battle with pornography

A

alias75

New Member
i don't know if there are any other related threads like this so i started my own. i am 32 years old, married 10 1/2 years, 3 children, and have been on a porn addiction roller coaster for most of my life. i was introduced to porn at the age of 7. it has been a festering rot in my soul ever since. i have left it alone for a season now and then but i always seem to go back to it. sometimes because things are strained in my marriage or i simply feel i need more than what i get. i know this sounds foolish, but it is a genuine addiction. i have prayed about it, my friends at church have prayed for me, and yet i still go back to it. i hope there are people here that have dealt with this and overcame it or are dealing with this still so we may share one another's burdens and strengthen each other. please pray for me and my family. thank you for any replies and God bless you all.
 
"There is no temptation which has seized you except that which is common to man." You're not alone in the struggle, undoubtedly there are many people on this site that have the same struggle, yet are not bold enough to admit it openly. What I find useful is having an accountability partner. Known him about 5 years or so, when I feel that nagging, I lock my computer, and call him. Pray on the phone with one another and such. As a fellow follower of Christ, with still having to struggle with the flesh, I can relate to what you're going through. Contact me if you need to, minimucha02@hotmail.com/aol.com/yahoo.com I have all those IMs, but normally only run MSN and AIM.
Praying, brother
-Ajmucha
 
This may sound simplistic, but do you read the Bible daily? The Word of God is living and will convict, and change you if you allow it.
 
Hey, you're telling me. This year I decided would be no porn year. It's HARD. Sometimes I feel like I go on autopilot and I'm watching myself do things I shouldn't. I locked my internet tight with porn filters and so now I really can't go look (w00t,) but some days I find myself puttering around "just testing" to "see" "how good they are." Thankfully I snap out of it about the same time I'm getting around them, but I want some of the prayers about you to include me too.

I believe I can, through Christ, overcome this, but it's a long process and sometimes I'm the good guy and sometimes I'm the villain.
 
I too am dealing with an addiction to porn so I will pray for you as well that you are able through the grace of God get over it (though I too still need continual prayer myself).
 
i know how u feel, i will pray for u.

i have gotten better at controlling it but now and again i feel urges. luckily i share a room with my brother and that usually stops me.

one thing i can say, if u ever feel the urge, jsut say in ur mind,or if u want to, out loud, "please lord deliver me from temptation and do not let me give in." it helps me by making me feel stronger as well as convicted.

i will pray for u, as well as all others who have the same problem.
 
I suggest memorizing scripture. As soon as a bad thought pops in your head, combat it with scripture. Memorize large chunks if you can, and if you are tempted with any sin, recite that long chunk and the temptation will have been subdued.
 
Some terrific suggestions in this thread.

Christian men, especially those who started on computer during childhood or adolescence, struggle with pornography. We all know that we are, at any given time, just a few clicks and keystrokes away from instant pleasure. The problem is, that pleasure is sin and corrupts our hearts and minds. It alters our views toward women, it damages our psychology, and it cripples us in our service to God.

Here are my three "best weapons" to hand to you in the battle against pornography:
1. Knowledge and wisdom. Read the Word daily and go through Setting Captives Free's Way of Purity course online.

2. Accountability. It used to be that a person had to walk into a store and face another human being to buy a pornographic magazine or video. Now people can sit in the privacy of their own home and visit porn sites without anyone else knowing--but pornography is still a sin against God. Like a fungus, pornography is a sin that festers in private. Christian men and women are tricked by the enemy into thinking that they're alone in dealing with this sin. As soon as you admit you struggle with porn, you'll see people jumping to post that they face the same temptations.

Restoring accountability is crucial. I recently switched from Safe Eyes to Covenant Eyes because of CE's better monitoring (and SE's disturbing trend toward "neutering" the message of Christian accountability). If money is an issue, you can download and use X3 Watch.

If you don't have a youth pastor, youth leader, or other Christian you would trust to serve as an accountability partner, then please post on these forums or PM members asking if they'd be willing to hold you accountable.

3. Preparation. This is almost a subset of weapon #1, but is more than reading and "head knowledge." Temptation can jump on you out of nowhere and you need to be prepared. You can't always go fumbling for your Bible when you're at work, at a party, or with friends and you're tempted to lust. Memorize verses and prepare an "escape route." This ties in with accountability as well. Recognize the signs that you're about to fall into sin and cut it short--as soon as you realize what's happening.

Another good idea is to start every morning by reading the Word and prayer.

Remember: You process information and events (A), filter them through your beliefs and mindset (B), and react accordingly (C). You don't always have time to sit down and pray, so you need to work at changing that filter. You can't always change your information or events (A), so you have to change your beliefs and mindset (B) to change your reaction (C).

I could write more, but I hope that's enough to equip you for this truly epic battle. Remember that Jesus endured physical torture at the cross. We have the same Holy Spirit that empowered Christ to endure resisting pornography--which is sometimes physically torturous.
 
I'm only 75% the way through, and this sermon video has really helped me. It talks about idolatry/sexual sin, and getting to the root of sin. I hope you have the time to check it out. ;D Praying as well.
 
I can recommend one thing with great comfort - along with the bible - is support from people that are going through your struggle. There is something called Celebrate Recovery that I cannot recommend highly enough. They are a Christian recovery group for hurts, habits and hangups. I go. I love those people. There is nothing like going where you are comfortable because there is someone who is dealing with YOUR struggle who can walk with you.

These groups are held in churches all over the country - find one near you Find a Group.

I go because I am a recent Christian (opened a bible at 40!) and have a lot of secular living to unlearn. Ick. :P

I hope this is a good suggestion for you. I know a path is easier to bear when it is shared with someone who understands and walked the same way.
 
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