Breaking free from habitual sin

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R

Reformyourself

Guest
#41
Are you familiar with the power of placebo effect? It’s not some psychological kung fu, it’s the way we were designed. Faith, any faith has power. That was the purpose of animal sacrifices and Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. There isn’t magic in the spilling of blood. There is supernatural power in the belief associated with spilling blood. The faith in the sacrifice frees us from the guilt of our sin. No sin, no guilt. Guilt is the fruit of the knowledge of good from evil, knowing right from wrong. When the metaphysical power of guilt is lifted, this opens up the connection to our Father so we can hear His voice and be a conduit for His power to work through us. This is meat! Regardless, this is too much for most people to chew. It’s not saying, “I want to be an athlete,” that makes you an athlete. It’s forcing yourself to already believe you are an athlete, that ignites the placebo effect into you, fulfilling your role as an athlete. The same has spiritual benefits and consequences. If I say “I am a sinner”, then I will sin. If I say “I am a child of God, and am dead to sin. Temptation has no grip on me because I have been set free” then temptation has no power. Renew your mind. Your mind will renew your body.
I’m aware of the concept of ‘placebo effect’. But, how do you explain supernatural deliverance from something, when you actually don’t think it possible? (Ie. thinking you can overcome by keeping it under control). I also don’t think ‘passively’ waiting for deliverance is the only answer either. I can only try to express what I know happened with me. Everybody’s different, and The Lord knows our hearts and what we need more than we do.
 
Nov 26, 2012
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#42
I’m aware of the concept of ‘placebo effect’. But, how do you explain supernatural deliverance from something, when you actually don’t think it possible? (Ie. thinking you can overcome by keeping it under control). I also don’t think ‘passively’ waiting for deliverance is the only answer either. I can only try to express what I know happened with me. Everybody’s different, and The Lord knows our hearts and what we need more than we do.
What deliverance? How can one say with certainty it’s supernatural? I think people over spiritualize things. Because they lack understanding they just think it’s an unknowable mystery. God designed us in a way that is fantastic but not mystical. Addiction is imbalance. It’s simple. Let’s say I’m addicted to alcohol. There’s a reason I started drinking initially (something caused imbalance (emotional pain or fear of rejection in social situations) that I chose to fix with alcohol). Then it worked. But instead of just balancing, I tipped it too far. The body has a natural equalizer, so it fights back causing the alcohol to have less effect. So...I drink more. The game ensues but each time I drink more, the body compensates more. Eventually I need to have at least a certain amount of alcohol in my system to stay balanced. This generally causes a bigger problem than the one I attempted to correct with alcohol. This is exactly what happens with sugar (gluttony) leading to type two diabetes. The original problem may still remain. If I eliminate the original problem I have a better chance at eliminating my alcoholism. People fix their emptiness with many things by feeding the flesh (sex, glucose, acceptance) excess. The Holy Spirit fills us and gives us acceptance. The other (glucose and sex) need to be weaned. Then the balance can be restored. Supernatural freedom from addiction can very well be your reaction to acceptance. It doesn’t matter what I say. You will believe what you want to believe. However what you believe will either free you or make you feel you do not have freedom. Thanks for reading. I know it’s a lot of info, but well researched. I truly desire the best for you. God hears us. I’m telling you this because of what God told me. When I prayed for deliverance from pornography addiction, He said, “I already freed you, now you just have to stop doing it!” Then He explained it all.
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#43
What deliverance? How can one say with certainty it’s supernatural? I think people over spiritualize things. Because they lack understanding they just think it’s an unknowable mystery. God designed us in a way that is fantastic but not mystical. Addiction is imbalance. It’s simple. Let’s say I’m addicted to alcohol. There’s a reason I started drinking initially (something caused imbalance (emotional pain or fear of rejection in social situations) that I chose to fix with alcohol). Then it worked. But instead of just balancing, I tipped it too far. The body has a natural equalizer, so it fights back causing the alcohol to have less effect. So...I drink more. The game ensues but each time I drink more, the body compensates more. Eventually I need to have at least a certain amount of alcohol in my system to stay balanced. This generally causes a bigger problem than the one I attempted to correct with alcohol. This is exactly what happens with sugar (gluttony) leading to type two diabetes. The original problem may still remain. If I eliminate the original problem I have a better chance at eliminating my alcoholism. People fix their emptiness with many things by feeding the flesh (sex, glucose, acceptance) excess. The Holy Spirit fills us and gives us acceptance. The other (glucose and sex) need to be weaned. Then the balance can be restored. Supernatural freedom from addiction can very well be your reaction to acceptance. It doesn’t matter what I say. You will believe what you want to believe. However what you believe will either free you or make you feel you do not have freedom. Thanks for reading. I know it’s a lot of info, but well researched. I truly desire the best for you. God hears us. I’m telling you this because of what God told me. When I prayed for deliverance from pornography addiction, He said, “I already freed you, now you just have to stop doing it!” Then He explained it all.
Aaah, that’s interesting. He made it repulsive to me, like watching animals being harmed. Also, I felt compassion for the actors, because they’re so lost. Isn’t it strange how The Lord deals with us all differently. So glad you (and I) overcame. God is good, all the time 😊
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#44
Aaah, that’s interesting. He made it repulsive to me, like watching animals being harmed. Also, I felt compassion for the actors, because they’re so lost. Isn’t it strange how The Lord deals with us all differently. So glad you (and I) overcame. God is good, all the time 😊
For now though, the hurdle is the forgiveness thing (food has lost its edge while I’m distracted with this) maybe I’m dealing with a couple of psychopaths or sociopaths (or simply liars).
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#45
For now though, the hurdle is the forgiveness thing (food has lost its edge while I’m distracted with this) maybe I’m dealing with a couple of psychopaths or sociopaths (or simply liars).
I have to pray I don’t get tempted now 🙄
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#46
Aaah, that’s interesting. He made it repulsive to me, like watching animals being harmed. Also, I felt compassion for the actors, because they’re so lost. Isn’t it strange how The Lord deals with us all differently. So glad you (and I) overcame. God is good, all the time 😊
The thing that helped me was sticking lots of scripture verses all around my study wall and desk. My password was Jesus. I was so desperate. maybe The Lord stepped in because I was sincerely trying to stop.?
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#47
Thankyou for this. I’m a new member too.
I would like to ask people to pray for me to be delivered from addictions. I have experience of deliverance in other areas, such as booze & fornication(it revolts me now) but have been addicted to an e-cig for nearly 6 years.

