Counsel #5 — Faithful To Forgive

Picture: Counsel #5 — Faithful To ForgiveCLi 92.1

Watching pornography can bring about immense feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy. The hardest part about repeatedly falling for the temptation of pornography is not only knowing that it’s wrong, but that God is fully aware of the mistake you made, each time you make it.CLi 92.2

Even though you may feel hopeless or internally impure, God offers a path of forgiveness and renewal by inviting believers to break free from the bondage of pornography into His healing and transformative love. To repent means to turn away from the past, sinful behavior we were once bound by — this is the first step to true surrender to God. If we desire God’s forgiveness and to be cleansed from any and all unrighteous thoughts and behavior, we must ask God to take control of every aspect of our lives so that He can rebuild us in His purity and truth.^{[83]https://record.adventistchurch.com/2023/03/17/a-girls-guide-to-dating-in-the-age-of-pornography/}CLi 92.3

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIVCLi 92.4

“God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the heart...” Ellen White in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 42CLi 92.5

Reflect: Do you truly believe that God forgives you when you sin?CLi 92.6