I keep doing things that I know are wrong. Can you pray for me?

Answer:

To realize that what you are doing is wrong and harmful is a step in the right direction, but what you need next is some self-control. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified" (I Corinthians 9:24-27).

You can control your behavior. It won't be easy because you have years of bad habits to overcome, not to mention creating cravings for chemicals that you did not need, but people have overcome in the past and you can do it too. "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (I Corinthians 10:13).

Being upset that you are giving in isn't enough, you need to be determined to change -- so determined that even a slip-up won't get in your way of overcoming these things. "I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter" (I Corinthians 7:9-11).

Every person I've talked to about these types of sins almost always are seeing themselves as escaping some difficulty in their lives. Many times the problems aren't real, though they seem very real to the person. And in every case, the sins indulged in actually make the problems worse, but the person prefers having the temporary escape because it is immediate and the problems can be ignored for the moment. So, what I want you to do is think about why you are doing the things you are doing. Why do you do things that you know are wrong?

I'll pray that you find reasons in your life to change. And if you would like, contact me and I'll help you work through the issues in your life.