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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Not sure about you, fren, but I certainly am not perfect. Only God is. Therefore, when I fall, because I am a human and make mistakes and sin, it’s better to run to Jesus than to hide from Him out of pride of admitting my sins. It’s because I know that He’s already paid the debt of my sins in full and, like He does with the lost sheep, He searches me out to return me to the fold. And Jesus Himself gave the priests the power to forgive sins in his name. “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them.” We are meant to be sorry for our sins and to ask forgiveness. Blessings to you.
I agree with you that God is perfect and that He has paid for all our sins. But that doesn’t give us free reign to do whatever we want in our lives after that. We still need to follow His commandments and, as you said, He told so many people to “sin no more.” But he is there to forgive us when we do.
Jesus already forgave our past/ present/ future sins. No we don't have to follow the commandments as we are no longer under the law. We are under grace now, praise the Lord! :) The only way to live a life without sin is to understand God's unmerited favor, His grace; that all our sins are already forgiven. Not because of your works, but because of the finished work of Jesus at the cross.
Saying we no longer have to follow the commandments would mean I could steal or rape or worship other gods... that to me is not being a Christian. If I do those things and am not sorry, that to me is a disconnect. Jesus also said “Whose sins you shall forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain are retained.” Yes, Jesus has paid all our sins in full; but that doesn’t mean we get free reign to do whatever we want, and to sin as much and as freely as we wish with no remorse for our actions. I apologize to the original poster that this has somehow turned into a completely different conversation. I think this would be a much better conversation over a glass of wine on a patio somewhere. I’m glad you have Jesus in your life. I do as well, and I find great joy and peace in my faith and the ability to confess my sins, hear forgiveness from Christ himself through the priests he has ordained, and to have the ability to work towards being a better person in my life. I’m sure you find great comfort in your faith as well. Blessings to you!
Hi fren, I apologize if I have upset you by stating my Catholic beliefs. I think this conversation would be better suited to sitting on a patio and discussing over a glass of wine as we have gotten off topic from the original intention of my comment (attempting to support OP) and his post. I agree we have been set free by Christ who opened the gates of Heaven after dying for our sins. God did not give me the gift of being an eloquent debater, especially on a keyboard, and I have humbly become aware of this fact over the years. However, I know Him and love Him very much. My faith sets me free by giving me the ability to serve Him and love Him and hear His forgiveness through a priest who He has ordained, and who can trace their lineage back to Christ and St. Peter. I will live my life, but I will do it by loving God and following His commandments and continuing to ask for His help as I grow closer to Him. I take great comfort in my faith and in scripture and traditions. No need to worry about me, I have freedom in knowing that Christ will always forgive me and search me out if I go astray. I feel His love every day and know I am a beloved child of God. It sounds like your faith gives you peace in your life as well, so I am grateful you also have Jesus in your life. Blessings to you.