Mature prayer topics (older or mature members only, please)

[Tsukuyomi]

Thanks . Well reading, understanding and talking is no prob , but sometimes i´m not so sure if i´m typing the words correctly .

You seem to be doing fine and everyone makes typos and w/n (me included.. I'm the queen of typos xDDD) ^^

I'm glad we were able to help ^^ Like Riggy said, feel free to talk about anything that's on your mind ^^ I hope you're finding your way around here alright ^^ If not, don't hesitate to ask any questions ^__^

[Whitefang]

Thanks . Well reading, understanding and talking is no prob , but sometimes i´m not so sure if i´m typing the words correctly .

Your spelling and grammar are better than many native speakers of English. Feel free to post your advice and ask for anything here. We're a tight, understanding family!

[Momo-P]

Just asking for some prayers dealing with hentai...

I know any sexual stuff is wrong before/outside of your marriage, and I know we all screw up, but lately I've noticed I really need to get myself back on track. I understand that looking up perverted things or masturbating is wrong, but I just feel out of sorts because it's like...in the past if I did these things, I'd go into a total wreck and feel REAL guilty for it. You know, where you practically start crying and feel like you're going straight to hell. Nowadays? I still know not to do it, but it's like that insane guilt isn't as strong as before, it's more of a "....I really shouldn't have done that God. ._." after it occurs.

I'm not asking for all the guilt back, I do realize we need to learn to let go and STOP thinking about this stuff, but...eh. I guess I just wish I felt more concerned over doing it so as to prevent me in the first place, you know?

It especially doesn't help that recently I ran into a Christian who was saying that Christians who look up porn/masturbate may not be real Christians at all. As soon as I was told this, I obviously freaked out and felt like crying. I know what I do isn't right by any means, but...I'm human I guess? I think everyone here can agree that you've, at some point or another, have sat around, thought about something bad, and willingly decided to look up porn or masturbate or whatever. It's not right and even as you do it you sometimes second guess yourself "I know this isn't right God, but..." and you keep looking anyways. It's just, combining my current concern with being told that...not a good combination.

I realize what I'm doing is wrong, I'm not gonna try and fool myself into thinking God doesn't mind or something, I just know I need to feel more concerned about it without becoming so overly extreme. ._.

[ClosetOtaku]

...I know any sexual stuff is wrong before/outside of your marriage, and I know we all screw up, but lately I've noticed I really need to get myself back on track.

Nowadays? I still know not to do it, but it's like that insane guilt isn't as strong as before, it's more of a "....I really shouldn't have done that God. ._." after it occurs....

It especially doesn't help that recently I ran into a Christian who was saying that Christians who look up porn/masturbate may not be real Christians at all. As soon as I was told this, I obviously freaked out and felt like crying. I know what I do isn't right by any means, but...I'm human I guess? I think everyone here can agree that you've, at some point or another, have sat around, thought about something bad, and willingly decided to look up porn or masturbate or whatever. It's not right and even as you do it you sometimes second guess yourself "I know this isn't right God, but..." and you keep looking anyways. It's just, combining my current concern with being told that...not a good combination.

I realize what I'm doing is wrong, I'm not gonna try and fool myself into thinking God doesn't mind or something, I just know I need to feel more concerned about it without becoming so overly extreme. ._.

OK, pick yourself up, dust yourself off. Sackcloth and ashes might be appropriate in some cases, however, for us:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

and

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

But...

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

...and...

Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:15)

Extreme? You betcha. Was your friend right? Theologically speaking, perhaps not, but we could spend all night debating about it and not address the real issue.

These words are written, in part, so that we don't get comfortable with the idea of leaving sin in our lives. Can we completely escape from it? Not relevant. If we need to repent many times in a day and ask forgiveness, He will be faithful. The same Jesus who instructed his disciples to forgive "seventy times seven times" will certainly forgive us seventy factorial times if we humble ourselves before Him.

But the magnitude isn't the problem, you see.

Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' " (Luke 13:6-9)

Failing to deal ruthlessly with sin in your life -- particularly sexual sin -- will be devastating. Am I saying you won't sin? Of course not, you are 'only human', as you say. But if you tolerate it, accept it, make it the center of your existence -- which I guarantee you will if you do not repent of it consciously and repeatedly -- sin will become your master.

I'm not going to speculate whether or not such continuous sin means you are or not a Christian, whether you are or are not Saved. Much messy theological stuff in there. But I believe the Scriptures to be clear: do not get comfortable with sin in your life. "Make every effort to enter by the narrow door" (Luke 13:24).

[shooraijin]

> It especially doesn't help that recently I ran into a Christian who was saying that Christians who look up porn/masturbate may not be real Christians at all.

This is the reason this thread exists, to counter that sort of thing. We have all sinned (no matter what it was) and fallen short of the glory of God. Why would sexual sin be any different from any other sin (that those sorts of people have undoubtedly committed)? Why would that make such a sinner any less of a Christian? There is no Biblical grounding for such an assertion.

