I am trying to give my life to God. I have repented quite a few times. But when I face the same temptations I give in. How can I overcome this and live holy in Gods will. I really want to do the right things but my flesh is weak. Any helpful ideas?
Scriptures teach there is no temptation that is so strong that you can't handle it, Scriptures also teach that with every temptation God allows a path out of it. Therefore seek that path.
We are to confess one to another, you need to find people in your life that you can confess this sin too, they may have had the same problem and can give you advice as to how to conquer it. Many, especially men, try to tackle problems by themselves, and do not confess to others. And 98% of the time, they still have those problems to this day.
Also, do not try to tackle all your sins all at once, 9 times out of ten you will fail. Take one sin that you do, and work on it, get rid of it. When that sin is gone work another, get rid of that. i live today as i do, not because i stopped sinning all at once. i gave up 16 years of smoking, Then i worked on anger issues, then i worked on fornicating, then i worked on giving more, then i worked on porn issues, then i gave up sex altogether (been celibate now for over 8 years), then i gave up my life (that is gave up living life for me, and now only do what God wants me to do) Back in the day, when i was tempted, i would immediately start reading the Bible, had a pocket Bible with me at all times, so that when i am tempted, or think about something that i should not, i would open up the Bible and start reading it. Or i would immediately go into prayer, to seek the help of Jesus Strength and Power to overcome whatever the temptation was.
Also there are many Scriptures that really helped me against temptations, such as you will reap what you sow, if then i did do that sin, God does not lie, and one day i would have to pay the consequences of my sinning against Him. Verses like Tribulation and Anguish upon every soul that does evil, helped me to not do that evil, knowing that God will one day make that verse come True, because God does not lie. Also verses that teach if you do wrong, you will be repaid for the wrong which you do. Also the verse that teaches if you sow to the flesh, then of the flesh you SHALL reap corruption. Therefore when i was tempted to sow to the flesh, i thought upon these verses, prayed to God for His Strength and Power, and got out the pocket Bible and started reading it. And guess what? Temptation is gone. You are weak, so am i. i have the same flesh as you and all other males. i am weak in my flesh as well, But guess who is NOT weak? Guess who lives in me? He is STRONG, He has conquered sin, He is strong against the devil, and all temptations.
Another things that helped me, and still helps me to this day, is i know Jesus Christ lives in me, why on Earth would i subject Him to evil deeds. For example if i am having sex with someone, and Jesus is in me, How am i not subjecting Him and the Holy Spirit to that evil deed? When i am committing sin, where is Jesus? i have found in the past when i did commit sin, that when i willingly committed sins, that Jesus was nowhere to be found, i did not want Jesus to be there, let alone in me, when i was living in sins. This is NOT Godly, i was casting Jesus away from me, when i chose to commit sin. Jesus pointed this out to me that i did this thing, and He was True. That is why i ask people from this generation, "When you knowingly and willingly are committing a sin, where is Jesus then?"
Also another thing you can do, and it also helped and still helps me today. Is know that Jesus is watching you, He is with you right now. And when you commit sin, He is standing right there watching you. Knowing this, prevents me from committing sins which i know will upset Him.
Also, Everything you do is recorded in the Book of Remembrance, even your thoughts are recorded as deeds. For example if you fantasize about raping someone, yet you have never raped anyone ever, every time you think about doing it, it is recorded as a deed, whether you did it or never did it. And woe to those who continue to look at porn (which i use to do also) because they are being recorded as DEEDS.
Another thing i do when i am tempted, is realize that my Father in Heaven wants to Bless me, if i do not do that which i am tempted to do. For example, if i sow to the flesh (UN-marital sex) then one day i will reap corruption in my flesh, because the Word of God is True. But if i am tempted to sow to the flesh, and i do NOT do it, then He will Bless me, maybe with good health for the next year, who knows? God does. My point is do bad, and He will punish you, do good and He will Bless you. This is what Scriptures plainly teach over and over again. So when you are tempted and don't do it, that is doing good, and He will Bless you, He desires to Bless people. But how much Blessing is bestowed upon the people of this generation? For who does NOT do that which they are tempted to do? No not this generation, they would rather just commit the sin, and then repent for the same sin over and over and over and over again for the rest of their lives, all the while thinking they are forgiven, not knowing the Scriptures, which teach IF you walk in the light as Jesus did, then the Blood of Jesus cleanseth you from all sin, but that happens only when you walk in the light like Jesus did. i could not walk in the light without Him, i do all things to please Him, NOT myself. All sin is selfishness. Think to please Jesus not self. Those who knowingly and willingly commit sins, which they know full well is sinful yet does it anyways, is indeed selfish, thinking of self and NOT Jesus Christ.
If you are so inclined, you can email me and tell me what it is that you are struggling with, chances are, i have struggled with it to, and have found a way to overcome it, through Jesus Christ.
But the best weapon to use against all temptations is the Word of God, but if a person does not know the Word of God, then how can they use it to help them with temptations? Read the Word continually, it is your weapon against satan and his temptations. i have read the entire Bible from front to back over 80 times in my life, and that is not enough. satan still knows it better than i do, but i now know enough to have the weapon to fight against him, when my weak pathetic flesh comes at me full force via the temptations of the wicked one. i use the Word against him, and he hates it.
But to tell you the Truth, i am not tempted much any more. Oh satan still does every so often, But when he does tempt me to commit a sin, all he is really doing is giving me yet another opportunity to please Jesus Christ and receive a Blessing from my Father in Heaven. i think satan is tired of me, and does not touch me any more, because my desire is to only please Jesus, what can he tempt me with?
i love you all, and would altogether that everyone of you LOVE God with all your heart, all your strength, all your mind, and all your soul. How are you loving God when you choose to commit sin against Him. If you love God with ALL your heart, you will not be obeying satan and committing sins, which shows what is in your heart. a little bit of leaven, leaveneth the whole person. One little bad apple, make the whole tree bad. Better find out the Truth, better find out if what i am saying is the Truth or not the Truth, Eternal Salvation depends on it. Who does Eternal Salvation belong to, read the Inspired by God Scripture below, believe it, don't ignore it, don't make it void, believe it and do it. Obey Him, and He COMMANDS us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Woe to them that don't do what He commands them to do.
^i^ Sorry about the length of this post, couldn't help myself, just trying to help you with temptation.