Struggle with sin | SermonIndex

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

You might think its odd that I just posted a thread related to perfection, to then post a thread on the fact I'm struggling with sin, but here goes.

I struggle with a pretty bad sin. I don't commit this sin when I am in His will and Spirit. But whenever I stray from God in some way the devil comes and whacks me with a temptation I can't really bare. I've tried many things to not avoid this sin, with limited success. I know the Bible says:

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
-James 4:6-7 NASB

And I know that I only fall into sin because of pride (like Zac Poonen teaches). I mean, any disobedience is pride. "My will over Your will."

There are reasons I disobey. For example I find it hard to wait on the Lord sometimes and I go after idols for satisfaction, enjoyment, or fulfillment. I know I posted how I wanted to pursue science and I have good reasons to pursue it, but it still becomes an idol when God wants me to go through a trial or wait on Him and I turn to studying instead of obeying His voice.

Any advice, help, or counsel?

A

Areadymind Aug 20, 2012

"And I know that I only fall into sin because of pride..."

This may be partially true, but I think there is another dynamic for you to consider. The struggle you are describing is nothing new Noah. Many of us have been there, myself included. I will fall right back there if I forget where God has taken me. This slough of despondency is a frequent haunt the devil takes us to.

II Peter chapter 1, Galatians 3, Romans 6, and 1 Corinthians 15, as well as the exact verse you quoted from James have been the deep resevoirs of uplifting biblical truth which has taken me out of that pit.

II Peter 1 is helpful in that it explains the walk of faith as an active pursuit instead of a reactive one. What I mean is that when we actively engage in what Peter tells us to do with faith as the primary starting point, and we "add" to it the dynamic aspects of the Divine Nature available to us as described in verses 5-7, we are promised by the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle, that we will "Never fall."

If the Devil has us in a reactive mentality, always fighting every sin fire, one at a time, then he has us where he wants us...ineffective, and always struggling with guilt and circular condemnation.

If however we have the humility to recognize our inability to possess the divine nature of our own volition, and that it is something that has been given then we are in the proper place of reception to engage our faith on the offensive, the active, the engaged, instead of the reactive.

If we are "Adding" to our faith, then that action automatically begets a built in temptation resistance. These truths have delivered me from so much misery and guilt. Finally, we must recognize the desperate need we have to "Grow in grace" as Peter says to end the Epistle. We grow in Grace...not by any law. "As ye have received Christ, so walk ye in him." The secret to victorious Christian living is discovered in this verse. If you had the faith to receive forgiveness with humility then you received the grace of God in the beginning of your faith. To perpetuate your faith, you must continue in that exact same mode of being until the day you see Him face to face. If you can remember how that worked...continue in that!

I cannot tell you how much these truths have changed my life as a Christian...I will be praying for you tonight brother.

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

Dear Brother Noah, after reading your thread on 1Jn1:8 I can understand why you're struggling.

Please understand that our hearts are deceitful or even deceitfully wicked and Christ wants to show us that and show us that our hearts will ALWAYS [caps = just emphasis] come up with an "Excuse" for 'why' we should entertain a certain sin.

We'll cuss at someone that crosses us and say, "Well, he made me mad."

Or with sexual sin, the excuse will always come up - "Well, I'm only a man." - "It's a 'natural' thing." - "I need a bodily release or I'll die or something will explode." [Ha!] or "I need 'comforting' right now and this sin brings comfort."

Oh, the list goes on but I think you get the point - BUT this is not the life that Jesus lived and neither did Paul or John, etc..

Paul wasn't married. Jesus of course wasn't. Not sure if John was. We know that Peter was. But the point is that those that weren't married were able to give their flesh to GOD and abstain from All sexual sin.

Whenever a man [or woman] is tempted, they should try to get a mental picture of Jesus into their heads. I don't mean some "visualization" technique - but bringing HIM into our focus, would make us see the disgusting-ness of any particular sin.
If these Holy men of GOD could go a life-time without a wife and be holy - then that proves these quacky-doodle 'experts' of today as Liars -- that a man Can Indeed live without ... well, you know. And so can a woman.
There have been countless single Missionaries, both male and female, that have lived celebate, pure lives.

The enemy and our flesh lie to us and more often it's our own flesh making EXCUSES of why we "deserve" a certain lapse into our favorite sin.... and that's a bunch of hogwash. (: I like that word "hogwash". or Bolderdash [however that's spelt :).

