Overcoming Sin

[grecolburn]

I would like to ask someone who is very experienced in living in the Lord and that has had to struggle and overcome sin. I have as of fall of last year become a Christian and fully accepted God into my life. But from time to time I have had a recurrence of sin with regards to sexual desire which has led to self gratification. I ask for forgiveness after giving in to these fleshly and worldly desires. I've read Romans, and understand on how to be a living sacrifice to God. I would like some help in being able to control these feelings which lead me to look at pornography in order to satisfy myself. I don't want this leading to something physical with someone, because as stated in James sin grows from a thought. I was in a sexual immoral relationship as of last April, but being single and following Christ can sometimes be really hard on oneself, especially when we're used to certain things. Any suggestions?

 

[Logeth]

Yes, I have some. This is what helped me in my battle with a sin.(smoking)
While I was trying to stop sinning just because I was feeling obligated and condemned, I couldn't. All I felt was fear, guilt and rejection. But then, I just came closer to God. I repented for the sin I was making, confessed it as a sin and asking God's forgiveness and grace. I was really sincere and I admitted that I needed God's help. Then, I just felt that I can't do it on my own and that the love of God will set me free. I asked God to love me more, I stayed more in His presence and in the Word. Everytime I was remembering cigarettes, I prayed for God to deliver me. And without realizing, I stopped smoking!

If you realized you can't get rid of it on your own, just stop trying to do it alone. I think that as much as somebody stays in the presence of the Lord, they become more like Him. Somebody once said "The Word keeps you away from sinning" and it is so true! Really, I saw it in my life. When I was reading less from the Bible or nothing, I was more tempted to sin!

And another thing: you have power over sin. When temptation comes, just bind it in the name of Jesus. Pray against it. Sinning is a decision, and I know that sometimes the temptation is so big, but if you keep choosing to say no to sin, it will be easier and easier to overcome it. You have the power to say NO, the decision is in your hands. Really, take some scriptures, and proclaim them when you want to sin. As it is written in John, You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free! THe truth can set you free!

 

[heymikey80]

It has often seemed to me that the temptations to sin are greater once the experience is greater. Repentance is that much harder.

But God sees.

The Spirit of God is Who can deal with sin.

I can tell you what the Spirit of God recommends you do -- get involved in treating persons with depth, as persons much like the person you see in yourself when you look inside. Love them, don't just desire them. Sometimes I've mentioned that until she's your wife, a Christian believer is your sister.

 

[thisnamztaken]

Logeth summed it up pretty well. Strive to stay in God's presence as much as possible, i.e. fill your mind with the Word of God as much and often as possible and memorize Scriptures that encourage your faith and can be used to cast down Satan's lies, deceptions and lustful thoughts. Spend regular time praising and worshiping Jesus for who He is and what He's done for you throughout your day also, which will help you sense His loving presence. Keep connected with other Christian brothers too, who can pray for and with you and share God's love and counsel with you.

God's Word is one of the spiritual swords/weapons He has provided for us to fend off those fiery darts of lusts and lies the enemy hurls at us (Eph. 6:16-17) and immediately casting those tempting thoughts out of our mind as soon as occur (II Cor. 10:3-5) is another important step up the stairway of victory over specific sins.

It's not always easy of course, but the mind is the battlefield where Satan always begins his attempts at seducing us to yield to his temptations, so we have to beat him in that arena. Be encouraged though, because greater is Christ's Spirit abiding in you than Satan's evil forces (I Jn. 4:4)!

 

[heron]

In the old days people used to say, "take a cold shower," or "go play sports." The approach lately seems to keep it in the mind, but the mind reinforces the more it stays on the same subject.

When toddlers take another's toy and need to give it back, it seldom works to say, "put it down" or "give it back." Instead, a distraction takes the mind off it. Hand them a different toy without saying anything, or suggest something else fun to do.

If a teacher or parent reasons with the insteads --"play with this toy instead," then the focus is still on the original topic. The brain needs a complete shift -- a new focus of attention -- to be distracted.

Another example : sometimes dieters or alcoholics get partners they can call when tempted. They distract themselves into talking and connecting with people instead of imbibing... a completely different activity.

Give yourself something that you jump up and distract yourself with, like lifting weights or watering the plants, air-dusting the keyboard... anything. Creating something shows intent to change.

 

[seashale76]

Resisting temptation can be quite difficult. You must attempt to put a stop to it when the thoughts first pop into your head.

In Orthodoxy we call such thoughts logismoi (tempting thoughts which lead to sin). The Church Fathers tend to recognize five stages:

assault (thoughts pop into your head)
interaction (you entertain these thoughts)
consent (you decide to act on these thoughts)
defeat (you are hostage- resistance is difficult)
passion (it becomes part of you)

The usual recommended practice is to pray when the thoughts first pop into your head. Ignore the thoughts if possible and keep turning your mind and heart back to prayer. It is easiest to stop at this point.

Here are some prayer resources for you:
P r a y e r
Let us
Abbreviated Prayerbook

 

[Love_Jesus]

Each day you beat this is another day you have beat the devil.. I often think this when I feel tempted to sin.

It helps me.

 

[1-4 All OurGodAll 4-1Sad]

Hey Grecolburn.There is something physical(how much God inspired it is i don't know) but if you can beat one bout of sexual tension(say you overcome the desire and are ok for the next few hours at least if you don't think about it)and can keep that going for(i think)its around 4-5 odd days,your tubes or something dry up or something and as a result you can go weeks without any desire(unless you start thinking long and hard about it).I'm pretty sure this is the case and if its not "Dr fact"the Lord helps out in the way i described.
At least i find that it works for me and im sure iv'e heard that around somewhere.
Either way God helps when the effort is made.
I'll be praying for you.

 

[tturt]

Some good info already posted. Someone posted the other day (I can't remember who it was in order to give them credit) they said there's nothing that we're to do in The Word that we can't achieve with Yahweh's help. Sometimes we can't help that first thought because the enemy tries 2 Cor 11:3, While on earth, Yeshua was tempted and He responded with The Word. He is the answer to all our concerns. [FONT=&quot]
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