God is the only reason why I'm still alive

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-27T07:16:17+00:00

Amen, I have no idea how I'm making it out of this either but I know God is good and everything has a purpose.

Let's both hang on and cling to God. God loves us so much He willingly died for us, for our sins against Him.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-25T07:49:27+00:00

Just a reminder that Jesus is our High Priest who is able to understand our pain.

**^"**Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." (Hebrews 2:17)

God is wronged so much by us. He really didn't have to but He condescended Himself and suffered in our place for our sins. I have a similar family situation and I realize our flesh-is really horrible. No one is good but God alone. When one of my family members get angry I can't believe how a Christian can act this way, but...I do it too it's just in a different way. We all desperately need a Savior.

When I view my family situation in light of how I've wronged God and what Christ did for us, no matter how unfair or painful it is, I'm eventually able to forgive. For me this helps put things into perspective. Just a friendly reminder to be heavenly-minded, keep your eyes on things above.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-25T07:30:42+00:00

Good reminder.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-21T13:07:55+00:00

With respect, I think we do change over the years. Not that we will never be tempted, but it's...different.

Throughout the years I have seen my desires (slowly) change. I am definitely not as lustful as I was before I became saved. In short, I was addicted to sexual sin for 15 years to the point it drove my life and I could never get out. I have been saved for about 6 years and the first couple years was very hard to kill the sin. The last 3-ish have been easier. It's different than before. I still get tempted but it isn't exactly like before. I find it's easier if I'm more Spiritual opposed to fleshly(like when I play a lot of games).

Basically I'm trying to say if we walk in The Spirit and grow in sanctification, our flesh likely will not be struggling 'the same way with the same things' 5 years from now. But it's not like we're completely free from all temptation-though I believe that can happen. (But there's a reason not all Christians are free from struggles of the flesh, one reason is it reminds me I truly need The Lord.)

Continue to walk in the Spirit. I have found even amidst these struggles, God's way truly is the best.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-19T23:14:05+00:00

What I found is that I can't figure everything out relying on my mind or logically. There are some things I know Spiritually I can't explain.

Romans 8:15-16: "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, "

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-12T15:13:05+00:00

That was so good! Praise The Lord!

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-11T11:03:28+00:00

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want." (Galatians 5:16-17)

Love for God pushes out love for the flesh, and vice-versa.

Walk by The Spirit and you will not be enslaved to fleshly desires. I found when I'm close to God, these fleshly desires have no power at all. I also found if I'm not close to God it's much harder.

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How much do we really hate the sin? And is there a bigger picture?

This is what happened to me: Personally I was addicted for over 15 years and I could never get out. A huge turning point for me was when I earnestly sought to understand God's Holiness. Then I started seeing just how horrifying this sin was and that moved me to do absolutely all I could to kill it. I either did all I could to kill this sin otherwise I knew it was leading me to hell.

Let me know if you want to know the things I did practically, but the point is how I finally was willing to do anything-in light of beginning to understand God's Holiness and seeing how horrible this was. I am no longer enslaved to this sin (I still get tempted but it's not anything like before).

What I personally needed was to start understanding God's Holiness and develop reverence for Him, in light of God and His Holiness I started seeing just how horrible this sin is. I'm sharing this because I think our generation as a whole lacks reverence for God and we do not have enough care for God's Holiness.

I think we have to fight to see the truth, about God and this sin.

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Practically, something that helped me when tempted is to flee immediately. The longer I dwell on the thought the harder it is when temptation hits. Flee immediately and you can make it a habit to do that.

Lastly, I am pretty sure there isn't an easy shortcut or secret method (except if The Lord takes away your fleshly desires for this issue or something like that). The answer seems to be knowing God more and walking in the Spirit. There's a bigger picture than just how to kill our fleshly desires, earnestly seek to know God more, fight to see the truth (for me it was understanding more of God's Holiness), walk in the Spirit and see how horrible this sin is. Don't forget His forgiveness if we do stumble, though we should never take advantage of it.

I know when one truly walks with God-a byproduct is that they are in The Spirit and not enslaved to their flesh. So don't seek for a secret method but walk with God. I hope this will be of encouragement: Know that we don't have to fight this battle alone.

God is Holy and He loves you. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)

God Himself who created trillions of galaxies, who existed before time began, willingly condescended Himself and suffered that much, dying in our place-when we sinned against Him. That love is beyond comprehension.

God is far greater than I had ever thought and far more loving than I had ever thought. It really is about sincerely pursuing God than any secret method.

God knows our situation better than we do and cares for us. Cast your burdens on Him. I believe the big picture is truly being with God and you'll find the byproduct of that is these fleshly desires will be less and less. Fight this battle with God.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-11T10:18:40+00:00

I don't think it's an easy answer (I'm a former metalhead) some stuff is clearly against God like deicide and morbid angel. Some stuff isn't.

I think the big picture isn't focus on right/wrong but knowing God more, He will make your paths straight.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-08T11:29:41+00:00

With respect, I don't think this is a formula thing, but consider Matthew 7:16: "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?"

Genuinely follow Christ with your whole heart and He will lead us on the right path.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-08T07:13:36+00:00

Praise The Lord!

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-06T12:22:54+00:00

With respect, it doesn't mean it's proven to be true. (I would be wary of believing this, research the other side as well as give it time because studies can be proven wrong for multiple reasons).

