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Post by mike on Oct 7, 2017 14:34:31 GMT -6
anonymouse please know that many of us struggle with this or similar urges. None of us is immune to carnal urges or sinful temptations. Whether it's on the computer, on the TV, in the grocery store, work or otherwise our minds are the battleground. It's what we decide to do with those thoughts. Do we continue to entertain them and allow sin to spring forth? Personally speaking from a practical standpoint, when thoughts of carnal nature come into my head I try to make my next thought "the Holy Spirit is sitting here with me". I ask myself "if you really believe GOD is present with you, would you act the way you're acting or about to act". I apply this when driving too, man is that a tough task. Look at the passenger seat and think "Jesus is sitting there, am I really going to give this guy the finger!" Remember this too "we have a high priest who was tempted in every way we are and relates to us and intercedes for us". He knows what you're struggling with, look to Him in your weakness as His strength is made perfect when you are weak. Praying for you!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2017 20:18:46 GMT -6
anonymouse I am praying for you. First, I highly recommend reading The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley. It is the most freeing book I've ever read and will help you forgive yourself just as Christ has already forgiven you. Like Andrew says, "the cross worked". It is already paid for! I don't know if you're married or not, but I cannot even tell you how devastating this is from the other side. I know several women who have had to heal from the hurt their husband's addiction has caused them. Over 56% of divorces list pornography as part of the issue. The enemy wants to hurt us and our marriages. But even if you're single there are other issues besides just the immorality of it. Please see the website Fight The New Drug to see how it affects your brain and body, your relationships and society in general. Blazing Grace is a great Christian support site to help you as well. Again, I am praying for you. I also hope this might be of help to anyone else who needs it. fightthenewdrug.org/www.blazinggrace.org/
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Post by MikeTaft on Oct 18, 2017 13:33:08 GMT -6
anonymouse , I will keep you in prayer, and I ask you do me a favor and pray for me also, because for most of my life pornography, lust, and fornication have been the thorn in my side. Over many years the urge has become less and less, but usually when I am at my weakest is when Satan throws down the gauntlet. Just the other day I was in the same position you were, failing in my flesh, and on my knees in tears pleading to the Lord to not only take away these urges but to remove all my past memories of this sin. I even confessed it to my men's group last night seeking prayer and accountability. After reading the all the wonderful advice from our brothers, I can agree with them full heartily. The addictions we deal with all have something in common. It takes two weeks to form an addiction. When you do something that brings pleasure, your brain releases chemicals that form synapses (or connections) in your brain that say when you do x then that equals y (pleasure). Most research shows that it takes up to six months to break these connections which causes our addictions. These are what I believe what Paul refers to in the bible as "strongholds". Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit to battle and tear down these strongholds. As silentknight and others said, we need to shift our focus from pleasuring our selves, to forming a new addiction by taking pleasure in God. It requires us to deny ourselves, and turn to God. Remember how Peter saw Jesus standing on the water and asked to come out to Him? Jesus told Him to come and for a good bit Peter was walking on the water also! That was until he took his focus off Jesus and became afraid of the winds and water, and he sank like a rock. We too become afraid when temptation comes our way because we fear we cannot resist such a powerful temptation. With the Spirit inside us and through faith we can overcome our addictions by keeping our focus on the Lord. Trust me when I tell you I'm preaching to myself at the moment. So you fell the other day, as did I. But our loving Father picked us up, dusted us off, and said, "Don't fret my child. It's ok. I love you." When the Father sees us, He sees Jesus. We are seen as perfect and complete even though we ourselves see us in our flesh. Not only do we wrestle against the spiritual world of Satan and his horde setting traps for us and whispering in our ear, but we ourselves in our spirit wars against our flesh and vise versa. We are slowly being perfected by holy fire. Just keep your focus on God, as I will do the same and the urges will become less and less frequent until they are completely non-existent. God did the same with me and alcohol. Now me and Him are working through this issue as are you. Most importantly you are not alone in this. Many of us as you see here have struggled with the same addiction. We are all here for you and accountability helps. Both of us have been very transparent on this thread, and that's the first step. If you need an accountability partner feel free to PM me and we can trade contact numbers. In the end we can be rest assured that we will be healed and all the glory will be given to our amazing God!  Love yah bro! 
