of hell is selfish,and I don’t want to be selfish!,”...and it’s scaring me,..I feel like I cannot reassure myself with anything biblical without the phrase “only doing/thinking/changing/wanting/desiring out of fear of hell”

For what it's worth to you, the opinion of most theologians seems to be that being sorry because you know you did wrong and offended God is a more perfect form of repentance, but that repenting of your sin out of fear of going to hell will nevertheless save you from hell.

I’m very worried I’m not a Christian!,please can someone help?

You are a Christian. Try not to worry about other matters so long as you believe in Jesus as Lord and your personal Savior.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi guys,

I wanted to reach out again because I’ve been doing my research and I’ve come to the conclusion that repentance out of fear of hell is selfish,and I don’t want to be selfish!,”repentance requires Godly sorrow”,I admit when I fell into temptation to look at inappropriate content last Thursday,I was plagues with Guilt,sorrow,and hopelessness;all traits of Worldly sorrow!,and it’s scaring me,and I’m back again afraid that I’m concerned about not having godly sorrow out of fear of hell!,it’s a confusing cycle,I feel like I cannot reassure myself with anything biblical without the phrase “only doing/thinking/changing/wanting/desiring out of fear of hell”


I’m scared still because I’ve noticed many other times I’ve tried to repent of inappropriate content,has been out of fear of punishment and judgement,and I don’t want that to be the case.If I want Godly sorrow,and possibly since I haven’t repented,will God give me Godly sorrow?

also,I don’t want to be selfish,how can I ask God to change my selfishness.I’m very worried I’m not a Christian!,please can someone help?

There is nothing wrong with following God out of fear of hell. It is not a sin to do so. The bible tells us:

Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Rom 8:13-14 For if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the body, you will have life. And all those who are guided by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Spend time in prayer, daily, and bible reading, not scanning youtube videos. Get to know God's word. By doing so you are feeding your spirit, and enabling God's Spirit to strengthen you.

 

[Ceallaigh]

Hi guys,

I wanted to reach out again because I’ve been doing my research and I’ve come to the conclusion that repentance out of fear of hell is selfish,and I don’t want to be selfish!,”repentance requires Godly sorrow”,I admit when I fell into temptation to look at inappropriate content last Thursday,I was plagues with Guilt,sorrow,and hopelessness;all traits of Worldly sorrow!,and it’s scaring me,and I’m back again afraid that I’m concerned about not having godly sorrow out of fear of hell!,it’s a confusing cycle,I feel like I cannot reassure myself with anything biblical without the phrase “only doing/thinking/changing/wanting/desiring out of fear of hell”


I’m scared still because I’ve noticed many other times I’ve tried to repent of inappropriate content,has been out of fear of punishment and judgement,and I don’t want that to be the case.If I want Godly sorrow,and possibly since I haven’t repented,will God give me Godly sorrow?

also,I don’t want to be selfish,how can I ask God to change my selfishness.I’m very worried I’m not a Christian!,please can someone help?

Sounds to me like you're under attack from the enemy. You wouldn't be under attack if you weren't a Christian.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling Philippians 2:12