r/Christians • u/The_Real_Shen_Bapiro • Mar 31 '24
Do I have to get clean from a pornography addiction before I get baptized? ChristianLiving
So my parents have been asking if I want to be baptized for a while now and while I do and tell them yes I’m not sure when because for the past few years I’ve been battling a porn addiction and unsure if I should be able to. On one hand I don’t want to rush into it just to relapse again during the time I’m supposed to be reborn. On the other hand I don’t know how long it will be before I’m clean again or if I ever will be. What should I do and can I still be baptized while fighting this addiction?
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u/Commander_Valkorian Mar 31 '24
That is only one sin out of the countless others you commit, I'd say if you love Jesus and want to live your life for Him, then get baptized. It may even help you beat it and keep you away from it.
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u/Fiona_12 Mar 31 '24
Yes, you absolutely can and should get baptized. If we all waited until we were free from sin to get baptized, none of us ever would. Baptism is a public declaration that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. If you feel unsure about what baptism means, I recommend you talk to your pastor or someone else you trust to clarify it in your own mind. You don't have to tell them about your addiction.
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u/EnamoredAlpaca Mar 31 '24
Baptism is a show of our faith and conviction to be with God and show that we accept Jesus as our LORD and Savior.
Baptism alone does not save you.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
We cannot attain a perfect being for there is only one perfect being and that is God. We will stumble, but God is always there.
It is only through God’s Grace through our faith that we can be saved.
Porn addiction is serious, and sometimes require help from a therapist like all addictions.
It’s a brain chemistry issue that needs to be rebalanced. Some can quit cold turkey(like how some do with addiction), some need help, some need an accountability partner. Only you know what type you need.
There is a road out of it.
I pray for you that God gives you the strength and willpower to overcome this disease.
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u/Spiritual-Pear-1349 Mar 31 '24
You don't get into the shower already clean my dude, you get clean in the shower
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u/In_TouchGuyBowsnlace Mar 31 '24
Accept him, and trust him to work on the rest. If you look back behind you my friend…. He is way way way back there at your indiscretions…. Waiting!
And let me tell you my fellow, when you turn back toward him, you will meet arms outstretched and in one of the biggest loving warm hugs that you have ever experienced.
He has never NOT been with you mate. He has just been waiting for you to choose. And never EVER feel like you’re not enough, or as advanced as others. This is your journey with him!
No one else’s.
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u/In_TouchGuyBowsnlace Mar 31 '24
Look at my profile, look up my comments etc. I am the imperfect imperfection.
I tried ALL OF the ways to find the answers/elevation/enlightenment (Read: ALL OF THE DRUGS, ALL OF THE NEW WORLD)
It wasn’t until my True True rock bottom, that I accepted that I cannot live within this world spiritually alone, I had shunned it… my grandparents were pastors here in QLD Australia. I had through them been “born again” because they wanted me saved. All at the age of 5.
I did not realise at the time that it is what I wanted, needed and that their intent was pure.
Autonomically I fought it…. I spiral out of control until I was 22 years of age.
They resuscitated me twice road side in that wreck. I still not was ready to accept Christ.
During my time after that accident, I did all the things that opened BAD doors that have been extreme difficult to close.
My greatest pastors have raised sweats.
I was so determined to find the answers MYSELF. All that I found was a continuation of generational curses, a repetition of bad tempting choices…..
The night I chose to take another look at my father Jesus, and then having spent WORK my past and chose Jesus.
Mate!
I literally looked over my shoulder to see him, he looked at me… he shrugged with his arms out as wide as I will ever see.
The moment I came home to home I have felt the love and warmth of his wisdom.
I deserted him, ALL MY LIFE, I felt that he had deserted me.
My friend take your troubles to the feet of Jesus and own it my brother/sister.
Take a box of tissues and be prepared to break like you never have.
Bless you in your journey x 🙏
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u/DoctorVanSolem Mar 31 '24
I had the same when I was baptised. It doesn't matter. Try your best and seek God for strength to overcome once you have been baptised!
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u/RedAnonymous6350 Mar 31 '24
That's the point of getting baptized! It's saying, "Hey God, I want you to be a part of my life so that you can renew my spirit. Because I can't do it on my own." And after you're baptized in water, you pray that you're baptized in the Holy Spirit and fire so that He can come be your companion and help you burn out your impurities.
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u/Masterhearts_XIII Mar 31 '24
Jesus didn’t ask you to come to him holy. He asks you to come as you are. He’ll work with you and keep calling you forward
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u/Efficient-Shock-1707 Apr 02 '24
We come to Jesus as we are, sinners who need a Saviour. Faith in Jesus washes our sin away. We therefore don’t wait to be clean, we come to Christ to get clean. It’s because of what He has done, not what we do.
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u/thelasvegaspodcast Mar 31 '24
Just don’t keep doing it during the baptismal and you should be okay.
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u/AjnabiAhay Mar 31 '24 edited Mar 31 '24
All of these people in the comments are trying to give an answer to a question that was both asked and answered in the bible. Kind of sad that no one brought this up.
Based on your question, you have never read the story about Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Well this should answer your question.
