How do I stop doing the same sin over and over again?

Seek the counsel of a pastor or Christian professional counsellor.

 

Speak with your pastor or a mature Christian who may have experinced this. {All of us have at least ONE thing that REALLY bothers us! Some of us got more than one!}
Stay in God's word, pray often. Ask the Lord to help you die to this sin and pray for victory in it.
There is a verse I claimed a few years ago for my volcanic temper:

It's wonderful to know He always makes a way out. We don't HAVE to sin, and we don't HAVE to be a slave to it.
When you sin, regardless of the sin {and rest assured you will fail many many more times in your life, because it's impossible to be perfect!} remember that God is waiting to forgive and cleanse you. He loves you and dosn't want you to be out of fellowship with Him. In fact God's word says if we confess sin, He is FAITHFULL to forgive us. That's a promise!

~Miss Abby
Proverbs 31:30 KJB

 

You are wise beyond years for recognizing your sins and wanting to free yourself from them.

I realize this is a most delicate matter, but as with all things, the more understanding the better when it comes to struggling in the internal war to be free from sin. I pray that you will be able to receive the spirit of my message as it is intended (words are so weak in conveying things of the heart):

1. Temptations are part of the plan and to be expected. Regardless of whether God is trying us (i.e. like Abraham, et al) or Satan is really tempting us to be miserable as he is, all trials and temptations are nonetheless for our good. This doesn't mean, however, that we seek out trials or needlessly expose ourselves to temptation. We all get our fair share of trials and temptations in due time. Also, as already pointed out, we can be assured that no trial or temptation we encounter will be beyond our ability.
2. All sin is bad. There is no such thing as a sin we can intentionally hold on to and still enjoy the blessings of the new covenant. To turn from one sin we must be willing to commit to turn from all sin. Of course willing to do something and actually doing it are very different things, but without at least mustering the willingness to give up all sins, we are intentionally rebelling against the knowledge the Lord has granted us. This, obviously, doesn't demonstrate that we trust in God over the flesh. Therefore, it is critical that we examine our desires and eliminate any desire to commit even the least of sins. Remember that there are sins of omission and commission. Simply striving to maintain the desire to eliminate sins of commission doesn't automatically mean that we will have desire to eliminate sins of omission. In other words, refraining from doing bad, doesn't necessarily mean that we are doing good. I think you will notice that there are usually three basic attitudes among Christians when it comes to dealing with sin: (1) I don't want to be that good (i.e., it isn't cool to be a square after all), (2) How far can I go until it is actually sin? (i.e., I want to play with fire, but I don't want to be burned) (3) I don't want to sin the least sin of all, I want only to do the will of the Lord 24/7. Attitude-1 doesn't work because with an attitude like that, we are really saying we don't want God to turn us into a new creature. This attitude also indicates that we think that as long as we do more good than bad we will somehow balance the scales of justice in our favor so that when it is all said and done God will still let us into His presence. It is also an attitude that indicates that we think we can live with some intention to sin as long as we are willing to repent later. Repentance is not a license to sin intentionally. It is always extremely hard to sin intentionally and then later find sincere remorse to repent. Attitude-2 is wrong because it typically falsely assumes that there are certain boarders to sin. For example, sex. A lot of youth want to know how far they can go before committing sin. This attitude usually gets to the point where they think as long as they haven't had actual intercourse, then they haven't committed sin. If you have attitude-2, you will typically entertain some lustful thoughts when then come your way rather than rejecting them right away. The problem with this attitude of course is we keep trying to extend the borderline and go further and further until we crash and burn. Yet, we know that Jesus taught that the borderline is in the heart. We need to learn to reject lustful thoughts the moment they enter into our heart. Attitude-3 is the only attitude that works. We can only show true remorse and experience true repentance by indicating to God that we are willing to do only what He would have us do and reject all sins completely. Again, this doesn't mean that we won't keep making mistakes and sinning. Yet, without fostering attitude-3, we never really experience a complete change in heart, and be default, we will instead embrace attitude-1 or 2.
