How do I turn a Christian faith and devotion that goes up & down into a strong faith that is constant?

Question

I've been saved for over seven years, but it has been a struggle to stay faithful. For one reason or the other I will get all worked up and devoted to God and I will read the Bible, pray, and study about Him like I should. Then within a matter of weeks or months I'm right back to the same person I was before who ignores God and His commands. I fall right back into drinking and cussing and other sins that I struggle with. If anyone has defeated this problem of roller-coaster faith in their own lives, and turned their faith into a constant strong faith and a constant focus on God as Lord and love of their life, I would GREATLY appreciate the advice!

Answer 1

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Hey bro, I hope i can help. We are constantly in battle with the devil. When we were called out by Jesus Christ, and washed under the blood, we became new creatures under God. Satan is called god of this world, because of his curroption, many people believe in his lies, and seek not the LORD. I have latly had the same problem man, going up and down on a rollercoaster. The part you should fear is when eventually you acept that you think that Jesus never saved you, and tell yourself he never did. That is blaspheme of the Holy Ghost, and that is never forgiven.
19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:14-22
I do hope you are misrable in your sin, because that is a good sign. Because true christians make a lowsy sinner. We are at constant war with the flesh, and that is why we must:
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.
We must but aside whatever it is that hindereth you faith with God. I gave up my old self, thew away my cd's, video game, and i lost a few of my friends, but i know that the treasures in heaven, And to be with my savior LORD Jesus Christ.
Matthew 16:26
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:20
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Satan has many things to offer you in this world, but they are not going to last long bro. Seek the Lord daily:

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Prayer is true and it works:
19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 21
Be zealious and repent if you havnt yet , and pray. May God Bless you Bro, and read the Word of God, and remember the promices that is awaiting us . Time is very short.

P.S.:Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
22Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Answer 2

I have to admit that I broke up with a boyfriend who did the very same thing. After having a relationship with him for two years I wondered if he was ever gonna get off the fence and go one way or another. I kept thinking if this is how faithful he is to God, then how faithful is he going to be to me if I marry him?
We are still friends and it's been three years since and every other month he's back to his same old ways.
I am not criticizing him because I too struggle just the same in various ways with bad habits also, they are just not as obvious as his.
We each have to let the old man in us die and let the new creature in Christ live. A good book to read would be The Great Divorce written by C.S.Lewis. It's an analogy based on this very subject as well as a few other struggles in the Christian life. It might help you to see why you struggle as you do.
God bless you and as you confess these things you realize don't you that if God wasn't working in you you wouldn't even be concerned. The fact that you are under the conviction of the Holy Spirit is like God is saying, Now come on and make up your mind if you are going to give me all of your heart or nothing. A little bit is not what He desires. He wants all your love. because He is the kind of Father that gives the best to His own.

Answer 3

I was the same way a few years ago. I went through almost the exact same thing, except I was addicted to meth, so my challenge was getting off the drugs and staying off. I would quit for a few days, but would always go back. What I did was read the Bible and pray every night that God would do whatever needed to be done to get me back on track. I was terrified every time I prayed that because I just knew that His way was going to be hard. A week and a half later, I found out I was pregnant... I was only 19 years old, and was going to be a single mom. I quit the day I found out... threw everything away. It was hard going through morning sickness AND withdrawals at the same time, but it was so worth it!! I don't know where I would be today if I hadn't gotten pregnant. My suggestion if you're really serious, and you don't care what happens to you in this life as long as you make it into Heaven, then I would recommend praying everyday that God does what He sees best for you, and be willing to do what He tells you. He does know what's best, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time... I know I didn't think it was the best thing for me to get pregnant, but now my son is a year and a half and I am so thankful it happened the way it did!!!

Good Luck. I'll pray for you.

Answer 4

It is difficult to have a strong consistent faith. Honestly, the only thing that has worked for me is to get involved in a Bible Study. I actually got a few girls together, we were all having the same trouble like you, and we meet once a week. We've been meeting for a year now and have done 4 studies. I love it b/c it's a way to study and share ideas but it's also acts as an accountability group. I've been a Christian since I was 12 and I can tell you, this is the only way to do it. If you aren't accountable to someone, it's easy to just forget. Good luck! I hope you can either join or start a group of your own.

Answer 5

It's never a total mastery over sin of course but the roller coaster pattern is very familiar to me. Of course when you're in the more independent mode your inclination to improve is less than you would like but if you can pray for faith and discipline by all means do so during those times.

It is right to recognize that all we can do is turn. Turn toward His face. It may not seem like much and it may not impress ourselves but that simple act of turning toward the face of Father is really the essence of obedience. It is that which we can always take time to do before going to sleep. Ask for discipline. Freely admit your need for a better attitude. Make a mental list of those things which distract you and make progress against them even if it is an inch of progress do not let that inch get away once you've gained it. Hang on to the little advances with determination. They add up opening the way for further advancements. Sometimes the big swings toward heightened devotion are fueled in part by pride. This sort of advancement will not endure.

Thanksgiving is the basis of humility. Faith is a gift entrusted to our stewardship. Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Keep Him in the game with thanksgiving at least a little every day and "don't overload your donkey". Always be honest. If you can't obey with love cut yourself a little slack. Don't force yourself to be perfect. It will backlash.

In love the freedom from sin is the natural state. Stay in the love and peace of God and the path becomes natural. We cannot be righteous without the Holy Spirit abiding in us. Make yourself a pleasant place for Him. Preserve the peace.

Answer 6

Okay, so I'm a teen and for the past three years I've had problems with cutting and depression, but when that happened, I ignored God, so I let him back into my life and things got better after a while, I quit cutting, but still depressed (not too much though, only when I have my days). What really helps is when you think your going against God, pray. Praying helped me through all my tough moments. I'd pray to him about my confession and how much I need him and want him...I ask him to help me, guide me as I'm going through these troubled times. Talk to your Pastor (if you go to church) Sit with your Pastor and dicuss what's going on. I did and it really helped. Well, I don't have much more to say, but I hope this helps and IM me if you need something else.

Answer 7

I'll pray for you. Fast, read Isaiah 58 from the King James bible. Limit or eliminate things that wrap you up in the world like music, movies, tv and video games; garbage in, garbage out. Do you fall into sin because of peer pressure? Leaving off hanging out with friends who cause you to stumble is biblical and wise. Are you in a bible teaching church?

Answer 8

First - you are not alone and never have been. Jesus has this wonderful gift of being in on the ups and well as the downs.
Second - confession is a big part of avoiding the downs - to a good friend, pastor, or friend. Give me an e, I am available as a pastor.
Third - fill your normal down time in with service to others. You can help fill the valleys in that manner.

Answer 9

Your problem may be that you are not devoting yourself to enough spiritual disciplines. When athletes train, they rotate the skill that they are training for and the muscle groups on which they are focusing.

Bible study and prayer are good, but you may also practice fellowship, evangelism, praise, meditation, fasting, charity, and a bunch of other disciplines. By mixing up the spiritual discipline that you are practicing, you will become a much more well rounded Christian and be bored much less often.

Answer 10

I have been a christian a long time.Being a christian isn't how one feels (your a christian when your sins are washed by the blood of Jesus).Life has pitfalls,the world is antichristian,the media and the govt pushes ungodly morals.The best thing a true christian can do is find other true christians to fellowship with.they need to pray together and alone.Go to a church and bible studies that teach the truth of the bible.Tell others about Jesus.Ask the spirit of God to give them peace and help in life.
I have known many people God has helped.Seek Him first and His righteousness.Remember christians aren't perfect just forgiven by Jesus.