The Fight

"If you have made mistakes, even serious ones there is always another chance for you. What we call..."

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:36:49 -0400

“If you have made mistakes, even serious ones there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not falling down but the staying down”

- Mary Pickford (via projectpurity)

What would you do if you learned that you were another person's object of lust? For a background, i know this person because we came from the same school, but he's not actually a friend like a very close friend. I know for sure that the way I dress protects me to be an object of lust -- I'm a Christian by the way (and i'm really cautious with what I wear). So, I would just want to know, if you have there any advice, on how I will be able to respond to this kind of situation? Thanks. God bless.

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:06:17 -0400

Sorry it has taken me so long to get back with this.

If you are dressing modestly, I would say you are not responsible for his lust. It’s natural to find women attractive. However men still have a responsibility to control their thoughts and refrain from lusting. That is his responsibility.

As Christians we need to prevent a brother from falling at all costs, and if that means spending less time with him, then so be it. But also, that won’t necessarily prevent him from lusting. Pray to God about it.

I would pray and consider having a conversation with him. Consider telling him that you’re only willing to be around him if he can control his thoughts. It is possible to control your thoughts, I promise.

The biggest thing you can do is just pray for guidance and what God wants.

Hope this helps. God Bless.

sketchmedesire: Pretty in Pornography, Levi the Poet

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:44:16 -0400

sketchmedesire:

Pretty in Pornography, Levi the Poet

"When my daughter was a toddler, I used to take her to a park not far from our apartment. One day as..."

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:30:04 -0400

“

When my daughter was a toddler, I used to take her to a park not far from our apartment. One day as she was playing in a sandbox, an ice-cream salesman approached us. I purchased her a treat, and when I turned to give it to her, I saw her mouth was full of sand. Where I had intended to put a delicacy, she had put dirt.

Did I love her with dirt in her mouth? Absolutely. Was she any less of my daughter with dirt in her mouth? Of course not. Was I going to allow her to keep the dirt in her mouth? No way. I loved her right where she was, but I refused to leave her there. I carried her over to the water fountain and washed out her mouth. Why? Because I love her.

God does the same for us. He holds us over the fountain. “Spit out the dirt, honey,” our Father urges. “I’ve got something better for you.” And so he cleanses us of filth; immorality, dishonesty, prejudice, bitterness, greed. We don’t enjoy the cleansing; sometimes we even opt for the dirt over the ice cream. “I can eat dirt if I want to!” we pout and proclaim. Which is true—we can. But if we do, the loss is ours. God has a better offer.

”

- Max Lucado (via nonelikejesus)

"For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things."

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 22:28:58 -0400

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

- Psalm 107:9 (via stilettosandsweettea)

In addition to understanding that sin will never satisfy us

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 23:00:00 -0400

We need to understand that God will.

Just something my youth leader was telling me the other day. A little hard to take but I thought I would share.

What is behind all things evil? Satan. Definitely, behind pornography & masturbation, there sits the devil, grabbing at us slowly, slowly, slowly until we ultimately sink. When you watch pornography & masturbate, you're actually having sex with the demons. You may think it isn't serious, but it is.

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:23:54 -0400

Interesting thoughts. Sex is meant to be a bonding between a married couple. When we lust we are hardening our hearts and moving towards evil and sin.

Praying for you all tonight.

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 02:04:30 -0400

I encourage you to take steps and do what you need to do tonight. If that means unplugging your internet, do it. Finding an accountability partner, do it. Just spending time with God, do it.

Don’t put it off.

Cut off your hand if you need to.

God is so good. If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.

Hi, I read somewhere that Kirk Franklin, the popular Gospel singer and pastor (I think), had his own struggle with porn addiction not long ago and he admitted it publicly. This is obviously hypocritical considering the music he makes, his image and celebrity role model status etc but there wasn't much of a fuss over it. I saw one of his videos on MTV the other day which good for him though.....

but my question is, do you think Christian people can/should still work in the ministry or be christian role models all the while struggling with issues like this?

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 02:00:48 -0400

I’m divided. It says in Timothy I think that people going into a position of leadership in the church need to be living an upright life. But on the other hand pornography should not be considered worse than other sins. we are all human and we all struggle with sin. God could keep him in that position and use that struggle to help others and glorify Him. But ultimately whether he stays in ministry or not, that is between him and God

sinkinggrace: letmercyrain: Jimmy Needham on porn...

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:55:43 -0400

sinkinggrace:

letmercyrain:

Jimmy Needham on porn addiciton

He’s become one of my favorite musicians. Amazing.

This is great. Check it out.

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and..."

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:09:46 -0400

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

- Colossians 1:11-12 (via onethingisnecessary)

The thing about addictions

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:26:35 -0400

letmercyrain:

you never actually quench your desire.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:22:43 -0400

Philippians 1:6

Hi. Please pray for me.

