Every minute is a struggle. What should I do?

[archiax]

I've been struggling with lust, pornography and masturbation for years now. One day I realize that I don't want to do this anymore. I am no longer happy that I want to go back to God. but I don't know what to do. Every minute seems too difficult especially when I am alone.

What should I do to overcome this one? I need your strategies, advice and especially prayers.

Thank in advance. It feels great to be back again here in this forum.;)

[Tonton]

archiax

The first victory is acknowledging the problem.

For Godly assistance (a free Jesus-focussed course) go here:

www.settingcaptivesfree.com (http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com)

Enrol in their free course.

Put your faith in God - he can free you of captivity. Only He!

Anton

[turtledove]

This is good that you have come back to the forum..welcome back! And this is good that you can share this here. Be sure to check other threads on-going in this section on this same topic posted by people dealing with this. Replies there could help you.

Getting caught up in lust, porn, etc..certainly has turned you away from God..but you must have reached a place where you want to be free and that is half the battle--knowing your need for healing and deliverance.

It seems clear that you need to determine to stay away from any place which provides temptation for you and that likely includes those internet sites, movies, tv, magizines, relationships, or whatever else has provided the opportunities for you to go down this path.

In place of this you need to focus on God, the Word, and return to Christian fellowship.

You may also find a support group in your church or in a church where one is provided. Celebrate Recovery is one in which others are helping each other and reaching out to God in fellowship together.

Yes, we can pray and will pray for you; but you must establish daily prayer in your own life steadfastly and consistantly. Keep asking for God's help, guidance, and mercy. And keep thanking Him for leading you back to Him where you can be set free. :pray:

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Gal 5:16, NIV)

peace and blessings...

[archiax]

Thank you guys for replying.



The first victory is acknowledging the problem.

For Godly assistance (a free Jesus-focussed course) go here:

www.settingcaptivesfree.com (http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/)

Enrol in their free course.

Put your faith in God - he can free you of captivity. Only He!

Anton
Thank you for telling me that site. I am gonna check that out. God bless you.


This is good that you have come back to the forum..welcome back! And this is good that you can share this here. Be sure to check other threads on-going in this section on this same topic posted by people dealing with this. Replies there could help you.

Getting caught up in lust, porn, etc..certainly has turned you away from God..but you must have reached a place where you want to be free and that is half the battle--knowing your need for healing and deliverance.

It seems clear that you need to determine to stay away from any place which provides temptation for you and that likely includes those internet sites, movies, tv, magizines, relationships, or whatever else has provided the opportunities for you to go down this path.

In place of this you need to focus on God, the Word, and return to Christian fellowship.

You may also find a support group in your church or in a church where one is provided. Celebrate Recovery is one in which others are helping each other and reaching out to God in fellowship together.

Yes, we can pray and will pray for you; but you must establish daily prayer in your own life steadfastly and consistantly. Keep asking for God's help, guidance, and mercy. And keep thanking Him for leading you back to Him where you can be set free. :pray:
Thanks to you. You are a great help.

About support groups, I think it would be difficult for me to find one in my congregation or church because there is none that I know of. But thank you for suggesting it to me anyway.

[baxpack7]

One of the biggest supporters in your church would be your pastor. Things said to your pastor are kept confidential and I'm sure that as a pastor he'd be willing to lend a sympathetic ear to your problem. I'm sure that he can certainly help you find a good group of people that have struggled like you have and have overcome it. I struggled with drugs for many years and when I came to my pastor, he listened, prayed with me, and referred me to a group of people that could help me through my addiction.

My experience is that confession is good for the soul, and can help you immensely.

May God bless you my brotha...

[cheech]

Your problem is a huge problem amongst many people today. It's one of the enemy's strongest attacks against us...sexual immorality/impurity...because we all know what the bible says about it.

I agree with what you've been told...seek out a Pastor. Sometimes, when possible, people need to go back and get to the root of the problem as to why this is such a strong stronghold for them. Many times there is abuse, hurt and pain that caused them to go this root. If that's the case then that area of their lives must be dealt with.

In the meantime you must go to God with this. You must realize it takes time and yes, work on your part as well. Many times people think we can just go to God, pray about it, and that's it...but there are things we must do on our end to help ourselves along.

