If I have sinned and then repented for that sin, and truly felt bad about it, and told myself i would never do it again, then I did it again, and repented again....

how many times is this acceptable (morally) and biblicaly?

-- Luke (), December 13, 2002

Answers

Dear Luke,

Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. (Matt 18:21-22)

Surely God stands ready to forgive us at least as many times as He requires us to forgive one another!

However, the important factor, which you alluded to, is sincerety in repentance. If we are simply using frequent confession as an excuse for repeatedly committing a sin we don't really want to turn away from, then we can hardly expect God to forgive us. Also, if we sincerely want to turn away from a particular sin, and we confess it regularly, but are not making any progress in avoiding that sin, we may need to take a hard look at all the factors involved, and see what we can do to avoid what the Church calls "the near occasions of sin". If I sincerely want to stop buying pornography, but there is an "adult book store" near my bus stop and I just can't resist going in, then maybe I should ride the bus to the next stop, even if it means walking farther. If I can't resist shoplifting every time I go to a particular jewelry store, maybe I need to stay away from that store.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 13, 2002.

OR...get help to dig deep down in your soul to find out 'why' you continue on the same destructive path.

In addition to confession, therapy with a professional, may be necessary.

ML

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), December 13, 2002.

If you really repented of that sin each time -- which includes having the firm intention of never committing that sin again -- then you will be forgiven.

That is something you need to determine in your conscience - are you really, seriously doing everything within your power not to commit this sin again?

-- Christine L. :-) (christine.lehman@us.pwcglobal.com), December 13, 2002.

Dear Luke, you're not alone. I think we all struggle to different degrees with different sinful patterns. The more we work at it {who says we don't have to work out our salvation?}, and receive God's forgiveness and strength, the less it will have its hold on us.

God is faithful, but like the others here have said, God needs our cooperation in really delivering us from this stuff and keeping us free from it. To the degree that we are dead serious about getting free from the sin- it's that fast the freedom will come.

I have found the sacrament of confession is most effective in pulling out the deeper roots of a sin, even if it's over again throughout months, I have literally tracked the progress and can see the habit lose its grip until finally I can't even remember what it was I was doing. Some roots of sin are not as deep as others and we can give them up easily. Others, as MaryLu alluded to, have a tighter grip on us, and we need to be accountable to some other human being on a regular basis to help us through the temptations.

Some sinful patterns can be traced even back to our ancestors who did the same things. In these cases, as in drinking or immoral sexual habits, we can pray for this pattern to be stopped. We can ask the Lord to heal and forgive our ancestors and break those generational patterns.

In any case, Luke, as the others have already said, our Lord is very merciful and tender toward us, take time to sit and receive that love. Go to a Catholic church and sit before the blessed sacrament, the place of most prayer power, and receive His love, He is faithful to help us in these matters.

-- Theresa Huether (Rodntee4Jesus@aol.com), December 14, 2002.

Dear Theresa,

Great response!

If one goes to the same confessor on a regular basis, the priest will work with you to see the progress you are making in a particular area of repeated sins.

If the priest feels that you need further help, he will recommend it.

MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), December 14, 2002.

Agree on the above posts, but want to add: Most 12 step programs eventually get one to see a professionally trained counseler. While I do not exclude religious from this, the profession they are talking about is psych. There are so many 12 step varients, that you can usually find one that is close enough for you. If not, maybe form your own. Sean

-- Sean Cleary (seanearlyaug@juno.com), December 16, 2002.

Self destructive behavior is a sign of weakness. You need to grow up and get over your lame-ass self. Stop obsessing over your past mistakes and using them as a 'crutch' or excuse to repeat them over and over again. There is plenty more I can say but frankly, I really don't care enough to delve further.

-- Anonymous (peepmepeepyou@aol.com), April 04, 2004.