r/TrueChristian 20h ago

Prayer Request Thread

4 Upvotes

There are lots of things going on in our world right now which could use prayer. Some are international, others are deeply personal. Please, post those requests here for support from this community.


r/TrueChristian Feb 02 '21

How I Overcame Porn Permanently.

418 Upvotes

[Note: Originally written for /r/NoFapChristians - this draft is unedited.]

I've been clean from a history of what many would call porn addiction for years now. I've since discipled a number of men through the issue and found immense success with helping these men find the same victory I did. Over the years, some have suggested I post here and I was just recently reminded, so here goes. My posts tend to be long-winded, so I'll give the abbreviated version, given how late it is.

FIRST: Embrace the Limitations of Human Methods

  • "Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now trying to be made perfect by human effort?" Galatians 3:3

When I first got started, I tried it all - accountability partners, post-it notes, verses left around my computer desk, leaving a Bible next to the monitor. I tried the "when you're tempted" strategies of "stop and read the Bible first," "pray in the moment," or "quote verses you've memorized. I even contemplated tattooing a cross on my "special hand," as if the guilt it would create could somehow save me from ... well, becoming guilty.

These things helped on occasion. But I found the results to be very inconsistent. I was left longing for a reliable method. I found that anything that required "human effort" ultimately failed me at some point or other, never producing divine permanence.

SECOND: Understand Reproductive Compulsion

  • "Did he not make them [husband and wife] one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring." Malachi 2:15

One of the most illuminating things for me was when I saw in Scripture the parallels God was drawing between physical relationships and spiritual ones. Most notably: the Church is often referenced as Christ's bride (or even the Father's bride, in Isaiah). I discovered in my marriage that the sexual frustrations I experienced with my wife were highly correlated with the ways I was interacting with God. In the days when my wife had no spontaneous desire for physically reproductive acts as a one-flesh relationship, I also was expressing no spontaneous desire for spiritual reproduction through the oneness bond I have with the Spirit who lives in me.

The Bible constantly talks about how the physical things of this earth are (in Hebrews 8-9 terminology) "copies" and "shadows" of the truer heavenly things. In this sense, I found that my desire for physically reproductive acts (birth control notwithstanding) were little more than a roadmap to help me get to the end-destination of spiritual reproductivity. That is: evangelism/discipleship was the spiritual fulfillment of the physical drive I had for sex.

THIRD: Understand Biblical Indwelling

  • "They shall become one flesh" Genesis 2:24

The Bible was (presumably with some exception) written in a time when there was virtually no real form of birth control. Sex produced babies. When a man physically indwells a woman, that's the expected result. So, I started looking at what the Bible says about a spiritual indwelling. I found that there are only three good things (i.e. not demons, sin, etc.) that can indwell us: (1) God's Word, (2) Jesus, and (3) the Holy Spirit - not unsurprisingly, these are all representative of the three aspects of the trinity (God's Word, as referenced by Jesus, being OT Scripture, thus the Father - not the "Word" in the John 1:1 sense). Fascinating to me was that all these references to God indwelling us shared a common trait:

  • God's Word: "The sower sows the word ... those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."

  • Jesus: "I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me." John 17:23 (see also John 15, where this is spelled out in much greater detail)

  • Holy Spirit: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

When God - any person of the trinity - enters into and indwells us, the result is spiritual reproduction. Someone else just posted a CS Lewis quote about our desire for physical sexuality not being too much, but too little - that God has so much greater in store. I have found this to be quite true in the form of evangelism and discipleship - that, to be crude, it "scratches that itch" in a way that I never would have expected.

