Problem - beginning to lose faith (sort of)

[lucidrain]

Well I will try to make this as short as possible. I have a girlfriend and she doesn't know I smoke pot. I hide it from her all the time and I feel so bad, it drives me crazy (that and hiding it from everyone else as well). I remember a time in the past she said that she would break up with me if I ever started again, so I never say anything... I fear that my parents could find out etc... if I told her. I know what I am doing is wrong for numerous reasons (health illegal etc...)! I want to stop smoking (and stop sinning) but it's like I can't! I have been saved but I beginning to think I am doomed or soemthing. I am starting to wonder about myself sometimes some of the things I do...

Is there any way to know for sure that you have been saved. I pray all the time for an answer or some help, but nothing ever happens.

 

[Volos]

Find a substance abuse councilor and get your self some help dealing with it.

 

[JillLars]

I second what volos said, see an abuse counseller, get an accountability group, but take steps now to fix the problem.

 

[Rafael]

Yes, get help for yourself when you get into trouble you can't handle. We all have a struggle with sin, and He has overcome it for us. We overcome it by His blood and our testimony of being forgiven by that prcious blood. Take steps to correct your life quickly.

 

[Reformationist]

It’s an addiction not a sin. Find a substance abuse councilor and get your self some help dealing with it.

lucidrain, addiction is sin. It's okay to feel guilty about it. In fact, guilt is your friend. Oftentimes it steers us back toward the straight and narrow. One thing you should know, though, is that being addicted to smoking pot is no more sinful than being addicted to anything else. My advice to you is to seek some counseling, as others have advised. People have a tendency to relate one part of their life to another. For instance, many smokers (of tobacco) have a difficult time not smoking when they have a beer or play pool because they associate smoking with those activities. When they realize this, if they are trying to quit smoking, one helpful thing to do is abstain from participating in those activities to keep themselves from stumbling. So, for you, look at your life and figure out when you are most likely to smoke pot. If you only do it when you are alone, then try not to be alone, at least until you are strong enough to be alone and not give into temptation. Accountability is a wonderful thing. Find someone who will ask you on a daily basis how you are doing with the temptation and will help keep you occupied when the temptation is strong.

Additionally, and most importantly, I suggest you pray. It is God that releases us from the bondage of our addictions so ask Him for help.

God bless

 

[oneiric]

Yeah, I know where you are coming from. Pray about it and stuff.

 

[psycmajor]

good luck oneiric. have some blessings.

 

[psycmajor]

lucidrain,

Well, is there a reason that you feel you need to smoke pot? What does it do for you?

 

[MadHermit]

Is there any way to know for sure that you have been saved. I pray all the time for an answer or some help, but nothing ever happens.

This thought was helpful to me.

2 Pet 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
(NKJ)

God's will is that "all should come to repentance."

1 Tim 2:3-4
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(NKJ)

God's will is for "all men to be saved".

I Jn 5:14-15
14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
(NKJ)

Therefore, if you ask to be saved, then you are asking according to God's will. If you ask according to God's will, then He hears you. If He hears you, then you have what you asked for.

This is assuming a basic understanding of the gospel as presented in the Bible and a sincere desire to accept Jesus as your savior and be saved.

 

[papakapp]

Okay, I'm going to be more blunt than I usually am. If you can't talk to your girl about this then you have bigger problems than pot. I don't know whos fault the communication breakdown is, but don't let it go on. If it's your problem, then fix it. If it's hers, then decide if you want to invest the time and energy to redeem the situation. (You can fix it) It can be fixed, but don't proceed with her, and don't pretend it doesn't exist untill you deal with it.
Unless of course this is not a big deal to you, and you don't mind telling her things and getting ultimatums instead of a discussion.

 

[papakapp]

Is there any way to know for sure that you have been saved. I pray all the time for an answer or some help, but nothing ever happens.

