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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2009 17:53:24 GMT -7
After having masturbated one particular time, i was feeling very ashamed and condemned, God then spoke to me (not audibly) he said, "what hurts me more than your sin itself is when you can't recieve my forgiveness for that sin." This definatly changed my outlook on God's love and forgiveness and grace for me.
Don't let sham and condemnation hold you back. We often think that feeling ashamed for the sin somehow slightly justifies it or rights our wrongs, when in actuality, it ruins us and leads us deeper into sin and addiction. The only way to break free from masturbation is by knowing that we are forgiven by God when we repent and turn from our sin. God's love covers a multitude of sins. He died with every sin you have and will commit in mind. This doesn't excuse us to continue sinning just because he forgives. But if we really know his love it will cause us to want to love and serve him with all our hearts and with purity. God is loving and understanding and despises shame. He died to dfeat shame. So feeling bad about yorself is not the answer, believe me.
Sincerely -LoveSick4God
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 7:16:26 GMT -7
Well said, Lovesick. I know it was God's grace that turned my life around. I struggled with porn and sex addiction for years until God broke me free from it by a revelation of His grace. I also struggled deeply with the shame, as you mentioned.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 11:29:35 GMT -7
Hi Lovesick4God, thanks for this personal insight.
My problem is more that in my heart I am not convinced that what I am doing is in itself instrinsically sinful and that it is the lust and if present and used, the fantasy of old pornographic experiences that is the sinful part. The actual act - I am not sure is sinful on its own, without lust, without the sinful imput of porn or the memory of it.
That is the lie I have to tell myself not to believe in stopping this. After over two years of trying, I am finding that it gets more difficult to stop myself listening to that lie.
All masturbation must be sinful or none of it. There can be no half way.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 12:06:19 GMT -7
I agree that masturbation is sin in and of itself. Many belive it's not sinful unless it complements a porn habit or leads to lust. But the question is, have you ever masturbated without lust or a rebellious heart to God. Every time I have masturbated it has either begun, lead, or was in lust. Paul speaks of all other sins being outside of the body, speaking of sexuality. He yen says "it is best to keep our hands off of ourselves." I believe he is speaking of masturbation in that passage. If that is true, hen masturbation is a sin in the Bible.
LovesSick4God
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 12:15:46 GMT -7
Lovesick4God, can you quote the precise reference of that scripture for me please as I don't recognize it as you have phrased it. Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2009 15:56:14 GMT -7
"Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer your body parts to him as instruments of righteousness." Romans 6:13
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have recieved from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19
I believe these were the verses that I got that from, I don't know what translation, but I do vividly remember reading something like that. I appologize for any confusion though, I shouldve known what verse before I quoted it, so I'm sorry for that. But I have found those two scriptures above to be extremely helpful in my struggle.
Sincerely -LoveSick4God
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2009 12:03:46 GMT -7
Hi Lovesick4God,
Thanks for providing the specific verses you had in mind. Yes, those have been a great help to me also. Mediating on them, and recognizing that walking with Christ is denying the body's sinful desires.
I've been occupied all Wednesday and into Thursday. Still "clean".
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2009 14:35:50 GMT -7
No matter how many times you fall, no matter how many times you give in to sin, there's never an excuse to quit. Keep on running, everyone. This battle is more than just an attempt to quit looking at porn or acting out in whatever way that we do, it's about falling more and more deeply in love with Jesus and letting Him love and heal us and be the Father that we may have never had, in a lot of peoples cases. You may feel weary and weak, but that doesn't change Gods strength whatsoever! He is always strong and always willing to carry YOU. Some times we have to just let go and let him take control and let him love on us. If you've lost motivation, worship God and seek after God to show you who you really are in Him. When you see how God looks at you, it changes EVERYTHING. We can change. We can fight. Greater is the one within us than he who is in the world. Don't ever give up. We're talking about eternity with God. So it's worth the wait of not acting out. This is in no way a condemnation, but a realization of the bigger picture, of how madly in love God is with us. This is awesome news!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2009 21:40:33 GMT -7
LoveSick4God wrote: "This battle is more than just an attempt to quit looking at porn or acting out in whatever way that we do, it's about falling more and more deeply in love with Jesus and letting Him love and heal us and be the Father that we may have never had, in a lot of peoples cases." Amen.  |
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