struggling/Please Pray for Me Today

[Traphouse]

I have been struggling with a hentai (drawn pornography) addiction for two years, and only in the past six months have seriously attempted to "destroy it".

Basically the ordeals play out the same way: just when I thought I was free, I fall to temptation again, like some spiritual bait-and-switch.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been losing sleep, self-confidence, and jeapordizing friendships, and I'm finally angry enough to confess my sins to other people now.

My name is John and I am an addict.

Please, please pray for me, ask the LORD to grant me strength as I attempt to confess, or at least seek help through some of the Pastors at my school. It doesn't have to be long or fluent, just ask the Lord to give me that oppertunity to finally kill this thing.

[Slug1]

Hey Traphouse, I too was bound with sexual immorality. I'll be lifting this in prayer today. It is good that you have stepped forward to seek help cause in my experience with this, until I stepped out and confessed before others I had no forward movement in my battle with fantasy lust and masturbation.

My testimony (signature link) explains it all in the 3rd part but here is the link if you want to go directly to that specific part: http://bibleforums.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1737682&postcount=14

Do you utilize your Armor of God and the Sword of the Spirit? Do you understand your authority over satan through your faith in Jesus Christ?

[moonglow]

I will be praying for you...

God bless

[Followtheway]

I used to watch as much hardcore porn as I could, I found that I fell back into it because I always left the door cracked for satan to step back in. I kept some pictures around just in case or because it was a girl i still liked. I fell into the trap, Get rid of it all, in fact start reading or exercising, or if you absolutly need to be on the computer go to wifi areas in coffee shops or shut it down as soon as you get even the slightest urge.

[Traphouse]

Hey Traphouse, I too was bound with sexual immorality. I'll be lifting this in prayer today. It is good that you have stepped forward to seek help cause in my experience with this, until I stepped out and confessed before others I had no forward movement in my battle with fantasy lust and masturbation.

My testimony (signature link) explains it all in the 3rd part but here is the link if you want to go directly to that specific part: http://bibleforums.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1737682&postcount=14

Do you utilize your Armor of God and the Sword of the Spirit? Do you understand your authority over satan through your faith in Jesus Christ?

I read your testimony.

I tried actually putting each seperate part of the Armor of God, but by the time temptation hit I either forgot about the armor or thought of it as a metaphorical thing with no power.

I still study verses in the form of notecards, they're helping, but all it seems now is that I"m simply reducing the amount of times I masturbate/ view porn at not ending the addiction, which is what I want.

I don't know what's the next step, is the problem

[Slug1]

I read your testimony.

I tried actually putting each seperate part of the Armor of God, but by the time temptation hit I either forgot about the armor or thought of it as a metaphorical thing with no power.

I still study verses in the form of notecards, they're helping, but all it seems now is that I"m simply reducing the amount of times I masturbate/ view porn at not ending the addiction, which is what I want.

I don't know what's the next step, is the problemHow is your faith with Jesus? Seems the shield isn't doing much good for you.

[DaniHansen]

It's good that you're taking that step of confession. When we try and tackle things on our own, we really often just leave ourself an excuse of "well, nobody knows about it so I can just keep pretending."

People that are stepping out of pride and and shame and guilt into the humility of confession to another believer, are a) recruiting allies and b) leaving themselves no excuse to remain hidden. And sin that is hit by light will soon be overcome, because its power lies in darkness and hiddenness. It is light that makes manifest and shows things for what they are, so they can be dealt with.

When you're in a sin, then it's right to feel ashamed and the guilt of that sin until it is dealt with. It's right to feel the burden of it, because that shows us that God is working on us, and that our conscience is alive and kicking, and we should let that guide us into true repentance. When we stop making excuses ("oh, I'm just human and I make mistakes") and we stop being afraid of being judged ("surely I'm the only person dealing with this, and nobody can help me because nobody really understands my situation") then we put ourselves on the road to overcoming. I think when we cling to pride ("I can hammer this one out on my own, thank you, just me and God, yup"), we really do ourselves a great disservice.

No man is an island. There is a reason Jesus tells us to fellowship. Not just so we can sing songs and hang out together and talk about Him, but so that we can support one another where it matters most, the things we really can't deal with on our own and need one another for.

Righteous anger is good. Be angry. At the sin and the traps it sets for you, and the way it's destroying your walk with God and is keeping you from living openly and uprightly before others, and being unable to help them because you, yourself are still bound. At the way it's manipulating and controlling your life and your thoughts and your feelings.