1. Surrender your strongholds to God. By doing this I mean you must pray every day surrendering the lust, addiction to pornography and masturbation to Christ asking Him to take it away that you don't want it in your life. I've had to surrender things to God and sometimes I had to pray this several times a day every day for a while. Every time you begin feeling the pull to do these things, pray the above.

2. Have scripture with you to read out loud (or silently if you are not alone) that pertains to your situation. Example: When lust comes around and wants you to look at pornography, pull out your scripture and read it out loud:

"It is written: "Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Cor 6:12)

OR

"It is written: "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;" (1 Thess 4:3)

The reason I say "it is written" is only because that is how Christ responded to satan when He countered his temptations with the word of God. It's up to you whether you add that in there or not. But definitely respond to your temptations with scripture.

3. If you have any porn magazines or movies around...get rid of them! Remove all temptation from your home. If it's the computer, put a block on the sites. You may have to have someone else put in the password so you don't unlock it whenever you want. Extreme measures...get rid of your computer. Many people don't like to go the route of putting blocks on their computers or getting rid of their computers because it's an inconvenience for them...but I say what is more important...doing what you can to get to Heaven and sacrificing these things that lead you in the wrong direction or not allowing yourself an inconvenience and going to hell. Which is more important?

The bible says:

1 Cor 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

If you are faced with temptation and you pray to God...he will always provide a way out. Sometimes he provides it without you even asking such as an interruption like a phone call, knocking at your door, or something that might try to take you away from what you are about too do. It is up to you whether you accept this way out or not.

Definitely start seeking out a Pastor to help you and pray pray pray daily for God to remove these things from your life.

[lbeaty1981]

I agree with what the others have said, you should really talk with your pastor about this (or someone on the ministry team you feel comfortable around). Like cheech said, this is a very common problem in the church today, so I'm pretty sure your pastor will be supportive and helpful. Even if there's not a current ministry in your church, the act of confession itself is a massive step toward healing.

James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." I know that in my struggle, I wasn't able to truly begin the journey toward healing until I laid everything out in the open to a trusted brother in Christ. I know many other guys who have said the same thing. It can be a scary thing to do, but believe me, the results are well worth it! :pp

[archiax]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.

[Slug1]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.I was praying lately cause temptation has been hitting me and the Lord said the only way to fight is on my knees. When the temptation hits, get on your knees and pray.

Consider going to your knees a BATTLE STANCE that you must do. This is a spiritual battle and if the Lord tells me, get on your knees to fight... I do it.

We all should do it.

[Tonton]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.

Don't quit. This battle is ongoing, and you will relapse from time to time. Do not allow Satan to convince you that you have lost. He knows that he will lose if you persist.

It is difficult to move out of old habits. Fight, do not quit.

Jesus was so tempted to give up in the garden of Getshemane that he sweated blood. But He persisted, because He knew - this was it. This was the battle between God and evil. The battle that started in heaven when Satan and his "army" of fallen angels were cast from heaven.

Do not allow him to have victory over you.

Repent. Rebuke Satan, and pick up your sword (the Word of God). Fight.

In Jesus' Name,

Anton

PS: Mark your answer as Christian again - the fact that you feel you have failed Him does not mean you are not a Christian. The flesh is weak, but the grace of God is strong. Keep your faith - you belong to Him, and He knows man is weak. Let your spirit take control.

[VerticalReality]

I was praying lately cause temptation has been hitting me and the Lord said the only way to fight is on my knees. When the temptation hits, get on your knees and pray.

Consider going to your knees a BATTLE STANCE that you must do. This is a spiritual battle and if the Lord tells me, get on your knees to fight... I do it.

We all should do it.

The Lord has spoken the same to me. The only way to overcome the temptation is by seeking Him. We are not capable of overcoming in our own power.

[Steve M]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.
True freedom from those sort of bondages takes years to escape, if you truly want out. Don't let emotions or the seeming difficulty rule your answer; if you want to be as God intended, there is a way out.

[ilovemetal]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.