[Momo-P]

> It especially doesn't help that recently I ran into a Christian who was saying that Christians who look up porn/masturbate may not be real Christians at all.

This is the reason this thread exists, to counter that sort of thing. We have all sinned (no matter what it was) and fallen short of the glory of God. Why would sexual sin be any different from any other sin (that those sorts of people have undoubtedly committed)? Why would that make such a sinner any less of a Christian? There is no Biblical grounding for such an assertion.

I believe he was talking about Christians who purposely commit these sins knowingly and repeatively, but I suppose your point could still ring true. Just because someone becomes a Christian, it doesn't mean they won't be tempted, nor does it mean they won't knowingly give into the temptation...many, many times...

I think he may have meant it in a way to stress how wrong sexual sin is (since it is harder to overcome than say...killing someone), but you're right in that all the sins are still sins.

[initialdfreak]

Failing to deal ruthlessly with sin in your life -- particularly sexual sin -- will be devastating. Am I saying you won't sin? Of course not, you are 'only human', as you say. But if you tolerate it, accept it, make it the center of your existence -- which I guarantee you will if you do not repent of it consciously and repeatedly -- sin will become your master.

I know this is true in my head, but many times I have a hard time believing it in my heart. great post Closet Otaku. best wishes. and prayers for this for me are needed as well. /me loves this thread exists but wishes it didn't have to.

[SnEptUne]

Same here, I am also having problem.

For example, over here somehow, it is fashionable for women to wear extremely short pants/skirts bare legs; and I heard that men tends to get sexually excited with those kind of fashion. Hence, I started having thought that whether people are ignorant, foolishly doing it out of spite, or are they testing people to confirm their own existence even if it is offensive. What people wear is not important, but I only hate this world more when I think of the driving force behind this kind of fashion.

I cannot unlearn what I was told, what I saw, and be ignorance of the world's sins; nevertheless, it only harm my relationship with God for I am judging people based on my partial and situated knowledge.

I hate pornography as it usually demean and objectify women; yet it is everywhere. Some of my relatives committed adultery; yet many of the youngsters worked hard to convince everyone to forgive them; but I don't see them repenting nor feeling sorry about it. I maybe blind, and I cannot stand people accepting such audacity; in the end, I have no love.

Sometimes, I found myself masturbating and started having suicidal thought. If I am to regress to this world's ideology, I may as well jump off a bridge.

[TGJesusfreak]

> It especially doesn't help that recently I ran into a Christian who was saying that Christians who look up porn/masturbate may not be real Christians at all.

This is the reason this thread exists, to counter that sort of thing. We have all sinned (no matter what it was) and fallen short of the glory of God. Why would sexual sin be any different from any other sin (that those sorts of people have undoubtedly committed)? Why would that make such a sinner any less of a Christian? There is no Biblical grounding for such an assertion.

Those at the begining have been my problems for a while. Though I delt with the first one. The second one you cannot throw away. I am happy to say that I have some freinds to hold me accountable for what I do. I may struggle but I've decided that I'm gonna fix this problem. No matter what.

The thing about this sorta sin is that it is everywhere in today's society. You can't run from it very easily.


And to SnEptUne, I will be praying.

[Tsukuyomi]

Sometimes, I found myself masturbating and started having suicidal thought. If I am to regress to this world's ideology, I may as well jump off a bridge.

You can always take a step forward or two (Or more) if you do find yourself a step back ^^

I'll be praying as well ^^

[SnEptUne]

Thank you Tsukuyomi and TGJesusfreak.

Throughout bible, people faced hardships and managed to overcome them with wisdom because God was with them. The world hasn't changed much since then, society still construct a norm and deem it nature. But because God exists, I can bear the pain for I know I am not alone.

[heero yuy 95]

Hey, guys and gals, this shout-out goes out to all of you. I was going about two months clean of porn and feeling pretty good about it, and then tonight I failed miserably.

I'm still feeling pretty low but I wanna thank you all for providing this wealth of information and opinions. I especially like the Scripture being posted. It helps knowing I'm not the only one who struggles with porn/lust.

Also, I appreciate the posts from the female members. I recently entered a relationship with a super-cool girl and like seeing input from the girl side.

PS: Also, this has been a nice reminder to play it safe always concerning lust. I haven't done anything nasty with my gf, but i do confess sometimes i get feeling like i'm invulnerable and can control my desires no matter what. No need to ruin a good relationship over carelessness. And I dunno if this is just my experience, but hanging out alone with a girl who's just a good friend and hanging out alone with one whose a girlfriend who shares mutual attraction seem like two fairly different playing fields.

[Tsukuyomi]

And I dunno if this is just my experience, but hanging out alone with a girl who's just a good friend and hanging out alone with one whose a girlfriend who shares mutual attraction seem like two fairly different playing fields.