Now onto the important stuff.
Yes, there is a way. But it's so much work that most people usually just bag it. (no joke) You have to place God first. You have to place Him before your job, your pot, your girlfriend, whatever. He has to be the uncontested priority one. The Bible is clear that if a person does this then God will pour out His Spirit on you and you will not be able to contain it.
The Bible is also clear that most people don't do this. The Jews blew it, and each of the 15-20 churches in the New testament who had letters written to them blew it. (Note, they were not all un-Christian, but they all needed a little work.) (Two exceptions...Smyrna and Philadelphia.)
Anyway, if you want the guarentee, the Bible says "Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you." That's how to get it.

 

[lucidrain]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Still seems like I am stuck somewhat. I can't really go for help because everyone would know which isn't good. I can't tell my g/f either because who knows what might happen (I want to but I can't). She would get really mad and who knows, tell her parents or mine, who knows! I see me telling her as pretty much my only option... I pray all the time btw, so I guess I will just pray, pray, pray, and pray some more and see what happens. Someone asked why I do it, well for one I wish I had never got mixed up with it! But I guess it is because it "relaxes" you and I guess I am addicted (somewhat)... Now that I think back I would have never thought I would be like this! Such a tough predicament I've gotten myself into this time! Well, thanks again everyone.

 

[Heinrich2]

God delivered me from pornography!!

And he already helped many people outthere from similiar problems.

God is holding out his hand to you.. GRAB IT, and he will pick you up.

Somehow you get time to smoke without anybody knowing. I think you can find time to see somebody for help without anybody knowing?

 

[lucidrain]

God delivered me from pornography!!

And he already helped many people outthere from similiar problems.

God is holding out his hand to you.. GRAB IT, and he will pick you up.

I'll grab as hard as I can!

Somehow you get time to smoke without anybody knowing. I think you can find time to see somebody for help without anybody knowing?

True, I thought of that but you would need a regularly scheduled apt. I doubt I could just go somewhere whenever it’s convenient for me.

 

[Kaye8]

I agree that you definitely get an accountability group. They can really help you. You have to admit this problem to someone otherwise noone can help you. Continue to pray that God gives you the strength to find people the help you and the strength you quit your addiction. As for you salvation you will not loose. You can't loose it. Everyone sins. Your sin of addiction is no worse than the sin of cussing or anything like that. So don't worry and keep praying!

 

[DWINA]

Everytime I think I am about to loose my faith my Father in heaven sends someone my way to remind me how wonderful He is and how great He is. I have learnt that in all situations whether good or bad to thank God for the lesson that I have learnt. There has been so many times that I have felt dispondent but I realise now that at those times I left God out of my life....even just for a couple of minutes.

I can understand how you say you are beginning to lose faith. The times we live in are quite scary, all these new religions are out there and we wonder whether or not ours is the correct one. I think that at the end of the day, if we believe in God and follow His example and His commandments we will not fall.

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

Romans 6:11 Like wise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Gal 5:13 For brethren , ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another:[ 1cor 7:21-22]

Gal 5:16 This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 for the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh: and these are contary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Gal 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now.

Eph 4:23 And be renewed by the Spirit of your mind

Heb 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stefast, and which entereth into that within the veil. [john4:23-24]

defense to the flesh also!!! hope it helps Yes it is in the mind

lots of postional truth here!!!!

hope that you know what that is?

 

[Theresa]

I have my quit smoking date set for tomorrow, me and my husband are quitting (tobacco). We have two left. I am going to spend the next few days in deep prayer, in panic, and in hope. I am going to go to confession, receive the Eucharist and open communion with God the whole day.

I am going to remind myself that what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger and remember how good it feels to take control of my life, with eating chocolate, with smoking and with everything else. It feels darn good.


My advice to you is to get it out in the open. I can't slither and hide. If you are willing to smoke pot, be willing to get caught and face the consequences.

