Struggling Christian

[1haroldl]

Blessings to All;
Hi,
My name is Harold and I am a new member to Christian Forum. I joined because I am in need of support and encouragement from fellow Christians.
I came to Christ in July of 2006 and it has turned out to be the best decision of my life. I am a 60yr single father of two, and a granddad of one.
Even with coming to Christ, there are times in which I still struggle with and against the desires of the flesh. I am able to go months at a time and be able to resist the devils temptations, and then there are times in which I tend to give in to his deceptions and to my own gratifications. I am a Christian that struggles with sexual immorality.

 

[Lost4words]

You are not alone there my friend.

The flesh is very weak. I know from experience. It can be a daily struggle.

The most important thing, is to get right back up after a fall and run to the arms of God. His arms are ALWAYS open to His children. Nobody said it would be easy being a Christian.

God loves you. He knows we are weak. We are humans. God sent His only son to save us. Turn to God and ask Him to replace your thoughts, desires, actions with His grace.

I fail terribly. But i always return to God, hoping that through God's grace, i will one day beat my fleshly desires.

God bless you

 

[mukk_in]

We all struggle with lust, Harold. The greatest Christian who ever lived (after Christ Himself), the Apostle Paul, said "I beat my body to make it my slave (1 Corinthian 9:27)." He wasn't referring to self-mutilation but disciple. The key to avoid fornication is to walk in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16). It may take a while, but you'll master it. I'll also pray that God will give you suitable mate. Welcome to CF, and my best to your children and grandchild.

 

[dayhiker]

Sorry to hear your struggling, Harold.
I think sexual immorality is a bad translation of the Greek word porneous. When we were young the Bible we used had fornication as the translation. Which we were told was sexual intercourse before marriage. So in our lifetime there have been two meanings of the word. If you got back further to when the KJV was written then the word fornication meant prostitution. Sexual immorality really means nothing as its not defined and so preachers can make us feel guilty about any sexual desire. But of course God created us to be sexual beings so we need to figure out what exactly God feels is sexually wrong. Adultery in a patriarchal society (Bible times) was the big one because it challenged the authority of the head of the family.
Hope that gives you some info to start looking at what the Bible is talking about.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Blessings to All;
Hi,
My name is Harold and I am a new member to Christian Forum. I joined because I am in need of support and encouragement from fellow Christians.
I came to Christ in July of 2006 and it has turned out to be the best decision of my life. I am a 60yr single father of two, and a granddad of one. Even with coming to Christ, there are times in which I still struggle with and against the desires of the flesh. I am able to go months at a time and be able to resist the devils temptations, and then there are times in which I tend to give in to his deceptions and to my own gratifications. I am a Christian that struggles with sexual immorality.

Hi Harold,

I think sexual desire is normal and God given. The problem is what we do with it. I think it's important to acknowledge your desire knowing this is how you're wired and bring your body under subjection. While it's not easy, peace really does follow obedience. Also consider "how" you're being tempted because more than likely you have control over that. You choose and you have to make different choices. Also consider your options. You might be one of those people who get married (again?) later in life. That may be an option for you. I don't know but if you have a healthy sexual appetite, it might be. As you are moving along please pray and seek God about what you are to do and have others you trust pray for you and with you as well.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." -1 Corinthians 6:9-10

What you need to do, sir, is examine yourself to see if you're truly in the faith. There's a difference between living a lifestyle of sin and coming short like David did when he slept with Uriah's wife and ended up having him killed. One is using temptation as an invitation to sin. And the other is found in Romans 7.

 

[1haroldl]

Hi Harold,

I think sexual desire is normal and God given. The problem is what we do with it. I think it's important to acknowledge your desire knowing this is how you're wired and bring your body under subjection. While it's not easy, peace really does follow obedience. Also consider "how" you're being tempted because more than likely you have control over that. You choose and you have to make different choices. Also consider your options. You might be one of those people who get married (again?) later in life. That may be an option for you. I don't know but if you have a healthy sexual appetite, it might be. As you are moving along please pray and seek God about what you are to do and have others you trust pray for you and with you as well.

Thank you very much Brother!!!
I know that the road is long and hard, but with Christ, and by HIS grace and strength, I will be able to overcome this and begin to live a life of peace through faith.

 

[1haroldl]

You are not alone there my friend.

The flesh is very weak. I know from experience. It can be a daily struggle.

The most important thing, is to get right back up after a fall and run to the arms of God. His arms are ALWAYS open to His children. Nobody said it would be easy being a Christian.

God loves you. He knows we are weak. We are humans. God sent His only son to save us. Turn to God and ask Him to replace your thoughts, desires, actions with His grace.

I fail terribly. But i always return to God, hoping that through God's grace, i will one day beat my fleshly desires.

God bless you

Thank you Brother #409782, I am glad and thankful to know that I am not in this storm alone. By faith in our LORD Christ Jesus, I know that I will be able to do this and even more in Christ, who strengthens me.

 

[1haroldl]

We all struggle with lust, Harold. The greatest Christian who ever lived (after Christ Himself), the Apostle Paul, said "I beat my body to make it my slave (1 Corinthian 9:27)." He wasn't referring to self-mutilation but disciple. The key to avoid fornication is to walk in the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16). It may take a while, but you'll master it. I'll also pray that God will give you suitable mate. Welcome to CF, and my best to your children and grandchild.

Thank you Brother #251216, for I know and believe that Christ can and will lead me out of this bondage and to be free. This I have to believe by faith and in accordance to HIS will.

 

[1haroldl]

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." -1 Corinthians 6:9-10

What you need to do, sir, is examine yourself to see if you're truly in the faith. There's a difference between living a lifestyle of sin and coming short like David did when he slept with Uriah's wife and ended up having him killed. One is using temptation as an invitation to sin. And the other is found in Romans 7.

Dearest #384427, I truly appreciate your reply, and it's not a question of my faith, it's a question of my weakness at times in my flesh. Yes, the Bible tells us to resist the devil and he will flee; the Bible also tells us that all sin that we commit is outside the body, but that sexual sin is against our own body. Again, it's not my faith, it's my weakness in the flesh at times.
The Bible also says that let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.
God bless...