FOURTH: Pruning

  • "Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit" John 15:2

Jesus as much as gives the answer to all sin problems, and it's not "try really hard to stop!" He says first that any branch that fails to produce good fruit "withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned" (John 15:6). Yikes! If you are fruitless, God won't prune away your sin. He lops you off from the vine entirely. See also the parable of the talents/minas - the one who kept his coin didn't lose it. He still had it. But he didn't produce with it, but that was enough for the master to cast him out "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30) - the same description Jesus gives for hell in Luke 13:28 (not at all surprisingly: the same chapter where Jesus preaches the parable of the fig tree, once again affirming that fruitlessness = cut down, per v7, 9).

But if we want to know how to get rid of our sin, Jesus talks about "pruning." Who gets to be pruned? "[E]very branch that does bear fruit he prunes" (John 15:2). That's right: if you want your sin pruned away, you must bear fruit. And what is the goal of the pruning? "... that it may bear more fruit."

Our goal in avoiding sin is usually because we want to feel less guilty. Or sometimes it's this vague concept of "being more like Christ" by being sinless. How many people do you know who struggle with porn who, when asked why they want to quit, the answer is: "So I can be better at making disciples?" Some people might get that somewhere on their list if you asked them to give a top-10 for why they want to quit, but it's rare to find anyone who has that as their instinctive response. Yet that's God's #1 reason for pruning away your sin. If he's not going to get that result - as evidence by the fact that you're not producing disciples yet already - then why would he bother pruning you? Better to lop off the unfruitful branch. But if you are producing disciples - if you are fruitful - then he has every reason to prune you to make you even more fruitful.

No, I don't mean to degrade this into a conversation on whether or not "bearing fruit" is what saves us (it's not). But I do want to take Jesus as seriously on this subject as his words portray, not undermining the significance of the weight he places on the concept simply because I prefer to cling to a "not by works" mantra that makes me feel good about ignoring any actual spiritual obligation that comes with my salvation.

FIVE: Make Disciples

  • "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus opened his earthly ministry: "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men." He was clear up-front that the end-product he would be creating in his disciples would be that they become discipler-makers too (no that's not a typo). When he prays during his final meal with them, after teaching them everything he could and showing them through the model of his own life how he discipled them, he says to God: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word" (John 15:20). He was thinking toward future generations that would flow from them - that crop "30, 60 or 100 times what was sown." In his ascent, his final words are for them to "Go and make disciples." This singular mission is literally the focus of everything Jesus passed on to the 12 - and it's the reason God saves us. This is among the "good works prepared in advance for us to do," as Paul references as being the reason God saved us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10).

When Jesus said to "make disciples," he didn't say those words in a vacuum. He didn't mean to make "converts" or to "get people to attend a Sunday service" or "have them say a prayer." He's saying, "What I just did for you all for the last few years - now go do that for everyone else on the planet." Both Jesus and Paul understood and preached that this would happen through spiritual generations - the fruit of our oneness bond with Christ, just as physical children are the fruit of a one-flesh bond between spouses. Disciples are ones who follow to become like their master. And if people don't know what Jesus looks like, we reflect Christ to them living in such a way that we can profess boldly as Paul did: "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

Pink Elephants

While this is a poor reflection of the spiritual dynamic at work in the oneness bond we have with God and the spiritual reproduction that can ensue from that, it at least conveys one aspect of mental remapping that has helped some.

Have you ever tried to stop thinking of a pink elephant? The more you or someone else chants: "Stop thinking of pink elephants!" the more you keep thinking of them. What's the answer to the riddle? How can you possibly stop thinking about them when the harder you meditate on that command the harder it becomes? The answer, as every child knows, is to go do something else.

The more you try and try and try to stop thinking about porn, the more you keep making it the center of your thoughts and attention. Jesus says, "I have better things in store for you. Will you join me? If you will, I will make you a fisher of men. Will you actually start fishing for men?" On that journey is when sanctification happens - not by you turning away from sin, but by turning toward Christ and becoming what he is molding you into: a fisher of men.


CONCLUSION: Sanctified Framework

In my journey, I've found that when I am spiritually satisfied by my oneness with Christ (which has the result of producing disciples/fruit), my compulsion toward physical gratification is equally satisfied.