DUDE, it took me a year to figure out how to quit. do not give up. God will help you.

here's some tips that helped me:

1)alone? don't be alone.
-put computer somewhere else
-only go on when not alone
2)limit time on computer/tv/movies
3)read your bible and pray when you get up and after work and before bed, every day, no compromises
4)get a hobbie
5)go for a walk
6)pray more, read the bible more
7)MAKE GOD 1ST IN YOUR LIFE
-only do things relating to Him
-read books to build your faith
-read books on addiction
8)visit xxxchurch.com
9)go to the groups and find 'the vigil'
10)tell satan to go to hell in the name of Jesus-rebuke satan!
11)post here of you need more support
12)make music
-throw out any 'negitive/non-christian' music
-don't watch R movies
13)volunteer at shelters/church
14)do stuff to keep you occupied

i've done/do all of these. i know what you mean when you say it's all you think about, but i can say after 12 years of porn addiction, and a year trying to quit (alone) GOD was the only answer. (though there are others) but God will be the major contributer. Put Him first, focus on Him, ask for His strength, make lust a non-issue. Think about God, all the time, you must be in love with Him.

ps. you've got to want to quit....;)

kevin out.

[HisLeast]

It's not working.

I give up and it's been only a week. It's difficult.

Sorry to disturb you all. Bye.

Its not working because you haven't altered the equation any. Right now you're in a state of equilibrium, as much as you hate it (I know I did). The reality is there's a part of you that's reaching out to the porn because its the only thing that works. I can't tell you what that is, because its different for all of us. For me, the battle raged on until I figured out two things...

1) The dynamics of why I was going to porn in the first place
2) Appropriately satisfying the need that porn was acting as a substitute for (surprisingly, it has nothing to do with sex).

The equilibrium has to be changed, and that means either getting to the bottom of why you go to porn in the first place, or finding alternatives uses of your time that satisfy the same internal desire.

[Midyrvette]

Tremendous advice and suggestions here. I battle the same thing and it's on going because the enemy never gives up on trying to get me indulge. I have talked to my pastor about it and that was the best advice for me. I had him come to my house and put parental controls on my TV cable system. I have my pastor as a accountability person on my computer internet. These preventitive measures have made me think twice about going to those sites when tempted. Whenever there is a chink in the armor, where I can view something or watch something that I shouldn't, the enemy is there with temptation. When those occasions arises it takes getting on your knees like Slug said. I have messed up occasionaly, and when I do I confess and start all over again. Hope the OP is still reading these posts and hasn't given up!

[TruthFaith]

I know pastors can help. But another thing that might help is to be active as much as possible-play basketball or weightlift, something fun that gets your mind off of everything.

[archiax]

As much as I want to stop my addiction. I think that it would be too hard without any accountability partner.

Nobody knows about this and nobody will be there to support me.

[HisLeast]

As much as I want to stop my addiction. I think that it would be too hard without any accountability partner.

Nobody knows about this and nobody will be there to support me.

You can lie to an accountability partner just as easily as you circumvent software put on your PC. The partner isn't the magic bullet either. That isn't to say you shouldn't have one though... you need to have someone to talk to regularly about this.

What I'm saying is, sometimes you don't get anywhere thinking "if I have this, this, and this then I can stop the behavior" when you should be wondering "why am I engaging in this behavior to begin with".

[Slug1]

As much as I want to stop my addiction. I think that it would be too hard without any accountability partner.

Nobody knows about this and nobody will be there to support me.In the past I'd talk with my partner and hang up the phone and get right onto the internet and sin. The use of a partner is good and can be effective but only as effective as you allow.

Ultimately Jesus is "the" accountablity partner. Right now in your life He is... don't disregard this cause in time He'll be your judge and His verdict of your life will be righteous. Take His righteous help NOW and allow Him to account for you as you give it all to Him and allow Him to help you.

You do this on your knees each and every time the temptation hits you up side the head. That way, it remains in the head and not reach the heart where you act on it and then it's sin.

The enemy will show you no mercy, you need to show him less mercy and stand firm against the temptations as they hit.

[Tonton]

...The enemy will show you no mercy, you need to show him less mercy and stand firm against the temptations as they hit.

Amen! Fight him with vigour! Proclaim the victory in Christ.

Every time that you are confronted with temptation, fight it. What I do is to bless someone - usually someone that I know is "in Christ" is a quick prayer. This technique is a double edges sword - my mind is cleaned, and a disciple of Christ is blessed...

Try it. If your thoughts remain unclean, bless more and deeper. Pray for their congregations and families. Sooner or later the demons will realize that they are helping you to bless people! Ant they will HATE that!