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Post by mike on Oct 18, 2017 20:10:58 GMT -6
^^^this we need this^^^ thank you MikeTaft |
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Post by boraddict on Nov 27, 2017 1:27:00 GMT -6
For so long now Ive been struggling with pornography, Ive read books, fasted, prayed but I still am in bondage and I come back to it again and again and again. Help me please! My soul cries out to be free. I long for the relationship Ive had with Yhwh, my heart cries and wants to be free. Please someone help me, I WANT TO BE FREE Pornography is a cancer to our society. Unfortunately, thousands if not millions of people profit from this cancer. They prey upon us like the lousy dogs that they are. Unfortunately for us, in the rapture that is, we take our addictions with us. Those who smoke will want a cigarette. Those who take medications or drugs will want those. Those who want pornography will want that. So how are we cured from these evil things? We are cured by an absolute conviction; nevertheless, we cave and justify. However, the time is close that we no longer will be able to cave and justify. We either follow Lord Jesus or we do not. The time is coming that we must decide. Who do we follow? A little something for Satan or a complete conviction to Christ. Easier said than done; I know. Nevertheless, these are the facts. Lord Jesus is calling the greatest leaders this world has ever known. Yes. They are the followers of Isaiah, Ezekiel, John, Peter, and most importantly Christ. Did these men give into pornography? Absolutely not. Then you, as one of the Savior's chosen should also not allow yourself to be enslaved by Satan. Stand up to your full potential and be the leader that you are. Let the dross burn away from the gold. You are better than the cancer that is upon you. Cast it off like the filth that it is and do not turn back to it like a dog returning to its vomit. Should we continue to twist the knife. How much more pain and suffering can we cause Lord Jesus? Does he feel nothing? Then stop this wickedness. Yes we are forgiven; but put yourself in the Savior's shoes. Which would he prefer? Someone who stands to his side, or someone who must first suffer in pain and anguish to stand at his side. He has already paid the price for you. Stop your suffering by standing strong with Christ. When Satan tempts you walk away. Remove the idols of pornography from you. Clean your house from anything that is remotely pornographic. Do not allow yourself to be tempted in this area. Easier said than done, I know. Nevertheless, no one said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it in the end. |
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Post by mike on Nov 27, 2017 15:20:30 GMT -6
boraddict Your take on things is quite different than that of what most are accustomed to. With that I'd ask you to support your statements with sound scriptural references. For example the rapture bible verses state: 1 Cor 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.1 Thes 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.How will a resurrected body desire cigarettes, or pornography? How will someone who is caught up to the heavens with Jesus make a decision to follow either Satan or Jesus? The answer is that you have a different take on things that doesnt line up with the Word of God. Please encourage others, do not tear down. Our brother struggles with real problems, came here for prayer and support and you've said he needs to choose who he's going to follow? He's already made that decision and is saved by Gods good grace!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2017 16:04:40 GMT -6
thank you mike . And let me add, when I saw your response boraddict , I struggled with the rules that we are not to put down another person's opinion in this forum and by disagreeing with your response to anonymouse , I am in some way, putting your opinion down. But I agree with mike here and I am concerned that the message you are sending is the exact opposite of what anonymouse needs to hear. Certainly, we are called to purity and none here would dispute that. But we find ourselves in a Romans 7 situation: Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
And since the chapter ends there, we do not typically go onto the next verse: Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Heirs with Christ
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We do not suddenly become more worthy or more righteous by trying harder, focusing, "letting the dross burn away from the gold", "casting off the filth", "turning not back toward the vomit", "not twisting the knife". These things are what makes us mindful of the flesh - the very thing that Paul is telling us not to do. Instead, we humbly accept the work that Christ has done and continues to do in our life. We are to be spiritually minded, knowing that there is now no condemnation. We walk in peace with the Father because Christ, in us, is life because of His righteousness. Not because of our attempts to be righteous. One must also take note that humility and confession are also qualities that come from the Spirit. It is true that Christ wants us clean, which is why, He says Isa 1:18 ... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
It is not us that accomplishes this cleansing. |
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Post by mike on Nov 27, 2017 20:56:02 GMT -6
boraddict please see Rule #1. Your view of the Rapture is a violation of this rule. Please cease this activity of your view of the rapture and perhaps learn the correct interpretation which can be reviewed in the stickied threads found here
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Post by boraddict on Nov 27, 2017 22:07:24 GMT -6
Thank you Mike. I will re read rule #1 and comply with that rule.
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Post by mike on Nov 27, 2017 22:09:46 GMT -6
This piece of the rule please
"A literal rapture of the Church to Heaven"
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Post by boraddict on Nov 27, 2017 22:13:20 GMT -6
thank you mike . And let me add, when I saw your response boraddict , I struggled with the rules that we are not to put down another person's opinion in this forum and by disagreeing with your response to anonymouse , I am in some way, putting your opinion down. But I agree with mike here and I am concerned that the message you are sending is the exact opposite of what anonymouse needs to hear. Certainly, we are called to purity and none here would dispute that. But we find ourselves in a Romans 7 situation: Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
And since the chapter ends there, we do not go onto the next verse: Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Heirs with Christ
Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
We do not suddenly become more worthy or more righteous by trying harder, focusing, "letting the dross burn away from the gold", "casting off the filth", "turning not back toward the vomit", "not twisting the knife". These things are what makes us mindful of the flesh - the very thing that Paul is telling us not to do. Instead, we humbly accept the work that Christ has done and continues to do in our life. We are to be spiritually minded, knowing that there is now no condemnation. We walk in peace with the Father because Christ, in us, is life because of His righteousness. Not because of our attempts to be righteous. One must also take note that humility and confession are also qualities that come from the Spirit. It is true that Christ wants us clean, which is why, He says Isa 1:18 ... though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
It is not us that accomplishes this cleansing. Thank you Silent. I stand corrected. |
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Post by boraddict on Nov 27, 2017 22:50:51 GMT -6
This piece of the rule please "A literal rapture of the Church to Heaven" Hi Mike. this makes me smile. I thought I was solid on this one. I just see it in three stages. I did revisit Rule #1 and will read it again and correct myself; thank you. |
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