Sexual Additions

[atcfisherman]

Hey guys, haven't been here in a while, but I have a question as I am addressing this issue in our men's ministry at my church. First let me post a scripture.

Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

I know there are many other scriptures that teach about sexual issues and how it can destroy lives. Now here is my question or questions.

A. A friend of mine in the bible study professes to be a christian. He is single (divorced 21 yrs) and he sleeps around very often. I have talked to him and his reply is he know what the bible says about the issue.
Is he trully saved?
Can one be trully saved and live by their sexual desires?

B. One man in our bible study has been addicted to porn for over 25 years. He says he keeps trying to break the addiction and pleads with God to save him and take the addiction away. Every week he weeps about not having control and wanting God to save him from this addiction. He said he has given his life to Christ many times and outside of this addiction, he lives for Christ.
So, can one trully be saved in this situation?
Can a christian who becomes addicted to porn and can't break the habbit be trully saved?

Thanks for any imput. Please provide scriptures if possible so I can look them up and share them with the group. This is on the line of willfully sinning and being addicted (demon possed).

[m.t.hands]

A: who are any of us to say?????, its not my decision, and i believe when we make these "choices" if we want to "walk the walk" or "talk the talk" God will decide if we are honest about our thoughts, you know( he knows our every thought)

B: i don't think i'll judge him, may be a great guy, and there may besome issues that are unresolved, that we have no idea of..

its sad to say but there are people we work and associate with everyday that have very heavy burdens, it may be a simple situation of sexual abuse and the guy has no idea of what love and respect are, if all you watched was porno and that thought thats how a women wanted to be treaded everyday could you imagine how she'd feel in short order[&o]very sad

BTW. glad to have you here/back, i still pray daily for the families of the two young men that passed away in your area (baytown) ??? i believe

[atcfisherman]

Thanks for the reply MT. I agree that we shouldn't judge. However, I am concerned for his salvation and want to make sure that it is real. Of course God only knows if it is or not. I do remember how God used Matt. 7 to get my attention when He said,

15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

When I read this passage and looked at my life, I realized that I was playing christian and really wasn't.

Another verse is the following. It makes me wonder about my friend, not judge him but concerned.

1 Corinthians 6
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

[Snooky]

Like Bro MT says, God is the judge, However IMO man does what man wants to do.
Calvary was a finished work. He who the Son sets free is free in deed. Sin hath no more dominion over one who has been born again and is a new creature in Christ Jesus. When the old stoney heart and evil nature is crucified, and God creates in us a clean heart and a right spirit, we are no longer servants of sin, but fellow servants in the household of God. One cannot serve two masters, he will serve one or the other. The works of the flesh, or the works of the Spirit will produce its fruit in every life.
IMO one is judged by the knowledge and understanding that God has placed within him. You say that both men know to do good, but are not doing what they know is Gods will for them. They judge themselves, rather than condemn them farther, offer they delieverance through the cleansing blood of Christ. Seek him with all your heart and he WILL be found of you. God is not far from any of you, he is neigh thee, even in thy mouth.
This is a true story. A friend who is deceased now, as a young married man was being tempted by a young woman who was actively pursueing him. He recognized it as the work of the enemy of his soul and refused to surrender to him. He went to his wife, told her the battle he was fighting and they begin to pray and fast. After 10-12 days without anything but water, the temptation left and he never had a problem with lustagain.
I know for a fact that one can work a job for 6 days a week, go to church Sat. night, Sunday AM, Sunday PM, and Wen. night. Go to church for at least an hour of prayer every night there wasn't a service, for 21 days without anything except water to drink just seeking a closer walk with God.
One punches his own ticket, ride as far as you want.

I would venture to say, IMO that these men have it in their minds that God is overlooking their deeds and will save them in their sins rather than from their sins.

[m.t.hands]

When I read this passage and looked at my life, I realized that I was playing christian and really wasn't

friend don't think it is/has beenany different for the rest of us, for me it is a daily struggle, as far as your approach to this situation, i would suggest that you continue with what your doing, don't be discouraged..pray without ceasing

and remember21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

It makes me wonder about my friend, not judge him but concerned.

Psalms 27:14


Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

BTW, best of luck it is so very hard too watch a friend struggle[&o], especially when there is an easier way