Question:
Hey all,
Umm, I'll do my best with this. As of late, I have been having serious trouble keeping in close fellowship with God. Basically one of those, "God's not talking to me," things. I talked to a friend about it, who didn't really help me that much, save being an ear to hear. Anyway, as I drove home I felt like God told me to go through a recent Bible study/devotional I had already gone through called, A Call to Die by David Nasser.
Amazing Bible study. When you put forth the effort that is. And you guessed it, I didn't. It requires a 40 day fast from some sort of thing that is stealing time from God. I chose video games and the internet. And as you can see, I failed miserably.
And that brings you all to right now. My dilemma is that of besetting sins. I've stayed out alot of stuff this world has to offer, but am struggling with lust (and everything thereof). The only thing I've consistently done is failed, and it's enough to make me want to give up. I have been fighting this fight of "keeping on" for a while. When you think about it, it's a pitiful, near-disgusting, mass of feelings and selfishness, but I can't seem to get past it.
So...how do I find victory in these things, become a stead-fast soldier of Christ, and get to where I should (and used to) be.
Thanks,
Daniel
Answer:
Originally Posted by poorprince87 Basically one of those, "God's not talking to me," things.
Do you believe that God speaks through Hid Word? Read the Bible. Reading the Bible is like, no actually it IS God talking to you. The only question then is whether or not you'll listen.
Amazing Bible study. When you put forth the effort that is. And you guessed it, I didn't. It requires a 40 day fast from some sort of thing that is stealing time from God. I chose video games and the internet. And as you can see, I failed miserably.
There's no sense trying to fast (which seems to me to be an advanced form of getting closer to God) unless you're going strong in other forms. Particularly, reading the Bible and praying. Get those together first and then worry about fasting and such.
And that brings you all to right now. My dilemma is that of besetting sins. I've stayed out alot of stuff this world has to offer, but am struggling with lust (and everything thereof). The only thing I've consistently done is failed, and it's enough to make me want to give up. I have been fighting this fight of "keeping on" for a while. When you think about it, it's a pitiful, near-disgusting, mass of feelings and selfishness, but I can't seem to get past it.
So...how do I find victory in these things, become a stead-fast soldier of Christ, and get to where I should (and used to) be.
First and foremost, read the Bible. More later, class about to start.
Answer:
About the besetting sins of lust.
Do not let a failure plunge you into a despair which justifies indulgence of sinful desires. it is easy to think that way.
If God is not speaking to you, perhaps it is you failing to do the listening? if so, there is not a ready solution until you make that change.
If the internet is stealing your time with God, unplug your lan or phone cable and give it to someone who will hold you accountable. If it is your computer in general, do that with the vga cable or your keyboard. Take away the possibility of failure.
Answer:
I'm 16 - for the next few weeks anyway (Birthday coming up, bwahaha) - and this is my family's computer. You see the problem? Parents have already restricted the internet via password log-in, but all I have to do is ask for them to get me on, and BAM there's the net.
Bob, definitley good advice. But: This "Call to Die" thing has been acting as my quiet/devotional time. I've been reading it for that morning get-go. It's very hard for me to conduct a good quiet time in the morning without something structured to follow - A.D.D. or something, who knows. Anyway, that's why I use it.
Here's somewhat of an update: Today my problems seem to be heightened. Tonight was Wednesday night, and I play acoustic in my praise band. Whenever I hear the Word spoken - it's like you said Bob - it's like God pulls me out and says something to me. And tonight it was kind of the same thing He's been telling me for a while - Seek me first and all these things while be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). And yesterday night it was like God stuck a spiritual mirror in front me, and, dude, I looked awful. There is so much self-deception, so much pride, too much sin. It was like Isaiah's confrontation with God. I felt undone, fearfully terrified. But my own pride, my own sin, kept me from being entirely undone. And so I guess I've landed back on square 1. Gosh, ever wish God would just pull you out of His kingdom if all you're going to do is damage? But that's just false humility and self-pity......
Well....sorry about that. Kind of went off for a second. Curse my lack of focus! Anyway, continue with the exhortation, the constructive criticism. I need it more than any of us know.
God Bless,
Daniel
Answer:
Originally Posted by poorprince87 it was like God stuck a spiritual mirror in front me, and, dude, I looked awful. And I can promise you that we all "look aweful".
Answer:
you really need to be pro active to fight anything like this. often the tendency is to focus on running from the sin rather than running to God. the more you're focusing on the sin the more power you're giving to it. repent, and try not to think so much about your failures but rather seek God more diligently through prayer, bible reading, etc. once you get that back on track the rest will fall in place. it's still going to be hard, and the temptation will always be waiting to come up and strike you again when you least expect it, but keep fighting. there is no easy answer here. you have to work for it.

everyone has their own faults, struggles, and weaknesses. you're not alone by any means. you being here posting this and admitting to it is a good step in making things right. you just have to keep moving forward.
Answer:
gg - thanks a ton. I really appreciate the advice. You are definitely right, and I will apply that.
Keep it coming folks.
Thanks again,
Daniel
Answer:
It's not a matter of fighting harder. What you need to do is _give up_ the fight... into God's hands.
So, you look at your life and say, "Gee, I'm a mess." No surprise there: if your life weren't a mess, if sin weren't so impossible to resist at times, why would Jesus have had to die? If becoming closer to God were just a matter of self-discipline and focus and hard effort, why would the Son of God had to become flesh in order to draw us to God?
This verse has helped me a lot with the sort of thing you're describing:
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Cor 7:10)
Worldly sorrow - looking at your life and saying, "I'm a mess, how am I ever going to fix up my life" - is death to our faith. But godly sorrow - looking at the same mess, but responding, not with despair, but with a deeper and more desperate dependence on God - brings us growth in faith. You'll only find victory over sin when you begin living your whole life as a desperately needy person, relying completely on God for help; you'll only find victory once you begin living life in the awareness that it is _impossible_ to achieve that victory through your own strength. That's why Jesus told us to pray "give me my daily bread"; every day we should wake up and say, "Jesus, I need your help today, because I know what a mess I'll make of things if I try to live life without Your help."
Answer:
Awesome advice, blindman. That place of brokenness is where I need to be.
Daniel
Answer:
Have your parents hold you accountable to not use a computer. Tell them why, and ask them to not let you on until the xth of whatever month.
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Bill - As bob said, why should I attempt to fast if I don't have a firm grip on the "elementary things" like bible study and prayer. Honestly, though, I'm not to quick to embrace the fact that I haven't gotten bible study and prayer down, and that I'm still a spiritual babe after 12 years of being a Christian. But, I don't know. Any thoughts?
Answer:
Bill! Who cracked your skull at the base? I will definitely pray for you!
Answer:
Originally Posted by poorprince87 Bill - As bob said, why should I attempt to fast if I don't have a firm grip on the "elementary things" like bible study and prayer. Honestly, though, I'm not to quick to embrace the fact that I haven't gotten bible study and prayer down, and that I'm still a spiritual babe after 12 years of being a Christian. But, I don't know. Any thoughts?
to eliminate distractions. If the computer is syphoning your time, get rid of that time with the computer until you can handle it responsibly, which will only come through the other. You described it as "stealing time from God" Until you rectify that error, and give the time back to him that your walk with Him needs you will not experience the brokeness and relationship you desire.
Muscle tension in my neck cracked a section of my skull, took off part of the bone where the muscles connect.
Answer:
Sound advice. Have you ever read The Celebration of Discipline? Good book.
Daniel