I need help.
I am a teen who lives on an island. On this island there aren’t a lot of teen Christians. You usually get made fun for being one.
On the start of 2023 I repented for everything, and I promised to not go to my old life. I started praying and reading the bible more and then suddenly I stopped. I felt my spirit dying and I started back but down in December I lost myself again and went back to my old life now.
I feel ashamed and I have a heavy shoulder like I have a big bag of burden on my back. I repented and begged God to forgive me. But I still feel this burden, all because I wanted to be a Christian but also wanted to fit in with my friends.
What do I do?
As you are saved, your behavior must be different from your old friends who are not saved. You must boldly declare your salvation to them and let them know that you are no longer involve in the past old behavior. You must be careful of the close friendship you keep. As you are saved, you cannot patch the old life with the new life you have in Christ. The light of God in you, must shine to your friends.
Also, you associate more frequently with people that are in faith like you because iron sharpens iron. As it is said, show me your friends and I will tell you who you are. You must not forsake the gathering of the children of God. You must be devoted to a Bible believing church. You must read your Bible regularly and pray regularly. You must allow the Holy Spirit to lead you at all times.
May the Lord strengthen your faith such that you will serve God faithfully all your life in Jesus name.
Happy new year.
Shalom
Adet,
The best gift you have is the relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Nothing is more important. Treasure and build on it, trusting Him every day to give you boldness and grow in your faith. When they see the love of Christ in you, they will sense you have something very valuable.
Secondly, remember that you can’t live the life God wants you to live any other way except in His strength. Read and meditate on the scriptures as Sunday said, and let the Holy Spirit transform you over time. And I believe you will lead others to Christ.
As Paul says the Lord told him in 2 Corinthians 12;9 NASB,
Praise Jesus brother, i think you need deliverance, start praising God no matter what, you have to war in the spiritual "The Scriptures refer to praise as a garment. God gives us "a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (Isaiah 61:3). Yet a garment is something that we must choose to wear. Even a garment that is freely given to us must be put on and worn". Had that also a spirit of heaviness praise him away so to say praise God even when you don’t feel like it brother and sometimes try spending some more time with the Lord and cry out to Him.