Addictions

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TonyChanYT

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Addictions and compulsive behaviors:

Alcohol, drugs, pornography, masturbation, lust, fornication, gambling, gluttony, lying, procrastination, evil video games, homosexuality, bisexual, lesbian, etc.

Do these weaknesses prevent you from being born of the Spirit?

No. The LORD looks at the heart.

Do most Christians struggle with porn?

I think so, The Gospel Coalition:

The survey found that approximately two-thirds (64 percent) of Christian men admit they view pornography at least monthly.
Once you have been born of the Spirit, will you be free from these addictions?

Yes, in some cases, but not in every case. This world is a testing ground.

What should you do?

  1. Admit that there is sin involved.
  2. Pray for deliverance.
  3. When you sin, confess it to God.
  4. Confess it with a mature Christian whom you trust. You are accountable to him. Choose someone from your local area whom you can meet face-to-face.
  5. Join a church support group if available.
What should you not do?

  1. Don't tell your conscience that it is okay to practice this sin.
  2. Don't plan to sin and confess later.
  3. Don't condemn yourself.
Focus on the grace of God (2 Corinthians 12:9). Have a humble repentant attitude. Addiction impacts the brain on many levels. It may take many years before you are completely free from it. Hopefully, you will experience improvement yearly (Romans 7:15-19). In the meantime, practice How to get closer to God and grow in faith.
 

MatthewG

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You can probably quench the spirit, to some degree… but isn’t sin just to not have any faith in the Lord Yeshua, isn’t that the only unforgivable sin? Paul was plagued with some type of problem he ask three times to the Lord, and the Lord said “My grace is sufficient enough for you.” Many people like to harp on sin. And I’m not making light of the fact, saying go and sin like no tomorrow.

So we should stop judging each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith. I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person. If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you are not really following the way of love. Don’t destroy anyone’s faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them. Don’t allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil. In God’s kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy—all from the Holy Spirit. Whoever serves Christ by living this way is pleasing God, and they will be accepted by others. So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith. Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that hurts the faith of your brother or sister. You should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty. But anyone who eats something without being sure it is right is doing wrong. That is because they did not believe it was right. And if you do anything that you believe is not right, it is sin.“
‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬-‭23‬ ‭ERV‬‬
 

Ritajanice

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Addictions and compulsive behaviors:

Alcohol, drugs, pornography, masturbation, lust, fornication, gambling, gluttony, lying, procrastination, evil video games, homosexuality, bisexual, lesbian, etc.

Do these weaknesses prevent you from being born of the Spirit?
Of course not!!...imo.

Addictions are usually dealt with by God, after we have become Born Again...he gently helps us let go of these addictions ....don’t expect a quick fix either...I’m not saying God can’t take an addiction away instantly, I’m sure he can...not in my case..I was addicted to mental and emotional abuse.....over many years he has gently weaned me off of that addiction.......I have been set free from that addiction.......addictions are extremely powerful only God can help us overcome them.

My opinion/ testimony and belief.

Edit to add....what is an addictive personality?
 
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Ritajanice

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Once you have been born of the Spirit, will you be free from these addictions?
If it’s God’s will, that we shall be set free from our addictions...then of course we will be....

He has set me free from a few of those addictions that you have listed.

How about you?...have you been set free from any addictions?

I’m not asking you to share what your addictions are, that’s if you have any...I shared one of my addictions which I felt comfortable doing so....the other addictions I don’t feel comfortable sharing...therefore I won’t...
 

Ritajanice

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I think that you missed the one of compulsive posting on a Christian forum.

It is just as bad as the ones that you have listed.
How so?

Of course you are entitled to your own opinion.....I’m just trying to understand what you mean...as you haven’t explained why it’s just as bad as the ones that he listed? xx

Not looking to argue...just trying to get a better understanding of why you think or believe that?

From your perspective?xx

It’s just gathering insight from another’s perspective....xx
 

Jay Ross

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It’s just gathering insight from another’s perspective....xx

The list of "sin" were all about the desires of self. Compulsive posting on a Christian forum falls into that category as well.
 

Ritajanice

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The list of "sin" were all about the desires of self. Compulsive posting on a Christian forum falls into that category as well.
He’s not talking about self.imo of course...as I’ve stated , you are entitled to state yours, I’m now posting from my perspective.

He’s posting about God, Look at all the “ searching “ he is doing.....that is what I see....I see nothing about self...xx

He’s searching for God’s truth imo...like we all are.xx

By the way I’m a compulsive poster.....hehehe,xx

I’m learning all about God on this forum and quite frankly I can’t get enough....xxx

Enjoy the rest of your day...