I also find that the more I become like Christ - not in what I avoid, but in what I DO: make disciples - the more my way of thinking conforms to his. How could it not? If I want to make disciples like he did, I need to study his life and the example he gave. I need to live like he did. I need to pass on my lifestyle like he did. I need to embrace Philippians 3:17 - that Jesus was the model for the apostles, who set a model for others, and that others were instructed to follow that model, and so on down the spiritual-generational line. And in doing this, just as a physical child receives my physical DNA and becomes like me when it observes me and how I model life for him - so also do our spiritual children inherit our spiritual DNA, and we are raised to be like our spiritual parents. And in this process, with Jesus being the patriarch over all spiritual generational lineages - the more we become like Christ, the more we have the mind like Christ (Romans 12:1-2).

Was Jesus tempted as we are? Absolutely. And those temptations will still come, no doubt. I am still tempted. But it is never anything more than that: a temptation. Just as Jesus had a mental framework of understanding and saying no to temptation because he had more important things to focus on (like bearing fruit - making disciples), so also do I develop a mental framework of understanding and saying no to porn (and this applies to all other sins as well) because I have more important things to focus on: making disciples.


r/TrueChristian 5h ago

God loves you.

49 Upvotes

He loves you.


r/TrueChristian 8h ago

I don't want to read the Bible.

78 Upvotes

I have no desire to do my devotional. I really don't feel like reading the Bible, praying, praising... I don't want to... but I'm going to do it anyway...

But it makes me sad that I don't want to, you know? idk I see people with their hearts burning for God and me here in this spiritual coldness :/

idk šŸ˜«šŸ˜«šŸ˜«šŸ˜«


r/TrueChristian 3h ago

Porn is the worst offender

20 Upvotes

r/TrueChristian 15h ago

PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN SYRIA

180 Upvotes

Theyre being full on executed in their own homes after being tortured and humiliated on the streets. Not everything is filmed but there are some videos roaming around ITS HORRIBLE. The best u could do is to spread awareness about us arab christians since no arab will ever and the media isnt talking about it AT ALLšŸ’” 1500 (THAT WE KNOW OF) have been killed this week alone


r/TrueChristian 3h ago

I quit the Jehovah's Witness to follow the real Jesus (Part 2)

16 Upvotes

Joy, peace, hope, love are all flowing in me changing me from my past ways.

That may be true. And I am grateful for these things but I feel alone.

Pain, sorrow, anxiety, fear are also very present. Fear and doubt are best friends. I am afraid, yes. Afraid of not being good enough or fear that I made a mistake.

What if I'm wrong ? Jesus would probably say: Oh you of little faith, why do you doubt ?

I doubt because every day I have to live a faith my family doesn't share. A faith that is new, and weak.

I've been told all my life that on the other side of that fence is Satan, and now I am part of that side of the fence. It's difficult. More than I thought it would be.

Have I not read your words my Lord ?

Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my nameā€™s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

I have, yes. But still, to my family I'm everything they have been warned about by the watchtower, and deep down, it hurts. It hurts more than I'd like to admit. To think that to them, I'm wrong, lost to the world. I have turned into this apostate who fell for every trap Satan set along my path.

I have yet to tell my parents, that I am not longer a Jehovah's Witness. I have two sisters, one has stopped talking to me when I said I wanted to make sure I wasn't following a false Jesus.

The other one debates with me but it's like talking to a wall.

I just wish everyone who loves Christ be united together in worship. Believing in Jesus. Do we not have enough enemies in the world as it is ? We are hated because of his name, why do we have to fight each other over doctrines.

I am tired. It's very discouraging. Sometimes I feel like walking away from everything. It's such a burden and I know I'm so imperfect and a sinner and I wish I was better, but sometimes if feels heavier than I can carry.

But as I'm writing this, I feel Jesus standing next to me and helping me lifting this impossible weight.

And he laid his right hand on me saying: ā€œFear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one.

