Need to stop sinning?

[SarSardonic]

Hi all,

I would like some advice about how to stop sinning.

I have a lot of anger and I swear a lot (even just in my head).
I feel bad after an angry outburst, more so now that I'm a Christian.
I pray and ask God for forgiveness and help with overcoming my sin; however, I still have angry outbursts, I think swear words, and I cuss out loud. And the cycle repeats....

I also like entertainment that is not consistent with Christians values (crude jokes, youtube, failblog.org, etc). I do not even feel guilty immediately after my husband (who's a Wiccan) and I joke or look at those things (and I should feel guilty, because those things are sinful.)

Besides praying and reading God's Word, can you offer any advice?

Thank you, kindly.

 

[BeeWrangler]

I would start by watching what you let yourself see and hear. Our eyes are windows to our soul. The more of the world around you that you take in, (and the world around us is Satans play ground filled with sin) the more worldly you will be. I am not at all saying you are bad or evil, nothing like that. I am just saying the more swearing you let yourself hear the harder it is not to swear. And the more you let your eyes see, the harder it is to get those things out of your mind

 

[BeeWrangler]

By the way, you will never stop sinning while you are in this world. The only one who was sinless was Jesus. It is a matter of turning from sin. Don't plan sin, don't let your mind think sinful thoughts. Run from sin. And when you do sin, stop yourself and ask for forgivness and start over. Don't say to yourself from this point on I will not sin, you will be setting yourself up for disappointment. Take it one day at a time, starting from when you wake up until you go to bed. Most of all, don't forget you can not do it without Jesus. And the more Christian people in your life for influence the better

 

[supersoldier71]

Amen, Bee!

Justification was instant (from the human perspective) was instant: you're saved! Praise God!

Sanctification, the daily process of becoming more Christ-like starts now. For me, it's been and continues to be hard, frustrating work, two steps forward, five back, six forward, back one, etc....

But as Bee said, be mindful of what you take in. In as much as possible, try to be mindful of who you associate with.

Read the Bible! Earlier I used to think of this as an academic exercise, but no, it is some much more than that. It's communing with God. There really is a spiritual component to reading God's word that cannot be overstated.

Pray. A lot.

Be patient.

Good night and God bless!

 

[Peripatetic]

Read the Bible!
...
Pray.
...
Be patient.

Good advice right there.

The fight against sin is a lifetime effort. Anger may be your toughest area, while for some it is pride, vanity, gossiping, greed, or something else. We all have something that will never go away, but we can work on managing it and reducing its effects on others.

 

[Bear.Fr00t]

Praying and reading God's Word is the best thing you can do. I was right there with you but slowly since I was saved God convicted my heart that many of the websites I visited (failblog, liveleak, etc) were not good and I eventually stopped visiting them. I also stopped watching the trash you find on TV, and don't have any desire to see rated R movies. However I still have plenty of sin to work on in my life, mainly lust and "checking out" the females. <sigh>. I'm still praying God will deliver me from these evils as well.

One thing I've discovered is each person will be convicted of sin differently. I have a friend who will not listen to any music that uses electric guitars, drums, bass, etc (i.e. rock music) even if it is Christian. I find this odd, but that's him and that's ok. So just because you don't think like all the other Christians there is something wrong with you. Remember that the blood of Christ has covered your sin no matter what you do. Praise the LORD!

 

[Harry3142]

It's not up to you to better yourself. It's up to you to 'stay in step' behind God's Spirit as he betters you:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:16-26,NIV)

I call this passage 'The Christians Code of Conduct'. At first glance it looks like a list of Do's and Don't's. But we need to look more closely at this passage in order to get its full message to us.

In the first paragraph, note that it is not you yourself that is fighting the sinful nature. It is God's Spirit that has engaged it in battle. None of us could defeat our natural selves anymore than a leopard could exchange his spots for stripes. So God has to do the fighting for us. What we are to do is permit the Spirit to 'take the lead', then follow behind him.

The second paragraph is a list of those 'acts of the sinful nature' that the Spirit is fighting. But notice how many of those acts aren't acts at all. They're the emotions which, if left unchecked, culminate in the performance of sinful acts. We need the direct action of God's Spirit to change the very core of our being, and that is where these emotions originate.