3. You can control what you think. While it is true that you can’t control the way everyone in your school talks and dresses, you do have a lot of control in the things you will be exposed to. Just as you can choose to take care of and properly maintain your body by refraining from bad foods and eating nutritious ones, wearing sunscreen when out in the sun, getting regular exercise, brushing your teeth, going to bed early and waking up early, et al., you can likewise take proper care of your spirit. You can choose to feed your spirit good or bad TV, movies, music, magazines, Internet sites, books, cartoons, comics, anime, jokes, video games, et al. You don't have to watch or read or listen to anything that feeds your lusts. Do all within your power to reduce the bad influences in your every day life. Likewise, do all within your power to increase the good influences in your life. Listen to good music, watch good TV, read good books, have good conversations, memorize hymns and scriptures. Hymns in particular are very powerful in driving away lust. The trick is to make all your decisions in advance. That way you will not have to make your choices in the middle of a temptation. For example, you can make a commitment to sing or hum a favorite hymn whenever a lustful thought enters your mind. However, if you wait until you have a lustful thought to choose how you will react, chances are you won't be able to think straight enough to react the correct way. The good news is that just as your physical reflexes can be quickened and strengthened via exercise, you can likewise quicken your spiritual reflexes through spiritual exercises. The core of spiritual exercise lies in sincere prayer. Sincere prayer is that in which we indicate to God that we want to conform to the Lord's will in all things, and is followed up by a sincere effort to understand and apply the principles of the Gospel in our everyday life (i.e., not just on Sunday or when we are at church or among fellow church members). For example, let's look at the principle of loving one's enemy. We hear a lot about this in our churches, but we seldom really try to apply it by praying to God for the ability to love those that anger us, tease us, do things that we feel are wrong, et al. We often assume that because it is a family member, for example, it is okay to hate them and fight with them. If God has given you a mean mother or father or brother or sister or classmate, praise God and realize the situation for what it is. It is your chance to get a spiritual workout. As you strive to refuse to resist unkind acts made toward you and instead strive to return kindness and love in thought, word and action, your spiritual muscles will grow like you never imagined
4. Never allow yourself to have idle time. This is such a big one for our day in age where machines and modern innovations have blessed us with the time to do more than ever before. However, the Lord has not blessed us with this technology so that we can be couch potatoes. That is not to say that we can't relax from time to time. However, to think that we can simply idle around for large blocks of time each day and still lay claim to be striving to abide in the doctrine of Christ is ridiculous. Jesus taught us that serving others was indeed serving him. There are so many ways to serve our fellowman. We can pray for them, write to them, and help them. Pure religion is getting out and serving others. We start with our family, and then as our ability to love increases we move on to others. Just as you move from the light barbells to the heavier ones as you get physically stronger, we keep including more and more people in our circle of love as we get stronger spiritually. There are so many widows and orphans in our society that we can never really argue that we have free time to "do our own thing." Contrary to popular opinion, doing too much for Christ is impossible and never overbearing. It is the holding back that makes us tired and stresses us out. Why? Because it is literally like trying to hold on to the gates of heaven and hell at the same time. It is much easier to go all out evil or all out good than it is to be lukewarm and hold back in an attempt to save ourselves. The key is, as Christ taught, to lose ourselves in the service of others. Now, this doesn't mean that we don't pursue personal goals and aspirations. We should work hard, study hard and play hard (healthy and recreation is not idleness). These all have purposes in our overall development as well. So, by all means, set specific, realistic goals for achievement in your studies and other activities. However, never let yourself get so caught up in achieving a particular goal that you miss the chance to serve when the opportunity presents itself. For example, imagine you are late for church and come across and elderly lady who obviously needs help lifting something heavy. The Sunday School answer is to help the lady even if it means we will be late, but how many of us really live our lives this way. Church going Christians often get so caught up in doing church related things (or work or school related things, et al), that they miss the forest for the trees. There are many good things to be about, but if our focus is not on doing what God would have us do at any given point in time, we will miss the forest for the trees. It is just a matter of time. Just as Noah could have reasoned that there were many good things he could be doing aside from building an ark, we must be careful to not reason ourselves out of focusing on what the Lord's will is for us right now. Living the Gospel will seldom be convenient to our daily schedules and goals. That doesn't mean we toss out the baby with the bath water by ripping up our goals and schedules. It does mean that we need to have our hearts continually turned to God. This is real repentance.

