Post published by Fighting the good fight

keep up the good fight my good man, you're doing well if you have started and if you're a while into your journey then even better. Just keep on battling on, beating down the demons where ever they may arise. One day it will get easier to live with past mistakes it doesnt take the pain away from past mistakes and urges may still arise but more you fight stronger you get even if you fall down at time, just gotta keep on battling on.

Amen, it sounds like we've gone through some similar paths. Thanks for sharing!

Is it accurate to say you are getting a beating from the Lord? It seems the sin itself is one has led to negative consequences, not God's forgiveness. It is true: If we do not embrace his forgiveness, living as if we believe that it is true, we will never get free.

Tao, I'm thinking of Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." and Lamentations 3:32-33 "though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men."

I would say God lovingly disciplines us with the minimum force required, at times it certainly can feel like a beating. He is a jealous God, and when we backslide and sin, He doesn't allow us to remain in that state. David talks about this in some of the Psalms, such as Psalm 51. But absolutely agree that forgiveness is freely given to all who cry out to Him and repent. We are loved and counted as precious children, and our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west.

Hebrews 12:4-11
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

Continued: Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

This chastening hurts, but is profitable for me… I didn’t strive to fight this lust as i am now… I will utilize everything at my disposal to be free from the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh. I that Jesus that He loves me enough to chastise me and get me on the right track. Don’t get me wrong. I’m hating this belt, but its better this belt than eternal separation from Him.

I have made the mistakes you made. Indeed, if the number of years one commits this sin are a measure, I am probably the biggest sinner on this site. However, let my example foster hope in you. Each day that I resist the temptation to sin, the happier my life has become. I can see that things that I once thought were causing me suffering are actually a blessing and even a reason for joy. The devil convolutes our thoughts and makes sin look comforting and purification look like suffering. The reverse is true. Our Precious Lord wants to wrap you in His arms like a hen guarding her chicks. Let him take you in.

That I am learning each day.. Truly understand today that Jesus blood has covered my sins totally and now I am free and have to make a choice to continue to walk in that freedom. Thanks to @Henryforward sending me this sermon

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/will-you-wrestle-with-god
Seemed relevant.