I'm a former recovering pornography addict and I've been fighting my imaginations and failing miserably to fight my passions and I fear my ever drawing closer to backsliding and I'm too embarrassed to bring it up to other Christians and I've found nothing but love and encouragement on this board. Please someone pray for me? I've been caught in the lust of the flesh and I just feel broken and cast down and feel the desire to hang in the towel. My failure of self control has left me contrite and ashamed and I don't know where else to go. I can't see how Jesus can have patience on me when that's a sin I used to be a repeat offender in and I've slipped quite a bit these past few months with no one to confide and confess to. Not the physical act of porn but the imaginations and self gratification and masturbatory nature thereof. It's an addiction I've been very open with with fellow believers in my circle but given my recent slipping backwards I'm just too ashamed to say it to them. Forgive the shitpost please. I just don't even feel Jesus wants to put up with me anymore. Which I know is a lie but when you fall into sin it's hard to believe He can forgive an offense been forgiven before. Apologies if for any unsightliness I may have caused by sharing.
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In the Eastern Orthodox tradition we have the sacrament of confession and absolution which actually, spiritually, on the level of your damaged soul, gives you a fresh start. Add to that some extra prayers and prostrations, which actually fight the flesh, and you’re well on your way. Transformation is real in Holy Orthodoxy.
Christ is Risen! Truly He is risen!
Thank you, my orthodox sibling. I listened to an orthodox priest just yesterday in fact. Good doctrine/I will add he got the Bible wrong regarding the absence if marriage to our spouse in heaven and a few other things. But I will say they're was definitely Holy Spirit encouragement to be a better man that is capable of leading, serving, loving, and protecting a wife and her walk with Jesus Christ. I want to be better. God bless you in Jesus name, sibling. Amen
I’m familiar with this apparent discrepancy. We understand the Bible to mean that marriage, as in consummate marriage, will no longer exist in marriage, but we don’t believe that the uniqueness of the blessing of a lifetime of marriage will somehow dissipate in the heavenly kingdom. The bond is understood to be eternal. (as is, to some extent, regrettably, all conjugal bonding). There’s a great priestmonk in Australia with many excellent talks online. I listen to him at www.orthodoxtalks.com. Free downloads and all that. Very encouraging material for any hard struggle. His name is Fr. Kosmos.
Thank you for the encouragement, brother. Though I can't receive the marriage discrepancy currently, I will most assuredly take what salt is available of the Holy Ghost from whomever He uses to teach me. God bless you for your love and concern and prayer and encouragement, brother. In Jesus name, amen