In the third paragraph is what the Spirit himself is doing in order to bring our natures into line with what he would have us do. When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell with us upon our having accepted God's gift of salvation, he does not come to us empty-handed. He brings with him the 9 'fruit' which he then implants in us. This we are to accept as our new nature, and because it too is almost totally based on core emotions rather than the performance, or the refraining from the performance, of a specific act, it depends on the actions of God himself rather than our own. So again we are told to 'stay in step' with the Spirit. What he does is the spritual equivalent of a heart trahsplant, and that requires his skill rather than our own.

Trust God to lead you forward. The fact that you recognize some of your thoughts and actions as being less than exemplery is a good sign. It shows that the Spirit is at work in you even as you read this message. Trust him, and have patience with yourself. You're in God's hands now, and he has a firm grip.

 

[heymikey80]

I've similar issues, longterm.

I've had to abandon the classical idea of trying to learn to respond differently. The sole thing that makes any difference at all for me is to think very carefully about God's attitude toward me.

That may seem counterproductive, but it's not. For God to be as patient as He is with me, says something about how I should respond to His extreme patience. For Him to still care after all this time, still love, still want change, still be with me and for me -- that's changed me.

 

[heron]

When you get angry, look at what fear might be behind the rage.

Sometimes we feel like rights are being taken from us, injustices are done, people get in our way of progress... and all these things are usually true.

But is it a fear of never being able to fix that, people making no effort to listen to you, that drives the response?

Try to find some things that make you feel like God is your anchor, your deliverer. There might be some good verses that strengthen you when you are starting to feel like you're losing control and losing voice among other people.

Being vocally strong works for a little while, to get people to do things; too much causes them to walk away and completely reject what you say. Keep some balance.

 

[heron]

With the crude jokes, I think about the long-term effects of millions of people watching it, laughing and letting it grow on them. That is the reality -- what seems like a private viewing is really a widespread public impact.

Then when a network and sponsors see that people stay on the station, they create more of the same.

Look at the popularity of, say, Real Housewives. In the beginning, I think a lot of people watched it because it made them feel superior -- they would never be so shallow. Over time, people start admiring qualities and wondering if being that way led to the women being rich. Then they start thinking, "I should do my hair that way..." or "that dress would be great to wear to the party," "If she could start a singing career/business, so could I,"
and eventually they allow the influence to shape their lives.

Multiply that by millions of viewers who pretend not to watch it...

The decision is not so much about being religious, asceticism, or obeying a mandate. You can build up wisdom in your life, and treasure what wisdom can do for you.

 

[TheGuide]

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things."


God knows what He's working with, so don't worry. Just keep moving forward and try harder not to fall behind. When you do fall, thank God for His grace and and ask forgiveness before your head hits the pillow at night.

God bless you,

The Guide

 

[ajweis]

Sin can never be stopped in this world. Its very very hard to stop swearing especially if you have been doing it for most of your life. I'm struggling with this right now. That's something that will probably never go away but what you can do is pray incessantly. Always be with God throughout the day. I promise this, if you are always praying in your mind while going through the motions of the day you will find that your mind is much more peaceful. You don't even have to pray, just be aware of God and his Holiness at all times. We will never be free from sin until we join our Father in heaven. Be aware of your thoughts and surroundings and if something doesn't seem right to be watching or hearing then tune it out. I also suggest you talk to your husband about this and let him know. A change in your life and getting closer to God will make him notice that God is truly working in your life, and may even nudge him closer to knowing God. Good luck! Don't ever forget that we are all in this together and no one is blameless in the eyes of the Lord. We are all children of our Father and we all make mistakes even those who seem holy and righteous have sin.

 

[If Not For Grace]

Swearing is a habit-replace it as you would any other. PRACTICE.

Instead of saying something potty mouth (like when I hit my hand w/a hammer) I say
MERCY!

Instead of saying D___N thing, I say Blessed Thing

Instead of calling some one a son-___ I say "Child of God"

Words contain power-do not give your power to the enemy. Also remember there is a
war for your/our souls-The enemy Seeks to Kill & destroy & if he can not do that thenhe wants to contain you, to stop your progress-don't be surprised to find out he did not give up w/o a fight.

But you now have the strength to defeat the enemy. Keep moving forward, be committed to move in a positive direction each day. God knows who He got when He got you and just like any "baby" we all have to grow. We keep growing until we die.

It's like learning to tie your shoes, NOBODY gets it right the first or second try, but eventually- you get to where you do it w/ease.

May God Bless you--& give you the stregnth to keep moving!