Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him”
I have not looked at pornography or masturbated since before college started. But I do not boast for this being my victory. I hope that my testimony can encourage you all, and this week I want to offer an encouragement.
I know how terrible it feels after you fail time and time again from resisting the temptation of porn and masturbation. I know how hard it is to look a person in the eye sometimes. But it is crucial that we do not let our shame rule us.
We must understand how real and how powerful grace is, we must be able to see ourselves through God’s eyes. Christ died so that we don’t have to. He suffered so that we can live without fear. He was put to shame so that we could be cleansed and lifted up with him in his resurrection. If we do not see ourselves through God’s eyes, then we will see a low image of ourselves. And it is much easier to fail with a low self image.
So even as you give in, even as you falter, even as you realize that the spiritual battle around you is real and terrible, you must be able to see the you that God sees. The you that is made pure in the blood of Christ. My brothers in Christ, you are forgiven in everything that you have done wrong if only you would present it to God and repent. Satan is powerless over the blood of Christ.
I want to offer some scripture, Ephesians 2: 1-5 “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Romans 4: 7-8 (also found in Psalm 32: 1,2) “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” I would recommend reading the whole Psalm 32, it’s not very long.
In Christ, Ben