maybe the problem is, that you are expecting too much of yourself, and likely even setting yourself up for failure.

If we have to armies, of equal strength and size and armament, but one is well fed, well rested, confident secure, trusting in their leaders

and the other army is tired, bedraggled, undernourished, without confidence, and their leaders are all blind

Which army would you expect to win the battle facing them?

Fruit is something a tree bears when it matures. Who plants a fig tree then goes to that seedling the next day and seeks figs? this is the absurdity of your own behavior.

It is written, "the fruits of the spirit are love joy peace patience kindness goodness gentleness and self control" it is also written, "so i say, live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature"

And Paul wrote about this battle waging within you, (and each of us) 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

you were unaware, but let me inform you, the war you are waging is a spiritual war. Battling against flesh and blood. But look at the two army's within you? One you have well fed, the other, your spiritual self, is undernourished, worn tired and bedraggled.

ya, and by the way, we live in flesh and our flesh has needs and cravings. It needs to be fed and clothed, it needs shelter and preferably comfort, it has nutritional needs and needs to eliminate waste and yes even sexual NEEDs.

Pious blind leaders, love to heap heavy burdens on others. No where does scripture or God forbid masturbation. It is completely possible to handle for ourselves our own physical sexual cravings, without lust. We can imagine sharing our sexuality with a partner within marriage, (a partner we do not know and can not see yet) and this is actually healthy for us and keeping in mind what is best for us and others.

Remember these words? "by the measure we use it will be measured unto us?" it reminds me of the childhood taunt, "i am rubber you are glue everything you say bounces off me and sticks on you" ppl run around terrified of sin, and god's condemnation but, "Jesus came to seek and save the lost" and it isnt God who condemns anyone, We literally are saved if we choose to be, and refuse to condemn others for any sin.

I suggest, begin feeding your spirit more than your flesh by listening to the word of God. Stop setting urself up for failure, and blaming you for lack of self control when ... the battle you are waging is one you dont even understand.

I fully understand the battle going on & have been feeding my spirit, but my flesh got addicted during a time of instability, so will need medication to help me overcome that.
I've only had more fight in me since I've started reading my Bible, watching Christian videos & listening to Christian music.
Internally I've chosen Jesus & to deny myself, but the flesh is addicted & I have never been able to find the ability to resist.
It's almost like I've got 2 or 3 people inside me.
I'm just glad God has kept me from falling even further into sin than I already have.
Feel free to read my posts & read my story.
I'm stuck in a Romans 7 phase but glad that God is changing me, making my faith stronger despite my failures.
Just hope that medication will sort out my problems so He can really work jn me.

Draino is very much on point. Don't be so hard on yourself. I pray you let God do what you cannot do on your own. Amen

DBNguy, I overcame my addiction without any medication. It will take time, just keep fighting.

Do you go on dates? I mean man, you should just get married, because you need to release your sexual tention. Addiction has to be replaced with something. You need to replace your addiction with healthy relationships. You need friends, love, etc.

Currently I'm unemployed, so wouldn't be in a position to support a wife.

Hope my medication will help make my other issues manageable.

I am planning on putting my self out there, not dating anyone, but definitely making friends - I think the need for friendship is actually one of the underlying causes.
I've hardly got any friends, I'm in touch with 4 from school days, but only one on a regular basis, & only meet up with another one a couple times a year.
Not really any father figures in my life, most of my social circle (my neighbours are middle-aged to old ladies a few old men & there are a couple younger guys, 2 younger than me, chatted to one a few times over the years.

No suitable girls in my orbit at the moment & I don't want to become a mooch so not going to start dating yet.

Just got to find other ways to release sexual tension.
I'm going to be exercising a lot more, & doing many other things too.

Currently I'm unemployed, so wouldn't be in a position to support a wife.

Hope my medication will help make my other issues manageable.

I am planning on putting my self out there, not dating anyone, but definitely making friends - I think the need for friendship is actually one of the underlying causes.
I've hardly got any friends, I'm in touch with 4 from school days, but only one on a regular basis, & only meet up with another one a couple times a year.
Not really any father figures in my life, most of my social circle (my neighbours are middle-aged to old ladies a few old men & there are a couple younger guys, 2 younger than me, chatted to one a few times over the years.

No suitable girls in my orbit at the moment & I don't want to become a mooch so not going to start dating yet.

Just got to find other ways to release sexual tension.
I'm going to be exercising a lot more, & doing many other things too.