Hi Larry,
I am 17 year old male going through so much and wondering if I need restitution. When I was younger I did a lot of sexual touching and other actions many times with my younger female cousin. I know I’ve hurt her & I also hurt myself. I have confessed my sin to God, asking him for forgiveness. But I hear two voices in my head. One is telling me tell my whole family what I did and then I will have a clean conscious. The other one is telling me that God already forgave me and it’s past, forgotten, erased and washed away. I don’t know which one I should trust or if I need to make restitution. It’s driving me crazy with these feelings of guilt. I don’t know exactly what God wants me to do.
Also when I was a lot smaller God brought it up to me when I made my brother touch or kiss a body part that shouldn’t be touched. I really need guidance and help please. What should I do? Should I just let it all go or try to make restitution?
I’m also wrestling with homosexuality and I feel these two sins right here are keeping me from being free.
Please help
Dear Hiram,
I apologize for the delay in getting this answered. To be honest I really had to pray about this to be sure my initial reaction wasn’t really a reaction — and was instead the leading of the Holy Spirit.
You didn’t say where you live, or how old you were when you committed these acts against your cousin and brother. The laws of various states and countries may vary – and of course they will dictate the consequences that you may have to face. However, the moral answer is not dependent on the consequences. In fact, each of us as Christ followers is called to do the right thing without regard to what the potential consequences might be.
I am assuming that the so-called “voices” in your head are just conflicting thoughts, and that you are not suffering from a mental illness where you are actually hearing voices. (If you are, that would be another matter entirely.) But given your dilemma, I can certainly appreciate that you are feeling conflicted and find the whole matter quite troubling.
You must do whatever you can to make things right. I don’t believe there is any need to tell your entire family. However, you should go to your cousin and brother with a sincere apology and ask them each to forgive you. You should then consult with a local attorney. They could advise you as to whether the laws where you live would define what you did as a crime, as well as to whether or not you might face a legal punishment (and if so how to proceed to turn yourself in).
I have taught often on how we go about honoring God with our sin. This is definitely a situation where you have an opportunity to honor God with your sin. You’ll have to set aside your fear of shame, rejection, and even punishment, being willing to trust God with the outcome. Every single book of the Bible tells us to have no fear. Such counsel is for you, Hiram. You are to have no fear. And if there is a legal punishment then you must be willing to accept it, trusting God to give you the strength to get through it.
As for struggling with homosexuality, from what you’ve told me you have had enough life experiences to cause serious confusion about your sexuality. Please try to differentiate between those things that tempt you here on earth and He who defined you on the cross. Seriously, God knows how you’re feeling. Ask Him to quiet those temptations within you and show you His truth about your sexuality. And then wait for Him to do so.
Brother, you are dearly loved and prayed over. Please keep us posted so that we can stand with you in prayer as you go about making this right.
Larry, I am very confused by this comment. Can you elaborate on this: “I have taught often on how we go about honoring God with our sin. This is definitely a situation where you have an opportunity to honor God with your sin. ” Also, I cannot remain silent in this response. I want to lovingly respond and correct– This topic is very close to me, as I have experienced this sin twice in my life. Once, as the abused, and once as the parent of the abused. Hiram– seek a counselor specialized in this area to lead you. Our society, specifically satan, has had a severely negative impact on what God created to be a gift, our sexuality. The way we engage with our body’s natural need to fulfill sexual pleasure, is something we should understand entirely before we attach condemnation to it, which can lead to many years of shame and damage. You are young and inexperienced and it’s a very mature move of you to boldly ask for advice in a public forum. My father happens to be an expert in this field, and is a Christian Family Therapist. Please email me if you would like his contact information.
Hi guys. I am 20yr M facing same problem as above. When I was 10/11 I did a lot of sexual activity with younger child. And now I have conflicting thoughts about restitution. Please help
kcharris15@aol. is my email address.
Please do not turn yourself in. There is a lot of sexual abuse in prisons. Seek counseling and know that God forgives. Our prisons are not safe places. You need to pray for peace and a policies to those two people. That’s it.
Get prayer from a Bible believing minister who is anointed. Just make a very brief, one sentence explanation. Keep seeking prayer until you feel healed. J