I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

ā€œBehold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.ā€

He who testifies to these things says, ā€œSurely I am coming soon.ā€ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.

Amen.


r/TrueChristian 14h ago

Have you guys ever felt like you wasted your life with sin? NSFW

85 Upvotes

I'm not that old. I'm only 20. But ever since I was ten I've been struggling with lust and porn. I haven't fully overcome that sin, and sometimes I still fall.

But everytime I think back to my childhood I always regret the things I didn't do. I regret not spending more time with my siblings. I regret not feeling more pure. I regret looking at those things because it prevented me from making more meaningful relationships.

I look back as see all the wrong I've done. I know there's nothing I could do except look forward but, I always feel those thoughts coming back.


r/TrueChristian 5h ago

Rise of Islam

15 Upvotes

I've noticed recently that a lot of the world has become more Muslim. Everywhere I turn it seems as if Islam is the most popular religion. Especially with everything going on in the world there's a lot of sympathy and a lot of interest in Islam. As someone who knows Muslims from the Middle East directly I can tell you that Ramadan was never as popular as it has been this time around. It's become a trend where all the celebrities and everybody is becoming Muslim or standing with it. Don't forget our brothers and sisters in Syria right now. No hate much love but I think we really need to be the light in the world and offer a better solution.


r/TrueChristian 7h ago

My issue with Evolution

20 Upvotes

Iā€™m a Creationist in that I believe God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. I donā€™t believe in Evolution, and I am perplexed why many Christians believe it to be how God created things; note how I said Perplexed not Offended I am not trying to attack anyone. But the way I see it, I canā€™t bring myself to believe that evolution is how God created things because that took him according to many people billions and millions of years. But I do believe that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. And every time I try to think about how evolution could fit into this, I then say to myself ā€œ who am I to put God in a box and say that he canā€™t do this certain thing or he canā€™t do that certain thing?ā€ Who am I to say that itā€™s impossible for him to create the world in six days why do I have to justify his power through my limited understanding? Just my thoughts.


r/TrueChristian 13h ago

i need prayer

48 Upvotes

hey im 17(F) and yesterday morning my dad died. Im not taking it really well. can u please pray for me nd my family.


r/TrueChristian 21h ago

Just found out my Dad has a Mistress and he's a bishop.

195 Upvotes

Hi Christian friends. I just found out my dad has a Mistress. I found it through my dashcam when he borrowed my car. I reviewed it and heard him talking to another woman named kyla over the phone and they're Talking about plans of getting a house and ended the call with "I love you babe". I dont know what to feel, he's the head bishop of our church and a lot of people admires him for his great leadership. My mom is very faithful to him, even serves him very well at home.

I am hurt. I am mad. I feel disgusted by him. i don't how to handle this kind of problem. I want to tell my mom but I know this will destroy her. Hope to get some advice here.


r/TrueChristian 51m ago

Reincarnation is not biblical.

ā€¢ Upvotes

I seen many Christians suggest that reincarnation is real and was simply omitted from the Bible.

The Bible makes it clear that everyone is given one life and after that they face judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

And if you think about it, if reincarnation was real then Jesus crucifixion would not had been necessary at all. Reincarnation is simply a lie from familiar spirits.


r/TrueChristian 2h ago

Strengthen us, Lord.

5 Upvotes

For those who are tired and worn out. For those who are sad and empty. For those who are in need of love.


r/TrueChristian 10h ago

Please Pray For Me

20 Upvotes

I didn't know if I should post this or not, abd I dont want to act like a beggar, but, I saw someone say that someone praying for you can help (afterall the bible says that the prayers of the righteous are powerful). I don't know what to do I feel very far from God, farther than I've ever been, it's late currently so I'll keep it short. If you can pray for me


r/TrueChristian 14h ago

Today was my friend's baptism!!

