Onward and Upwards.
As New Zealanders we’re pretty hard on ourselves and others. We excel at putting others down and we seem to do a good job of putting ourselves down too. We need to stop doing this.
Some of the strongest men in the bible failed miserably in certain areas of their lives. Six are mentioned below:
1. In the garden of Eden Adam who could eat anything except for the fruit off one tree. We know how that ended.
2. Moses had an anger problem that we clearly see when he killed someone (Exodus 2:11-12).
3. Aaron saw God deliver them from Egypt built an alter for worship to a false deity (Exodus 32:1-6).
4. Samson was chosen by God but chose a wife who set out to destroy him. She was responsible for his imprisonment. (Judges 16)
5. King David. He had everything yet he became an adulterer and a murderer. (2 Samuel 11)
6. Peter was Jesus ‘favourite disciple’ yet he denied Jesus three times and ran from Him when Jesus needed support. (Luke 22:54-62)
These men didn’t stay down. When they came to their senses they got back up. As the saying goes ‘they got back on their horse.’ They knew that they were forgiven by God for their behaviours. They sought God and admitted their behaviours.
I believe that we need to remember this. God knows that we are incapable of living without sinning. In the Garden of Eden God told Adam that ‘when you eat the forbidden fruit you will surely dies.’ Yet despite God’s knowledge that Adam couldn’t live without sinning He was willing to be Adam’s God. To be there for Adam afterwards. God’s grace is also seen in how He worked with the other men mentioned above. God didn’t walk away from them when they sinned.
When you sin God wants you to turn back to Him. God wants you to acknowledge your sin and ask for forgiveness. Guilt tries to stop you from confessing your sin. Pride tries to stop you from seeking help. Don’t let guilt and pride stop you from seeking reconciliation.
Next time you sin and use pornography or engage in another sinful behaviour that you are struggling to break remember that God knows your struggles. Confess your sin and repent (1 John 1:9). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+1%3A9&version=NIV Don’t minimize the sin by saying ‘everyone uses porn…’ Don’t believe that you are unforgiven or that God doesn’t love you.
If you are involved in any behaviours that you know are not Godly please don’t wait until the new year to set another resolution. Start today. Feel free to contact us (click here). We have experienced God’s grace in overcoming sexual addictions and we want to see you set free.
By Anon
