Hi Daniel!  Good to see you posting, little brother.

I think the issue isn't who you are attracted to.  That's the enemy trying to get you to take your eyes off Christ and onto the thing that you are struggling with. 

The issue is your relationship with Christ.  With being open and honest with Him. Like it says in Colossians 3:3, your life is hid in Christ.  As a matter of fact, that is the scripture that came to mind when I was reading the struggle that you are going through right now.  If your life is hid in Christ, you are dead to the flesh, to the "old man" so to speak.  That's when your new life can begin, because when you are in Christ , you are a new creature. 

I think the key to overcoming any addiction, sin, habit, or anything that keeps you from being the person that you want to be in Christ is by having a completely open and transparent relationship with Jesus.  Confess to the Lord the minute you are tempted to sin against Him. Ask Him for His help. The Word says in Hebrews 2:17 that Jesus is a merciful high priest Who was made like us in every way. He has compassion on your struggles.  Tell Him how much you want to sin at the very moment you are being tempted, and He will help you.  Say His Word out loud.  Call a trusted Christian friend that you can be accountable to.  The Lord didn't save you in order for you to struggle alone and fall on your face.  He is a sympathetic High Priest Who wants to hold you up and help you.  He has also brought you brothers and sisters in Christ who can pray for you and see you through your struggles.

I will pray for you, Daniel.  Won't it be wonderful when we won't have temptations of the flesh anymore? 

Love from YSIC

Daniel, you have my prayers. And you have Christ's intercession as well.  As you've noticed your preference identity and preference attraction aren't necessarily the same thing, although they often are.  Our attractions are a significant part of our biology and there are a lot of hormones that drive us forward in whatever direction we face.  Your issues are similar to that of all single people who are waiting for marriage in that your flesh and your spirit are at war.  Flesh wants what it wants and it wants it now, spirit says only in proper context, in accord with God's stated will.  And the church as a whole hasn't been doing so swift on this type of issue lately.

If I were faced with your dilemna, I would dedicate myself to studying the word, watching the news, and preparing your heart to meet all of our Maker. With Israel, the world economy, and the Rev 12 sign fullfilled earlier this year, I don't think you have long to wait.  And I promise your transformation will be, well, transformative. Flesh will no longer be the driving force, but our union with Christ.  

Father God I hold up Daniel to you now.  Give him strength, endurance and grace to sustain him in his walk with you.  Block temptation from him and turn his eyes and focus on you. Set up a guard on his heart and help him present himself as a chaste and pure man before You on the day of our Homecoming. Surround him with godly people who will help him in his relationship with you and give him enough quiet time that he can seek Your face and feel Your love for him.  Thank you Abba.

Daniel, I'm so glad you posted this, and we are honored by your level of trust in us. I pray we never betray that, accidently or otherwise.

Wise words are all here and I don't have a lot to add, but this: You've heard the old adage where someone tells you not to think about "pink elephants", and the minute they say that, that becomes the only thing you think about. From your letter it sounds to me that you have an elephant on your mind and it's trying to rationalize it away or struggle with it is causing it to be ever before you.

Maybe instead of "identify", "don't identify", maybe like Thom says redirect yourself as much as you can. You are a single man anyway, so you struggle as any single person does. The other labels aren't so much a real issue for you right now. I might look more towards asking God to help keep me chaste, to bring Him glory and present myself to Him as an unmarried, single man would in His Holy family. Change the subject, mentally, whenever you need to. I hate to sound so glib about this as if it should be easy, because it won't be. And you have an adversary who knows you. However you also have a Counselor, the supreme Listener of the Ages, your Creator to stand alongside and ask for help, guidance and advice. Stick with it Brother of ours! Like the rest, I believe your struggle will be short, Daniel - son of the Most High God.

Lord, thank you for Your son, Daniel...his honesty and openness is so refreshing. I add my prayers to those here too. Help him in his struggles as he is tempted and help him to see You clearly. That is his own stated desire and we are standing in agreement with him. Show him how to be successful and each day even more pleasing in Your eyes.  We thank You for those answers that are well on their way even now. We love you! Amen.

