I'm in Way Over my Head

[bravado]

I feel like I've sinned so much that there's no way back. I kneeled and prayed and asked for forgiveness for something that I did again 3 hours later. I'm scared. Can someone pull me back on God's road PLEASE!? I just want to make certain that I'm still saved. Sometimes I just get too discouraged and Satan becomes too powerful. Why and I losing the battle that has already been won?

[kelijene]

Bravado, here's a scripture for you:

Romans 7:15 - 8:2:

15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[3 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM%2B7&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NIV&x=14&y=6#footnote_174670748_3)] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[1 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM+8&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on#footnote_200629110_1)] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[2 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM+8&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on#footnote_200629110_2)] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.

We are all sinners - every single one of us needs Jesus.
Read about David in the book of Samuel - he did great sins, and yet God called him a 'man after my own heart'.
Read Ephesians,all of it, and put your own name in there when you read it, and you will get a glimpse of how important you are to God.
Satan will use your sins to accuse you and make you think you aren't worth forgiving, but don't let him distract you - keep looking to God. Read His Word, seek Him in all things.

[DanielRB]

Bravado, here's a scripture for you:

Romans 7:15 - 8:2:

15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[3 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM%2B7&showfn=on&showxref=on&language=english&version=NIV&x=14&y=6#footnote_174670748_3)] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[1 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM+8&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on#footnote_200629110_1)] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[2 (http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?passage=ROM+8&language=english&version=NIV&showfn=on&showxref=on#footnote_200629110_2)] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.

We are all sinners - every single one of us needs Jesus.
Read about David in the book of Samuel - he did great sins, and yet God called him a 'man after my own heart'.
Read Ephesians,all of it, and put your own name in there when you read it, and you will get a glimpse of how important you are to God.
Satan will use your sins to accuse you and make you think you aren't worth forgiving, but don't let him distract you - keep looking to God. Read His Word, seek Him in all things.
Amen, Kelijene!

Bravado, remember that Jesus will "never leave you or forsake you" (Heb 3:5, Deut 31:6, 8). We are all sinners, saved by grace--and we need that grace every moment.

In Christ,

Daniel

[bravado]

I thank you for the help :wave:

[Carico]

I feel like I've sinned so much that there's no way back. I kneeled and prayed and asked for forgiveness for something that I did again 3 hours later. I'm scared. Can someone pull me back on God's road PLEASE!? I just want to make certain that I'm still saved. Sometimes I just get too discouraged and Satan becomes too powerful. Why and I losing the battle that has already been won?
Do you believe with ALL your heart souls andmind that Jesus died for ALL of your sins? IT IS FINISHED. He already DIED for you! It happened. it really did. Once you KNOW that it happened, you will know that you are saved once and for all.

[Svt4Him]

Where sin abounds, grace that much more abounds. Do we sin to make grace abound? No! But when we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I like Carmen's song that says something like when satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.

[newname]

Fear is the beginning of wisdom

Mathew 7 says that the "narrow" way is full of obstacles, Satan puts these there to keep you from entering the narrow way that leads to life.

This passage is written to "believers". you must seek and enter the "narrow" way and it is not easy.

Also, in James, God says to the "brethren" that they must humble themselves and HE will lift them up. We must be willing to "be afflicted, mourn and weep"

Continue to cry out to God for truth, it is truth that will set you free.

I pray that you continue to seek and ask and do not let Satan overcome you, but you become an "overcomer" by the power of God.

speaking truth by the Holy Spirit,

newname

[alexeeah]

Also Proverbs 24:16 tells us For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again!! It doesn't matter how many times you fall down, GET BACK UP!! God is a God of the "getting back up people"

[Monica02]

Bravado,

God forgives if you are truly repentant. The Catholic Church has the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation. You should learn about the Faith. If your confession is valid the priest, acting in the Person of Christ, will forgive your sins and assign you a pennance. This way you know that your sins have been forgiven. The Eucharist, other Sacraments, and prayer will help you to refrain from future sin. Do not despair as the first pope denied that he even knew Christ, no once but three times. Everybody, except the Blessed Vrgin Mary, has sinned. The prayers of the faithful will also help you.

