Becoming a better follower

[hopelessromance]

Assume that in your life you grew up going to church. You went because you were expected to by your parents. But then when you were able to think for yourself (age 13ish) you decided that it wasn't the thing for you.
Then, at 17 you find your faith again. You realsinse that you do believe in God and do so for yourself and not just to please your parents. You start to hang out with other Christian kids that make you feel more like you're making the right choice.
You start to read the Bible and read about all the ways you have sinned.
You vow to stop these blasphemies but can't seem to break some of the habits.
Has anyone ever experienced this? A desire to pretty much overhaul you life but had trouble doing it.
I know I'll be able to. It'll will just takee some getting used to.
Thanks.

[Jade]

Assume that in your life you grew up going to church. You went because you were expected to by your parents. But then when you were able to think for yourself (age 13ish) you decided that it wasn't the thing for you.
Then, at 17 you find your faith again. You realsinse that you do believe in God and do so for yourself and not just to please your parents. You start to hang out with other Christian kids that make you feel more like you're making the right choice.
You start to read the Bible and read about all the ways you have sinned.
You vow to stop these blasphemies but can't seem to break some of the habits.
Has anyone ever experienced this? A desire to pretty much overhaul you life but had trouble doing it.
I know I'll be able to. It'll will just takee some getting used to.
Thanks.

When you realized your sin, did you confess it to God and ask him to forgive you? You can't live a Christian life without Christ.

I'm not saying that it's easy to live a Christian life with Christ; just that it's impossible without Christ.

As a Christian it's a daily process of letting God lead you moment by moment. We all mess up, but as we grow in Christ, He changes us into His image.

[Beanieboy]

I can say that I have, while I'm Buddhist now, I still have some words of wisdom.

Many of my Christian friends had the best intentions, but would concentrate on their sins, and never on what they do well, or ways that they had grown.
So, they would, say, go out drinking with their friends, then for weeks at a time, cry about how they had "backslid." Every small infraction was "backsliding," no matter how big or minor. So, they spent a huge amount of time feeling bad, guilty, crying for forgiveness to God. Some were extreme (crying because they listened to "worldly" music, were dancing in the flesh rather than in the spirit, etc.)

But Buddhism teaches that you are already Buddha, so you meditate on that, and realize that it's true. Anything short of the Buddha, you naturally shed.

So, my advice is to sit in meditation or prayer, and imagine yourself just as God made you - that you are lovable now, and picture who you want to be. Just envision that person, and soon, you become that. While you can acknowledge your sin, don't place overemphasis on it, nor underemphasize what you are doing that is positive.

And everytime that you notice a change, thank God humbly.

And, don't beat yourself up over imperfection. We all have it, and it's the thing that makes us approachable and human.

What is important is to strive to get closer to God. Focus on God, and not yourself, and it will come naturally.

[mentored1]

Well met...

That tale is similiar to my own... I remember a few things that really helped me at that time... Might not hurt to share them...

You already have the victory. Christ's work is done, sin and death defeated, and the promise of eternal life sealed in blood. If you are His then you will never be lost, abandoned, or destroyed. This is not a license to unbridled destruction but an assurance that you will be picked up when you fall - every time, no matter what.

The presence of sin in the human nature cannot be conquered while you are in the flesh. This nature will only be destroyed upon death when you are in the presence of God. Your victory in Christ tells you that though you will lose many battles from now until the hour of death you cannot ever be defeated and destroyed by sin, assuming you are Christ's. We will all fail all the time - that is assured. The key is not to let your failings defeat you - get back up, ask God for help, and move on.

Accept the fact that sin is you as much as grace is you. Paul expressed the fact that two natures war in your being and you want to do good but find yourself doing evil. But the hope is in the redemption and resurrection - which in this life allows you to live knowing that death and sin have no ultimate power over you. The part of you that gives in to sin is already dead, already condemned and awaiting the strike of the executioner: the return of Christ for His own. So wait patiently and with hope.

Take care

[hopelessromance]

But what if while commiting the sins you are fully aware, now, that you are sinning? They'd just become so habitual that I do it anyway. I have noticed them occuring less. Maybe it's just the transition from doing it to not is taking a while. Hopefully I'll get used to it. I've quit things in the past.
Thanks for your advice btw. :smile:

[mentored1]

Well met hopeless...


But what if while commiting the sins you are fully aware, now, that you are sinning?

Unless you are sinning while rendered unconscious you are always aware of what you are doing... Some may debate that issue but it's splitting hairs to try and find the right definition of "aware"... Suffice to say we either aware of our own choices and actions or we are not... Which one is it?

Having said that being aware of sin doesn't change the nature of what is going on (considering the various points I threw out in previous reply). Paul knew what he was doing was evil, the motions of sin in his body, and he thanked God that he was saved from it. You're a redeemed soul if you're Christ's - if you have no sin in your body and you do no sin while you're earth-bound then how can you be 'redeemed'? Hence any man who says he has no sin is a liar, as Paul states.


They'd just become so habitual that I do it anyway. I have noticed them occuring less. Maybe it's just the transition from doing it to not is taking a while. Hopefully I'll get used to it. I've quit things in the past.
Thanks for your advice btw. :smile:

Of course it will take awhile - because it will never happen. You may do the more obvious habits less and think they are licked but there's a subtelty to sin... as one fades others come into the foreground. There's a darkness in humanity that always tries to reach the surface and you can't block all outlets at the same time.

You will always be imperfect... and, if I may offer a small slice of advice, the more you try to stamp out sin in your life the more often you'll face it. It's an old truth that cautions us to be careful as we stare into the abyss because it stares back at us. Spend more time learning at the feet of Jesus and wondering about Heaven - after all, you can't cleanse sin from you at all only HE can do that... :wink:

Take care

[shunyadragon]

Assume that in your life you grew up going to church. You went because you were expected to by your parents. But then when you were able to think for yourself (age 13ish) you decided that it wasn't the thing for you.
Then, at 17 you find your faith again. You realsinse that you do believe in God and do so for yourself and not just to please your parents. You start to hang out with other Christian kids that make you feel more like you're making the right choice.
You start to read the Bible and read about all the ways you have sinned.
You vow to stop these blasphemies but can't seem to break some of the habits.
Has anyone ever experienced this? A desire to pretty much overhaul you life but had trouble doing it.
I know I'll be able to. It'll will just takee some getting used to.
Thanks.

This scenario is played out all over the world of people from different faiths, despite wanderings, most return home to rost. It is the select precious few that persist in marching to the beat of a different drummer.