Anonymous writes…

Also, for someone in my situation, how would you interpret 1Corinthians 3:17? Between the medical websites that say I’m destroying myself and that verse, I’m not so sure I can’t believe God still loves me. I believe the bible is true, but I can’t seem to reconcile that verse with the verses that say God loves me. Sorry to add to what was already a really long question. I just gotta know.

Trophy of Grace replies…

Sister God loves you no matter what. He sent His Son to die for us while we were yet sinners. He loves you so much!! Nothing could separate you from the love that He has for you. Here are the scriptures that immediately came to mind when I read your comment.

Romans 5:6 says, “While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.” (Amplified Bible)

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 3:16 says, “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that WHOEVER BELIEVES IN (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him SHALL NOT PERISH (COME TO DESTRUCTION, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.” (Amplified Bible)

I don’t know what you are doing to your body to destroy it, but it is apparent that you have been seeking counsel through medical websites and the Word of God about this sin that you are committing against your own body. I am most sure that it is the Spirit of the Living God that has put this desire on your heart to search out the Truth. It is in knowing the truth that we can find freedom if we will receive and accept the Truth.

I would receive 1 Corinthians 3:17 as a warning and correction from our loving heavenly Father. Sister our Lord has given His Word to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) Don’t reject His correction. It is for your own good. Look at what Hebrews 12:5-6 says,

“And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the LORD disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

I would really encourage you to read chapter 12 of Hebrews out of the New Living Translation so that you can get a clear understanding of how our heavenly Father’s discipline is meant to train us in right living and to produce Christ-like character in us.

Look back this part of John 3:16, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him SHALL NOT PERISH (COME TO DESTRUCTION, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life”

If you will truly believe in Christ Jesus and make Him Lord over every area of your life, cling to and rely on Him to help you overcome this sin, YOU WILL NOT PERISH OR COME TO DESTRUCTION. You can overcome this through Christ who will strengthen you. He will empower you. You will be ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who will infuse inner strength into you. (Philippians 4:13 – Amplified Bible)

Sister the temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Start confessing to yourself Philippians 4:13 out of the Amplified translation day and night. Also Meditate on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20,
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Remember that God bought you at a high price, with the blood of His only Son. So honor Him with your body.

One thing in closing, I strongly recommend that you see a Christian counselor, pastor, youth leader, parent, or all of the above about this destructive behavior. You need the local body of Christ to help support and encourage you. We were not ever meant to do this Christian journey on our own. That is why He does not want us to forsake going to church or gathering with other believers. We need others to speak the Word of God into our lives. We all make up the body of Christ, we need each other. Please tell someone close to you immediately who you know who can trust and has the Spirit of God.

I will be praying for you sister.

Sincerely,

Trophy of Grace

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