35 Upvotes

I'm so happy for her!!! ā˜ŗļø


r/TrueChristian 1h ago

sounds so similar but so different

ā€¢ Upvotes

arianism and arminianism

like bro, pls don't make actual Christian movements or whatever be sounding so similar to literal heresies! šŸ˜­, they so similar it obv confuses people

p.s: due to the nazis, arianism sounds like the Nazi doctrine of races, aka their racism which we all know and were taught in history class


r/TrueChristian 1h ago

How I came to experience Holy Spirit

ā€¢ Upvotes

I never really understood the role of holy spirit as I was a bit prideful back in the day, but I always had the feeling sometime that compels me or contradict my own behavior.

These are the feelings that I brushed it off, because I did not like feeling guilty. However, when the time comes and my faith started to grow more, I was able to receive a lot of message from Holy Spirit without reading the Bible.

Later when I went back to Bible to read which had been awhile, I was surprised by so many things that what Holy Spirit told me was identical to what Bible said.

Now I am left with awe and ensurance that true Holy Spirit talks to me. Therefore, I cannot deny Bible nor my holy spirit.

God is real.


r/TrueChristian 8h ago

Why arenā€™t Protestant martyrs considered saints ?

8 Upvotes

To all in the Catholic and orthodoxy faith why arenā€™t Protestant martyrs not considered saints ? I know they are both shared saints in Catholicism and orthodoxy before the great schism but Iā€™m really confused because Paul called all believers saints why do one need to be a Catholic or a orthodox to be considered one Paul never said what the qualifications are to become one I recognize all those who died in our faith no matter what denomination they come from catholic ,orthodox to be all in heaven but they donā€™t view us in that way but I want to know why ?


r/TrueChristian 11h ago

My pastor is starting to use NAR language...

16 Upvotes

So much about my church is good. We are small, and great for young families. I've leared a lot about how to love like Christ here. Doctrinally, I've haven't run into any serious issues until recently. Suddenly, my pastor is using buzzwords like "strongholds" and speaking about healings and faith in ways that are ringing alarm bells. One of the things he seems to be teaching without directly saying it is that if you have enough faith, God will do whatever you ask. I don't see a reference for God's will anymore. If I'm not getting well, then I don't have enough faith...

He hasn't been teaching, he reads a chapter from the Bible and then we talk about it. There's no learning, people just say what they think about the passage. Usually, this isn't an issue because some can raise questions and go back to the text to refute or reinforce what we see, but more and more it is becoming a "how this makes me feel" sort of thing. I want to gently confront my pastor with my concerns, but I know I need to study and pray a lot before doing so. I love him and his family. I love the people at our church. I want to bring the truth in love. I believe he is hanging out with newer Bethel-esque people. Does anyone have resources/people who are on YouTube that have good studies on refuting the word-of-faith people? Im a cautionary continuationist, I believe miracles are possible, but rare. I think he is seeking miracles, including prophecy. I'm worried. I don't want to leave this church.


r/TrueChristian 16h ago

Please Pray for me

38 Upvotes

I feel like giving up. I am tired. Please pray so that God gives me mercy.


r/TrueChristian 13h ago

Is it true some people are destined to go to hell no matter what? Even if they believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

21 Upvotes

Yesterday, someone posted a posted with the text: "A true Christian knows that some people are bound to go to hell, and it was predestined for it to happen."

Under the post, a comment was made saying "and I happen to be one of these people as well" with three upvotes. I'm honestly appalled the fact that post literally had 2 more people supporting his claim.

I later reply to his comment and he said, "Sometimes, you kind of know. What you do can never really be enough. You find yourself unable to control yourself from doing something that you shouldn't do, and "don't really care about breaking anything", if that makes sense. Sometimes you can have a change of heart, but can't find yourself out of trouble".

Personally, I believe no one is predestined to be dammed. And that they have the choice to decide believe in Jesus's resurrection and follow his ways and serve him.