Also God’s word says.

Romans 8​

King James Version​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
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Jay Ross

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He’s not talking about self.imo

I think that you are missing the point I had made.

Also, my comment, as you seem to be suggesting, was not directed at @TonyChanYT.

People often consider that driving a car above the signed speed limit is a sin, but I would suggest to you that the real sin is why you are driving the vehicle above the signed speed.

Our primary sin is our turning away from God. The list of sins Tony provided are among the sins that we manifest when we have turned away from God. It is easier for us to ask God to deal with our list of manifested sins after having turned away from God, but we have difficulty in confessing that we have committed the primary sin of turning away from God and repenting of that sin. If God forgives us of our primary sin, then all the manifested sins that came about because we had turned away from God, are forgive as well when God forgives us of the Primary Sin of turning away from Him.

That is why I tend to pray for the person, requesting prayer for XYZ sins or hardship, asking for God to include them among those whom He is drawing to Himself so that they will know God's love for them and His purposes for their life in Him rather than praying for the XYZ sin being forgiven by God or the nominated hardship being removed.

It is the hardships that we face walking with God that strengthen our relationship with God and our continual dependence on Him for our strength, so that we become stronger in our relationship with God as we grow in our relationship with God.

Shalom
 

Ritajanice

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I think that you are missing the point I had made.

Also, my comment, as you seem to be suggesting, was not directed at @TonyChanYT.
Oh really...then my apologies.
People often consider that driving a car above the signed speed limit is a sin, but I would suggest to you that the real sin is why you are driving the vehicle above the signed speed.

Our primary sin is our turning away from God. The list of sins Tony provided are among the sins that we manifest when we have turned away from God
I would say sin applies to a non believer.

There is no sin in a Born Again as they have been Born Again of imperishable seed...as God’s word say...his written word...but ,to understand that written word, it must be understood in our heart, that’s where God communicates with His children, via his Spirit...not our intellect....Gods message via His Spirit is relayed to our intellect....he speaks to our heart...that’s how we understand his written word....through the Spiritual rebirth as we have been Born of the Spirit...Spirit gives birth to spirit..
. It is easier for us to ask God to deal with our list of manifested sins after having turned away from God, but we have difficulty in confessing that we have committed the primary sin of turning away from God and repenting of that sin. If God forgives us of our primary sin, then all the manifested sins that came about because we had turned away from God, are forgive as well when God forgives us of the Primary Sin of turning away from Him.

That is why I tend to pray for the person, requesting prayer for XYZ sins or hardship, asking for God to include them among those whom He is drawing to Himself so that they will know God's love for them and His purposes for their life in Him rather than praying for the XYZ sin being forgiven by God or the nominated hardship being removed.

It is the hardships that we face walking with God that strengthen our relationship with God and our continual dependence on Him for our strength, so that we become stronger in our relationship with God as we grow in our relationship with God.
Thank you for voicing your own opinion/ belief.
 

TonyChanYT

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How about you?...have you been set free from any addictions?
Thank God that I didn't have many, except pornography. I struggled with it for decades. That was one of my motivations for writing this OP. I am no longer addicted to it but only because of old age :)
 
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Ritajanice

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Sorry Tony....I will cease posting about Born Again , as that is not what this topic is about...it’s about addictions....therefore I will leave the thread...I’ve posted my 2 cents worth.
 

Jay Ross

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I would say sin applies to a non believer.

There is no sin in a Born Again as they have been Born Again of imperishable seed...as God’s word say...his written word...but ,to understand that written word, it must be understood in our heart, that’s where God communicates with His children, via his Spirit...not our intellect....Gods message via His Spirit is relayed to our intellect....he speaks to our heart...that’s how we understand his written word....through the Spiritual rebirth as we have been Born of the Spirit...Spirit gives birth to spirit..

Is there not a NT scripture which states that if we, as Christians, say we have no sin then we are calling God a lair.

King David turned away from God three times that I am aware of from the scriptures.

Oh, while I think of it, "Thanks for expressing your own opinion/belief."

If I have no sin, then I am telling God that I do not need His forgiveness, not need to be covered by the blood of Christ when I am to be judged.

For me, I know that I sin. My thoughts wander inappropriately, and Satan sets traps for me to become entangled in.

However, I am secure in my relationship with God and Christ and have firmly embedded myself in Christ's fertile field, and because of this I am humbly blessed.