Anton

[Steve M]

As much as I want to stop my addiction. I think that it would be too hard without any accountability partner.

Nobody knows about this and nobody will be there to support me.
This is because you haven't told anybody about this, and any people in your life who could help you, you aren't going to tell.

You need to tell them.

You need to tell somebody.

Telling us here is a good start, but it's not the final step.

[lbeaty1981]

This is because you haven't told anybody about this, and any people in your life who could help you, you aren't going to tell.

You need to tell them.

You need to tell somebody.

Telling us here is a good start, but it's not the final step.

It took me a long time to figure this out in my fight, but this is very true. There are people who can and will help you, but you have to open up to somebody "in real life" before you can receive the support you need.

[archiax]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.

[Slug1]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.I'm telling you, it's a tactic of the enemy to keep you bound. The truth of God's Word is:

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%205:16&version=50;#fen-NKJV-30365a)] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

[VerticalReality]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.

You don't have to go into tremendous detail if you don't feel comfortable with that at first. However, you can still tell another brother in Christ that you are struggling with lust/lustful thoughts and you need prayer/guidance.

There is no reason to let the enemy keep you silent about lust. Basically all men have struggled with lust at some point or another (yes, even Christian men), and those who have been delivered will be able to help you/pray with you/agree with you. Now, I don't believe just telling anyone is the right thing to do. You need to surround yourself and speak to those who are walking closely with the Lord. This is for a couple of reasons.

1) If they are walking closely with the Lord they will not condemn you or look down on you. They will minister to you, and cover you in prayer.

2) They've more than likely been where you are at one point in time themselves and they will be able to help show you the truth and how to have victory over this thing.

The devil would have you feel like you are all alone in this. The devil loves to isolate people and make them feel like they are the only ones who struggle with these sort of things. Isolating the body of Christ is effective in keeping the body from working properly. The devil wants to cut people off from the body so they are ineffective for the Lord's kingdom.

[Steve M]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.
See, that was ME.

I was sure the day my parents found out would be the worst possible day in the world, let alone my closest friends. My preacher. I KNEW I'd never be able to look them in the eye again.

So I hid it, and I hid it, and I hid it. I learned to be a liar, and a darned good one. I learned to not care.

I wondered why all my friends were withdrawing from me... when I was the one withdrawing from them.

Then came the day they found out.

Yes, it was awkward, it was hard, and I may have cried. I also look back on that as the best day of my life, now.

Don't start with close family. Find a trusted friend---a preacher. An elder. Somebody with wisdom. Somebody who can help you. They will help you; will help you in ways you can't even imagine.

[HisLeast]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.

Well my friend, this is what they call pride. I pray you rid yourself of it before you end up like I did (http://bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?p=2067609#post2067609) ... weeping to someone at your church you don't even know because the woman you cheated on just spent the last hour telling you how much she hates you.

You might feel sorry now... but when this sin springs its trap you'll be introduced to whole new meanings to the word "sorry" you didn't even know existed.

If I could go back to before this decade long indulgence brought my world to ruin, I would stand at the front of my church filled with friends and family and scream into a megaphone every detail of my sin. I needed help, but I was always too dang proud... or I was just kidding myself that the same "I'll try harder" strategy would work after years of ineffectiveness.

Fight this battle in solitude at your own risk brother.

[lbeaty1981]

I won't tell anybody I know about this. I can't.

I can't bear the thought about the way they will change their treatment once they know the truth. Sorry.

That was me as well, only I followed that lie for over 20 years. When I finally did tell someone (an elder of the church, and leader of our men's group), I was convinced that our friendship would change entirely. You know what? It hasn't changed a bit. I've shared my story and battles with a couple of other brothers in Christ since then, and our friendship has grown phenomenally. What's more, I've found that they have their own areas where they need support and prayer as well. Not just the general, "I need help being a better person" stuff, but soul-deep, nitty-gritty cries for God's healing touch.

I agree with Steve, family might not be the best place to start. A trusted pastor or church elder, though, can do a lot more for you than you would ever expect.

[cheech]

The one thing you have to realize is that when you are trying to overcome a stronghold (addiction), one week of trying isn't gonna cut it. It can take alot of time. You may fall many times before you can finally begin walking and not fall for a long time. To fall and get up and keep going shows a true warrior...but to fall and stay down without even trying to get up only allows the enemy to keep trampling over you.

