With all the sin and wickedness around me how do I resist temptation and live for Christ?

Question

I know its not for me to judge but all my friends are very sinful and dirty-minded. It rubs off on me a lot even though I am a Christian. I try to tell them to not do it around me but they just kinda shrug. Now my mind is on things it shouldnt be a lot of the time, and I have done things that definitely do not reflect my Christian values. I repent but can't stop myself form doing them again... I even find myself looking forward and planning to do these types of things later on in the day. I repent again and again, but I dont feel forgiven, or any less guilty. They say I must not be asking with a sincere heart, but I cant hardly do that myself. It seems like everyone else gets real emotional whenever they pray, but I dont even hardly feel a connection. I read the bible, I understand the bible, I have been saved, I know when something that I'm doing wrong I shouldnt be doing it but I still do it again and again the same things. What is wrong with me?!! I

I know the way to salvation, I tell God after each time that I'm not going to do it again, but a day or so later, there I am...

Answer 1

better yet -- why not live for yourself and treat others well. live by the golden rule and you'll be fine. superstitious cult nonsense isn't necessary.

Answer 2

mustangman,
I have been in the same boat as you.

Here's the thing:
When you find that you are doing wrong in your own eyes, do you think that God at that time knows whether or not you will do it again? Have you stopped putting yourself in the position to do them again? Or do you put yourself into the same position, with the same people, and then once again commit whatever it is that you are saying that you are trying to refrain from?

If you were to completely stop doing, whatever it is, would you then be not a sinner? That's what I amn talking about. You will still be a sinner. The best way to stop yourself, if it is possible, is to keep your eyes on Jesus. Stay in the word, and keep your eyes on Him. Your friends are those that make it convenient for you. You must part from them unless they too will change.

So what is more important? Your friends, or your God?

Answer 3

Nothing is wrong with you, you are, my friend, human. May I ask what kinds of things? I think, and I have toiled with this for many years, I study religions, it is one of my favorite hobbies, that as long as you know truly where you stand with God, then all the rest is nothing. ONLY God can and is going to judge you. Let me ask you if you had a child that stole a piece of bubble gum several times when he was 8, but stopped doing it when he was older and understood himself and life better, then it would be pretty easy to forgive and forget right? But if you had a child that was 30 and killed and raped and lied and stole and it continued until death, and never cared what he had done and never said he was sorry could you still forgive and forget? I think what you need is find God for yourself, truly find him, not what others tell you he is or what you should be to walk in his grace. But find him 100% in your own heart it is what I had to do and that is where the love of all religions come from. I think you will be very surprised by what you can find when you search in your own way. God bless you and I hope you find the right answers.....

Answer 4

I will share my very own experience what I happened to me as I started getting into GODS word. The more I studied and prayed and spent time with GOD he removed my so called friends who made fun of me because I changed my life, who talked about me behind my back, who downed the church. . But he blessed me with very good and TRUE friends. I thank GOD for the people he put in my life. The others are not missed at all.

2 Corinthians 6:17
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Answer 5

You really must choose your friends more carefully, stay away from those that are doing wrong. Sometimes this type of sin will only go out BY PRAYER AND FASTING. I know this works, if you seek God will all your heart 7 days a week you will find him and get the victory, but you can not get the victory if you ride the fence.

Answer 6

Not a thing, you are perfectly fine. Everyone sins, that’s why god sent Jesus. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You don’t need to feel something every time you pray or read the bible. Just trust God. If you trust God, ask to have his holly spirit help you understand what you are reading and how you are praying. Without his holly spirit you won’t be able to understand with clarity.

Your a good person:)

Answer 7

nothing is wrong with you. i have exactly the problem, with people that i encounter and the sinful things they say and so. makes it look almost normal to go ahead and copy. but then i have to ask for forgiveness and again i say i wont do that again, (and i dont normally for the next 12 hours until i see them again) need to pray ahead for the day to come about not givng into these little temptations, thats what i do and althought it doesnt always feel like it works, in a small way it gives me strength to resist from copying. im not sure if this has answerd your whole question, but its here anyway:) God Bless

Answer 8

Just turn your mind to Christ when temptation comes upon you. " The devil will flee you if you resist him" which means you can break the habit of being a follower of sinful ways by repetatively turning your thoughts to Christ and seeking his forgiveness when you fall. Even Paul said " the things I should do , I do not and the Things I should not do , I do" It is a reflection of the sinnature in Man. Christ forgives, so hold on to Him as your Rock and he will take you through times of trouble and temptation.

Answer 9

YOU MUST SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE WHERE GOD IS SITIING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, COLOSSIANS 3:1. ON HEAVENLY THINGS, NOT EARTHLY THINGS, COLOSSIANS 3:2. ALSO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO THINK ABOUT, PHILIPPIANS 4:8 SAYS Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. IF YOU DO THIS AND START HANGING AROUND PEOPLE THAT SHARE IN YOUR CHRISTIAN VALUES, YOU WILL SOON FIND THAT SIN HAS LOST IT'S APPEAL AND YOU WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO TEMPTATIONS AS EASILY. YOU CAN DO IT, GOD SAID IT, PHILIPPIANS 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Answer 10

sounds like you need new friends find ones who believe like you do and respect what you believe . See if you keep hanging around with people that are doing wrong you will wanna do the same be smarter then them find new friends and spend more time around God and people who walk with God!! Just remeber no one can make you sin but you so step up and make the right choices!

Answer 11

Nothings wrong with you, your just hanging around the wrong people.

Scripture often reminds us (namely the book of Proverbs) that to be in the presents of wicked men will eventually take it's toll on us as well. Now, Jesus said that we should be "in" the world but not "of" the world. Your going to have to make a decision. Your eventually going to fall. As long as these friends of yours continue to live in their wickedness your going to be overwhelmed. You must arm yourself with the entire armor of God and flee from these people.

This step might be one of the hardest things you have to do in your life. they may not understand it and they may (or, probably will) call you crazy or paranoid or a Jesus Freak. But remain encouraged. Who would you rather please, a Holy and merciful God or a group of wicked people who you claim are your friends?

The choice is yours!