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| "I've
been mastubating since I was a child"
Dear
Counselor, Dear
Lost & Helpless: Dear Counselor, Thank you for your reply. I think you are the only person who understands my problem... and cares enough to treat it in a serious light. You told me that I should share this with someone... but I've already tried that. I've shared about this problem with my pastor and his wife before (about 2 years back). He spent one session commanding all the demons/spirits out of me... and after that he never talked about it again... or even ask me how I'm coping with it (but he did say during the session that I may have been abused as a child before which made me more confused). I've since left that church. I am living in another country and I think that this problem is a taboo there. How can I share again? I'm very tired with this problem... I've prayed about it... even fasted about it.... but I soon get tired and give in. It is so bad that when I try not to do it I would dream about it and I would wake up crying... and needing to do it. I really don't know what to do anymore. And I am not sure whether I'm perverse or a normal human being. A part of me loves Jesus... and another part of me fantasizes. I know that you are only able to help in a limited way... but it feels better to share this with someone who understands and not pretend I'm ok. Thank you for listening. I would appreciate it a great deal if you could keep me in prayer. Lost & Helpless Dear
Lost & Helpless: I am touched by your humility and
honesty. I am looking for resources on the web for you.
Are you able to surf different sites? I would imagine
you are since you found my site. Below are some resources
you can find on the web and a free booklet you can order.
Since your sexual problem is an addiction, I recommend that you
follow the 12 step approach and try to find a group if possible.
But if you can access the sites below, you can get all kinds of
resources on the internet to help you. Also, you may want
to try to get an email sponsor. I don't know is there is such
a thing, but write to the NACR and ask. There are many
resources on the National
Association for Christians in Recovery page and articles,
etc. So God can work to help you on the internet! I
hope this will be helpful for you. Homosexual
Recovery: God
bless you. Read my article about guilt
and backslidding I
care. Top of page More on Living for Christ: There is nothing like living fully for Christ. When you walk with Christwholeheartedly you will experience victory over sin, His love, presence, power, peace and purpose. There is nothing like living for Christ. He is the living water and will satisfy your needs. Your needs will never be satisfied by anything or anyone else the way that Jesus can satisfy them.drugs, or any other sinful way of living. These verses talk about the experience you will have as you grow in Christ. John 15:1-2 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 16:24 "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete." John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:27 "No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God." (NIV) Marriage takes 2 mature people who are committed to Christ and showing the fruits of the Holy Spirit... see Gal. 5:22-23. You need to investigate why you keep going back to this sexual addiction. Maybe you are struggling with low self-esteem, or feeling like a failure. You need an Sexual Addiction support group and counseling. Please take some action. The life your living now is self-destructive besides being disobedient to God. Take heart though. With Christ there is freedom & forgiveness: I Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Rom 6:22-23 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV) I believe that it is a good sign that you are convicted about your sins. The Holy Spirit is trying to draw you back to Christ. The verses you quoted from 1 John are a warning though that when a person consistently sins, he/she needs to evaluate his/her spiritual condition and standing before God. I have printed out the verses here: I Jn 3:7-10 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (NIV) I encourage you to write to Pastor Ray Pritchard about this question for a pastoral/ theological perspective. I hope this helps. God bless you! Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC Please check out the following resources, and the list of support groups, hotlines and helplines on our web site: Christian
Recovery: |
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Notice: This advice column is not intended to take the place of direct professional mental health services but rather to provide insight into various problem situations and possible helpful resources and interventions. Please contact please contact AACC for a referral to a mental health professional
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