We thank you, Anonymous, for your heartfelt prayer request, and we join you in seeking God's will.
First, it is only in the name Jesus Christ that any person can be saved and call on God for the help that they need. An anonymous author wrote to Timothy, I desire therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, requests, and thanksgiving be made for all men.
We rejoice with you for acknowledging the power of Jesus' name, as it is written in Acts 4:12, There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved.
Regarding your struggles and seeking further deliverance from sinful thoughts and lust, we encourage you to continue seeking God with all your heart. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 10:5, We are destroying imaginings and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
It is clear in the scripture that we need to continually bring our thoughts into obedience to Christ Jesus. regular prayer and study of God's word are both helpful in defending against any sinful thoughts that may desire to make us a slave again. Peter warns us, For a man is a slave to whatever he has become addicted to.
Daily read the scriptures to renew your mind and the Holy Spirit will help curb your appetite that has been tempted by lust. Romans 12:2 2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
For advice on staying focused on God, we encourage you to meditate on Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
It is also important to remember that believers are to focus on God and His word regardless of the past desires. Mathew warns us in 6:21 where your treasure is that is where your heart will be also. Jesus did not die for our sins so we could go on living in them. A faithful man shall abound with blessings but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished.
Romans 8:39 writes, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. The verse should give you comfort that even if you have thoughts about sin you can be assured that God loves you.
God will be faithful in helping you to focus on Him. Doubt worries about the past or chasing after other people struggling to exercise or any other challenging area in your life. He is faithful, and He can do it!
Let us pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in Jesus' name, lifting up our brother/sister in Christ. Thank You for a new day and for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, we ask for Your protection over Anonymous from all lust and sinful thoughts. Help them to fix their thoughts on You and to seek You with all their heart. Give them the strength and discipline to exercise often, and deliver them from a sinful mind.
Father, we ask that You would bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. Help Anonymous to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.
We don't put our faith and trust in neighbors, but we put our faith and trust in God, that He alone is our hope freeing us from all of our sins. We trust God with the past and the future. Thank you for your understanding. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
We encourage you to continue to walk in the freedom that Christ has bought with his blood shed on the cross. He paid the ultimate price for our freedom burying the old man in baptism and we are raised again in the likeness of Christ Jesus.
Most importantly focus on God's love for you and your eternal reward. The beauty of a godly life lived in joy and purpose. It is God's plan that we live a life of abundance. A life overflowing with blessings and joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength in a dark and fallen world. Amen.