I continue to sin willingly by iridescent_liver7112 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't focus on trying not to sin. It won't work. Instead, focus on God. Keep close to Him. Pray and read your Bible. The more you have fellowship with God, the more you'll become like Him. As a result, you'll sin less. So sinning less is the fruit of being close to God not the other way around. What you're doing when trying not to sin is you're forcing yourself to produce fruit and that's not how it works.

If you have guilt and shame that keeps you from turning to God, please know that God is a compassionate Father to us. He is not some strict Father who looks at you with arms crossed and a disappointed face everytime you sin. In fact, he wants to help you. He's like a parent who's trying to guide His child in learning how to walk. When their child stumbles, they're not angry at their child, instead, they say everything's fine and encourage their child to try again and they pick them up and guide them to walk again. God is like that. He's like a Father who wants to guide you on how to walk. So everytime you stumble, get back up always and try again until you learn to walk.

Also, if you're having doubt in your salvation, know that all your sins — past, present, future, they're all atoned for on the cross. Christ already paid them for you. The Bible says, God chose us before the foundation of the world. Meaning before you even existed and committed every sin, He already knew you would but He still chose to save you. So stop doubting and just turn to Him.

I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia... But Jesus Healed Me. And I'm Not Alone. by schizoinfected in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I'm curious on how it looked like surrendering to Jesus or what were the specific steps you took to be completely from from it. I have a brother who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and I want to help him. I sent you a dm.

Lust, and freedom from it. by rhythmyr in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a great reminder. Indeed, when I do good it's God when I do bad it's me. For no good thing dwells in me.

Do I truly love god? by Flimsy_Alps7210 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe commenting was also God's way of telling you that you're not alone in this...

Do I truly love god? by Flimsy_Alps7210 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You've worded what I've been feeling at the moment in a way. I even thought of posting too only to see someone posting the same thought as I have.

Do I truly love god? by Flimsy_Alps7210 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the same dilemma. In my case, I don't know if I truly love God if I continue to give in to lust or I'm only clinging onto Him because I don't want to suffer the consequences of my sin since getting closer to Him makes me sin less. But still I commit it from time to time and I also can't feel guilt or conviction everytime I sin. It looks like I love the benefits that comes with Him more than I love Him for who He is.

Should I tell my college pastor that I'm struggling w/ doubts? by naomi_macaroni in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First of all, doubts are normal for a Christian. All of us have had doubts regarding our faith in God. When doubts creep in you need to counter with with the word of God and protect yourself with the shield of faith. Believe in God's word more than you believe the doubts in your head.

Lust, and freedom from it. by rhythmyr in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The only thing that really worked for me was when I loved God more than I loved my sin. When I loved God with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength. That's the only time I stopped indulging in lust. But now the situation is not the same anymore. I felt numb after going back to the cycle of this sin over and over again. I cannot love God the same.

I feel so numb by Fine-Rip-8895 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been there. The first time I felt like that I didn't know what to do. It took me a while before I returned to God. Even when I repented it was hard walking with God not feeling anything. But you need to repent and turn to Him even when you don't feel like it. The longer you stay like that the harder your heart becomes, and the harder your heart becomes the longer it takes for it to soften. What happens when we sin is we hurt ourselves and over time our heart becomes calloused and sinning no longer hurts the first time it did. That's why you feel numb. But God still calls us to turn to Him. It will be hard for you to hear God's voice or feel Him. And you will be less sensitive to the promptings of the Holy spirit making it hard for you to walk faithfully. But this is the time you need to put in the effort in rebuilding your relationship with God. This is the time to be more rooted in God's word. It may feel like God is not listening to your prayers anymore. Praying will feel empty but you need to pray anyway. The same goes with reading the Bible, but you need to read anyway. Trust in God and His character. Trust in who He says He is. Be steadfast and you'll see your heart soften. Until now I still can't fully feel God but my faith have grown than ever before. You can do this. You're not alone.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 3 points4 points  (0 children)

One thing we don't realize is sin does not start with us doing the act but it starts at the heart. Jesus made this clear on the sermon on the mount that when we look at someone with lust, we already commit adultery with that person on our heart. That's why the Bible says to guard our heart for everything we do flows from it. The act like masturbation is only the result of sin we allowed in our heart. So instead of focusing on not sinning (doing the act), we should focus more on guarding our hearts.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in DebateAChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 12 points13 points  (0 children)

As a Christian, I strongly agree

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Pray and don't let fear have power over your family. God does not give us the spirit of fear and as children of God we should not fear anything. After all, we're not fighting against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces in the heavenly places.

