Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 9/28/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
I am a Christian, and I need an answer about sinning and asking forgiveness.
I know I have sinned, and I asked God to forgive me, but I keep going back and doing the same sin over and over again and asking for His foregiveness each time. Is there a verse in the Bible that I can read concerning this and will I lose my salvation if I do keep doing the same sin?
Is there a point when God says enough and will not forgive me any more? I sure could use your help.
Thanks

Answer -
Nancy,

First let me tell you that I am praying for you, and that you would be strengthened in your spirit by the Holy Ghost and the Word of God to be able to overcome this sin/stronghold in your life.

Nancy, I need a little more info from you in order to help you more effectively. Please do not be specific (unless you feel it is necessary) in your answers.

1. How do you know you are a Christian? This seems like a strange question, but it is probable the most important one I will ask. Exactly how do you know you are saved?

2. What type of sin are you battling? Physical, mental, emotional, addiction, financial, ect...

Please help me help you by answering these questions, and then we will deal with the loosing you salvation questions.

Thank you,
Elder Greg Madden

Thank you for you quick response, I really appreciate it.
You asked me how I know I am a Christian. I belive that Jesus is the Son of God and I have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
You also asked about the sin I am dealing with, without being to specific, that's tough. To put it simply, my husband does not have sex with me and he hasn't had for over 34 years, quite frankly I am hurting because I need satisfying and I don't know where to turn. My sin is that I have found an internet friend that can talk me through what I am feeling and I get satisfaction from that. I ask God for forgiveness and then do it again.
I think you can read my question again and you will understand my problem.
I am sorry but I get the sense that this a very difficult question for you to answer and I don't know where else to go.
Please forgive me.


Answer
Nancy,

Thank you for answering my questions. I am sure it was difficult for you to do so. As I said in my first response I am praying for you, that God would strengthen you, and give you the grace sufficient to carry you through the difficult times of temptation. And no, this is not a difficult question, but it is easier to give a more specific response with this info. Thanks.

Nancy, as a born again believer the Bible teaches us that temptations begin in the mind, with a thought. And once we give place to and dwell upon that thought it becomes an obsession. Once we are obsessed, or if you will continually focused upon that thought it becomes a stronghold. At this point the stronghold is the thing that dominates our lives. From your response I can understand your difficulties, yet as you wrote before you understand that this is wrong. And that is part of your road to complete victory Nancy. The fact that you recognize that this is wrong. Now we can deal with it. Here is my council to you.

1. Pray for forgiveness. I know that you have done this before, but this time pray with a determination that this temptation will no longer control you.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Set aside a time of prayer and worship. It is difficult for us to sin while we are in prayer and worship the Father. Be specific in making a time (i.e. every morning for 30 min), and a place (i.e. your closet, living room...).

Mt. 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

3. Set aside a time of fasting. There are something’s we deal with that only prayer and fasting will handle.

Mt. 17:21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

4. Read the Word at every opportunity. Set aside a time in the morning. Start your day with the Bible. Take it with you so that when you have a free moment, instead of an idol mind that the enemy can afflict, you are filling your mind with God's Holy Word.

Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

5. Be filled with the Holy Ghost. If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, then pray to the Father that He would fill you with His Spirit.

Acts 1:8a
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:

6. Pray in the Spirit. Pray in tongues at every opportunity. This builds your faith.

Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

7. Find someone that you completely trust to be an accountability partner. We all need someone in our lives that we can completely trust to confide in, and that will not judge us, yet will not coddle us in our sin either. Do not be to hasty in this suggestion. Find the right person. Do not sure this with just anyone!

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

8. Talk with your pastor. He is your shepherd, and will be able to help. He will be able to give you and your husband the counseling you need.

9. Remove the access to this sin. Stay away from the computor untill your strong enough to resist. If you have to access the computor, then avoid the internet.

In your first question you asked "Is there a point when God says enough and will not forgive me any more?". The answer is as long as the Holy Spirit is dealing with you about your sins, you are not too far for Him to reach you. The surest sign of a completely backslidden person is the absence of Holy Spirit conviction.

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden