Ok I know this might seem like a strange question but let me explain.
One of the things that has been so frustrating for me is the sins that just keep popping up. Such as pride or anger or selfishness ect.
I know we can never be sinless on earth, but I don't know what to do with these sins. I find my self confessing sin almost all day long. Is this what sanctification is supposed to be? Grante the thins that bother me now hardly crossed my mind before, but it seems hopeless to give God the glory He deserves when I have such a wicked heart. And that is just what I recognize, let alone the countless sins I have a blind eye to.
I had to keep this struggle silent at my church because I either hear that I have to stop beating myself or "Tim, there is now no more condemnation..." or we are new creatures in christ" I know they all mean well, but it just seems as though we just have to accept it and maybe after a lifetime of being santified we will eventually have victory.
Please forgive me for probably bring up the same topic that has been discussed to death. But I really feel sometimes as if I am losing my mind and no one seems to understand.
Thankyou for any prayerful answers.
Tim

i look forward to hearing wisdom on this one too brother, at times it's been a daily cross for me. i've been seeking the Lord to show me the cause of my struggle with unrighteous anger. i'd posted here about two proverbs that seemed to have the answer somewhere (i'd recommend finding the post "ruling your spirit" if you're lead, there were some great words shared by others):

Pro 25:28 He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls.

Pro 16:32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

throughout the day i pondered what it meant to rule over our own spirit, and some scriptures that popped up here and there:

Gal 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Jhn 3:30 He must increase, but I [must] decrease.

the Lord showed me that when i was on "the throne", i'd fall into the flesh battle (self = sin...). when self rules, God's not on the throne. for example, when i was on the computer and one of the kids needed something, i felt irritated. or when i was trying to cook or clean, this would happen again. as simple as it seems now, i couldn't figure out how to overcome the sin of unrighteous anger - mentally. then, the Lord also showed me that although i was doing works, they were of the flesh - the cooking, cleaning, teaching, etc. so i lacked joy in doing them much of the time.

i prayed the Lord would give me a servant's heart, one not so self-centered. it seems that when i take the focus off myself, that's where the fruit of the Spirit is. it's not about me, it's about HIM. when martha was made well, she immediately got up and served. i said, "God, give me that heart!". can you imagine a time when you were bedridden and sick, then wanting to serve others in the midst of it all? i honestly can't. when i'm not well, i feel sorry for myself and expect the world to revolve around my selfish self. flesh rotten flesh...

something else another brethren posted was this sermon. it really spoke to me about how our self-centered/selfishness effects our walk w/the Lord:

http://www.ellerslie.com/Eric_Ludy_Sermons/Entries/2012/1/1_Spiritualized_Selfishness.html

bless you brother!! wendy

[edit]
also found this article relevant and helpful by brother zac:

"Your Decisions Determine What You Become"

http://www.cfcindia.com/web/mainpages/articles.php?display=article11

hi, repentance is not from sin...if you could ,you would not need a redeemer... it is the yielding the rule of your life to Jesus and dying with Him so that you can be raised with Him in newness of life.this is what is meant by presenting yourself as a living sacrifice(dead offering)... gal. 2:20 also ... it is a very important lesson to learn... that compared to the thrice holy God your "perfection" is but filthy rags.jimp is a good thing to be in Christ

Thank you for your post, Brother Earl/Learjet.
Truth and filled with Hope.


NEVER GIVE UP! - that's what I glean from it as well.


Pray one for another - it Truly Helps.

Hi Timg wow your post is such a blessing to me as I am also exactly in that same place. I do find that before selfishness, pride, did not bother me I actually thought I was so close to being perfect lol: ). Don't think the same now am deeply humbled! I pray this often Lord search my heart find any wickedness in me and bring it to the light so that it can be put to death by your Holy Spirit. I have even at times been afraid to pray these words its a dangerous prayer lol! I am very grateful because God definately answers this prayer! Just thought I'd ask if you pray this too and encourage you by letting you know you are not alone in your struggle. Scripture does say every temptation we face as individuals is common to all men! Also I found Paul West's understanding mortification series a blessing as it edified my understanding of dying to self! Stay blessed brother!

Lindi

_________________
Lindi

Tim

No this is not what sanctification is about as we are to be overcomers and experience the freedom that Christ came to give us. The power of sin was broken for us on the cross but believers find that there is a time gap before this truth becomes operational in their lives.

The time gap is one where our weakness is made plain to us so that we know that we are nothing lest any man should boast.

Some however, who carry the name of Christians do not understand this process and it is because they have silenced the work of the Holy Spirit and are reprobates or they are not actually saved and neither camp can speak to our condition and this is very commonly found even here.

What you are going through is the work of the Holy Spirit and all you need do is keep your heart and mind on Christ, crying out to Him to deliever you and you will not lose your mind but have it saved to the uttermost when He comes to you.

Brenda

Sorry I have not had time to respond to your comments I have been very busy and I want to respond thoughtfully.
Let me atleast say that I was deeply moved and encouraged by you responses. This has been one of the most difficult times of my walk with Christ over the last 25 years or so, but it is all part of the journey.
Thankyou for your prayers and be sure you are in my prayers also.
May Christ be glorified in His body,
Tim

Tim,

The Good News of the Gospel is that you do not have a dirty heart! You have a pure and clean heart

Eze. 11:19-20, "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

This Scripture is looking ahead to the New covenant. For us this is now a DONE DEAL.

Your old heart was replaced or exchanged. It meets all the requirement possible.

Your heart is purified and cleaned by faith.

Acts 15:9, "And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith."

Let The Holy Spirit open your eyes to what God in Christ has already accomplished for you and in you.

I am aware that my sin is forgiven and washed away. I am very gratefull for this.
What frustrates me is the reality that I am constantly sinning. How can I bring God the glory He deserves when even in my prayer I find my heart filling with pride.
I am sick of my sin.
Tuc, I believe I understand what you are trying to say but, I just can't seem to receive it. Oh wretched man that I am! who will deliver me from this body of sin?
Understand I don't feel under condemnatation just unable to conquer my sinful flesh.
thankyou for your response and prayer. I take every response with an open heart.
In Christ,
Tim