Post published by renarin

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
Hebrews 12:1

Great verse @Sean Edie I like to think of this when tempted with sins and remember that there are angels and also demons watching. It helps to remember that the saints and angels war on our behalves. And we have a great high priest Jesus interceding to God on our half. All our guilt has been paid for by his precious blood.

If we can just remember that. Revelations 12:11 and they overcome Satan by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Next time Satan is tempting or accusing you. Tell him what the blood has done and does for you. He will flee quickly if You will just resist him.

Failure isn’t when we can’t get past a particular sin or struggle. Failure is when we stop fighting and give up. I have a photo I wanted to share, but can’t figure out how to upload it. It’s a quote from John Chrysostom: “Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave.”

I often give in because it seems like the fight ends up consuming my life more than the actual act. If I just release the need my mind feels guilty for a little while and then I just let it go and get on with other things. I feel like if the devil is able to keep us in constant battle he wins too. So how do we not let the fight consume us? From my understanding we should be able to learn how to sublimate the need into other things, but I have not learned how to do this effectively. Any suggestions?

The key is to not fight. Let Jesus fight for you. Seek Him and do what he calls us to. Preach the gospel, help the helpless, love God and study the Word.

This does not make sense to me. Because if I do not fight, I give in. If I give in then does this mean that I am failing to let Jesus fight for me? I am often talking to Jesus during the whole PMO. But I still feel guilty afterwads. I am sharing my faith with people, helping those in need, I love God to the best of ability, and I study the bible. So what am I missing?

I think Philippians 2:12-13 says it best. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose." we still need to work but realise that it's God working in us and that gives us the strength to fight

@Neil4jesus "Not fighting" for me looked like this: I would just sit still when the urges came and refuse to give into them. Sometimes I would sit like this for hours. But I had decided that I would not go back, no matter what. PMO is always a choice. I decided to choose differently. I couldn't help what was in my mind at first, but i could control what my hands did. So I forbid them to do anything. In those moments, as I submitted each thought to Jesus, no matter how depraved and horrible, I began to learn what it means to let him fight for us.

That sounds like fighting to me. I have tried that in the past and my body would respond by dry humping the bed until O, but that was awhile ago. I will see what happens this time as time goes by. Thanks for joining in this journey with me. I appreciate your mentorship. The thoughts are not the hardest for me anymore, it is when the desire/need takes over my body. But let's wait and see what happens this time. I will avoid P and resist the urges to touch myself and we will see ...

Your body will not do this of its own accord, outside of your control. If it happens while you are asleep, you do not control that. If you are awake, you have a choice and control over what your body does.

Porn is a worship problem. You are worshipping sex, or comfort, or anger and pride, or pity. Worship God. Fighting porn is exhausting. Worshipping God brings peace and rest even if you are active. Figure out what you are looking for in porn. Companionship? Love? Comfort? Are you angry at God?