I have struggled with these issues of lust, masturbation, watch porn, and sexual immorality. The porn addiction started when I was at a very young age and masturbated around that time to and growing up. It was a cancer to my soul and I struggled with that addiction for almost 2 1/2 decades later. Sexual immorality kicked in my early 20s and that became another unhealthy lifestyle. I try to commit on stopping but, when I do, the urge because stronger. Sometimes I would abstain for a week, 2 weeks, most was a month. Then it would grow so strong that I couldn't control it. So, as I've read the bible and learned about Jesus and how he acted and treated sinners. I felt so bad and I knew that God is not pleased with my actions. I knew I had to change. So I made a commitment to change, was difficult, but, I held on to the word of God that he would help me stand up under it, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I praise God that I haven't done anything for almost half a year. It took alot of self control and leaning on God's word and placing my trusting in him. I'm patiently enduring and waiting on the Lord to reveal the root of lust and to heal me from it. As far as the others, its dead to me.
When anything tries to resurface again, I would recall that Jesus died for that and I wouldn't want his sacrifice to be in vain. Second, I would picture how would I behave if Jesus was in the same room as me. Will I still sin? No! Its uncomfortable and unclean. That means, I had to filter what I watch, what I hear, what I say and do.
Romans 5:8
8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Luckily fellows, if you guys read the bible, we had it better than the people in the old testament. Where they had to do animal sacrifices for many differen't offerings (in the day of moses and so forth). Jesus gave us the easy way. Praise God for that. Seriously. Could you imagine how often if you sinned against your body that you would have to have to sacrifice an animal in the time of moses for your guilt offerings and what have you. Nowadays, we repent and place our faith in Jesus that he is faithful and would help us overcome our struggles. Of course, turn away from that sin, and don't entertain the thought.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
A link to this reference to aid you and hopefully it'll help http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2102448AAYhe5X
Yes people, the battlefield is in your mind. Whether it produces good or bad thoughts (whether of God, self, or from the enemy). You're responsible for your mind and everything that you see and hear gets recorded and believe me, the enemy will pull that thought and use that very thing against you and try to keep you in bondage. So for those who struggled to breakthrough and feel like their thoughts are running wild, not all of them are from you. Its from the enemy too. You have to discern.
Proverbs 23:7
7For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he
As you think it, you must believe that you could.
2 Timothy 1:7
7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
According to this scripture, he's given us power, love, and a sound mind. You have to believe that God doesn't lie and what is stated in the word, you have to faith. As believers, we have the mind of Christ. Research it on google, mind of Christ. This is part of renewing your mind with scripture and letting him increase as we decrease (This is for me too)
Its true that God intervenes for some and others there is a waiting period. I hope I'm making sense right now. The devil wants you to think that you can't overcome and that isn't true.
Philipians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
I'm not saying be arrogant, boastful, pride, or anything of that nature. Your strength is though Jesus so in everything you do, must combine it with faith. Faith pleases God
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hope this is making sense.
Jesus mentioned it many times of faith, so does God. How many times faith is mentioned in the bible? Is God still bigger than your problem?
Matthew 19:26
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
John 16:33
33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
If Jesus did it, so can we. We have the mind of Christ. We just have to behave and adjust our attitudes to reflect his character. Through my trials, I still have to make God bigger in my life by trusting in him with all my heart, soul, mind, strength.
Ephesians 6:10-11
The Armor of God
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
Definite must to resist the Devil because we are unaware of his schemes.
1 Peter 5:7
7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The weight isn't for you to bear. Give it to him.
Psalm 146:7
The LORD sets prisoners free
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Very key guys that we need to stay humble like how Jesus modeled.
Jesus is the only way through God and its true what we need to yield to God's will. He doesn't bend to our will, its the other way around. Sometimes there are hard lessons to be learned before he pulls us out of struggles. Even when you overcome, the devil will place it in front of you again, but, like any old addictions, walk away from it. Don't tempt yourself. Remember, we are all witnesses and for those who overcome those struggles, share your testimony, it gives other people hope! Some may go through exactly what you're going through and they could relate to you.
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