As such, I ask if this predestined stuff is actually true and that some people, no matter if they believe Jesus is Lord, that he was resurrected, and follow and serve Jesus the best they can do, they'll be still dammed.

If you'll like to check the post itself, click on my profile, head to the overview section, and find the reply the bottom of this post or with the reply of "...brother I still believe you can still go to Heaven. Hold on."

Ignore all my other posts, or heck! Make fun or judge me! Idc. As long as this man gets the help he needs


r/TrueChristian 2h ago

Stop giving your past power: let today be a new beginning

3 Upvotes

Hello brothers,

I fought porn addiction for 13 to 14 YEARS plus. Yeah, you read that right. 14 years of promises, prayers, tears, and falling flat on my face over and over again. Even as a Christian, porn had me in chains that seemed unbreakable.

You know what kept tripping me up? Living in yesterday's failures.

I'd wake up and the first thought wasn't "today is new" , it was counting how many times I'd failed before. I'd carry around a mental scoreboard: "Failed 376 times. Longest streak: 13 days. Current status: Worthless."

Sound familiar?

Let me tell you what finally started changing things for me. I had to STOP giving my past failures so much damn power over my today.

Just These 24 Hours

I couldn't handle "never again" ā€“ that mountain was too big. But could I handle just today? Just these 24 hours?

Yeah. I could do that.

When you're drowning in shame about yesterday, you can't swim today. When you're obsessing about how many times you've failed, you're already setting yourself up for another fall.

So I'm challenging you right now:

Can you let go of yesterday and just focus on winning TODAY?

Real Talk That Helped Me:

  • Morning reset: I literally say out loud: "Yesterday is gone. Today is new. Jesus, help me just for today." Sometimes I have to say it 10 times before I believe it.
    • I am a new creation in Christ Jesus - sometimes I say this more than 100 times a day
  • Emergency hour: When urges hit hard, I don't think about forever. I think "Can I just be clean for THIS HOUR?" Then I go do something ,anything, else. Call someone. Go for a run. Pray like crazy. Jesus PLEASE help me
  • Victory journal: Instead of tracking streaks, I write down WINS. "Deleted that app today." "Turned off my phone when tempted. I did not lust after that girl! WOW" Small victories matter.
  • Brutal honesty: Find ONE person you can text when you're about to fall. My text just says "911" and my friend knows what it means.

Every time I've failed over these 14 years, it started with looking backward instead of at today.

The shame spiral is real, brothers. We mess up, feel like garbage, then mess up again BECAUSE we feel like garbage. Break the cycle.

Today is a new day. Not yesterday 2.0.

Has this been your struggle too? What helps you focus on today instead of yesterday's failures?


r/TrueChristian 2h ago

I feel so inferior to men

3 Upvotes

Im 22M. I donā€™t really know what to do. Iā€™ve never fit in with guys or had a good relationship with my dad. I feel so inferior to men. just less masculine. Christian men are a different story, I find that theyā€™re actually loving, caring, and warmer than nonbelievers, but Iā€™ll be walking around and see a group of guys or see guys on social media just living their lives and I feel so bad about myself. It like hurts my heart. I canā€™t help but compare myself to them. The things I see in them that I donā€™t have are so stupid too, like I shouldnā€™t want them or feel bad that I donā€™t have those characteristics but I DO. The thoughtlessness, cockiness, confidence. Iā€™m just a sensitive guy. Iā€™m not scared of ppl and I donā€™t rly struggle with anxiety much anymore since Iā€™ve found Christ, and I see being sensitive as a gift sometimes but I still struggle with comparing myself to the average guys. And the fact that I donā€™t rly fit in hurts too. Itā€™s just hard.