I am praying for you as well, Daniel.

We love you brother and will hold you up to the Father and ask that he helps you with this.

Since I am a grandmother, and a mother, I wish I could just give you the biggest hug like I would give my son or grandson.

Again much love in Christ,

Karla Jo

Daniel,

I'm praying for you too lil bro! I heard an old saying a long time ago that's really true. It's "Where the mind goes, the man follows". When you have a battle raging in your mind, cause that's where they start, whatever decision you make, your body follows.  Everyone here has given you excellent advice on fighting the battle for your thoughts. I'll add one more scripture here to everyone else's and it's Philippians 4:6-9:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

When the battle starts in your mind, change what you're thinking about like Destiny said. I know it's tough and it's not easy, but the more you stop your thoughts and change them to other things, the easier it gets.

And last but not least, I think Destiny and TXThom hit the nail on the head. Identify yourself as a single guy in Jesus.

Hugs to you!

God Bless and Love,

Verna

Jesus the Christ is your one and only true identity Daniel, and the only one you need to cling to - not earthly identities:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. gal 2

But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.  1 cor 6

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  1 cor 12

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.  ro 12

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit  1 pet 3

Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. mt 11

And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at his coming.  1 jn 2

May I never boast except in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... gal 6

Hi Daniel, there have been so many great replies to this post and I'm happy to see that you are reaching out to people that are constantly seeking truth.  I want to say first and foremost that the bible says we are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God.  In my opinion, you should focus less on the punishment or the consequence of your sin and more on what Jesus Christ has done for you!  He died on the cross so you could be forgiven of your past, present and future sins.  I'm not surprised that you are confused or feel like you should have to choose one lifestyle or another.  The fact is, you only need to choose Christ and I think you will find the answer you are looking for.  Be prepared though, because when you truly choose Christ He will deliver you!  It's very simple, our God is not a God of confusion and His word is steadfast!  If I told you today that I had a magic pill that would take away your confusion would you take it?  Your answer might be more simple than you think!  Afterall, it's not about you getting better and better, it's about surrender!  The bible says "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!"  He's already paid the price of your sins.  I'm going to give you a challenge today and I hope it changes your life because it changes mine!  I pray that it works for you because you seem like a really good person that is still searching.  I've found what you are looking for and I want you to be free of this bondage.  You deserve true freedom!

Dear Lord, I humbly come before you today to ask for deliverance for Daniel.  Lord, you are not the author of confusion and your word is all truth.  I pray today that you will give Daniel the desire to know you better.  I pray he will fall to his knees and ask for you to deliver him.  I've seen many people delivered in an instant because You are God and anything is possible with you!  Dear Lord, there is no one like You.  There isn't a relationship or an experience that will ever come close to knowing you.  I pray that you will hear Daniel's plea and deliver him from this bondage in the name of Jesus Christ.  I thank you for your faithfulness Dear Lord and I look forward to the day that Daniel can give us the news that he has been delivered by our one and only Savior, Jesus Christ.  You are the way, the truth and the life!  There is no other!  Please remove these scales of confusion from Daniel's eyes.  I pray these things in Jesus' precious name Dear Lord.  Amen!  Now just thank Him because He's on His way.  Literally!

Daniel,

I have had you on my prayer list since you first posted about your struggles a few months ago.  Will to continue to stand in the gap and for your release from this bondage.  Just remember you are loved by this family and we are here to support you in your spiritual  journey .

God bless you, dear one.  The day is coming when none of us will struggle with sin and we will be standing before our Savior, pure and righteous. 

The fact that you posted your dilemma, Daniel, is a clear indicator that the Holy Spirit is moving in your life!  Be joyous about this and praise Him for His loving care of you!

Love and blessing,

Lynn

Just want to say thanks for the great advice you all put ou here and thanks for all of you praying for me....It really means a lot to me and I will take what you all have said into consideration...
Love y'all big bros and sis's!

@sgalmond