[NoQuestion]

I heard that sinful thoughts are the path to Hell? Ok, well, I mean, it's just SO hard cuz I'm a teenager and isn't it a little normal with hormones and everything?? I already made a promise to God and myself to stay pure until I get married...but is it SO wrong if my mind wanders that way once and a while? I'm freaking out a bit cuz I don't know if this is OK or if it's really really bad. I always ask God to forgive my bad thoughts, but I can't block everything out! It's like...impossible!

[Sean]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

I heard that sinful thoughts are the path to Hell?

Sin is the path to hell. However, we are justified freely by His grace merely by putting our faith in Christ. Therefore, if you've put your faith in Christ your motivation for obedience is no longer fear of hell. Its no longer about guilt trips. The Holy Spirit will guide you towards your sanctifcation.

Ok, well, I mean, it's just SO hard cuz I'm a teenager and isn't it a little normal with hormones and everything?? I already made a promise to God and myself to stay pure until I get married...but is it SO wrong if my mind wanders that way once and a while?

1. It really doesn't get any easier when you get older. You'll learn more self-control as you mature physically and spiritually, but the struggle doesn't go away when you turn 18, 21, 30, etc. Nor do your struggles magically go away when you get married (not that I'm married).

2. Sin is certainly the norm when it comes to human behavior. In fact its our natural state. Romans 3 tells us that none does good. Romans 1 has big long list of what we do when we turn to sin. This is the norm for our flesh. However, this by no means makes it okay. Jesus made it clear with the sermon on the mt. that even our thoughts are sinful. Therefore, purity involves striving to have clean thoughts.

I'm freaking out a bit cuz I don't know if this is OK or if it's really really bad. I always ask God to forgive my bad thoughts, but I can't block everything out! It's like...impossible!

Its not okay. Its really really bad along with all other sin. All sin is disgusting and vile because it is a direct offense to our perfect and holy God. Every lie, every evil thought, every time you lust, every single one of your sins nailed to Jesus on the cross. Sin is not okay. Its not a light matter. And it most certainly is really really really bad.

Further, you're right, it is impossible. There is no way in and of yourself you can overcome your sin. If you were able to overcome sin on your own, somebody needed to tell Jesus that because He wouldn't have needed to die on the cross. Jesus died on the cross because you and I and everyone else were unable to save ourselves. We are helpless without Him.

However, the beauty of the cross is that if you've put your faith in Christ you're forgiven. Fear of hell is no longer your motivation for pure thoughts. Christ is within you acting powerfully (Colossians 1). You've been adopted and you're wrapped in Christ's righteouness. Your only hope for overcoming any sin is Christ within you.

There are some practical ways you can train your mind to focus on good things, but at the end of the day, Christ is the cure for our sin, not mental discipline.

[NoQuestion]

Wow...thanks...that really helps a lot.

I have been trying to strengthen my relationship with Christ lately. I guess as hard as it is to accept the fact that God forgives me, it's even harder to forgive myself, ya know? It's like the closer I get to God, the more I realize how much I don't deserve his love. I guess that's the way everyone feels though, right?

I know it's not OK to sin, and that's not exactly what I meant. I just meant is it normal for those kinds of thoughts to slip in once and a while. But anyway, thanks!!

I'm going to go pray now....

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by NoQuestion

Wow...thanks...that really helps a lot.

I have been trying to strengthen my relationship with Christ lately. I guess as hard as it is to accept the fact that God forgives me, it's even harder to forgive myself, ya know? It's like the closer I get to God, the more I realize how much I don't deserve his love. I guess that's the way everyone feels though, right?

I know it's not OK to sin, and that's not exactly what I meant. I just meant is it normal for those kinds of thoughts to slip in once and a while. But anyway, thanks!!

I'm going to go pray now....

Its very normal for the thoughts to slip in. Heck, Im a bit older, (24) and married, and they still slip in there. Its what you do with them that matters. Do you let your mind wander there? or do you take the thought captive, and just beat that thought in the head and stop it.

[jjvacc]

I've recently been struggleing with this myself. And what me and my good friend have nailed down is: It's a choice. When that vile thought creaps in your mind you have a chioce: Allow this this to grow, continue, etc. and allow myself to have momentary plessure or; stop it there, turn your thoughts away to something better. This will be much better for the long run, and it is VERY pleasing to God.

Making the CHOICE not to sin is NOT EASY. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE. and you should ALWAYS choose to do it. As sean pointed out, sin is a BIG THING..and it should NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

Also, what helps is when you start every day out by telling God you want to please Him. My father pointed out that if you spend your days trying not to lust etc your still thinking/dwelling on the subject...which then creates a weakness. Instead, keep God in your thoughts, and if you push Him aside to let a vile thought come in, bring Him back in and push out the vile thought.

Its tough, but it can [and WILL] be done.

-Chester

[Emi-chan]

Wow this thread has been totally helpful and encouraging today! I've been having this same problem, and it has been stressing me out a lot, and this advice/encouragement has helped a lot.

[christian_boy_7]

Originally Posted by Emi-chan

Wow this thread has been totally helpful and encouraging today! I've been having this same problem, and it has been stressing me out a lot, and this advice/encouragement has helped a lot.

i'm thinking the same

[NoQuestion]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by jjvacc

I've recently been struggleing with this myself. And what me and my good friend have nailed down is: It's a choice. When that vile thought creaps in your mind you have a chioce: Allow this this to grow, continue, etc. and allow myself to have momentary plessure or; stop it there, turn your thoughts away to something better. This will be much better for the long run, and it is VERY pleasing to God.

