Well, here goes nothing.

[windchaser04]

How does one overcome certain worldly pleasures. I really want to get back be right with God but until I can get these problem areas under control I don't think I can. I'll be straight with you, my problem for the last several years has been all about binge drinking and sex. The drinking isn't that often but a lot of times it leads to the second problem. And when I do go out I'll spend around $150, it can be rather expensive to drink here in Japan. As far as the second thing, I am bombarded with lust on a daily basis and I really have a hard time saying no. I know its a sin but its like what they say about killing. The more often you do it the easier it becomes, and FYI I haven't killed anybody. It has gotten to that point、it doesn't bother me anymore, its just a physical act nothing more nothing less. The thing that does scare me is that I feel no guilt about it except on nights like tonight when I really take a hard look at my life. I've been told to pray about it and to read the Bible but that really only seems to work for a short time because then satan dangles something in my face, I fall and I am back to where I started. When and if I die I don't want to be known as a great guy, but as a holy man of God. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[KnightErrant]

I think you have one thing backwards; first, you get right with God, (or rest in the fact that in Christ you already are,) then you let Him work on you from the inside out, in your heart first, slowly changing your desires. A lot of little changes can build up, invisibly, until one day it all comes together. Or you make slow progress, day by day. You already appear to be eager to please Him and live rightly before Him, so you move on from there. But remember, it is God doing the work in you, in His own time.

Sometimes the first thing He wants to produce is perseverance, the ability to continue even when it gets hard. More growth occurs during these periods than during the "easy" times. And no, I don't like it either, but that's the way He works.

And as an aside, to insert a little psycho babble, before you can overcome your feelings, you first have to "own" them, accept them for what they are and don't try to ignore them or pretend they aren't as strong as they are. Like in the military, you first gather intelligence about the enemy so you can know how strong they are and how to resist. Then you choose how to respond to them. Feelings and desires are not in themselves sinfull, they are only temptations, and it's no sin to be tempted. Even Jesus was, but without sin. Sin or righteousness is in the Will, and it's the choices you make about your desires that count, even if you sometimes fail to fulfill them. Then you let God pick you up, dust you off, and start over again. And again. And again. Like I said, what He wants first is often perseverance, not perfection.

And learn to accept yourself, as God has. He isn't finished with any of us yet, and sometimes we just have to hang in there and learn to trust Him step by step.

I hope I helped.

[FaithWalker]

I have strugled with some of this myself. IMHO....the first thing you have to do is realize you are living a life of sin that is displeasing to God. Every lash Jesus took by a whip, every fist that struck him, and all he suffered on the cross was for you. That should break your heart and mean something to you. When you purposely go out and commit those sins you are basically saying his sacrifice doesn't mean anything. You have to make a concious decision to change your life and it begins in your heart. You need to realize your life here is but a vapor in your eternal existance. Nothing you sacrifice here could ever be worth what the Lord has waiting for you. Then get on your knees and pray for the Lord to forgive your sins, and give you his guidance and protection. Get into the word. Read your Bible everyday. Make God your first priority everyday by starting your day with prayer. Pray throughout the day and at the end of the day pray again and thank him for his mercy and grace upon you. Find a bible believing church and when the doors are open be there. Make other Christian friends that you can count on for accountability. Just as a smoker is tempted to smoke when trying to quit they make a concious choice to get a piece of gum instead. When you are tempted pick up your bible and read God's word, pray for strength, or call and/or visit one of your Christian friends instead. Stay away from the places of temptation...ie Bars, etc. Understand that as you seriously begin to change your life and server God with obedience that satan will bring attacks. Be strong in the Lord and resist. Serving the Lord is a concious decision that begins in your heart. Seek the Lord and you will find him! Remain strong in him and there's nothing you can't overcome! I will pray that the Lord will bless you with guidance and protection!

[Aneriz]

Be encouraged!

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust." Psalm 103: 11-14

[zzdust]

There's a good book called "Man in the Mirror" which goes over the flesh issues men have to deal with.

I echo celticmist's advice about seeing a Christian Counselor. A number of churches also run sexual addiction groups for like minded people who are struggling.

As above, keep bringing all these struggles "to the cross". Bring them before God, and pray honestly about your struggles and your desire for help.

[Chris72]

I'm at work and fairly busy, I hope this make sense.

I have had to deal with similar issues, what helped me was reading in the Bible that we're to cut out our right eye if it leads us to sin. I took this and used it to cut out the things in my life that caused temptation.

I always felt like I was spitting at God after I sinned. Praying about it and asking God for help might work for you, it wasn't enough for me. I think he wanted me to meet him half way. I felt convicted, but the temptation was to strong and I too weak. After I removed the things that caused me to sin I still was tempted, but God me get through them, I guess he wanted me to show I wanted his help bad enough.

I still pray and get in the word, but sometimes a drastic change is what is needed to shake us from things of this world.

[Byrd]

You need to get your act together. If I sound like I lack sympathy, I do. You are the only one that can fix your problem. The lifestyle you are living is dangerous. Do you care that little about yourself? Do you know the long term effects of alcohol on the body, or the sexually transmitted diseases you could get?

Are you a born again Christian? If so then the greater one lives in you, and you are doing damage to His dwelling place. You can read the Word and pray, you can go for counseling and these are important, but in the end you have to step up to the plate, and decide NO MORE!

Are you involved in a local church? Do you have Christian friends that will hold you accountable? If so you need to seek their help.

How do I know this? Been there, done that, and finally decided enough is enough.

You can weasel around and find excuses all day, but the final decision is your and yours alone. Do you want to live, and then die like this?

My best friend died 3 years ago from just such a lifestyle...he was saved, but would do nothing about his addictions, and he left behind a lovely wife and teenage daughter.

What are you going to do about your addictions?

[tom_roberts]

i agree

the most important thing is you know you need help

now in sincerity ask God to help you overcome it

we are filthy rags be for God
we fail Evey day
keep trying
keep fighting
thats the good fight

if you mean it he will be never leave you, its the nature of mankind
but keep trying
keep asking and never give up

may God bless you and increase your strength and understanding of his will for you

[Mailman Dan]

Hey Nethog..

The man in the mirror is also on video..its very good...


To examine yourself to see if your in the faith is a very bibical thing to do. I struggle with various sins, sometimes I fail, and sometimes I win over them. One thing (or the only thing) that seperates me and any non-Christian who sins is the way I feel God pulling me back, and away from what I know is wrong.

A Christian does sin, but it's not what he wants to do. Any dead fish can float down stream, but a live one swims against it. A non Christian dives head first into sin, with no thought of it being wrong.


Dan~~~>suggest the mirror video/book as well as "Slaying the Dragon" audio by Todd Friel

[tom_roberts]

hey bro

we really are filthy rags be for him:hug

reflect on this


But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence 1Cor 1:27-29