I know a woman who has spent years sneaking over to my husband's family house to smoke so that her kids didn't know she smoked so that they wouldn't start. Well, guess what? They smoke. Her hiding behind corners didn't do anything.

If you are going to do something wrong, be honest about it at least, that's my motto.

Personally I think it lessens the malice of the wrong and makes recovery easier.

 

[evangelist dare]

lucidrain wrote: Well I will try to make this as short as possible. I have a girlfriend and she doesn't know I smoke pot. I hide it from her all the time and I feel so bad, it drives me crazy (that and hiding it from everyone else as well). I remember a time in the past she said that she would break up with me if I ever started again, so I never say anything... I fear that my parents could find out etc... if I told her. I know what I am doing is wrong for numerous reasons (health illegal etc...)! I want to stop smoking (and stop sinning) but it's like I can't! I have been saved but I beginning to think I am doomed or soemthing. I am starting to wonder about myself sometimes some of the things I do...

Is there any way to know for sure that you have been saved. I pray all the time for an answer or some help, but nothing ever happens.


hello friend, how are you today? i read your post and i want to be as honest and frank as i know how....now from your post i gathered that the one you do not want to disappoint is your girl friend from the fact that you are smoking pot...

and then u went on to say because of the health issues

and legal aspects of it.....

then you stated you wanted to stop sinning....

also then u went on to say that you want to know for sure that you are saved......

the point im getting at is this.....

are u grieved because it might hurt your girl friend

or are u convicted because it is a sin annd that you have gone back to the life of sin?

now you seem to have doubt about your salvation so let me give you some scriptures that you will know what God requires of us to be born again...

in the book of mark chapt one beginning with verse 14 it says that after john was put into prison Jesus came to Galiee preaching " Repent ye and beleive the Gospel"......

why repent? because sin cannot enter into God's kingdom or these sinful natures ...God's word says this in luke 13......I tell you nay , except ye repent ye shall all like wise perish.........so we see that repenting is a part of salvation........Godly sorrow worketh to repentance to salvation.......now what is the Gospel?.......this is the gospel:

1Cr 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

1Cr 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

why would he do that ? why would he die for our sins? my sins and yours and the sins of this world?


Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jhn 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God



If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

1Jo 5:10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

1Jo 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God

When we repent of our sins and trust in Jesus as our saviour. something happens !!!!!

Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

2Cr 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together

Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

so you see that God does equipt His children to live a Godly life.HE does N NOT just save us, and then throw us out in the world.. our heavenly Father EQUIPTS US TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE THRU HIS WORD AND PRAYER AND HIM LIVING IN US..JESUS CHRISRT IN US...THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD IN US GIVES US A NEW NATURE .we no longer want to sin , we begin to hate sin and strive not to sin........in the book of joshua it says.......choose this day whom u will serve......who have you chosen to serve friend?.....

now it is easy to fall when we do not stay in the word of GOD ...the word of GOD gives us faith to keep fighting that good fight of faith.....God's word equipts us to live that life....it teaches us , instructs us....guides us........brings light .....the word of God convicts us when we sin as well....neh....8:9.....we need the word of God daily and in BIGGGGGGG OLEEEEEEEEEEEEEE DOSESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS......The word of God corrects us it cleanses us.........now may i ask you a question.........

IS JESUS CHRIST YOUR SAVIOUR?..Not just saviour of the world.....Is He >>>>your saviour<<<<<<<?......

i hope this was of some help to you friend and i hope to hear your answer soon ........GOD BLESS YOU FRIEND....

a servant of Christ Jesus always.......Evangelist dare

 

[A Brethren IN CHRIST]

Gal 5:16 This I say then walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of flesh 17 For the flesh lusteth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh:

we have two natures OSN[flesh] vs spirit[renewed mind]eph 4:24

three enemies
flesh, defense from romans 6:11-13
satan 2 cor 2:11,defense to satan Eph 6:12-17
world 1John 2:15