I am a Christian yet I continue to knowingly sin. I don't want to be a hypocrite...?

Question

my sin is something destructive to the body and mind yet I have been doing it for 20 of my 36 years. It is a real problem and I don't know what to do, or think anyone can really understand. I am genuinely scared to face this problem. I have failed in the past, damaged my own self-image, turned my back on everyone, lied, and more... I am reaching out to you with prayer and hope that you may understand and be able to point the way, or provide the link. Is there any specific books or advice you believe could provide the information I am seeking? thanks

Drug addiction.

Answer 1

Many born again Christians have addictions of some sort or another. If you could truly stop - you would take the credit for it. As a Christian in your exact same shoes - I have tried to quit many times through Christian based programs, and many, many other methods.
The ONLY thing that seams to work - is to NOT work.
Jesus wants us to rest from our labors - the believers life is based on believing, and we know that even our faith is a gift from God. There is nothing you could do to save yourself - and there still is nothing you can do to save yourself from your addiction...I know that is hard to swallow. Remember these verses:
John 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
John 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

This is how I understand the life of faith now, we just have to BE who God is making us to be. Now we can not do it. We can not do anything. We have to trust God - and he will work it out. He is the author and the finisher of your faith. That does not mean you get to write out the central plot. He is working everything out in your life whether you are aware of it or not. Just think back over your life of the times God intervened and you knew it had absolutely nothing to do with you...In fact if you had tried to help matters along things would have turned out worse...right?

You can not make yourself believe or muster up enough faith to believe - God has already given you faith and if you try to work it up - it will not work. All you have to do - is just be. God is going to give you everything you need and going to do everything that is needed for you to be set free from your addiction...All you have to do is just be.

The life of faith is one of REST. You have to rest from your working to try to please God. You have to rest from your trying - and just believe - just be. The only thing that works - is to not work. Go to God and seek to understand what I am saying to you in this answer. God bless you!

Answer 2

First, God bless you. Acknowledgement of a problem is the first step to fixing it.

Continue to pray to God for help and encouragement. Ask Him to show you the way. I have some bad habits of my own, and I beat myself up constantly for it, but I realize that it is impossible to not sin. We can't help it; it's built in because of our first parents. That is why we must rely on Christ's grace and mercy for forgiveness and healing.

Next, if you are suffering from an addiction, you need to get help. Check yourself into a rehab clinic, or talk to someone can who help you get there, point you in the right direction, etc. You should not waste any time with this. You've already suffered through 20 years of this, do you really want 20 more years? Get some help and stay close with the Lord. He will never leave you.

My prayers are with you. God bless.

Answer 3

First, you should find a pastor or someone to talk to and be counseled in this area, whatever it is. You want to find someone that will be real with you but not be judgmental. We all have bondages and generational curses that we have to break through and often we try a lot of things but are not able to get past it because we have not gotten to the root of the problem.
Repent, pray, ask God for clarity and discernment regarding what this thing roots from. I am told that "The Bondage Breaker"by Neil T. Anderson is a good book and helpful in dealing with breaking the bondages of generatioanl curses and the oppression of sin in our lives.
I will pray for you. God Bless!

Answer 4

Too often the church has neglected to teach about what it means to live a sin-free life. We excuse sin and tell people not to worry so much--it's just the way we are. But if you really read all of Paul's letters to the churches, you have to see that he believed there was a way to overcome sin through faith and reliance on the power of Jesus Christ.

I suggest you go to this website: nogreaterjoy.org

Look for a sermon series "Sin No More" by Michael Pearl as well as his sermons on the book of Romans. Many have testified to how seeing Scripture on sin in a new way has given them power to overcome their own addictive sins.

Answer 5

You first have to truly accept that what Christ did for you on the cross was enough. It is our pride and the enemy that wants to keep us thinking we can't overcome a particular sin. Christ died once for all. You have to believe that what He did for you at Calvary was enough to forgive you and free you from the bondage of that sin. Until you can grasp that and desire to commit to living a life that expresses your gratitude for that, you won't be able to know freedom. You also need to understand that Christianity is so much more than just praying a prayer of belief and acceptance. God's Word says even the demons believe and tremble. It's a lifetime commitment to following, seeking and growing in Him. If your lifestyle isn't much different than it was before you chose to believe, you need to question if your salvation is for real.

Answer 6

I, too, have struggled with addiction...gonna ask the obvious, have you gone to an NA meeting? Nobody understands what you are going through like another addict.

You have just done a First Step: “We admitted that we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.” Now, willingness is the key to the Second Step: “We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” You may not believe absolutely, right now, but you are willing to believe...that's enough.

The Third Step: “We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” This is a decision, e-mail me when you are ready for this one, we'll talk.

God still loves you, even more now that you have begun to face your fear (even more than the sin associated.) You want to turn away from your sin, and God honors the attitude of repentence more than any other thing in this world...

I'm praying for you, my brother in the Lord...God, reach out to him with Your mercy and grace, and thank you for the miracle of recovery in his life. Thank you, Father, again....

Answer 7

It's possible that this sin has actually become an addiction. You probably need to seek psychiactric help to deal with it. If I were you, I would contact a psychiatrist in your area and ask them to help you work through this addiction that you have.

You may be doing drugs in order to "self-medicate", so it is important to get to the root of the problem.

Answer 8

God tells us that he forgives us, but He also tells us to go and not sin again (same sin over and over)
Surely you can seek help in your church, counselor, check into a hospital. I know that this is easier said than done.
You must repent and ask God to direct you.
He loves you so much and wants you back-your whole being!
I can tell that you are truly sorry for your sin and don't want to keep doing it-keep reaching out and you will get there-I know it!
God bless you my friend!

Answer 9

Why don't you turn from your wicked ways and let God help you through this. I know it's not easy, I know. But, I am here to let you know that we all are in the flesh. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. This is the reason why we have to kill our flesh daily. We all make mistakes, and we are not perfect, but, I guarantee you, if you are sincere, about overcoming, first you must pray and ask God to take the filth away, read the Bible, and ask for an understanding, and constantly, pray without ceasing. Ask God to create in you a clean heart and righteous spirit, and he will do just that. Just remember, you have got a friend in Jesus, and he will see you through this. Be Blessed!!

Answer 10

Since I don't know your actual problem, I am guessing it is an addiction of some sort. There are probably some on line self-help or twelve step programs you can get into if you can't find one where you live. Also, don't be afraid to talk to your priest, minister, or pastor. He/she will hopefully be understanding and compassionate. You might even try counseling.

Answer 11

Welcome Brother and fellow sinner. I myself struggle with lust and sexual addiction. I have found through the Bible that my continual failure to stop my addiction was I lacked the strength of the Holy Spirit. Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and bring peace into your life.

Here is a link to the greatest book ever written about the Holy Spirit and how to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and renew your life.

http://www.worthydevotions.com/dl-moody/index.php

I will keep you in my prayers.