If you fall...get up and keep going. Before you know it one a few days free will turn into a week...a week to 2 weeks...2 weeks to a month...and so on. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ and not on the ground. Rejoice each day you go without falling into temptation and ask God every day to cover you and help you through this difficult time.

[archiax]

Thank you all for the advice and the encouragement. I really appreciate it. However, I am not sure where to start. I try to pray but after a few minutes or hours when I'm in alone in my room, when temptation starts I really get restless and I can't help myself but give in and sin. It feels like it's part of me that I can't take away and would be with me 'til I die.

Does that mean that my prayers are useless and God doesn't want to answer them? What should I do in order for God to hear my prayers?

I don't want to sin anymore. I keep asking God to take all of these away but it seems like God doesn't hear me. Is that an indication that I am not a child of God and I don't belong to body of Christ? Am I just wasting my time because in the end I'm still going to hell?

[Slug1]

Thank you all for the advice and the encouragement. I really appreciate it. However, I am not sure where to start. I try to pray but after a few minutes or hours when I'm in alone in my room, when temptation starts I really get restless and I can't help myself but give in and sin. It feels like it's part of me that I can't take away and would be with me 'til I die.

Does that mean that my prayers are useless and God doesn't want to answer them? What should I do in order for God to hear my prayers?

I don't want to sin anymore. I keep asking God to take all of these away but it seems like God doesn't hear me. Is that an indication that I am not a child of God and I don't belong to body of Christ? Am I just wasting my time because in the end I'm still going to hell?He hears your prayers... do you hear Him when He tells you... get up and walk away?

Get on your knees and surrender it to Me so I can fight for you.

Open your Bible and read what I have given to you to read.

Do what my word says cause My Word will set you free.

Stop listening to the enemies lies.

[archiax]

I don't know if it's just the enemy's lie or if it is just a clear indication that I'm not truly saved. That I have not given my life fully to Christ which why I'm still bonded to this habitual sin and has not experienced any single victory.

I have listened to testimonies of other people who after they repented and made a decision to gave their lives to Christ, their lives change in an instant and it just amazes me on how they can easily walk away from all their sins and never look back. Like my father for example, after he got converted, he never drink alcohol again ever.

I know each of us are different and it is wrong for me to compare, but we know that if someone is saved, the sin in his/her life will lessen in frequency and intensity because he/she is justified and there is the work of the Holy Spirit. But to me it is different. My practice of sinning against Christ become more frequent as time pass. What does this mean?

[Slug1]

I don't know if it's just the enemy's lie or if it is just a clear indication that I'm not truly saved. That I have not given my life fully to Christ which why I'm still bonded to this habitual sin and has not experienced any single victory.

I have listened to testimonies of other people who after they repented and made a decision to gave their lives to Christ, their lives change in an instant and it just amazes me on how they can easily walk away from all their sins and never look back. Like my father for example, after he got converted, he never drink alcohol again ever.

I know each of us are different and it is wrong for me to compare, but we know that if someone is saved, the sin in his/her life will lessen in frequency and intensity because he/she is justified and there is the work of the Holy Spirit. But to me it is different. My practice of sinning against Christ become more frequent as time pass. What does this mean?It's not always a never look back every time. Ya like reading, have you read my testimony about this sin? The link is in my signature.

When I gave this testimony last month there were about 40 people in attendance. Ten of which from my church and friends of mine that had no idea.

[VerticalReality]

Thank you all for the advice and the encouragement. I really appreciate it. However, I am not sure where to start. I try to pray but after a few minutes or hours when I'm in alone in my room, when temptation starts I really get restless and I can't help myself but give in and sin. It feels like it's part of me that I can't take away and would be with me 'til I die.

Does that mean that my prayers are useless and God doesn't want to answer them? What should I do in order for God to hear my prayers?

I don't want to sin anymore. I keep asking God to take all of these away but it seems like God doesn't hear me. Is that an indication that I am not a child of God and I don't belong to body of Christ? Am I just wasting my time because in the end I'm still going to hell?

Sounds to me like the first thing you need revelation on is that you are fighting a spiritual battle . . . not a physical one.

What this boils down to is what you believe. Do you believe the lies of the devil or do you believe what God's word says? Remember that the first sin ever committed was due to the fact that the words of Satan were believed over the word of God.