That makes sense ^^

You may have feelings for one person while not having them for another ^__^ Just because they're both girls doesn't mean.. Yeah, two different things XD

[MightiMidget]

Have you heard of the XXX Church? I don't know too much about it...but it is a Christian ministry program to help tackle with sex and pornography addictions. The little I've heard about it has been good. --> http://xxxchurch.com/ Just thought I would toss this out there.

I shall be praying for you! *roots on*

[TGJesusfreak]

Well I talked to my dad recently about my issues. It hurts to see that look of disapointment on his face. It makes me want to try as hard as I can.

[Tsukuyomi]

Well I talked to my dad recently about my issues. It hurts to see that look of disapointment on his face. It makes me want to try as hard as I can.

This makes for great motivation ^^

Hang in there guys ^^

[Sheol777]

Have you heard of the XXX Church? I don't know too much about it...but it is a Christian ministry program to help tackle with sex and pornography addictions. The little I've heard about it has been good. --> http://xxxchurch.com/ Just thought I would toss this out there.

I shall be praying for you! *roots on*

I have heard of them. Honestly I find them a bit too racy for my tastes (setting up shop in a porn convention, having a giant inflatable sex organ as a calling card). Some might argue that these tactics are needed, but its a bit much to me.

[MangArtist]

Thank you for posting that site, MightiMidget. Totally flipped my view of that stuff. ._.

[Makachop^^128]

Some of you might have remembered my earlier post about having problems with Bi/Lesbian friends, Well I'm having the same problem again except with a different person. I'm not sure why I attract girls so much, but please pray that this kinda stuff will stop, Its really stressful.

[Tsukuyomi]

Hang in there ^^ I'll continue to pray ^^

[MangArtist]

Hello again, everyone. -_- Just messed up again after being clean for at least a week. Think I may have to take a break from the internet 'cause one of the reasons I was able to stay away from any kind of hentai was cause the computer had been tied up for most of the week.

[Tsukuyomi]

Hello again, everyone. -_- Just messed up again after being clean for at least a week. Think I may have to take a break from the internet 'cause one of the reasons I was able to stay away from any kind of hentai was cause the computer had been tied up for most of the week.

You'll be missed and best of luck, Miss Mang

Hang in there ^^ I'll be praying ^__^

[Reon]

Hello again, everyone. -_- Just messed up again after being clean for at least a week. Think I may have to take a break from the internet 'cause one of the reasons I was able to stay away from any kind of hentai was cause the computer had been tied up for most of the week.

Hey Mang - just wanted to toss your encouragement your way.

I was heavily addicted to gaming and its funny how now looking back, even after I hadn't played for months like I had been I still felt that urge. It's been 6+ months now easily with struggles in the middle but now I don't get the same urge to play - wouldn't have expected that, thought it was gonna be tough forever. The more battles I won and prayer I put it =D

1 Timothy 6:12
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

[Tsukuyomi]

Will do ^__^

It won't be easy, but hang in there ^__^

[xblack_x_rosesx]

EDIT: I removed my content. I decided I can figure it out : )

I'll keep praying for everyone, btw ^_^

[K. Ayato]

Good for you!

[Azier the Swordsman]

Hey I'm a new member here and after looking at all these hentai addiction testimonies I would like to confess that for a very long time since I was young I have been addicted to hentai and the fact that I'm a Christian makes the problem a whole lot worse because how can I draw closer to God if there are problems in my life that pull me away from him. So could you guys pray for me about this problem because I've had enough of this problem slowly destroying my relationship my my one and only heavenly father.

A lot of people seem to make the mistake of thinking that one sin or addiction is sufficient enough to pull them away from God's love, but the truth is that you are only as far away from God as you let yourself become. The fact that you are concerned about your relationship with God means you are closer to him than you think. And he will never leave you nor turn away from you. Personally, I think that sexual sin does very little in regard to pulling one away from God (unless you give up and just plain stop seeking God entirely) as opposed to certain other sins such as pride.

[K. Ayato]

I'd suggest reading Romans 8:38-39. In the text, it says NOTHING shall separate us from God's love. That even includes sexual addiction. You'll be out of touch because fellowship with Him has been temporarily severed, but you'll never be out of His love. *Hug*

[Htom Sirveaux]

Hey, friends.

I've got "live-action" porn conquered (though keep praying for my continued strength) thanks in part to reading Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, and in equal part to discovering Shelley Lubben and her awesome website. The thing now is hentai. I've never been all that into hentai compared to "live action" porn, but it's still an issue I'd like to address.
My question, therefore, is this: Can anyone point me toward a solid case against hentai? I don't mean "what the Bible says about it", that's easy enough to find. No, what I need to see is a strong, factual, real-life applicable argument. I shall continue searching for one myself, but if any of you find one, please let me know.

Thanks!

[Tsukuyomi]

Hugs* Good for you, Spoony ^__^ I'll be praying ^^