When your flesh begins to act up - just tell it - "Hogwash" - "You're just making excuses again to do this." - "You want to be catered to or cater to yourself."

King David spoke to his own soul in his Psalms.

We're tempted of our own lusts and not because these things are "NEEDS" - as the world, the flesh and the devil would try to convince of that they are. Those are just EXCUSES.
Tricky flesh! If we have one sin that we struggle with the most it only means that we have a duffle-bag full of "excuses" to excuse ourselves of that one favorite sin of ours.

Does this make sense to you? We shouldn't blame the devil ... because GOD won't when we see HIM Face to face.

At least you're willing to bring this before the Body for answers. That's a Major Plus.

So next time you're tempted, just tell your flesh - "Baulderdash" - "Boloney" - "That's hogwash, you self-gratifying creature within me." -- "You're a liar" - "I LOVE JESUS TOO MUCH TO DO THIS WHILE HE'S WATCHING ME every moment of the day." - "And HE has MUCH BETTER Things for me to do right now." - "And He wants to use me to be like He was, when He was on this earth .... because now I am called to be and do what He did cuz He's Inside of me." and "My Love For Jesus won't let me do this."

Talk to your flesh and as Paul gave so many admonistions - "Flee - buffet - bring under submission - etc." - and Paul surely wouldn't have said these things if it was Impossible - but quite the contrary - GOD chose a Un-married man, Paul, to give the Absolute Most advise on this particular/certain bodily/fleshly craving...
Isn't/wasn't GOD Smart to choose Paul!?! ... :) .... so talk to your flesh as if you're talking to an unruly member and tell him what Jesus or Paul would - Amen!?!

Each time you do - you'll become Stronger in spirit and those excuses will be exposed and cast away.

The LORD GOD Richly BLESS you, my friend
in HIS Love.

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

I just wanted to add that when I do avoid this sin successfully, I avoid it two ways. One way is in His Spirit. That works with no downfalls. The other way is to avoid situations that cause the sin. When I do this I fall into another sin which is to judge others who don't overcome the same type of sin!!! I honestly believe God rather's me fall into the sin and repent with a "beating my breast" humility than to overcome the sin in my flesh and be prideful about it!

...

I am not always in the Spirit and will at times be tempted in my weakness. So this seems the only way (somehow):

"So next time you're tempted, just tell your flesh - "Baulderdash" - "Boloney" - "That's hogwash, you self-gratifying creature within me." -- "You're a liar" "

"Talk to your flesh and as Paul gave so many admonistions - "Flee - buffet - bring under submission - etc.""

S

Sree Aug 20, 2012

And I know that I only fall into sin because of pride (like Zac Poonen teaches). I mean, any disobedience is pride. "My will over Your will."
There are reasons I disobey. For example I find it hard to wait on the Lord sometimes and I go after idols for satisfaction, enjoyment, or fulfillment.

I believe you have identified the cause your self. You have great head knowledge but struggle in putting them to life. As a person who was in your similar state of mind not too long ago, I would like to give you a scripture that revealed Jesus to me, for freeing me from this pride.

I felt the same that I was not waiting for God to give me but intern grab things for myself, resulting in Sin. This is human nature, we are all born with our fist closed, trying to grab things for ourself. But look at how Jesus came to earth,

Philippians 2-5:-Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be GRASPED, but EMPTIED Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Jesus came to this earth emptying himself. He did not grasp for himself that highest thing that anyone can grasp which is 'Equality with God'. He came here empty handed and even when he died he died with his Palm wide open to accept the Nails on the cross for my sins. Now with this revelation, let us think about the things that we are now trying to hold for our self, are they worthy to be grasped? Are we not supposed to have same attitude as Christ had. This revelation changed my whole attitude about things for which I am not waiting.