Keep pushing and praying and seeking and knocking until it's settled, and you know it is, because when freedom comes, we know it. :)

If you're really serious, then find people apart from a semi-anonymous Internet forum, in your community, maybe a 12-step church-based program, and hash this thing out with others face to face, with God's help.

[Slug1]

I used to watch as much hardcore porn as I could, I found that I fell back into it because I always left the door cracked for satan to step back in. I kept some pictures around just in case or because it was a girl i still liked. I fell into the trap, Get rid of it all, in fact start reading or exercising, or if you absolutly need to be on the computer go to wifi areas in coffee shops or shut it down as soon as you get even the slightest urge.Trap, this post makes a good point and I'm sure you read in my testimony how satan kept his foot in the door in my heart. Expose it all in confession and destroy it all in the flesh. Get rid of all of it. Do you draw it? Gte rid of the drawing materials for now. Place your Bible next to the computer. Make a new desktop background with scripture that is permanently there on the computer for you to see. Pray before you sit down at the computer and pray when you get up in victory and thank Jesus if you had resisted temptation. Of course when temptation begins to speak... pray, read the Bible...

Hey, question... do you use your authority that you have in Jesus Christ. Do you verbally speak out against satan, or the spirit of mastubation, or the spirit of lust audibly? Do you use the power of the name Jesus Christ when you do rebuke these spirits or satan himself? Do you understand Spiritual Warfare at all?

If you don't I suggest you speak to your pastor about this.

[livingwaters]

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Word is WORD!!!!! The Word holds all power and all truth...Do you know it? Do you read your Bible every day? Do you know where to find the scriptures when you need them? These are all legit questions and the answers to them will decide if you win or lose......Faith is the key....You must believe the Word. You must pray, without ceasing. You must read the Word to know what it says. You must believe in the power that you have as a Christian!!! Amen. Our Lord is a DELIVERER!!!!! Nothing is impossible for God, nothing!!!! So, pray; believe that you receive what you pray for; do your part in minimizing and abolishing sin in your life. God always does HIS part...HE never changes, and if HE delivered me from alcohol, pot, pills, and 3 packs of cigarettes a day, HE can and will deliver you, also..cause HE is no respecter of people...but, like I said, you have to give it to HIM....no if, ands, or buts!!!!!:pp:pp:pp:pp:pp

God bless and keep us posted....:hug:

[GodsamazingGrace77]

Lifting you up in prayer. :pray:

[Traphouse]

Hey, question... do you use your authority that you have in Jesus Christ. Do you verbally speak out against satan, or the spirit of mastubation, or the spirit of lust audibly? Do you use the power of the name Jesus Christ when you do rebuke these spirits or satan himself? Do you understand Spiritual Warfare at all?

If you don't I suggest you speak to your pastor about this.

I used to, but when I was tempted (and fell to temptation) even after I rebuked any spirit I started to think of it more like a tradition than an actual "Power". I have started to use it more.
I have been slightly improving my resistance though, and I live in a Catholic College where they have Mass everyday so, I'll hit that up.

[Christian Sweetie]

First of all, good job for being brave enough to post your addiction. It is hard to admit you sinned, I know this myself.

I will not lie, this will be hard to beat. But you CAN and WILL do it through Grace and help from Christ. He will help you beat this, and I will pray for you since I had a similar addiction only 4 months ago.

Do you have any drawings around your house? Burn them. Do you draw this yourself? Stop. Destroy any drawings you did, or any drawings you may have started. If necessary, keep the paper and pencils hidden from you, so that you only retrive it when you absolutley need to. Avoid any websites that have this that you may visit. If you have them bookmarked, take them off, and pray the Lord will banish their adress from your mind forever so that you will never remember them. Follow Slug1's advice of praying before you go online, placing a Bible nearby your computer so that it's within reach should temptation arise, and put Scripture as your background.

What worked for me, was stopping cold turkey. No if ands or buts, I just had to stop. I couldn't wean myself off of it a little bit at a time, that wasn't God's rehab plan for me. I took the sites off my bookmarks, and I actually stayed off the computer for a week, lest I get tempted.