Believe it or not this is just a starting point. The more you apply the more the scriptures will be unfolded to you and you will be inspired in how to better deal with your particular circumstances and challenges. As you focus on doing what you have already been impressed upon by the Spirit in your scripture study and prayers, you will nourish and strengthen your spiritual muscles and thereby refine your spiritual reflexes to better fight off temptations.

My prayers are with you.
[Posting of links to an LDS-related site is not allowed]

[ September 22, 2003, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Dr. Bob Griffin ]

 

Hi pseudogratix! I'm kinda curious about something. You are LDS (Mormon). How did you happen to find your way onto a Baptist forum?

You have a very nice post. However, you refer to "scripture" and "scriptures" several times. As Christians, we believe "scripture" to mean the Bible only. Is that what you mean? Or when you refer to "scripture" and "scriptures" in your post, are you referring to the books you believe are "scripture", that being the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, Doctrine and Covenants, and the Bible?

No intent to inflame...just trying to make sure we all understand each other...especially since you are posting in the Youth Forum. Please be specific when you post as to what it is you are actually referring when you reference the scriptures.

Thanks
CJ

 

Hey there computerjunkie. Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post.

Yes, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I came across this forum at http://www.christiantop1000.com/ . I think it was the same day that I signed up here that this post (How do I stop doing the same sin over and over again?) by Chris1984 was listed in the "Last 20 posts on BaptistBoard.com" ( http://www.baptistboard.com/ ). It caught my attention as I remembered the time I agonized over the same question in my own life.

Thanks.

Well, my message was directed to Chris1984, so, if he believes that the Bible = scripture and scripture = Bible, that is fine and doesn't really affect the content of my post in any way. Personally, I define scripture as Words written and spoken by God's authorized servants when moved upon by the Holy Ghost.

I wasn't going to post until I noticed that this section of the BB forum was open to all Christians. Also, as a former youth myself, I didn't think it would be inappropriate to provide guidance to current youths. I actually looked for any specific guidelines in regard to this section of the forum, but I couldn't find any so I figured it would be okay.

Love-in-Christ-ingly yours

pseudogratix @ Luke: "What's in there?" Yoda: "Only what you take with you."

 

pseudpgratix, I will not get into a discussion of mormon beliefs here because that is NOT the intent of the Baptist Board. However, I do want to make sure everyone who reads your posts, from teens to senior adults, is explicitly clear about the fact that there are HUGE differences in what we believe.

In fact, to register, you had to agree to the Statement of Faith from the Baptist Faith and Message (SBC) and clearly stated by the owner of this board. I would think there are some things in that Statement of Faith that would be hard for you to agree with, based on mormon beliefs.

Just so we are all clear, this includes words written and spoken by Joseph Smith and all current and past presidents of the mormon church.

CJ

[ September 23, 2003, 07:42 AM: Message edited by: computerjunkie ]

 

Thanks again for taking the time to post to me computerjunkie.

Perhaps the current policy is different then when you registered as when I signed up all I was asked to agree to was the rules listed at http://www.baptistboard.com/postingrules.html

-at-what-the-problem-is-ingly yours

pseudogratix @ Luke: "What's in there?" Yoda: "Only what you take with you."

[ September 23, 2003, 08:57 AM: Message edited by: pseudogratix ]

 

The fact that you know how bad it hurts your walk with the Lord is a good sign.

I dealt with it, also, and it just got to the point where I realized I kept in sin because I couldn't stand how good Jesus looked.

But the easiest way to stop sinning is to stop sinning. And don't be afraid of good Godly council. Ask others to pray for you, and be specific.

I'll send one up fer ya.

 

Take the matter to the Lord in prayer daily. Sometimes He delays as a test to see if you are serious.

 

Check out Every Man's Battle and Every Young Man's Battle . Both deal with sexual temptation. EYMB deals specifically with taking control of your thought-life.

In CHrist,
Trotter

 

If you are curious about how Mormonism compares to Christianity check out http://www.hismin.com/

She was a former translator in the Mormon Chruch and lived in Salt Lake City. He was a sixth generation Mormon. He could trace his ancestors abck to 1830 when the church was ofunded.