Weaknesses and Praying

[DaneClark]

I would like to know if anyone has any personal experiences that proves that God still listens to the prayers of a single, 20-something year old man who sometimes fails to resist the temptation to pleasure himself while looking at immodest pictures of women.

[urpilgrim]

Father Knows all.... hears all..... sees all.... The question is .......

Who's will are you praying to be done?

[thinktank]

Its a bit like fasting, the more you resist the flesh, the more you train yourself for the mind to be in charge over the flesh.

When you fail, you just start again and try and break your personal best. You'll go from hours, to days, to weeks, to months, possibly even years if your exceptional and highly disciplined.

Don't worry too much about comments from certain christian men, thinking your this or that. Most of these men are married and can't even go a week without their wives, so they have no right to look down upon single men who are tempted.

[micah7:9]

I believe that the first chapter of Genesis is God in the process of creating, verse 27; and should this be true, then man is always still in the path to begin again, as long as man is in the process we/man when waken each day to a new beginning, start again if we fell. Dont not, as Paul writes
Gal 5:13  You however, brethren, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an excuse for giving way to your lower natures; but become bondservants to one another in a spirit of love.


Gen 1:27 And creating is the Elohim humanity in His image. In the image of the Elohim He creates it. Male and female He creates them. (CLV)
Gen 1:27  And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.  (YLT)

[shawn]

Its a bit like fasting, the more you resist the flesh, the more you train yourself for the mind to be in charge over the flesh.

When you fail, you just start again and try and break your personal best. You'll go from hours, to days, to weeks, to months, possibly even years if your exceptional and highly disciplined.

Don't worry too much about comments from certain christian men, thinking your this or that. Most of these men are married and can't even go a week without their wives, so they have no right to look down upon single men who are tempted.

I would have to agree with you.  This is about emersing yourself in the Lord and resisting the flesh.  It can sound impossible at first but it isn't.

This isn't easy for me to talk about because there is such a stigma associated with it.  But, I told myself that if I felt anyone ever needed it I would talk about it.  So, here goes.  As most of you know I am a recovering alcoholic (sober now for 3+ years).  But, like most alcoholics that wasn't my only addiction.  I also had significant issues with pornography...and yes I would call it an addiction.  I know of the cycle of trying to avoid it, then a trigger, then the playing with thoughts then the buckling to porn.  The guilt that would come after was overbearing.  It was truly miserable.  I had been looking at some form of porn since I was 12 years old and it was condoned by my dad.  This was much harder than alcohol for me.  I was fortunate though to have a program and to be able to process it as such.

With that said, first you must be in a state of almost constant prayer.  You have to eat, live and breathe Christ.  You need to be studying scripture, praying and guarding your eyes and thought life.  You can not play with lustful thoughts.  You can not let your gaze go unprotected.  You have to change what you watch on TV and movies.  It's a lifestyle change and it starts with drawing near to the Lord.  I came clean to my wife.  I told her of my addiction to porn.  I made myself accountable to her.  When I slipped, I forced myself to tell her.  And wow was that hard.  She challenged me, pushed me, and most of all she supported me.  I have truly been blessed with an amazing woman.

I can say it gets much easier but like TT said, that comes with time.  It comes with a lengthy period of time of resisting the flesh.  But, brother it does get easier.  If you need someone to talk to or to hold you accountable...PM me.  I think just talking with another believer who understands might be of help to you.

[jabcat]

I've had to often SPIRITUALLY/METAPHORICALLY pluck out my eye - because it often offends me.

[MacPherson]

I would like to know if anyone has any personal experiences that proves that God still listens to the prayers of a single, 20-something year old man who sometimes fails to resist the temptation to pleasure himself while looking at immodest pictures of women.

As a 48 year old man who sometimes fails to resist the temptation to pleasure himself while looking at immodest pictures of women, I can tell you you're not alone. You know, I don't think Satan tempts in this way to get us to commit this sin, I think he does it to make us feel separated from our Father. The fact that you ask what you asked, as I've asked it, means mission accomplished. Look, God knows you're weak. He knows you're prone to stumbling. The question is, is it something you want to defend doing, or is it something you'd rather turn away from? That's what your Father cares about.

[MacPherson]

I would have to agree with you.  This is about emersing yourself in the Lord and resisting the flesh.  It can sound impossible at first but it isn't.

That's why He says to seek Him and all things will be added on. The more we're into the Lord, the less we're into the world and ourselves. It's a natural outcome.

[Nancy]

Hi there,
I believe when you castigate yourself for doing something you consider 'bad' i believe the ego loves that.
If you do something, then know you didn't want to, just put it away but try not to feel guilty about it. God knows you are weak but guilt tripping yourself seems to make the addiction hang on. Have you read Martin Zenders' How to be free from sin while smoking a cigarette!  I would get it if possible. 

Godbless
Nancy

[jabcat]

Nancy's post stuck with me today.  I juggle this thing back and forth.  On one hand I see where Paul said "if I sin, it's no longer I that do it, but the sin that dwells in me".  Also, "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus".

However, we also have I Jn 1:9 that says "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness";  and Jesus gave the example of prayer in "the Lord's prayer", "forgive our trespasses..."

So, maybe it's generally right that beating ourselves to a pulp in some sort of attempt at restitution, or a sense of "the guiltier I can make myself feel the more serious it means I am about my sin" is not the best way to go about it...but seems to me, I feel much more in fellowship if I respond to the Holy Spirit by admitting my sin, confess it, ask for forgiveness and then stand on the Word that it's been taken care of. 

I agree though, beating on ourselves and struggling to overcome in our own power and strength of the flesh is likely fruitless.  I think we need to ask for His help and be a willing vessel;  and depend on Him to work HIS works of righteousness through us.

Cast every care on Him, because He cares for you. I Pt. 5:7