Carnality

Wow those are some candid comments there. Scripture says that if you believe on the Lord Jesus you are saved (Acts 16:30-31). Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that salvation comes from God's grace through faith.

If you have placed your trust in the Substititutionary death and shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, on your behalf a sinner than the very moment you believed you were saved for all eternity.

What your struggle is with is living the Christian life. The Christian life has nothing to do with your eternal salvation. Eternal salvation SHOULD produce fruits in your life, however those fruits are not a guarantee. Ephesians 2:10 says we are Christ's workmanship and that we SHOULD walk in the works that were foreordained by God.

Walking and being led by the Spirit or walking and being led by the flesh is a moment by moment decision.

 

Truth Seeker,

I was saved in 1986. For many years after that I struggled with sin. Maybe more than you. (Alcohol, gambling, smoking, cussing, pornography, and "shacking up".) At first, I hated all these things, I was never going to do any of them again. I was a new creature, knew it, and there was no way I was going to dirty up the new self.

Three days after doing quite well, a friend of mine came over. I couldn't wait to tell him what had happened to me. The first words out of my mouth were, "I haven't had a cigarette in three days". He responded by saying "sorry" as he pulled out a pack of smokes and handed them to me. Guess what I did. I lit one up, smoked it, and forgot all about what I was really going to tell him. With no Bible, no church, and no christian friends, I gradually slipped into the pattern of sin described above.

I took comfort in the fact that my attitude toward sin had changed. Now I didn't want to do it, I wasn't proud of it, to tell you the truth I hated it. But I still did it. It was as if there were two voices in my head, like the cartoons, (an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other). Each time I was temped, the debate would begin. I really felt as if I could convince myself not to do what I knew was wrong. Inevitably, I would lose. I would convince myself that I was too weak, I just can't resist, the temptation is too strong.

Then I came across this verse in the Bible:

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

This verse was a devestating blow to all my excuses. No longer could I say I can't resist. This verse proved that I could. The truth of the matter was I won't resist. Furthermore, what good would it do to resist, I would only find myself debating myself and losing again. What I needed to do was find that "way to escape", that I may be able to bear it. The best way I have found to escape temptation is, instead of fighting the temptation, change my focus to something else. Pray to God, start meditating on any verses I have memorized, get out of the place, situation, or whatever brought about the temptation.

This verse helps:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


Sorry for the long and clumsy post.

 

Ah this is the result of the win'em and leave'em philosophy of evangelism these days. Once they are saved then my job is done. This is TERRIBLY sad, but probably happens far too often.

 

Very true, JJ, but my story is a little different.

It was my cousin who used to corner me and preach Christ and Him crucified. She showed me in the Bible that I was a sinner and needed to be saved. Over a period of time she showed me many verses. However, all it did is make me avoid her. One night, long after her preaching had ceased, I couldn't sleep. I was laying in my bed pondering life and my future. It was so bleak. I was feeling like trash on a conveyer belt heading for an incinerator. I got up, turned on the light, and opened the top drawer of my dresser. (For no particular reason other than it was a junk drawer with some interesting things in it.) I found a folded piece of paper and opened it. It was a sample of a prayer that I should say if I ever decided to call upon the Lord for salvation. I read it, layed back down, and all the verses my cousin had showed me began to flood back into my mind. This time I believed, and as I began to pray I could literally feel all the weight of the world lifted from me. Tears flooded my eyes, joy filled my soul, and I knew I had been saved.

God moved me to Spokane to live with my Aunt and Uncle. I was baptized in the church I attended with my Uncle. I have seen God's work in my life ever since. Unfortunately, it is usually hindsight, and for that reason I am a bit of a slow learner.

Recently I was able to tell my cousin my testimony. She appologized for being such a Bible thumper.

 

Reformers Unanimous- if there is a chapter near you.

http://www.reformu.com/

 

Big ditto on the Reformers !!!

 

Aw, I am very impressed with your honesty. Although many struggle as you do, I doubt many would confess that openly as you did.

My suggestion is to
1) do a study on forgiveness (and you will see that saved people still sin, but that its already paid for. Dont beat yourself up.) Get back up and try again with all your might.
2) post scriptures about self control in prominent places that will remind you to trust in God's provision for when you are tempted.
3) maybe find someone who can help you be accountable in some way

 

I have no problem at all believing that you are saved. I appreciate your sincerity and honesty in sharing this struggle. I think it shows maturity in your walk with the Lord.

Life in this fleshly body is never going to be easy. We will battle and wage war with the flesh continually. I would say that many many people battle the same issues that you are struggling with and yet refuse to admit it and contine in the struggle alone.