Continue to read the Word as it will encourage you, and give you knowledge. Keep praying to the Lord to deliver you from your addiction. The battle will be hard, but trust me, you'll never look back. And keep busy! It may seem like you're just reducing your time not looking at hentai but it will help. The more you keep busy, the less you'll think about, espicially if you immerse yourself in a hobby you love. Eventually, the thoughts will stop crossing your mind and you'll be surprised at how long you've gone without it. It's amazing. I dealt with the same thing, not hentai and not porn, but masturbation and what triggered it for me. And I beat it. I will pray with you until you have it beat and I will pray after that. I'm here if you need me. :)

[turtledove]

Joining others here in praying for you. :pray: There are several threads here on our Breaking the Chains section started by others who also struggle with this which you may want to read for pointers. Also..since this board is biblically based and Protestant in belief, and purpose, I encourage you to consider finding fellowship in a bible believing church in your community. Also, those struggling with this problem find much help as they read and get into God's written Word, the scriptures. Some churches even have small support groups for those struggling with various addictions including pornography.

You have received some good advice here so far..please especially note that of Slug1 on this thread. :)

And I hope that you read this sticky by Cheech listed above our Breaking the Chains section..which includes many helpful scriptures.

http://bibleforums.org/forum/showthread.php?t=67228

God bless, :pray:

[Traphouse]

First of all, good job for being brave enough to post your addiction. It is hard to admit you sinned, I know this myself.

I will not lie, this will be hard to beat. But you CAN and WILL do it through Grace and help from Christ. He will help you beat this, and I will pray for you since I had a similar addiction only 4 months ago.

Do you have any drawings around your house? Burn them. Do you draw this yourself? Stop. Destroy any drawings you did, or any drawings you may have started. If necessary, keep the paper and pencils hidden from you, so that you only retrive it when you absolutley need to. Avoid any websites that have this that you may visit. If you have them bookmarked, take them off, and pray the Lord will banish their adress from your mind forever so that you will never remember them. Follow Slug1's advice of praying before you go online, placing a Bible nearby your computer so that it's within reach should temptation arise, and put Scripture as your background.

What worked for me, was stopping cold turkey. No if ands or buts, I just had to stop. I couldn't wean myself off of it a little bit at a time, that wasn't God's rehab plan for me. I took the sites off my bookmarks, and I actually stayed off the computer for a week, lest I get tempted.

Continue to read the Word as it will encourage you, and give you knowledge. Keep praying to the Lord to deliver you from your addiction. The battle will be hard, but trust me, you'll never look back. And keep busy! It may seem like you're just reducing your time not looking at hentai but it will help. The more you keep busy, the less you'll think about, espicially if you immerse yourself in a hobby you love. Eventually, the thoughts will stop crossing your mind and you'll be surprised at how long you've gone without it. It's amazing. I dealt with the same thing, not hentai and not porn, but masturbation and what triggered it for me. And I beat it. I will pray with you until you have it beat and I will pray after that. I'm here if you need me. :)

Thank you, very, very, much. That was uplifting. And yes, I will definately try to keep myself busy from now on.
The only proble is that I am in a position where I have to go on the computer, and I can't set up blocks, well, because they're public computers.
The problem, mainly, is that sometimes when I waiver in fighting temptation, praying and reading the word start to look a lot like rituals or routines than actual help.

[baxpack7]

Thank you, very, very, much. That was uplifting. And yes, I will definitely try to keep myself busy from now on.
The only problem is that I am in a position where I have to go on the computer, and I can't set up blocks, well, because they're public computers.
The problem, mainly, is that sometimes when I waiver in fighting temptation, praying and reading the word start to look a lot like rituals or routines than actual help.

I would have to say then, that IS a problem. You see, He wants us to come to Him with our cares and troubles and doesn't care when we want to do it.What we have to do as Christians, is get way past the "Have to's" and get into the "Want to's". In other words, "I have to go read my bible" or "I have to go to church" are phrases that we must get past in order to keep good fellowship with one another and fellowship with the Father, most importantly. I know that sometimes our prayers seem repetitive, but regardless of how they sound, if you are sincere, then know that God sees the heart and the fulness thereof and can give you what is needed to win your battle over your addiction.

God Bless!!

[turtledove]

Yes, it tis so good when we grow from the "have to's" to the "want to's"..and are motivated out of love. And that applies to just about everything.

:ppGod IS sooo good!

Ps 19:12-14 (NIV) "... Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. " :)

wiseoldowl

[RoseClown]

I am glad I stumbled across this post, because I can tell you I went through the exact same thing. It was the same medium too, the anime hentai.


Finally it happened where my brother caught me looking at some, and whew, was that awkward! But God used that to break me of it. I finally had reached an all time low that made me turn completely to God, to admit that I can't escape it by myself. That nothing I did changed my behavior.

