Confession

Today I returned to sexual sin, like a dog to its vomit. I am sick that I have sinned again in a way that years ago nearly cost me my family. I fought hard then for victory over this sin, but over the last several years, I returned to pornography and, more recently, to cyber sex. In the incident today, God did keep me from delving into my sin as deeply as I did before, but I am concerned that now that the horse is out of the barn, I will find it harder to resist continuing in this sin.

I am confessing here so that I may be healed. I am afraid my wife would leave me this time were she to find out or I were to confess to her, and that I would lose the love and respect of my children. My wife was so badly hurt by me in the past and fought hard to forgive me. I don't think my marriage can withstand this again. I realize that foresight of this should have stopped me from sinning in the first place. At the same time, part of me wonders whether God will bless me and allow me to repent from this sin UNLESS I confess to her.

I need to fight hard and I need your prayers and God's blessing and forgiveness.

I understand this one. I'll pray.

Father God we pray for InNeedofGrace, please forgive and help to stay strong in you. Let him be free from this sexual sin.in Jesus name, Amen!

Perhaps your wife could be your responsibility partner (someone you turn to when being tempted). Or before you start to surf, surf your way here.

Thank you for this prayer, levi85. This was refreshing to my soul.

Yes, RickyZ, I do need to involve her in this way, even if I don't reveal all.

Father G-d, I pray you give inneedofGrace, The strength to follow a path worth to be called your child. I pray LORD that after he is healed that he be a strength to others who fight this sin, amen.

Thank you, Shilo. Your prayer is further encouragement that God does have a purpose for my struggle, and the Oswald Chambers quote is a good reminder that God does give me the power to resist what has often felt irresistible.

iveseenworse, thank you for your prayer. It reminds me of a Biblical counselor's assurance that God will keep me if I want to be kept. Amen.

All of you have been a blessing to me.

Trust the Holy Spirit - not your own strength. And to keep that trust alive, spend the moments you are tempted in thanksgiving for Him alive and powerful in you. Thank Him that His grace is sufficient. Keep praising until the moment is past.

Joidevivre, thank you; your post was dead on. It reminds me of something John Piper wrote about fighting temptation. I'll have to find the notes. In part, Piper talks about enjoying a superior satisfaction in Jesus. Also, the Biblical counseling I received years ago urged me to be thankful--even making gratitude lists to pray through--as Romans 1 makes it clear that an ungrateful heart can lead to God giving us over to a depraved mind. I appreciate how you reminded me of these powerful lessons. God bless you!

I'll be praying for you brother

I need to confess brothers. I masturbated twice a couple of weeks ago. I didn't really lust at all, but I did this to please myself. I also need to share that I keep playing with hot coals. I look over magazines enjoying just enough that I feed my lust, but not technically look at pornographic material. I seem to do this almost daily now. Finally, when I do have sex with my wife, sometimes I will think of the images I saw earlier that day. I have confessed to my wife my masturbation. But I need to stop all of this. Thank you for hearing my confession.

Personally I think confessing personal sins like masturbation on a public online forum is unwise, once you post that it's on the web forever and no one needs to confess to a bunch of people across the web that we hardly know. Asking for prayer is one thing but confession is only needed between you and God. Oh ya and.....

Praying for healing RISE UP