[Entertaining_Angels]

I think many Christians have been where you are. I accepted Christ but I was still given to occasional despair and guilt over my past. I was still 'saved' during these episodes, but after several years of these cycles, the Lord finally brought me to a very 'low' place where I had nowhere to turn but to Him. I was able to finally forgive myself and give Him the glory. I've been guilt-free over my past now for several years. Sure, occasionally I'll be reminded of the past, and I may have regrets but I no longer have guilt.

Forgive yourself, give it all to God and get on with life =)

God bless!

[hola]

Can someone pull me back on God's road PLEASE!?God's road=the Way, Jesus.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
(1 Corinthians 10:13)

That way is Jesus.

God forgives if you are truly repentant. The Catholic Church has the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation. You should learn about the Faith. If your confession is valid the priest, acting in the Person of Christ, will forgive your sins and assign you a pennance. This way you know that your sins have been forgiven. The Eucharist, other Sacraments, and prayer will help you to refrain from future sin. Do not despair as the first pope denied that he even knew Christ, no once but three times. Everybody, except the Blessed Vrgin Mary, has sinned. The prayers of the faithful will also help you.I'm sorry but I disagree with penance. Even if it's in a form of prayer or more Bible reading. The thinking is: "If I only DO this or that...then my sin problem is resolved."

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
(Philippians 2:13)

We are to mortify the deeds of the body BY the Spirit, not by trying to perfect our flesh in our own strength (Galatians 3:3).

All sins have been payed for on the cross of Jesus Christ!

Yes, prayer helps, because we pray to a God who hears and answers our prayers...but prayer in itself is not our Saviour, nor our Deliverer.

[Lynn73]

What kelijene said! I struggle with the thoughts of losing my salvation or wondering if I'm really saved, too. I think that the devil knows that that's a weak area with some Christians and that's what he's going to go for. Let's not give up, bravado. Where else is there to go? Keep on with Christ no matter how many times you fall.

[Lynn73]

Bravado,

God forgives if you are truly repentant. The Catholic Church has the beautiful Sacrament of Reconciliation. You should learn about the Faith. If your confession is valid the priest, acting in the Person of Christ, will forgive your sins and assign you a pennance. This way you know that your sins have been forgiven. The Eucharist, other Sacraments, and prayer will help you to refrain from future sin. Do not despair as the first pope denied that he even knew Christ, no once but three times. Everybody, except the Blessed Vrgin Mary, has sinned. The prayers of the faithful will also help you.I also join hola in disagreeing with this. You need only confess directly to the Father through Christ. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple separating the rest of the temple from the holy of holies was split from top to bottom indicating there's no more barrier. We can go directly to the Father. Jesus is the only Priest you need. No man has the right or power to forgive sins of other men or women imho. They cannot know a person's heart.

Everyone has sinned, except Mary?? Does that mean Jesus sinned? I know what you say is traditional Catholic doctrine but it's not biblical doctrine.

[hola]

I also join hola in disagreeing with this. You need only confess directly to the Father through Christ. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple separating the rest of the temple from the holy of holies was split from top to bottom indicating there's no more barrier. We can go directly to the Father. Jesus is the only Priest you need. No man has the right or power to forgive sins of other men or women imho. They cannot know a person's heart.

Everyone has sinned, except Mary?? Does that mean Jesus sinned? I know what you say is traditional Catholic doctrine but it's not biblical doctrine.
I can see that this thread could change its direction and focus of discussion very easily. I'll just add my agreement to Lynn73's question about Mary sinning and if Jesus sinned...I'll then attempt to leave this alone.

Mary said: "my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." (Luke 1:47)
We know that Jesus is God...why would Mary need a Saviour? If she had never sinned, why would she need a Saviour?

Jesus never sinned...he was a sacrifice without spot or blemish (sin).

[Lynn73]

Yes, I don't want to change the direction of the thread. Though I did feel the need to comment. I was just trying to help bravado.