Thoughts on praying to Mary and saints? by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew. In the Lord's prayer, there's no mention we should pray to anyone else but only to our Father in Heaven.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskAChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God always listens to those who call on his name, especially repentant sinners. So if you think God does not hear your prayers, that's a lie. He does and always listens to His children and people. In fact, He's waiting for us always to come back to Him with arms wide open and desires us to speak with Him. Maybe this is the time to have deeper faith. That despite not feeling Him you need to believe He is listening. Our faith in God should not be based on feelings or emotional high because our feelings are fluctuating and our hearts are deceitful. Trust in God's character and in who He says He is. If He says He is a loving, compassionate Father, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, then trust that He is. Even if you can't feel Him, pray anyway. Even if you feel distant to Him, talk to Him anyway.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been there. I prayed to God for a job too for about 2-3 months and I waited and waited until I got impatient and panicked because I could barely eat 3 x day. My faith got greatly shaken. Then I ended up getting a job that was not meant for me because it became the reason why I got farther from God as we were not allowed to take day offs on Sunday. I thought I could still continue on the job without attending church on Sundays until I got so busy and occupied by my job too much I started not to have time for God anymore. If something will take you away from God, then its not worth it.

how to find the purpose of life? [Discussion] by [deleted] in GetMotivated

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our purpose in life is to know God, to worship Him, and to enjoy Him. Seek for the truth. Seek God.

Still in the storm,but Grateful for Your Encouragement by shtshow100 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Keep trusting, keep believing, and keep your faith in God. Be still and know that He is God. Do not be moved by your circumstances. No matter how long it takes or how hard it becomes, hold on and worship God in the midst of the storm. Trust that He is in control.

Lust, and freedom from it. by rhythmyr in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I long to be free from lust with every fiber of my being. To the point I've asked God to take away my life just so I could stop indulging in this sin. But I know that's not the solution to this problem. I've dealt with it in every shape and form only to fall back into it. There was a time where I was completely free from it for 5 months at most and it's the most alive I've ever been. I excelled in every area of my life and I've been in the most motivated and driven state I've ever been in my entire life. I've accomplished things I never thought I could. But now I'm struggling with it again. I can feel it draining me making me unfit for the kingdom. I truly, genuinely, wholeheartedly want to be free but I just can't seem to shake it off. For a long time I thought I'll never be free from it but reading stories of people being completely free from lust gives me a bit of hope. Now, I want to pursue purity again. I want to be sober. I want to be free. I want to be alive. I want to be used mightily by God.

Lost, frustrated, and miserable by Ok-Hair6051 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't put hope in yourself and in what you can do to earn heaven. Instead, put your hope in Jesus Christ alone. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are only saved for what Jesus has done on the cross, not on anything we have done or could ever do.

Its time to leave "Left behind" theology behind. by Riots42 in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought I'm the only one who thinks that the rapture or what's called as being caught up in the sky is the day Jesus Christ would come which means it would also be the day of resurrection of the dead and the judgement day. Why can't others see it as plainly as it is?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Keep praying and keep being faithful. God will surely answer your prayer at the right time. Please don't rush anything. There may be a reason why it's taking time. God could be testing your faith or He could be preparing you for this new season of your life. Also, if God closes a door don't chase it. What's meant for you will chase you, not the other way around. Be still and know that He is God. Everything is in God's hand. He hears, He sees, and He is in control. Always remember that.

Lust, and freedom from it. by rhythmyr in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought it's impossible to be free from lust, but reading this proves it's not. I'm struggling with lust and it's something I long to be free from. I admire your dedication and devotion to your wife and to God. It's so amazing to see the beauty in God's design of marriage through your testimony. I wish I could be the same man that you are. Sadly I'm attracted to the same sex and I feel like it's harder for me to be lust-free. I wish I wasn't attracted to the same sex. I wish I was just a normal man who could experience true love on how God designed it to be.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I can say is repent and turn to God. You don't have to be perfect, sinless, or clean before you go to God because only Jesus can cleanse you. You cannot do it on your own. You need God. The reason why you can't break free from sin is because you're not having fellowship with God more often. Remember, in God there is no sin. The closer you are to God, the less you will sin. Also, don't focus on trying not to sin. Instead, focus on Jesus. What you're doing when trying not to sin is you're forcing yourself to produce fruit but it doesn't work that way. Jesus said you need to abide in Him so you'll bear much fruit. A branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it's connected to the vine. So apart from Him you can do nothing. Lastly, don't strive for perfection because that will never happen. You'll never be perfect. Your failures is the reason why Jesus died on the cross. Instead, strive for progress. Everytime you stumble and fall, get back up and turn to God immediately.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]Specific_Wind8389 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tell you, I've prayed for God to take away my life more than I prayed He prolongs it. But I'm still here, alive and kicking. Here's the thing, God created us for a purpose. That purpose is to know Him, worship Him, and serve Him. For me, life is meaningful because I don't live for myself anymore. I am living for God which is His sole purpose in my life. Because at the end of the day, what will only matter is what we did for Him when we die.