When I stopped smoking cigs, I gained over 40 pounds, yet gluttony wasn’t a problem before??
Also, I really struggle to forgive people who have broken my heart (yet I have broken hearts) Thankyou in advance🙏
Thankyou for your prayers. I believe they’re starting to work 😘
 
R

Reformyourself

Guest
#48
The thing that helped me was sticking lots of scripture verses all around my study wall and desk. My password was Jesus. I was so desperate. maybe The Lord stepped in because I was sincerely trying to stop.?
I wanted to share this with you too. My stepdad ‘was coming on’ to me when I was young. I ran away & mum kicked him out, but she took him back. I hated his guts, he ruined my life. Fast forward 20 years & I come to faith. Apparently I’ve got to forgive this jerk, Or I won’t be forgiven! And honour my mother & father! That was 20 yrs ago. At my young nieces b/day, I wondered ‘does he ever look at her in a Pervy way?’ I glanced at him, and saw torment in his eyes. Yes he did. The man was in torment for what he’d done, and his mind was sick. All I have felt since is pure compassion, and WANT to pray for his soul...BUT, and it’s a big but-mum blames me for it...The point is, I had prayed about it and figured ‘he’s not my real dad anyway. But I do need to honour and forgive mum’. The Lord had me forgive my stepdad, in spite of me...mum next 🙏
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
767
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Australia
#49
I wanted to share this with you too. My stepdad ‘was coming on’ to me when I was young. I ran away & mum kicked him out, but she took him back. I hated his guts, he ruined my life. Fast forward 20 years & I come to faith. Apparently I’ve got to forgive this jerk, Or I won’t be forgiven! And honour my mother & father! That was 20 yrs ago. At my young nieces b/day, I wondered ‘does he ever look at her in a Pervy way?’ I glanced at him, and saw torment in his eyes. Yes he did. The man was in torment for what he’d done, and his mind was sick. All I have felt since is pure compassion, and WANT to pray for his soul...BUT, and it’s a big but-mum blames me for it...The point is, I had prayed about it and figured ‘he’s not my real dad anyway. But I do need to honour and forgive mum’. The Lord had me forgive my stepdad, in spite of me...mum next 🙏
It's unimaginabley powerful what God does in our hearts. Thanks for sharing.