What you have is a faith issue. I'm not talking about a "did Jesus really die for my sins" type faith, although this does play into it a little bit. I'm talking about just a faith and trust in the Lord and what He has said and done.

For example, the Word of God says that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or think. However, we tend to doubt God is even able to keep us from a little thing like sin.

Doubt is a huge stumbling block, and the only way to rid ourselves of it is by seeking God and filling our minds with nothing but Him. The devil loves to try and fill our minds with carnality and worldliness.

God can change hearts and He can change minds. All He tells us to do is believe.

[Steve M]

I don't want to sin anymore. I keep asking God to take all of these away but it seems like God doesn't hear me.

If God were to do as we've all asked Him to do at one time or another and take away the desire to sin, He would rob us of any character. We would be unable to stand any hardships that came to us.

He understands what we so often overlook; that in learning to overcome these things we are becoming stronger. We are becoming servants He can use.

[Steve M]

Do you mind if I ask a few questions?

A) are you regularly attending church services?

B) would you be open to finding a small group of men in a similar situation to work with?

[lbeaty1981]

It's not always a never look back every time. Ya like reading, have you read my testimony about this sin? The link is in my signature.

When I gave this testimony last month there were about 40 people in attendance. Ten of which from my church and friends of mine that had no idea.

I'll second this, and toss my testimony into the mix as well (link's at the bottom of my sig). I accepted Christ when I was 19, but was still bound by habitual sin until about 3 months ago (I'm 28 now, by the way). There's still some lingering areas where healing's taking place, but this is the first time in a long time where I've believed that healing is actually possible.

The bottom line is, Satan doesn't want you healed, and is willing to tell you all kinds of lies to stop it from happening. The fact is, though, that he is already a defeated foe, and we have the One who has won the battle on our side. :)

[RollTide21]

I don't want to sin anymore. I keep asking God to take all of these away but it seems like God doesn't hear me. Is that an indication that I am not a child of God and I don't belong to body of Christ? Am I just wasting my time because in the end I'm still going to hell?

This statement hit me...because I used to have the same attitude when I would falter (porn included, btw).

Look...you can't let the guilt of sin pull you further away from God than the sin itself. If you screw up, don't let it evolve into "I'm going to Hell and it's no use." That's DEFINITELY Satan at work. Just pray about it...after every time it happens...and ask for forgiveness. There is not a limit to God's Grace. He's not going to "be mad at you" because you keep sinning. He knows your struggles better than you do. Just keep praying and calling out to Him...even if you keep messing up.

The one thing that absolutely NO temptation...REGARDLESS of what it is...can overcome is the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is PURE Goodness and Perfection. I promise if you keep reaching out to God...even though you keep slipping...he'll bless you with a Holy Spirit intervention. You might not know when or how it will happen, but it will happen. You won't always be on a "Holy Spirit high" after this, but what it does is give you a foundation of confidence to know that the temptation can be overcome.

The main point is: Don't let the guilt of not beating the temptation keep you from God's Grace. Keep fighting it. You'll probably give in a bunch more times, but that doesn't mean God has abandoned you and won't ultimately reach you and mold you. He'll make you better off as a result of this, I promise. Believe me...I know from experience.

[archiax]

Thank you for all your responses and encouragement. I finally told someone about my struggle and it feels great to know that someone is praying for me.

[lbeaty1981]

Hallelujah! That's great to hear! Having someone near to you who's praying for you can be a great blessing and encouragement. Keep up the good work! :)

[KATMAN]

I'm glad you have found somebody to confide in. I had a bout with depression and I tried to escape from everything and everybody,until my wife had a feeling about what was going on with me.She told a teacher and a friend in church and he was telling me he had the same struggles I did.It felt like a huge rock that was lifted off of me. I wanted to share that I had read a book called "Every Man's Battle" or struggle or something like that. It also comes with a study book to use with the bible. I also remember reading Charles Stanley.In one of his books he was talking about David's sin with Bathsheba. He called it a CMD,critical moment of decision.

He said that King David had several CMD's before the sin that he ignored.The first was lust,watching her bathe.The second was giving into sin,forwarding the lust.And finally the cover up of sin.It just got deeper and deeper.We all have the spilt second moment to sin or to pray for overcoming power before it's too late.I hoped I helped in some way. Thanks for sharing your story.