[hola]

I understand.

I just know that if others would view this, they would be more inclined to discuss that instead. I didn't mean this towards you personally. I was just in agreement with you and didn't want to get involved in a debate off of the topic.

God bless you Lynn73!!!

[Lynn73]

You also! Sometimes it's easy to get off topic. All it takes is one sentence or comment by anyone. Thanks for nipping it in the bud.

I pray bravado doesn't give up because I sure go through the same thing! I've thought about giving up myself but I'm not going to.

[forgivenmuch]

the bible tells us that when we sin we have an advacate with the father.. but we should not willingfully sin... if you are having a temptation in your life.. pray before you want to do what ever it is ..you are sinning over.. we need to confess our sins to God..
i think you are condeming your ownself more than anyone.. God knows we are flesh..we are going to sin... you need to calm down and relax.. take life as it comes.. get a more personal realtioship with christ..and people you can talk to.. get out with christian brothers and sisters.. it would help alot.. you are growing in the lord everyday.. God knows that.. i would suggest that you read your bible and seek God for yourself..and talk to someone you can trust about your struggles.. remember you are a believer in christ.. and he will never leave you..nor forsake you.. hes with you ..all the way.. so remember that..

[Blade]

Wow can't ad much to all the wonderful answers. But when I was young I heard a preacher say on the radio, I don't think anyone has sinned as much as me. But you need to repent your sin get up, dust your self off and keep going. Remember Jesus well never ever make you feel guilty. Or keep telling you about your past.

[asmith555]

Hey Bravado. I realised that it was the people I was hanging around that encouraged me to sin. If you have to, get new friends. Ones that can support you and help you resist temptations.

[Mikolev]

Bravado,

I have been exactly where you are. Your post is a mirror image of what my life has been like.

I guess that's what makes God so amazing, that he is willing to forgive people who have been as bad as us.

[Reformationist]

I just want to make certain that I'm still saved.
bravado, we are covenant breakers. I say this not to condone sin but to realistically represent mankind. Your salvation, thanks be to God, is not the product of your obedience. It's the result of Christ's obedience in your stead. If you are His He is able to keep that which you have committed unto Him. He may let you fall into seasons of difficulty but this is probably to remind you of your dependence upon His grace rather than to make you wonder about your place in His family. The only way our salvation is certain is by the propitiation of Christ. If He died for you then God has accepted Christ's works on your behalf. For your own personal assurance you should be testing yourself to determine if you, at the least, have a desire to obey God. If you do, and you seem to, then know that He is God and that your salvation is held for you in Heaven by the power of God. Seek to obey God because of your love for Him.

Sometimes I just get too discouraged and Satan becomes too powerful. Why and I losing the battle that has already been won?
It's not about losing or winning. Your discouragement comes from your clear reliance on your own works to determine the efficacy of God's work on the Cross. God is able to save you and keep you. Your works should represent your thankfulness for what you know HE can accomplish.

God bless

[Monica02]

I also join hola in disagreeing with this. You need only confess directly to the Father through Christ. When Jesus died, the veil in the temple separating the rest of the temple from the holy of holies was split from top to bottom indicating there's no more barrier. We can go directly to the Father. Jesus is the only Priest you need. No man has the right or power to forgive sins of other men or women imho. They cannot know a person's heart.

Everyone has sinned, except Mary?? Does that mean Jesus sinned? I know what you say is traditional Catholic doctrine but it's not biblical doctrine.
Christ gave authourity, the keys, to the apostles to forgive sins, to decide between absolving or refraining guilt. This requires "confession" of sins for this judgement not to be arbitrary. This authority was passed on to bishops, and from them to priests, with ordination. Matthew 16:19, John 20: 21-23, Revelation 1:18.

My post stated that the priest works in the person of Christ to forgive sins. This does not mean that man can forgive sins.

Jesus is God so of course he does not sin.

Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin from the very moment of her conception. God already saved her.

[Lynn73]

Thanks, Monica, though I cannot share your views. Peace.