I think you have been given some really good thoughts so far in battling this issue. I think finding someone that you can be completely open and honest with your struggle is essential and the accountability can really help. And it must be coupled with a sincere desire on your part for growing in your relationship with the Lord. Reading Scriptures. Praying through Scriptures, particularly the Psalms can be helpful. Spending time daily in personal worship as well as weekly corporate worship.

Most importantly I think is an understanding of not only salvation by grace, but living by grace. The believer stands forgiven in Christ eternally. While this does not end the battle nor take away from the need to walk each day in holiness, it does give a proper perspective with which to be able to battle and gain some victory.

Take time to recogize and rejoice in even small victories, but never forget it is a long journey that will take endurance and perseverance. There will be potholes along the way, but a clear understanding of being in Christ will lead to a stronger walk with the Lord.

Again, I appreciate your openness on here and I pray that you find your way and God blesses you.

 

Something to think about,

Most Baptists today are trying to force people to gather around the wrong tree. If you'll remember in the Garden of Eden, There were 2 trees mentioned by name The Tree of Life and the Tree of the nowledge of Good and Evil.
Most baptists, and pentecostals for that matter, teach new converts to join hands around the tree of the nowledge of good and evil and learn of it. Someone gets saved and we start telling them "you can do this but you can't do that." "If you're truly saved, you wont do this and that." We start looing for immediate fruits. They might be immediate and they might not.
We need to learn from the Tree of Life. At this tree God can use us and we can have a tranformation from the inside-out, not the other way around. (Romans 12)

First get confident in you salvation. If you have believed upon Christ, you are saved. Your works, whether good or bad, do not change your eternal life. Please know this though, we all battle sin and must indeed battle it! We need to overcome through the principles of God's Word. We all shall be judged by the LORD on day and will be accountable for the deeds done in the body. Tae time and consider that you might never marry. Regardless of your merital status, there will be an accountability. Find strength in the tree of life.

I for one will be praying for you and asking Gopd to help you as you desire the Narrow Path. God Bless.

 

I admire your ability to bring your sin in front of your brothers and sisters. It's something we all need to do.

Have you installed accountability software on your computer? I have a friend that struggles with the same thing, and I'm his accountability partner.

I wouldn't doubt your salvation. Read the story about Lot (blatantly living in sin...but one of only a handful of men in the Bible to be deemed "godly" and "righteous".) Also read about King David and his affair with Bathsheeba. The "Apple of God's Eye" who also fell into sexual sin...and ultimately murder.

Sexual sin and temptation, especially for a single man, is one of the hardest to avoid. I'm speaking from first hand experience...and it doesn't go away once you are married, either. Satan will try to get a stronghold in this area and run with it. I pray that through Christ you overcome.

 

Make it as sure as you can, you only pass this way but once.

1Cr 10:8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Eph 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

1Th 4:6That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

Jos 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

I will never tell a Christian that if they commit such acts 2 or 3 times a year, that it is ok with their salvation.

Jam 3:6And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Rev 21:27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.


1Cr 3:17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

 

I have never met a believer who didnt struggle with (and occasionally give in to) at least something. Doesnt mean its ok, but it is reality. I love it when we get real with each other.

I John 1
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

 

Hbr 10:26 ¶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

There are many many more scripture than the one you posted. It seems when someone want to justify sin, the first scripture they go to is the one you posted.
I am not saying we don't sin. (there is a sin and there is a sin unto death, according to the scripture) but according to God if you defile the body, by such things as fornication, He will destroy you. This one sin, God really made it plain, if you commit it.

Those are the words of God and how He feels about the matter. Not that is getting "real" with each other.

 

Great stuff, Tater_Tot. Where sin abounds, grace does much more abound, eh ?

Christians ought not sin, I believe that. We should strive for perfection, but bad advice could really have a new believer confused about his salvation.


Truth seeker, it sounds to me like you realize how this sin is keeping yuou seperate from God's will in your life. Pornography is so easy to get, cheap, and doesn't seem to hurt anyone. But it is a fantasy of sex without commitment, without conversation, but reduced to animal instincts, and it is very powerful. May God bless you, and give you the realization that Christ died even for this sin.

 

You know, Brother Bob, arrogance is such a turn off. I hope you arent that way with lost folks.

 

WHEW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:wavey:

 

Upholding God's word is not arrogance. Wonder how you would feel if you end up being the one left standing at the altar. Would you say, he just slipped a little. If it ever comes home to roost, it will be a different Tator.

Some on here, regardless of the sin, just want to pat them on the back and tell them it has nothing to do with their salvation, when scripture says different. No wonder the churches are in such a shape today, and people wonder why? The churches are as in olden days, marrying and giving in marriage.

Which scripture do you disagree with?

BBob