Hi friends, I am struggling with my sin of Pornography. It krept back up on me after a few years of doing "fine" i need to find the root of this issue. The problem is, im worn down. I want to be obedient, yet i keep falling to my flesh. Whats also difficult is im same sex attracted. While I wont go back to that life, that has still manifested in the form of watching pornography (mostly gay but in the end its all sin so it doesnt matter what type) but im asking for prayer. That God guide me to the root of this symptom, im so broken and I know i can only turn to God. I am just so weak and would love my brothers and sisters in Christ to be in prayer along side me. I can be very harsh on myself when i mess up. I was the kid to throw myself in time out from time to time. It feels like im doing the same thing today, God is telling me dont keep doing it but all is good and im saying no i have to sit in the corner.
Thank you all for reading this. I just needed to get this off my chest and have some people in prayer over it all. Love you all and may the Lord bless you and keep you.
The fight is real, Paul said, "a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Cor. 12:7-10
The reward is real, The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Rom. 8:16-18
Acts 14:22 "strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Brother, can you explain how it is you think 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 would apply to our brother fighting a sinful behavior that he is choosing to continue to partake in?
In my understanding these verses are Paul explaining how he perceives a physical ailment that is not on him by his choosing and has not been able to be lifted through prayer. A physical ailment where he perceives his suffering is there to humble him into further relying on God’s grace is very different than a battle with a lustful pleasures of the flesh.
In your application it seems someone can find comfort in God’s grace while choosing to continue to sin. I don’t think that’s right.
Please don’t take my comments here as anything but seeking clarification of your application of these verses. If I’m wrong please explain why. I just don’t want our dear brother battling with sin to get the wrong idea.
Edit: Just to clarify Paul’s physical ailments were believed to be migraines or some kind of eye problem.
The verses were simply encouragement to keep fighting the fleshly desires we all face. The shame & condemnation can be as bad as the actual sin & make you want to quit fighting. Forgive me if I sent the wrong idea to him, you or others & thanks for your reply.
Thank you for the reply. I can certainly understand wanting to comfort him in his battle and cheer him on in fighting his sin. I too want that for him but not at the cost of misleading him. Numbers 6:24-26
I agree, thank you.