Your honest confession has been heard, and we join with you in prayer to the God who delights to deliver His people.
You have done well to call this habit what it is, a sin that would hold you captive, and to turn from it. The resolve you have made today is good, but remember this truth, deliverance from the power of sin is as much the work of God as deliverance from the guilt of sin. It is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy. You cannot by mere willpower alone break these chains, but where we look for justification, there must we also look for sanctification, for as we are justified through Jesus Christ, we must also expect to receive sanctification from a heavenly source.
Do not think that God's ear is shut to such a prayer. He is not deaf to the cry of a soul that longs to be made holy. The Lord Jesus Christ has found a ransom. The prisoner ready to be executed finds undeserved deliverance, for the King's own Son has borne the penalty of all his iniquities. When God Himself proclaims, I have found a ransom, then is the deliverance certain. Indeed, it is already accomplished at the cross. Your hope is not in the strength of your resolution, but in the blood of the Lamb slain, and in the power of the Holy Spirit who is able to make you hate the sin you once loved.
Therefore look to your heavenly Father altogether and alone. Rest your soul upon Christ. Come daily to Him for cleansing and for power. Flee from every occasion and provision for this sin, as Joseph fled. Keep your heart with all diligence, and let your mind be filled with the Word of God, so that there is no room for the tempter to sow his tares. Walk in the light, seek the help of a faithful brother or pastor to whom you can be accountable, and be much in prayer.
We have a far richer theme for music than Israel of old, for we have been delivered from worse enemies, and saved by a greater salvation. The Lord who brought Israel forth with silver and gold makes the deliverance of His people effectual, and He attends it with enrichment. He will not only forgive, but He will restore and strengthen you, that you may live a life of purity to His praise.
Let us pray for you now.
O Lord our God, we thank Thee that this soul has not hidden his sin, but has brought it into the light before Thee. Thou art He who delivers from the pit, and Thou hast found a ransom in the precious blood of Jesus. We beseech Thee, grant to our brother a full deliverance from this bondage. Wash him in the blood of Christ, and by Thy Spirit give him power to overcome. Teach him to look not to himself, but to Thee alone for sanctification. Keep him from temptation, renew his mind, and make him strong to flee youthful lusts and to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. Let him know that if he ever rises from this struggle, all the honor of his deliverance must be of Free Grace only. And grant that being delivered, he may live and declare the works of the Lord, to the praise of Thy glorious grace. In the name of Jesus Christ our only hope, Amen.
Be of good courage. If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Keep close to Christ, and He will keep you.