I am a Christian, was born to a Christian family. But it was never easy. When I was in High school, i started being so curious about sex. So I started lusting over the ones I like, until it got worst. I did touching, I do masturbate, and I watched porn.
I'm now a college graduate and I'm really asking God to guide me, for freedom from the bondage of this sin. I even memorized verses from the Bible that would remind me that sexual immorality is wrong so that I won't slip up. But I just slip up easily. It sucks. No matter how I recite those verses, the devil just consumes me. I don't want to live this life anymore. I want to be used by God. I want my body to be used for the ministry for His Kingdom. Please pray for me. I NEED FREEDOM.

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 16:19:18 -0400

We’ll be praying!

There is freedom, there really is! Just rely on God and His strength. Get a support system. Find a trusted friend or pastor. Find someone to be accountable to.

Just remember you’re a work in progress. God will help you.

God bless.

Your yesterday is not your today. Your today is not your tomorrow.

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 20:40:21 -0400

Keep the past where it belongs, and move on to great new places.

Sin Breaks God's Heart
For reading & meditation - Proverbs 6:27-35
"But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself." (v.32)

We have talked about chastity; let's talk now about faithfulness. Chastity is purity prior to marriage; faithfulness is virtue within marriage. God wants everyone who enters into marriage to be loyal and true. When we say that God is love, we are also saying that God is faithful, because love cannot be love unless it has faithfulness in it. Marriage is a covenant. A lot of people say, "It's just a piece of paper and fifteen minutes of someone's time." But hold on a minute. If life is based on relationships, then the only ethical relationship is love, and love is faithfulness, then the marriage covenant is the most precious thing in life. The thing that constantly comes out in both Old and New Testaments is the covenant aspect of love. And when you study the covenants of Scripture you will find this - that God keeps His covenants even though they are broken from the other side. The relationship between Jehovah and Israel is often pictured as that of a husband and a wife. Israel becomes the wayward, unfaithful wife who commits adultery. But God is still faithful to His covenant. God says, "I will never break my covenant. You can count on it. I am God." Young people don't want entangling relationships today. They want to be free to love. With all the conviction of my heart, I say to you that there is no such thing as "free love." only free exploitation. Love is commitment and when men and women indulge in fornication or adultery, they have not just broken God's laws; they have broken His heart.

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:42:05 -0400

Marriage really is a commitment that is taken a lot more lightly than it should. Thanks for sharing!

Facing Temptation

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?– Job 31:1

A lustful look is the beginning of most sins. It was an unguarded look which led to the fall of Achan into covetousness, and David into adultery. A covetous glance soon leads to covetous thoughts, which soon lead to covetous plans, which soon lead to covetous actions.

Job, therefore, had determined to cut off the sin of covetousness at its root, by promising himself never even to look at a single woman in a lustful way. This covenant with his eyes, he rhetorically asserts, will inevitably guard him from lustful thoughts about other women.

Job’s personal commitment to overcome a besetting sin of almost every man is convicting. But it is also encouraging, because the fact that he made such a covenant means that it is possible to fulfill his end of the agreement. Believer, know this: it is possible—although it will require self-crucifixion and constant self-watch—to overcome the sin of lust.

Will it require a sober and self-searching covenant with your heart, before God? Yes. Will it mean giving up casual glances and lustful thoughts? Yes. But it is possible!

So the question that Job’s integrity puts before us is this: do I love God enough to forego the temporary and deceitful pleasures of lustful stares, in order to fix my gaze upon God? Am I willing to enter into a personal covenant to that effect today?

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:40:36 -0400

Thank you for sharing!

I really appreciate what this blog is about and what it was created to inspire. I wanted to submit something.

I struggle on and off with porn and masturbation, but I am slowly falling away from it the more I get closer to God. Thank you Jesus!!! (little praise dance) I want to share something that helps.

Whenever I get the urge to do it, I think about (and without getting too graphic) how masturbation is premature abortion. Think about it. Every time you do this deed, you are killing off thousands, if not millions of potential children. It's that serious. You are hindering the lineage of your family by preventing the lives of your progeny. Jesus wasn't just saying to let the children come to Him, but I believe he also meant allow your children to experience Christ in their lives Read it:

"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."- Luke 18:16

Your children are your legacy and it would behoove you to not defer that for a few moments of temporary "pleasure". What if it's prophecy for your son or daughter to be one of the most influential pastors or preachers in the world?

Just my opinion.

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:38:29 -0400

Thank you for sharing. That’s an interesting way of viewing it.

Wow! You are a blessing! And to the anon struggling with same-sex attraction, I know exactly how you feel, I've been dealing with it for years. I have NO desire to be with a man sexually and am disgusted with the idea, but like you, my lack of a masculine example of love caused me to struggle with this sin. However, God is faithful and He will be with you until the end. He will NEVER leave you because of sin. The fact that you still know that your sin is sin is proof that He hasn't left you. Keep fighting and develop a plan of action for before you're tempted and also for when you're tempted. But your plan must be implemented constantly. Don't wait for temptation, fight beforehand. God bless.

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:35:43 -0400

Amen!

Christians

Sun, 24 Jul 2011 13:35:11 -0400

checkout www.thebridgeproject.tumblr.com

It’s about bridging socioeconomic and other barriers in the body of Christ and promoting unity as Christians.