When pornography becomes an issue, it can be really frustrating.
The temptation chases you like a wolf on the hunt. If it smells weakness, it hounds you further.
The Bible says it is the will of God, even our sanctification, that we abstain from sexual immorality. (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Use as many strategies as you can. When fighting something like this, it's best to use a multi-layered combinations in your approach. You have to have a war-like mindset.
1. Be honest with someone about the problem.
Confession brings healing and having it out in the open decreases the power of the temptation, which thrives in secrecy. The person could be your spouse or a really good friend. You just don't want to try to deal with it by yourself.
2. Classical music.
There's something about classical music that switches off the part of your brain that wants to look at porn. If you don't believe me, give it a try.
3. Stay busy till bedtime.
Now, you can do relaxing activities but try to avoid just doing nothing, especially during the hours you normally get tempted.
It's time to blast your music and get some chores done, reorganize your pantry, knit, journal, call a friend, read your Bible, etc.
4. The Sword of the Spirit
Memorize a short key verse and say it out loud: "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11). The devil wants you to give in to your lust and to fall but this strategy has proven effective in redirecting my thoughts to what God would have me do. Repeat as many times as you need or go do something else.
5. Cut off your right hand.
Just kidding. But seriously, Jesus said if your right hand causes you to sin, to cut it out. Practically, this could look like taking more drastic measures to avoid pornography than you originally thought.
Do you have to have a smartphone by you while going to sleep?
Can you get your online stuff done in a public area where others can see you?
Do you need to go to the library instead of being by yourself?
Do you need special software on your phone that sends your history to an accountability partner?
6. Try to avoid feeding the flesh in general.
Certain types of music, tv, movies, novels, and stories are lustful in nature and lead down a spiral of consuming increasingly lustful media.
Steamy romance novels can lead to erotica, especially for women. Lustful music feeds the same part of you that desires to consume porn.
Not feeding the flesh won't gaurantee you won't be tempted at all. But feeding the flesh will increase the frequency and intensity of temptation. Again, you may need multiple strategies to kick the addiction completely.
7. Get an adequate amount of sleep and relaxation time.
Sleep deprivation and stress are triggers for temptation. Sometimes these things cannot be avoided but its good to remember for the purpose of breaking the habit of consuming porn.
8. Believe that you can overcome this. Desire to be whole.
No matter how many times you've failed before, realize that through Christ all things are possible. His Spirit lives in you and desires to obey the Lord. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
What do you really want? Be honest with yourself. Do you really want to stay porn-free for life? Or do you want to just keep porn as an option for when things get rough?
It's really all or nothing when it comes to this. You must get to the place where iys never acceptable at any time in order to see victory. You must want to please God and stay in close relationship with Him above all else.
The shame of sin causes us to push God away. That's why sin is so bad.
On the other side of disciplining yourself is fulness of joy and a fulfilling life pursuing the Lord. Don't let porn hinder you from all that God has for you.
The temptation chases you like a wolf on the hunt. If it smells weakness, it hounds you further.
The Bible says it is the will of God, even our sanctification, that we abstain from sexual immorality. (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
Use as many strategies as you can. When fighting something like this, it's best to use a multi-layered combinations in your approach. You have to have a war-like mindset.
1. Be honest with someone about the problem.
Confession brings healing and having it out in the open decreases the power of the temptation, which thrives in secrecy. The person could be your spouse or a really good friend. You just don't want to try to deal with it by yourself.
2. Classical music.
There's something about classical music that switches off the part of your brain that wants to look at porn. If you don't believe me, give it a try.
3. Stay busy till bedtime.
Now, you can do relaxing activities but try to avoid just doing nothing, especially during the hours you normally get tempted.
It's time to blast your music and get some chores done, reorganize your pantry, knit, journal, call a friend, read your Bible, etc.
4. The Sword of the Spirit
Memorize a short key verse and say it out loud: "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee." (Psalm 119:11). The devil wants you to give in to your lust and to fall but this strategy has proven effective in redirecting my thoughts to what God would have me do. Repeat as many times as you need or go do something else.
5. Cut off your right hand.
Just kidding. But seriously, Jesus said if your right hand causes you to sin, to cut it out. Practically, this could look like taking more drastic measures to avoid pornography than you originally thought.
Do you have to have a smartphone by you while going to sleep?
Can you get your online stuff done in a public area where others can see you?
Do you need to go to the library instead of being by yourself?
Do you need special software on your phone that sends your history to an accountability partner?
6. Try to avoid feeding the flesh in general.
Certain types of music, tv, movies, novels, and stories are lustful in nature and lead down a spiral of consuming increasingly lustful media.
Steamy romance novels can lead to erotica, especially for women. Lustful music feeds the same part of you that desires to consume porn.
Not feeding the flesh won't gaurantee you won't be tempted at all. But feeding the flesh will increase the frequency and intensity of temptation. Again, you may need multiple strategies to kick the addiction completely.
7. Get an adequate amount of sleep and relaxation time.
Sleep deprivation and stress are triggers for temptation. Sometimes these things cannot be avoided but its good to remember for the purpose of breaking the habit of consuming porn.
8. Believe that you can overcome this. Desire to be whole.
No matter how many times you've failed before, realize that through Christ all things are possible. His Spirit lives in you and desires to obey the Lord. Walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
What do you really want? Be honest with yourself. Do you really want to stay porn-free for life? Or do you want to just keep porn as an option for when things get rough?
It's really all or nothing when it comes to this. You must get to the place where iys never acceptable at any time in order to see victory. You must want to please God and stay in close relationship with Him above all else.
The shame of sin causes us to push God away. That's why sin is so bad.
On the other side of disciplining yourself is fulness of joy and a fulfilling life pursuing the Lord. Don't let porn hinder you from all that God has for you.
