What is my problem?

Question

I consider myself a good christian. I go to church every Sunday and I am in a religious group at school. But, for some reason, I always find myself doing or saying things that aren't very christian like. My group of friends don't think cussing is a good thing to do... but for some reason I find myself doing that around them.. and no where else it seems. I have done things with guys... things my friends would never think about doing (although I am still a virgin) I feel bad about it... then I end up doing it again. I even went to a party once. Most people see these things as not important... but to me they are very wrong... Why can't I just live a good Christian life?

Answer 1

Have you ever been born again? I mean, just because a person goes to church and tries to live the Christian life doesn't make them a true Christian you know. I don't mean to offend you but that's the first question that has to be answered before I can go on to suggest other possibilities.

Other than that, it usually comes down to the battle of the flesh and the Spirit as it is outlined in Galatians 5.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

If you find yourself more often than not on the losing end of that battle then you should consider the "two dogs" analogy. A man had a black dog and a white dog that he used to have fight each other. Someone asked him which one won the most and he told him the one he fed the most.

If you spend your time watching worldly TV shows and reading worldly magazines and hardly ever read the Bible then you are starving the "inner man" and making that part of yourself weak when sin comes knocking on the door. The "old man" would just open up the door of your life and invite sin to come on in. The "new man" tries to keep the door shut but if he is weak because you don't feed him then sin pushes it's way into your life.

Ephesians 4:20 But you did not thus learn Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and were instructed by Him, just as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Answer 2

It's called opposition in all things. Take comfort in knowing that you can apply Jesus Christ's atoning power in your life. In my services today that was a topic that was discussed quite often. As long as you keep trudging forward and trying then you will eventually conquer whatever it is that you keep slipping in. I look back on my life and as my knowledge has increased so has the light in my life. The stronger you become the easier it gets to overcome all the temptations. Those are little things and I have overcome many of the things you have mentioned. Just always keep to the path. You will know when you stray, then stop and get back on it. It's like I've tried to teach my children. You are blessed with a light and understanding, and when you do wrong your conscience lets you know, it's that sick feeling in your gut and you automatically know that the HolyGhost is leaving you. It's at that point that you know it's time to leave whatever situation you're in. If you follow those promptings you will always have that light with you to know right from wrong. Life is for learning, at least you have begun to build on a firm foundation. Don't be so hard on yourself. That is satan and his way of making you feel like a failure. You can do anything you set your mind on as long as you never give up. Take care..... and again don't be so hard on yourself, it's part of growing up.

Answer 3

Your considering yourself as a good christian does not make you a christian
Going to church every Sunday does not make a christian.
These are the two qualities you have, to present you as a christian.
The rest all what you explained are against the christian life.
You are unable to be a christian because you love the life outside, more than a christian life.

Answer 4

Leading a "christian life" isnt based solely on going to Church, reading a bible, and praying to a God. You don't have to do any of those things, because those are simply institutions controlled by people. Being Christian involves the whole self, and you have to be connected to God. Human actions and thoughts can't express what God wants us to do, because God is beyond our understanding. And, living a christian life is hard because, religion and God have totally been annihilated from western society. All people care about now is money, materialism, and pleasing themselves.

Answer 5

My dear, Do you believe in the Lord? That is all it takes to be a good Christian. We were put on this earth to do Gods work. and yes the tongue is like a sword. It cuts and it hurts. try to walk and talk in the name of Jesus. We are only human. Let god shake your hand every day and he will live through your words and you spirit. I know right now it may seem a horrible thing to bear but God has put you here for a purpose. Me too. Find your way, you have helped me find mine. Peace

Answer 6

Well, just like in Islam - it's the struggle of free will. You want to submit to the Will of God and His Commands, but it's hard to do, b/c your own desires come in the way. The fact that you are pushing and pulling though, is a good thing. Continue to strive to be that good person - and stay away from the bad deeds. But, yeah, Allah didn't create anyone perfect, b/c He knows we will sin, but the KEY here is that WHEN you sin, you repent - for Allah LOVES to forgive! That is why you are having this problem. :)

"And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and *enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong*, and these it is that shall be successful." (Qur'an, 3:1o4)

Answer 7

Other people are wrong, they are important. Maybe you need to take some time and talk with God in the quiet. Ask him to take these things from you and ask him to give you control. Going to church every Sunday or being in a religious group doesn't mean anything unless you have Jesus as your Savior. Confess your sins to him and ask him to forgive you and lead you. Ask him to send you the Holy Spirit to guide you. After all, that is why he died on the cross for you, to save you from your sins and give you the Holy Spirit to lead you on earth.

God bless you, he will, just ask and have FAITH!

Answer 8

You sound like you are trying to do the "right" thing in your own strength. It has been my experience that we can't do anything right unless Christ is truly living in us. Aside from that ...it's just a string of good works. Trying to do what's good because we think that is expected of us, instead of truly living a Christ-like life. Trying to not disappoint Jesus. He died for your sins once. To continue to live in sin is like crucifying Him over and over again.

All that said...NO ONE is perfect...and all have fallen short. Do your best. Try your hardest. Pray to do what's right for the right reasons. Not so you'll get the glory by "being a good Christian" but so Christ gets the glory for helping you do the right thing.
Hang in there!

Answer 9

You can. Remember Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. What you are talking about is minor indescretions, God will forgive you. Cursing around your friends is just fitting in, peer presure, and boys well that is nature. You say your still a virgin so you cant be doing anything to bad, just relax, enjoy life and remember that God loves you no matter what.

Answer 10

Are you born again? If you are old enough to understand that question, ask yourself. I f you don't know or you think so-then you are not. That will be the key to living a victorious life over sin. Talk to your pastor. If you have a priest and not a pastor, you may need to go outside your faith. If so then talk to your parents first. But the key is being "born again".

Answer 11

First of all, you can't make yourself a "better Christian". You're either a Christian or not.

We all make mistakes in life, and our sins do seperate us from God, but if you truly are sorry and ask Him for forgiveness, then you will be forgiven.

Try not to give into temptation and have faith in the Lord.