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Post by savedbygrace on Jul 3, 2018 17:17:27 GMT -7
Yes, I've been on that slippery slope too often. In my own case, I need to remember that it's not a sin to be tempted. I must call on Jesus and let him lift me out before I slip further in. Praying that God will encourage your heart! Thanks for sharing those Scriptures.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2018 18:41:33 GMT -7
Happy 4th of July guys! It's Murica Day! ๐๐
Thanks for posting Sbg. ๐
Checking in for today. Things are good right now. I haven't given into temptation today, which normally I would've, being that it is the day after my fall into sin. Normally I would've gotten lazy and started back into a pattern of more sin, but God has sustained me today. ๐
That's it for now. Thanks guys.
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Post by savedbygrace on Jul 5, 2018 4:26:25 GMT -7
Amen and thanks to God! Don't let discouragement pull you down!
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Post by Will on Jul 5, 2018 5:29:28 GMT -7
Hey Noah, you're right to focus on the victories you did have. Every minute more you hold out, that is an extra victory for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Keep going brother!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2018 19:55:43 GMT -7
Today went well. I didn't give in to the temptations, and God pulled me through. Although it was a rough day at work, I'm happy that God kept me from stumbling today. Could you guys please pray for me to feel less lonely, and find more fulfillment in God? I know I won't always be joyful and satisfied, but recently I've been feeling pretty down. Thanks for the prayers guys.
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Post by Will on Jul 5, 2018 23:08:14 GMT -7
Hey Noah, just prayed for you. Do you have a Bible Study group at your Church? I do find sharing my life with other believers is a great way to be reminded of God's love and to be around other people and not lonely. Of course you have to put yourself out there and be willing to share honestly about yourself, but it's worth it!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2018 9:31:59 GMT -7
Hey Will! Well I actually have several Bible Studies that I go to throughout the week, and while they are all good sources of fellowship, I still don't feel super connected in them. Maybe that will change over time, I dunno...
I did stumble today though. I'm not sure if it happened because of my bad day at work last night, or from something else. But it happened nonetheless. Even though I regret the decision to sin today, I believe I grew closer to God in repentance. I find that when I truly feel bad about a stumble or sin, that is when I really try to grow closer to God through prayer and reading His Word, and it seems to be also when I'm more receptive to His Word. So I'm still disappointed about my sin today, but I'm grateful that God works in me even in my weakness.
I thank you all for the prayers!
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Post by savedbygrace on Jul 6, 2018 17:17:42 GMT -7
Praying for your encouragement and strength. May we learn well from our slips and falls.
Loving Psalm 25!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 1:05:20 GMT -7
You have to keep accountable with someone. Maybe get rid of the internet but that will not fix the issue. It's only a "white-knuckle" change meaning a change we think that will work but doesn't really. Real change is from the Lord. Ask yourself.. 1. How did I get to the point of watching porn? 2. Why did I want to? Question 2 might sound simple but when you dig deep you might see something like... "I wanted to watch porn because I wanted to feed my flesh, I wanted a taste ...." When you dig deeper you will see stuff like... "I am obsessed with a women's body, I idolize her and worship every part of her, I worship the god of sex and have turned sex into an idol" I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV bible.com/bible/114/rom.12.1-2.NKJV
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 8:44:20 GMT -7
Dom, I would give you 2 thumbs up if I could! You are so right about understanding yourself and to start doing that those questions need to be answered. God uses different ways to get us to answer those questions about ourselves. He knows what will get through our thick heads.
Noah, when we are truly repentant we do draw closer to our Father. It also usually means we have learned something from our fall. It sounds like you did learn something. Take that knowledge and put it to work in your life. I am very thankful to God that you aren't wallowing in your sin. That is a great step forward young sir!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 8:48:13 GMT -7
Hi guys. Thanks for responding, Dominic and Sbg!
Well Dominic, I've found out a while back that I can't "white-knuckle" my way out of temptation. I'm nowhere near strong enough for that. Only God is strong enough to sustain me.
As for why I want to give in, I'm not actually sure. I know that part of it may be because of my idolization of sex, but when I look back to when I was actually watching PN, or doing MB, I can see that I wasn't doing it entirely for the, "sexual experience". In the past and even now, I sometimes give in to the temptation, simply because it has become such a habit in my life that I just do it for the sake of doing it. It's hard to explain.
And as for accountability, *sigh* you're right. I have been looking for someone for a while now, (as I have mentioned before). But it seems that there isn't really anyone available. It's not that there aren't mature Christian guys in my life, but all of them are so involved in their own lives that they wouldn't be able to be there for me. I'm still looking though. Please pray that I don't become lazy in my search, and that God brings someone into my life for accountability.
I'll post later about how today goes. Thanks for the prayers guys.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2018 20:54:01 GMT -7
Hiya folks. So the rest of today has went well. I got very close to slipping up though. But right before I let myself sin, God kind of shook me out of my stupor and I realized what I was about to do. So I stopped, and actually shook my head a little bit, just to clear my thoughts some more. ๐ I wonder if the physical action of shaking my head actually helps at all.... Lol
Thank you all, (again) for the prayers. I really am grateful that I have you guys, praying for me all the time. I believe it really helps. And I'm praying for all of you! ๐ God is great!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2018 19:41:47 GMT -7
Hi guys. So all is well. Sorry for not posting yesterday, I wasn't able to get on during the day, and I didn't want to give Satan a foothold by getting on the phone late at night to post. I know I'm somewhat weaker at night. I'm not sure if that is because there seems to be more opportunity to give in to sin when everyone else is asleep, or for some other reason. But I know for sure that I'm more likely to give in at night. Annyywaayyss...
Yesterday went without stumbling, (Praise Jesus!). I was very tempted to watch PN that night though. Everyone was asleep, and there was an available device to use, but God reminded me of the verse about, "fleeing" from temptation, or "running" from sexual immorality. I'm sure you guys know what verse I'm talking about. Anyways. God brought that verse to my mind, and I knew I had to get out of that situation, and I did get away without falling.
Today has also been good. There was a point when I thought I would give in, but again; God came through and brought to my mind verses. And He also showed me the reality of sexual immorality, and the lustful thoughts in my head. He showed me that they are disgusting and wrong. I think that that is interesting, because in my head I know that these thoughts are wrong, and yet I still indulge in them. But when God brings the reality to my mind, I can actually SEE the wrongness of those thoughts. I ramble a lot. ๐ Sorry guys! Lol
That's all for now. God is good!
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Post by savedbygrace on Jul 10, 2018 16:48:45 GMT -7
Yes! Thank you Jesus!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2018 20:03:18 GMT -7
Hey guys! Checkin' up for today!
Today has gone mostly well. I stumbled a few hours ago, and did MB. After my fall, I prayed, right then and there. I believe that praying and asking for forgiveness immediately after my sin refreshed my mind and brought me back to God. A lot of times I put repentance off, and I wait until later to do it, and so my mind stays in a pit of shame and filth. After my sin, I went to Bible Study. At Bible Study we talked about temptation, and seriously resisting the Devil with dedication. It was very good, and I know God was speaking to me through that.
Like I said a few days ago, even though this sin was wrong and evil, I can still see all the victory I've had this week through Christ! I can see where God came through and sustained me. So now, even though I slipped up, I know there is hope, and I know God is working in me.
Thank you all for loving me, praying for me, and for challenging me in my walk! And ultimately; thank you God, for saving me, and keeping me!
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