When Porn Attacks.
Anonymous said: Hey Samuel. Ive been a christian for a couple years now. I live my life in God’s name every chance i get. Ive preached at church, I’m a leader figure in my youth group. I love God, and I want nothing more than to show others of my faith. I do that a lot, i talk of my faith to others so much, and I’m in love with my faith so much. I feel like such a failure though. I’ve been battling a pornography addiction for almost 3 years, and idk what i have to do to cut it out. how i can i battle temptation
I said:
My friend, I am proud to hear that you are sharing the Gospel. Keep up the good fight of faith!
First of all, you cannot be superhuman and never sin. You know Paul? That really awesome dude that always preached and went to prison for it and got beaten and tortured and persecuted? Yeah, he was full of sin. Look at this:
14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[d] I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.- Romans 7:14-25 (NLT)
So, my friend, you beat yourself up because you hate sin just like God does! You’re battling your sinful ways because you are a sinner, and you will always be until you die.
However, there is something that must be brought to light. Addiction tends to elevate things in our lives above God, which is idolatry. You’re worshipping your flesh instead of God when you continually give in to your temptations. Allow me to prove this to you:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.- 1 Corinthians 10:13
This tells us two things. One, sin is your choice. This addiction of yours can be broken if you tried. And second of all, God has given you the means of escape! Yes, it won’t be easy, but you can overcome it!
So here’s how you overcome this type of addiction. It comes from your desire to fulfill your physical and/or emotional needs. Perhaps you just lust all the time and you like looking at naked women. Or perhaps you are really stressed out about something and it makes you relax. Perhaps this is your way of being loved. Whatever it is, it is not okay. But first of all, don’t stay on your computer so long. Don’t just sit there on Facebook and keep pressing the refresh button! Get out of there man! Boredom always makes a man lust. Secondly, set yourself with real boundaries! Don’t try not to watch porn, try not to lust! If you don’t lust, you won’t watch porn! Look at what James says:
Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. – James 1:14-15 (NLT)
Do you want to be free from this sin? Do you WANT to be free from this sin? Then you have to cut it off from where it starts! You must fight the root of it: lust. It will take a while, and it won’t be easy. But if you never give up and always persevere, you will overcome!
Now, allow me to speak in terms of every addiction. You have to put God first, because you’re not putting Him first. You keep choosing to serve your flesh instead of God! So just start to be more Christ-centered. When the temptation to lust comes, don’t just try resisting it on your own. Don’t you get it? You can’t do this! You can’t! That is why you need Jesus! Jesus will get you through my friend! The secret is Jesus! Check this out:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.- Ephesians 6:10-11,13 (ESV)
You have to be strong in God. You have to stay focused on Him. Please, do yourself a favor and read and study the whole chapter of Ephesians 6. That chapter will tell you what you need to do.
Listen: The key to defeating sin is not battling the sin; it is focusing on Jesus! Let Christ defeat your sin! Understand this: only Christ has the power to defeat your sinful nature. Do you understand? You have to start praying, worshipping, and reading your Bible more. Make more of a conscious effort to serve Him every day. That’s how you defeat sin! Because the closer you get to Christ, the further you get from sin.
It won’t be easy, and it could take a while, but if you really try, you will never even watch it again! You can do this, the Bible says you can! Have faith in your God, for He will give you strength! Keep fighting the good fight of faith. I’m proud of you.
Let me know if I can help you more!
God bless and much love
Samuel Assaf