That is so true. I will try every day not to make that choice now. Thank you!

[Alive In Christ]

Maybe this will help:
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

I know its hard... I'm a 15yr old male. When you have one of those thoughts quote a Scripture or read one or think of what God has done for you. Or maybe His character. And remember that "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)

- David -

[DaGeek]

Yeah, I've been thinking the same stuff, and I realized I was falling away from God. I think the reason is that I was trying to punish myself for my sins. I was trying to say "Ooh, I deserved that", when in actuality, I had no place saying that. I'm working on getting over that, but I'd fallen into a bad rut there. You can't punish yourself for it, remember that. It's not your place to punish yourself for a sin. God can do it just fine if he wants to punish you.


Anyway, I believe the phrase you're looking for is "Good intentions pave the road to Hell" or something of that sort. Not sure if that has any relation to this, but yeah. I often find myself plagued by bad thoughts. I've found that it is (of course) easier to give in and think the thoughts, and to carry on. Don't, and I mean DON'T let this lure you in. Sinful thoughts, or thinking about doing sin, can be very damaging. I'm not sure if thinking about doing ANY sin is sin (Though I know that, for example, thinking you'd like to have sex with a woman or man you're not married to is adultery), but it can become a very temptation-full situation. The Devil is not dumb. He knows how to make you want to sin. The trick is to pray for deliverance, and then, with God's help (No, He probably won't take the desire away, but he can give you the strength to resist), to stop. Stop right there. If you know you're about to go into a tempting environment, don't go in. It doesn't make you macho. It doesn't make you manly. You don't get brownie points in Heaven for it. Just remember that. We're here to support eachother. I find that if I'm highly tempted, reading the Bible helps a lot.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by DaGeek

Yeah, I've been thinking the same stuff, and I realized I was falling away from God. I think the reason is that I was trying to punish myself for my sins. I was trying to say "Ooh, I deserved that", when in actuality, I had no place saying that. I'm working on getting over that, but I'd fallen into a bad rut there. You can't punish yourself for it, remember that. It's not your place to punish yourself for a sin. God can do it just fine if he wants to punish you.


Anyway, I believe the phrase you're looking for is "Good intentions pave the road to Hell" or something of that sort. Not sure if that has any relation to this, but yeah. I often find myself plagued by bad thoughts. I've found that it is (of course) easier to give in and think the thoughts, and to carry on. Don't, and I mean DON'T let this lure you in. Sinful thoughts, or thinking about doing sin, can be very damaging. I'm not sure if thinking about doing ANY sin is sin (Though I know that, for example, thinking you'd like to have sex with a woman or man you're not married to is adultery), but it can become a very temptation-full situation. The Devil is not dumb. He knows how to make you want to sin. The trick is to pray for deliverance, and then, with God's help (No, He probably won't take the desire away, but he can give you the strength to resist), to stop. Stop right there. If you know you're about to go into a tempting environment, don't go in. It doesn't make you macho. It doesn't make you manly. You don't get brownie points in Heaven for it. Just remember that. We're here to support eachother. I find that if I'm highly tempted, reading the Bible helps a lot.

Actually there are three problems I see here.

1) the phrase is "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." It is from the 16th century of unknown origin and often wrongly attributed to Samuel Johnson.
2) Satan does not cause us to stumble with lust. James makes it clear that is us, not Satan. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
3) Being tempted isn't a sin.

[DaGeek]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

Actually there are three problems I see here.

1) the phrase is "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." It is from the 16th century of unknown origin and often wrongly attributed to Samuel Johnson.
2) Satan does not cause us to stumble with lust. James makes it clear that is us, not Satan. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
3) Being tempted isn't a sin.

I said it was? I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just amazed... Did it sound like that? I should edit my post or something... Sorry about that. I only meant that temptation can lead to sin quite easily. On point #1, I was just saying I think that's the phrase. On point #2, sorry about that, I'm wrong about that. I'm still pretty sure that we're not only tempted by ourselves. In the Bible, Jesus was tempted by Satan, not by Himself.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by DaGeek

I said it was? I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just amazed... Did it sound like that? I should edit my post or something... Sorry about that. I only meant that temptation can lead to sin quite easily. On point #1, I was just saying I think that's the phrase. On point #2, sorry about that, I'm wrong about that. I'm still pretty sure that we're not only tempted by ourselves. In the Bible, Jesus was tempted by Satan, not by Himself.

correct, Jesus was tempted by satan, but James says that lust is internal. Lust is not caused by Satan and I provided biblical backing for that. Satan is largely over-rated by believers.

[DaGeek]

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

correct, Jesus was tempted by satan, but James says that lust is internal. Lust is not caused by Satan and I provided biblical backing for that. Satan is largely over-rated by believers.

I wasn't talking only about lust, though. You proved me wrong with the lust thing, but I wasn't only talking about lust.

[BillSPrestonEsq]

Originally Posted by DaGeek

I wasn't talking only about lust, though. You proved me wrong with the lust thing, but I wasn't only talking about lust.

All the talk about thoughts has been lust. Remember though, lust isn't only for sex though. There is lust for power, sex, revenge, food, etc.