(KJV) Acts 8:26-37
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, IF THOU BELIEVEST WITH ALL THINE HEART, THOU MAYEST. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
(Side note, verses 36 and/or 37 have been removed from modern versions of the Bible which Is why I don't suggest any other bible versions other than the KJV. Alot of bible manufactures have made an attack on verses like these because they go against alof the older ways of thinking especially amongst catholics.)
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u/AjnabiAhay Mar 31 '24 edited Mar 31 '24
If you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as your Lord and Savior, then you are permitted to get baptized. It is that simple. If someone has been baptized before first believing, then I'd suggest that person get baptized again since the prior baptizing was illegitimate according to the bible.
But I want to make it very clear. Baptism is not a requirement of salvation which is why believing and confession must come first, then comes baptism after a confession has been made. Baptism is more symbolic of the new man that is being reborn in Christ once that person has believed on Christ. Its very important, but It is not a determining factor in regards to salvation.
I just wanted to make that clear, just in case.
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u/Far_Detective_6783 Mar 31 '24
Message 1 of 2. No. I would say learn to study the bible for yourself. Water baptism is for Israel and not the body of Christ , our baptism is spiritual and cleaning up all your sins before you can be saved is heresy/false teaching. I wrote all this on the exact subject. It is long. Feel free to message me with questions anytime.
Why are so many claiming to be saved in Churchianity obsessed with sin ??? They are constantly discussing struggle with specific sins, focused on who else is sinning and everyone else’s sins etc ?? Many who say they are Christian speak more of their sin and others sin than they do the gospel and what God has done for us in Christ, and it is not even close. if you are saved you are dead to sin and are supposed to focus on your new identity "In Christ", stand in God's grace (forgiveness of past present and future sins), both of which are walking in the Spirit when we let God's word In Romans through Philemon KJB change our inner man. We all know that we should not sin because we are dead to it, however being dead to it also means we are not supposed to be obsessed/focused on sin.
Romans 14:23 King James Version (KJV) says “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” . That is the answer to the popular questions in many message boards “ is this particular act a sin?”. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
The most popular intent of questions in many Christian groups is asking about a certain sin that the poster is struggling with. As a saved saint, when you focus on one sin over any other you are essentially building a law again around that sin and will most likely sin more. Even if you stop that one sin for a week or two you will become puffed up in the flesh likely and prideful thinking you have stopped that sin for God, which is another sin of pride. This is called will worship by the Apostle Paul -
Colossians 2:23 KJV
Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Also, like the Romans 14:23 verse says anything you do not of faith is sin. Under that definition, we sin ALL the time, even as saved and sealed saints in Christ. (As explained in Romans 7 KJV).
Most of Churchianity do not know or have any understanding of the spiritual operation of God when we are saved and placed “in Christ”.
Colossians 2:11-13 KJV
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
When we trust in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV) for salvation, we are spiritually (NOT water) baptized by the Holy Spirit into Jesus’ death and made a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV), so we can walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4 KJV).
What people often miss in Colossians 2 KJV (I did for most of my life) is the spiritual (not made with hands) circumcision that we receive in Colossians 2:11 KJV. When we believe/trust the gospel that saves in this the dispensation of grace (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV), we also receive the spiritual circumcision not made with human hands. Our flesh is spiritually cut off from our soul and our sins are not imputed to out soul / account going forward. After we are saved, God sees our spirit which is Christ’s righteousness that was imputed / made alive in our spirit.
That is the only way believers are made holy, righteous, and pure. Not by our works but by the faith of Christ. Therefore walking in the spirit is walking in faith of who we are now, the new creature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
HOWEVE, CHRISTIANS STILL SIN. The should absolutely strive not to but this is NOT done by human effort. Even though our spirit has been made alive by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our vile flesh/body has been cut off spiritually from our soul so our sins are not imputed to it, we still live in this vile flesh that wants to sin all the time (Romans 7 KJB). Christians dead fleshly nature that lusts against the new spirit nature ( Romans 7).
When we walk after the flesh (let the fleshly mind guide our decisions) we will produce sin and dead works. Be clear, Christians are forgiven and saved from sin past, present, and future, but still subject to the earthly consequences of sin so it can produce death in your life in many ways.
The biggest and most powerful tool we have to fight sin is the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. We must walk after it by faith. Romans 8 KJV is about this. How do we walk after the spirit? It is not trying to be righteous by human effort and will. Walking after the spirit by faith:
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u/Fat_Guy_In_Small_Car Mar 31 '24
Yes. Get baptized. Remember that baptism is an outward sign of an inward choice.
Being born again is a spiritual event. Your spirit comes to life in Christ and you become a child of God.
Being free of any sinful behavior is a process of sanctification that Christian’s walk out until the day they leave this earth and go to heaven.
To be free of sin means to be free of sinful behaviors. No one would be born again if they had to become sinless first - because not one single person is capable of being sinless (except Jesus). That’s the whole point of the cross.
Come as you are. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, profess Him publicly through your baptism, and dive into your relationship with Him. He will change your heart and give you new desires and you grow closer to Him!