Pornography.
Is it a temptation or struggle for you? Do you always end up giving in? Can you not stop?
Examine the steps leading up to viewing porn. Is it in the middle of the night when no one else is awake or home? Is it at the office during the day where no one can see what you are viewing on the computer? Is it on your smartphone?
Do you view videos or photos you have saved on the computer or on your cell phone? Do you have a set of magazines that you know are impure and wrong? Do you have a favorite porn star or web site that notifies you through email every time a new video has been posted? Is the porn you view strictly the videos and images you have sent to your email address? ...
Or is your idea of porn more so soft-core and is seen in raunchy movies filled with sex scenes or in the latest Victoria's Secret catalog? Is it through erotica material such as books or web sites dedicated to suiting your particular tastes and you choose to justify your sinful behavior and consumption of such entertainment by saying, "Surely, if others are viewing this too and have similar desires and these porn stars or authors are putting out this content, why is it wrong?"
Are you willing to part ways with your "beloved" addiction? Don't you hate the feeling you get after you have given in...again?
If what you are viewing is fine or normal, why do you fear others finding out about it and why do you only view or read such erotica in secret? If this is a healthy practice, why not invite your parents, boss, friend's teenagers, and your favorite uncle and aunt over to join you in receiving pleasure from watching others engage in sexual acts and seeking to receive instant gratification through masturbation?
Decide: Do you really want to give up viewing porn or reading erotica material altogether or do you want to keep it near enough to where you know right where it can be found the next time you are aroused, stressed, lonely or curious?
We cannot live lives that are pleasing to God and honoring to Him if we allow such that will enable us to sin once again. We all know we don't mean it when we say, "Just one more time!"
So, the next and obvious step is to draw a line in the sand and decide whether we will strive with all our might (and accountability, godly counsel, and the help of trusted mentors, friends, and Biblical resources which address our particular struggle) or choose to treat our addiction(s) more like a comforting friend who will be there for us any time we feel under pressure, desire sexual release, or can't deal with feelings of despondency, disappointment, hurt, anger, frustration, or feeling less than and underappreciated by those around us.
Here are a few helpful ideas that will be greatly profitable if you take the time to read about them:
Try using Covenant Eyes internet accountability and filtering service on all your devices, signing up for X3 workshops at XXXChurch.com and getting rid of all your pornographic materials (including those R-rated films that are seen in theatres all the time or music and books that hint at sexuality or scream for your attention and make you lust after them).
Next, write to ministries like the following asking for Biblical resources they would recommend, help, and admit your struggles (I'm sure we all know by now that overcoming addiction is not something we can do without the help of others, as evident by the fact that we still give in and are addicted!):
- Joe Dallas (Genesis Counseling and Joe Dallas' ministry in sexual addiction recovery and homosexuality)
- New Life Ministries
- Covenant Eyes
- Beggar's Daughter
0 comments:
Post a Comment