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

Sree you're really hitting the nail on the head and it hurts. It seems God wants to take away everything from me except seeking the Kingdom. And its a painful process. I have nothing else. He has stripped me.
I enjoy studying science. It makes me feel like I'm making some sort of progress with my life. I know Jesus is better. I've felt His love numerous times. But the trials, the stretching of my soul, is so painful and dark I flee to other comfort when I can't get His comfort quickly! Sometimes its setting my heart after the world again and studying. Or trying to have fun and drink a beer. I don't know what else to share on this topic. Its just a difficult life! And worldly progress is easier. I told the Lord the same thing. I forget how He responded exactly but something along the lines of "my kingdom isn't easy but its worth it"

Part of the reason I had/have investment in Christian Perfection/Baptism in the Spirit/Overcoming Life is because it offers hope of release from the devils schemes so I can just enjoy my life each day seeking the Lord a couple hours and praying then studying science and/or working a job while being a light wherever I go

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

AlreadyMind:

I'm not sure if or how this will help. I want to comment further on what you said near the bottom. When I first became a Christian I was learning in grace at a good church. But I soon went back to sin and was abusing grace. I was even turned over to the devil to learn not to blaspheme. I had many fears and doubts and sins. I even was in and out of mental hospitals. What it seems like has happened to me now is a type of visiting-iniquity/unremitted-sin-scenario causing me grief to teach me not to abuse grace, go back into sin, and oh to humble me.

I say this because my "voices" say REPEATEDELY why i have no freedom is "your iniquity... your iniquity... your iniquity". Their answer is "seek the kingdom"

And its not that I don't know of answers to my questions its just that I struggle with all this.

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

Brother Noah, I sincerely believe this about you - "being a light wherever I go".

I think you're called to be and don't mean that because it's just scriptural but because I do believe you're called personally to this beautiful calling and that's probably why you're under attack.
I'm trying to say that in a way that you'll understand that you do have a calling on your life and well - some folks do seem to show off more of His Light than others. I'm of the opinion that you're one of them.

It's something, but we all have something that seems to want to rob us of this light - but have you ever noticed that when you're involved with helping others, praying for others, thinking about others' problems and ways that they need help - that while thus occupied, thoughts of 'self' aren't there?

I've noticed that myself and thought, well, Jesus always thought of others and never about Himself. Made sense to me that that might very well be 'the mind of Christ'. "Others-minded-only & always".

Dying to self is impossible unless we replace that void with what Jesus would do or have us to do and having a burden for others, in whatever way 'He' burdens us toward - leaves very little time to cater to those things that beckon to us toward self.

We can also tell all other 'voices' to "Shut-up!" :o)

Jesus Truly Loves you, Brother Noah!!

Oh, and P.S. - The JOY of The LORD 'is' our Strength.
A merry hearth makes good like a medicine!

L

lindi1208 Aug 20, 2012

Hi Noah

JIG wrote
"I've noticed that myself and thought, well, Jesus always thought of others and never about Himself. Made sense to me that that might very well be 'the mind of Christ'. "Others-minded-only & always". "

Amen sister! That is very true of Our Lord. Brother Noah your struggle is not yours alone many of us are or have been in the same boat. I am the least to give you any sound advice but there is one scripture that keeps coming to mind and you mentioned it in an earlier post that We must "Submit to God resist the devil and he will flee from you".

Like our dear sister said if we turn our thoughts towards Him and have the same mind that was also in Christ Jesus, we will be able to draw strength from Him hence we are able to resist temptation. When we don't focus on the sin before us but turn our minds onto others perhaps through prayer or picking up the phone and calling a brother or sister, grace is available to divert our minds from the sin before us!

This is a war brother the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh the two are contrary! And yes the enemy is wagging a war against the saints but he will by no means conquer! I am struggling against sinful thoughts and it can be tiring to do so until I am gently reminded that it is not by might nor by power but by My Spirit says the Lord. When I keep my eyes on Him there is no struggle but perfect peace. When I take my eyes off Him I fall and stumble! So all I can say from my experience is set your eyes on Jesus! I know that the enemy also lies to us that because we have sinned we shouldn't bother to pray but reject those thoughts! John wrote if we say we do not sin we lie but when we sin if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sin.

Please brother Noah do not misunderstand me sin is sin God is Holy and He hath purer eyes that will not look on evil. The very fact that you are concerned about sin in your life is a sure sign that He is working in your life and I pray that you, me and all believes will never get comfortable with sin in Jesus name Amen

Much love in Christ !

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

JIG:

I hear you and agree. I was just out and about getting things for people (food and drink) just to bless them and I was at peace. My heart wants to love people and be that light. But my heart gets lifted up sometimes and ruins any good deed I could do. I get on my knees and repent and beg God to let me to a pride-less deed.