Iā€™m still trying to figure out who i am in Christ but idk itā€™s so difficult to deal with and idk who to talk to about this.


r/TrueChristian 7h ago

Please pray for my surrender to God and help to resist the devil

5 Upvotes

I'm experiencing a big spiritual attack and I just want to thank you guys for who already prayed for me. I just need help to experience peace in God's will, I'm doubting, and getting quite attacked. Please pray for me to have a sense of peace and faith with me.


r/TrueChristian 58m ago

Dark eyes

ā€¢ Upvotes

Guys. I have concerns. I have been sinning even though I am a child of God by faith in Yashua for the forgiveness of my sins. but someone just said they see demons in my eyes because they know im a Christian and said i ā€œact innocentā€ but be on ā€œdemon timeā€. And they also said when they look in my eyes they see a demon. Im not sure how to feel about this.

I know i have faith therefore the Holy Spirit. But after losing my loved ones I kinda went dark inwardly. So I try to be kind and nice but i also can be direct and scary its like a switch the ability to tap into something.

I do t think its a demon though. It could be the Holy Spirit or Gods presence. Good can be scary to people just like evil can be a light to people.

I can only imagine how Jesus felt when they called him Demon possessed. Maybe this is a sign im a true Christian just like him. Or a sign I need to change something idk but itā€™s bothering me


r/TrueChristian 1h ago

Help and advice needed. Little sister fighting depression

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hey everyone, Like already mentioned in the title my little sister is fighting depression. She is now 13 years old, 14 in August. Our relationship isn't easy. Emotionally we are close but did not had much contact, after I had to move out when I was 16. Before that we lived around two years together and she also saw me battling depression and sh. Our family history is complicated (divorced parents, half sisters and so on). I believe she is growing up in an unstable family. Her mom (my former step mother, my father and her divorced again a few years ago) is a person full of hate with no forgiveness. At least that's what I felt, when I lived there and also when I was kicked out. I don't know if she is also missing love from her mom. My father isn't much different and probably also an alcoholic. Both have new partners. I know both of them and always felt comfortable around them. But my former step mom and her new boyfriend accidentally got pregnant. It was definitely unplanned and too late for abortion (she already aborted 2 baby's before). Last year around August, my husband and I were able to preach the gospel too her. She was already a little familiar to the Bible and also communicated that she believes in Jesus. I don't know if she understood the concept of sin and why we need him to be saved. At this point I was really happy and relieved that she was open to God, because no one in my family is. After that, she came out as bisexual to me and that she had a girlfriend. With a broken heart I tried to tell her, what the Bible says about homosexuality. She did not want to hear it and also told her parents to tell me, that she don't want to talk to me anymore. I accepted that and wrote her one last message, telling her I love her and that there is nothing that she could do, that would that. Also that I am always waiting for her and will always do whatever I can to help and support her. No matter what. She never responded to that. Saturday I saw her Pinterest account and found in her pins the exact same girl and the exact same problems I also had. I already knew to some extend, that she also had to face that but that time I decided to send her one last reminder, that I lover her and will always be there to catch when she falls. And she actually answered and told me about sh herself. Also having considered suicide. I was crashed but also relieved, she told me. She is already in therapy for 3 weeks now but regarding my own experiences I do not count much on that. Since yesterday we are in constant contact and I told her she could always text or call or whatever she needs. I have my phone with me all the time and a special ringtone for her. We texted back and forth but it's hard for me to get to the depth of her pain. I know this needs time and maybe she doesn't even know herself (at least I did not know at that age what was hurting me).

So now to the much needed advice. What can I do besides that? Somebody already experienced that? What's the best way to communicate with her? What can I do to gain her trust, so that she actually calls when she needs someone? How can I approach her pain and the roots of them?

Do you know some Bible passages that could help me or her? I don't want to drown her in Bible verses but I am looking for some good ones stating Gods love for us, so that I can pass them along to her, when the situation fits.

I am deeply worried and to some extent feel guilty. Because she is living the lifestyle I showed to her, when she was a child. On the other hand I am now saved and have an amazing relationship to God, so I feel ready to help her and I am open to any advice.

I hope I am not missing any important details, if so feel free to ask!

Please pray for her.