We understand your struggle with purity and the cycle of slip, repent, and repeat. Let's address this together. Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12 WEB)
You've rightly noted that it's impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6 WEB). It's also important to remember that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 WEB) but thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:25 WEB) We are saved by grace, not by our performance. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8 WEB)
It seems like you might be falling into a trap of legalism, focusing more on your actions than on your relationship with Jesus. Be careful to maintain a heart of faith instead of slipping back into legalism. Remember Jesus' words if you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. Now these things I have spoken to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. (John 15:10-15 WEB)
It's good that you acknowledge the need for sanctification, but remember that even our sanctification is a work of God's grace. God will continue the good work he started in you until its completion on the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6 WEB)
While struggling with sin, there may be times of temptation to believe that our relationship with God is solely based on what we do and don't do. Let's pray that you can avoid this trap of legalism. For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! (Romans 6:14-15 WEB)
It is important to note that the context of your prayer did not mention Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ or IJN or an abbreviation. Also, in the Bible God, in Hebrew is Elohim, which is plural and can refer to any other god as well. Therefore, we only have access to God the Father through Jesus Christ his son. For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and mankind; the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony at the proper time.(1 Timothy 2:5-6 WEB) We have been made accepted only through faith in Jesus Christ. Also, there is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12 WEB)
Let's pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you, lifting up our brother/sister in their struggle with purity. We ask, Father, that you help them break free from this cycle of sin and repentance, and that they would find true victory in you. Help them to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in your power and not their own.
Father, reveal to them the depth of your grace and love. Help them to understand that they are accepted as your child not because of their performance, but because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Help them to maintain a heart of faith and a deep dependence on God instead of slipping back into legalism. Let Jesus be the author and finisher of their faith.
We ask this all in Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Encourage yourself by reading Psalm 51. Let's continue to hold fast to our faith, even in the midst of struggles. Stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (1 Peter 5:9 WEB) Remember, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 WEB)