"I've noticed that myself and thought, well, Jesus always thought of others and never about Himself. Made sense to me that that might very well be 'the mind of Christ'. "Others-minded-only & always"."

yes i think you are onto something. also sorry for so many post about my self. It sure is nice to hear from saints about these things. I like hearing both sides and other perspectives to put them to the test to make sure, to solidify, my beliefs about something.

Lindi1208:

"We must "Submit to God resist the devil and he will flee from you"."

"When we don't focus on the sin before us but turn our minds onto others perhaps through prayer or picking up the phone and calling a brother or sister, grace is available to divert our minds from the sin before us!"

The Lord brought this to my mind before you posted: calling a brother from my church and asking him if I can call him during a hard temptation. Someone offered that to me before. It might help for a while till i get more strength in the area. Nice to know the Holy Spirit is speaking the same things to us.

"When I keep my eyes on Him there is no struggle but perfect peace."

Thanks for the encouragement. Exactly what I need right now. Encouragement to fight.

love in Christ

I

IssacharSon Aug 20, 2012

Jesus-Is-God wrote:

“At least you're willing to bring this before the Body for answers. That's a Major Plus.”

Congrats! NoahJD, you are already in the process of overcoming in your faithful obedience to God’s Word stated in the very same verses you (rather prophetically) quoted in your previous thread on I John 1:8. In the current thread, you exemplify the truth of I John 1:9.

It is encouraging to see a fellow saint show such faithful honesty and a beautifully repentant heart amdist the struggle with besetting sin. I John 1:9 can offer such a one rest in the ceaseless activity of Our Master as His grace sets in to “cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). He has cleansed you, NoahJD. Now, just BELIEVE Him! Observe how your spirit refuses to submit to the body's perpetual attempts to justify your sin. You are well aware that God's grace will not justify your sin - but I hope that you are equally aware that the Lord'd grace will not give up on loving and delivering the sinner.

The valuable self-reflection you exhibit in the midst of your struggle with sin is a rare and precious response to one’s own iniquity! Evidence that you are in the process of being delivered, Brother! For, we know that we cannot deliver ourselves. Now, Rest in God’s work.

Jesus-Is-God wrote:

“- but have you ever noticed that when you're involved with helping others, praying for others, thinking about others' problems and ways that they need help - that while thus occupied, thoughts of 'self' aren't there?”

As Jesus-Is-God observed, the Lord is fashioning you to be used for His glory. He could be using your current struggle to prepare your spirit to minister to and deliver others from the same besetting sin experience. Perhaps your struggle with this sin will prepare you for godly service unto the Lord where “you’re involved with helping others, praying for others, thinking about others’ problems and ways that they need help” with the very same sin.

NoahJD wrote:

“I just wanted to add that when I do avoid this sin successfully, I avoid it two ways. One way is in His Spirit. That works with no downfalls. The other way is to avoid situations that cause the sin.”

NoahJD, what a blessed revelation from the Lord! In His Spirit, He may use your experience not to “avoid situations” which prompt this sin, but rather, to face these very circumstances, but in service to help deliver others. Which could also serve to deliver you from the accompanying folly “to judge others who don't overcome the same type of sin!!!” (NoahJD) by placing you in His service to minister to, counsel, and encourage the “others who don’t overcome the same type of sin” (ibid).

I am so grateful for saints like you, NoahJD, who have the spirit to reflect so deeply upon their sins instead of blame or cover them up. A true mark of spiritual maturity in the Lord! I pray for such humility and spiritual insight.

Thank you, NoahJD,

Love-in-Christ,

KP

sermonindex Aug 20, 2012

IssacharSon:

"You are well aware that God's grace will not justify your sin - but I hope that you are equally aware that the Lord'd grace will not give up on loving and delivering the sinner."

exactly. as time goes on i realize He wont forsake me. I've said mean things to Him and He still loves me.

"I John 1:9 can offer such a one rest in the ceaseless activity of Our Master as His grace sets in to “cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). He has cleansed you, NoahJD. Now, just BELIEVE Him!"

Thank you for that. I have a longing for this rest in His grace. I have experienced so much of the other.

I do hope to be used in ways how you and JIG have said. There's nothing better than to love people with no desire for anything in return--just to give.

about me confessing all this. I just thank the Lord he granted me enough humility. like I said i struggle with pride. He has brought me through so much.. Like hiding sin and being cold and hypocritical. Its very tiring not having love. *sigh*

bless you KP