Sexual Addiction

Why can it be difficult to overcome the temptations we always end up falling into?

It can be very difficult to overcome sexual temptation when we do not cut off from the very root the sources that feed our sins of choice.

We are far too often guilty of dwelling on perversity which stirs up desire in our hearts, then we feel emotion and may play out our fantasies through viewing pornography and engaging in masturbation.  If we control what we put into our minds, it will prevent our thoughts from bearing fruit in outward actions.

There are many temptations around each of us on a day to day basis and the temptations will never go away.  Pornography and sexual references and behavior are becoming increasingly rampant in today's society through music videos, movies, song lyrics, and television shows.  Even children's animated films hint at perversity.  So what are we to do?  Lock ourselves at home without the internet or access to TV?  No.  We are to examine our hearts and ponder what forms of entertainment we know will cause us to stumble and fantasize (which makes way for pornography and/or masturbation) and we are to choose integrity over the momentary pleasure we receive from viewing that which is unclean and raunchy.

Similar to self-injury, pornography may help relieve stress and make us feel better or be able to deal with life for a bit, yet the next stressful situation or life circumstance (or feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, or being unsatisfied and disappointed with our current relationship) and our "beloved" sin beckons us once again...promising freedom, fulfillment, and pleasure, while failing to live up to such due to its momentary release.  It is like a cheap drug whose fix is fleeting and yet we can't overcome the addiction.

Why do we turn to viewing porn again and again?  Why can we not break free from an addiction to masturbation?

Here are a few questions to ponder about these issues:

• Are you waiting until you feel like repenting or until you finally have the strength to say, "No!" to stop?
• In your opinion, do the inevitable consequences of these actions seem minute because you assume if you suffer consequences at all, it will be minimal?  After all, I do this in the privacy of my own home or office, right?  Who am I hurting anyway?
• Do you realize how much time is spent viewing porn and what a selfish way of spending time this is?
• How have your relationships and how you view others changed since viewing porn and engaging in self-gratification?
• When you think about the future and if these sins continue to be an active (or occasional) part of your life, do you really want to jeopardize your marriage (or future marriage), dating relationship, family, career, mental health, emotional well-being, and ability to function properly for the sake of seeing other people have sex and getting off by your own hand?
• What steps would you be willing to take to overcome these addictions?
• Do you believe you will never be caught and therefore harden your heart toward the shame, regret, remorse and guilt you have felt since starting to engage in this and now dismiss it as an annoyance that gets in the way of what you desire?
• Do you think you are the only one struggling with these sins and therefore would be humiliated if others knew about such addictions?

The truth of the matter is:  Men, women, adolescents, children, and the elderly; people of all races and classes, those with money and those with just enough to get by in life...are all at risk to falling into the lure and trap of pornography and with that, engaging in masturbation.  No one is exempt from these sins, especially with how easily accessible porn is now.

Please don't fall for the lie that you are the only one experiencing these things.  And please, reach out for help.  If you would like, you may even write to me at:  EmmaJoyBlog@gmail.com and I will share a number of resources on these two topics.

Bringing your sin to light is the first step toward change and having genuine accountability is a great way of maintaining your purity.  It is a lot more difficult to cling to our sins when we know we have to be honest about our temptations and share with our accountability partners the sins we have given into.