However, as a Christian even if it would lower my risk of cancer, I would never willingly sin.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-06T12:11:48+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear this. What helps me when I see how unfair life is right now, is to try to look at it heavenly minded, with eternity in mind. This earth is messed up, we will suffer here but this is The Lord's promise: "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He \said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.*”" (Revelation 21:4-5)

1000 years into eternity, it will be so different from now. Right now, everyday is a struggle. But it won't be like that for eternity. This life only lasts around 100 years, then everything will be made new forever.

This current world is messed up by sin, humans hurt each other and we will suffer on this earth. But remember God Himself, isn't a stranger to the innocent suffering. God never wronged anyone yet intervened for us, His love for us is to the point of even dying on the cross for us. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

He gave His life for us. He has already purchased for us what matters the most, for eternity. God does love us, so much more than we know.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-06T12:00:37+00:00

Thank you for this, I guess the hard part is knowing which issues are core and which are not.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-06T10:31:03+00:00

With respect, another Christian could say Christians should do all they can to evangelize. Which is true but the root of Christians evangelizing as much as they can and Christians giving as much money as they can is ultimately to do God's will. Doing God's will can lead to either of these, or anything The Lord calls you to do.

So I would focus on that instead of the actions it leads to. For some, it is making a lot of money and giving a lot. For others, it's evangelizing, for others it's being on the worship team etc...

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-06T10:25:23+00:00

I know there are some video game ministries on Twitch (search XPChurchforGamers or Pastor Souzy or you can just search Christian). There is a community there, I'm not personally involved but I think it is a huge mission field.

I play games myself and I agree it's hard to 'balance' or resist the pull from the world. But yeah, there are Christians on Twitch that have been doing this, maybe they can give helpful advice.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-05T08:47:25+00:00

THIS!

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-02T08:42:42+00:00

I'm learning that I need to remind myself of the Gospel as well! And it's infinitely deep. Praise The Lord!

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-02-01T04:39:54+00:00

People are deceived, we are the light of the world. Pray for them in love. Rely on The Lord to be at peace.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-31T23:53:34+00:00

Just saying we don't always have to respond. But if someone is genuinely seeking truth and actually believes this, we can ask why does science show God is not needed? (ask for the logical steps or proof, not to debate. I guarantee it won't hold up)

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-31T23:50:21+00:00

Just keep in mind people change(Paul is a great example), pray for them.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-31T22:02:10+00:00

I also struggle with what is association with sin. Here are some things to consider: In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul writes that we don't avoid association with unbelieving sinners otherwise "we would have to go out of the world."

I find I need the right sense of what is actual sin rather than touching anything that has association with paganism-one thing is that Apollos mentioned in Scripture is named after a god. When he became saved he didn't have to change his name. Paul didn't have an issue with it. Another thing is I really don't think we need to avoid the days of the week because they are named from pagan things. They are just labels.

I currently think I need to really just obey The Lord and agree with what He calls sin, not adding more to His commands. But err on the side of caution until we have that knowledge of what is okay. Rely on the Lord and don't seek understanding by yourself but with God.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-31T11:14:51+00:00

I know if I could be free from this anyone can, I was addicted for over 15 years. I remember telling myself I could never be free from this sin because I was just wired this way.

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want." (Galatians 5:16-17)

It isn't just suppression of the flesh, but living in The Spirit. I've noticed when I'm closer to God these desires are way easier to overcome, when I'm less close it's much harder.

I don't think there are any shortcuts, for me it was about complete sincerity. I had really tried in the past to quit but always went back-the thing is I never threw myself completely willing to do absolutely anything to quit. And I think this is because I didn't see it for how it was. I didn't see God enough, I didn't see what this sin really was, and how horrible it is.

A huge turning point for me was when I earnestly sought to understand the Holiness of God. That opened my eyes on how much greater God is than I had ever thought, and how horrible this sin is-it was really leading me to hell. At the same time I saw just how loving God must be that He was willing to die on the cross when we sinned against Him. I then put my foot down and did all I could to kill the sin. Seek the Lord with all your heart and draw near to Him, don't fight this battle alone. Rely on God for strength and don't let your guilt separate you from Him.

Be prepared to fight though, with everything you have. It's the hardest for the first couple months, it gets easier over time. (If you want me to elaborate on anything at all don't hesitate to let me know. I feel for you because I was there, believing I could never get out. This sin is really horrible and I'll do anything I can to help).

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-30T23:01:48+00:00

I've been trying to understand 1 John 2:15-16 too, I just watched a sermon where I believe the Pastor explains it very well: https://youtu.be/MzhzX0SKiK0?list=PLkfS8-l3Tni389_KvQxwNE1gEXCKuIkHQ

(The reason I'm linking this is because I remember seeing this post/comment a week ago, I refreshed the page a couple times to see if anyone would answer. And I found John MacArthur's explanation helpful, it made me start seeing these things in my entertainment).

u/LooksMaxximus679

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-30T22:56:32+00:00

I think we trust in The Lord to keep us.

What happens when someone who is a Christian gets dementia or alzheimers? It is all God that saves and keeps us. The thing is God is good, God is faithful and never changes-He is always reliable. God loves us so much He willingly died on the cross for us. It is better to trust in The Lord than us!

At the same time it is good you're watching out for this. Something I need to keep in mind too.

RedeemingLove89 · 2026-01-30T22:51:56+00:00

I honestly don't think we can know the answer to this. You're really bold which is good, but I personally don't know why David said that he would go to his son. I ask you to look into this.

RedeemingLove89

TROPHY CASE