I have been clean for over five months now. This is really through God's grace. So the advice I can give you, on what helps me even now when I get the urges, is this. I rebuke the spirit of perversion. I tell it, those feelings, those behaviors, that they are not of me and I belong to Jesus Christ. That I am bought by his blood. Reminding yourself of this in the midst of this is half the battle. The other half is getting up and walking away. Through trust in God, you will get this strength.

[Traphouse]

I am glad I stumbled across this post, because I can tell you I went through the exact same thing. It was the same medium too, the anime hentai.


Finally it happened where my brother caught me looking at some, and whew, was that awkward! But God used that to break me of it. I finally had reached an all time low that made me turn completely to God, to admit that I can't escape it by myself. That nothing I did changed my behavior.

I have been clean for over five months now. This is really through God's grace. So the advice I can give you, on what helps me even now when I get the urges, is this. I rebuke the spirit of perversion. I tell it, those feelings, those behaviors, that they are not of me and I belong to Jesus Christ. That I am bought by his blood. Reminding yourself of this in the midst of this is half the battle. The other half is getting up and walking away. Through trust in God, you will get this strength.

So what did you do in those five months that are working so well for you? Just get up, tell all your friends that you are addicted and run free?

To me, even if I get the urges, well, that's a loss. I want to be urge-free. That's the state of mind I want to have. And if anyone like that exists here, I want to know.

BTW I haven't fallen to any temptation since my first post, though I'm being especially tempted now. Both parents know now about this virus inside of me, thank the Lord(!), but they can't do much for me.

[livingwaters]

You are right about earthlings not being able to solve some problems...Those are the very ones that God has NO problem handling. Keep your mind saturated with the Word of God. It doesn't matter if you want to read it or if you feel like reading it...just read it!!!!!!!! The Holy Spirit will keep your mind occupied while you are in the Word of God. Play Christian music, hang with Christian friends, watch Christian tv and stand strong on your "Rock and Salvation," Jesus Christ!!! We MUST do our part...Repeat the name of Jesus aloud until the devil flees, and he must flee at the name of Jesus...Alleluia...Alleluia...Alleluia:pp:pp:pp

And remember:

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn201/cherylhebert/cross_brokenchains.gif

[Traphouse]

Okay...
I got it.
I think also God wants me to be a tad bit more patient. I don't entirely remember how I came to that epiphany but I think its somehow important. I'll message this forum back to tell edveryone how I'm doing.

Thanks, everyone for your help and may the Lord bless you!!!

[turtledove]

Hey Traphouse, Yes, keep us posted and I'll be praying for you meanwhile.

Patience is something God is always working on me about too!

:) owl..



Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

[cheech]

Good to hear you haven't fallen to temptation since your first post! There is also something I'd like to add to the responses...

Many times we do things for a reason...in other words, there is a root cause. For years, I suffered from unforgiveness, lack of trust, jealousy, unworthiness etc...but my root cause was fear. Because of fear and the fact of some pain others had caused me through the years, It brought in feelings of unworthiness, jealousy and lack of trust all due to fear of being hurt again. Due to the unworthiness feelings (not feeling good enough), I feared moving forward and therefore hindered myself from going further in my life than God wanted me to go. There are times fear still rears it's ugly head in my life and I struggle, but it takes going to God and praying for strength and for God to remove that stumbling block from my path. I am also learning that sometimes God doesn't remove it because He wants me to see it for what it is...a stumbling block from the enemy and by facing what I'm fearing He is training me to become stronger against it. I once prayed for patience because I lack in patience...well, I was put in every situation imaginable that required my patience...I was put behind every slow driver in the world, in every slow checkout line, etc. But it helped me have more patience. When you face that which you are struggling with and rely on God to help you through it, then you become stronger over it. God could remove it immediately (and don't think I haven't prayed for that too) but what would you learn when the enemy came around again tempting you with something else? You either stand strong, gathering strength from God, or God just keeps taking it away and you remain weak.

I'm going through something now that was of my old self. The more I ask God to remove it from me because I know it isn't good, the more I keep being faced with it. God wants me to face it and get past it with the tools He's given me to do so. He wants me to be strong when the enemy comes to my door and begins to harass me. So, now I pray for God to let me see things through His eyes and not what the enemy wants me to see. This is helping.

So, try and think first if there is a root problem as to why you have this struggle. Does it just come upon you or are there triggers to send you to it. If you can find the root cause then you can begin praying to God about it. Pray now for God to reveal the root cause and what you should do about it.