Defeating Pornography

[SteveL]

I thank God for His mercies and grace.

Tonight I nearly stumbled. For the first time in a month, I found myself viewing pornography on the internet. No excuses -- but I went to the mall on Thursday and found myself surrounded by a lot of good looking women who were in summer attire. I shouldn't have made those "second glances" (which is something I'm weak with) because it only added some images in my mind. Tonight I found myself idle, and wandered onto the net.

However, I did not fall completely. For the first time in my life, I was able to walk away from my computer without doing the deed after viewing pornography. I don't know how I did that except for the grace of God. In the past once I start the process it's already too late. Tonight, I started (meaning, strictly viewing), but never did the actual act. I know I still sinned by viewing, but it was a big step for me to be able to say NO and walk away.

I just wanted to confess this publicly. It's amazing how pride can sneak up on you. Just a few days ago I updated this thread and was all on fire. Then I had a minor stumble in the road. Nevertheless, no condemnation in Christ, and I praise God that I was able to exercise enough self-control tonight from fully stumbling. Again, it's His grace. Once I fire up porn on the net I've already lost the battle. Somehow, tonight, by God's grace, I was able to turn off my computer, say NO and walk away.

Thank you for your prayers -- I have no doubt they are helping!

[andrew_no_one]

Have you been redirecting your time and attention? I've found that when unwanted thoughts creep in, if I turn away from them and immediatly focus on something else (like Bible study, prayer or work) it's easier than "fighting" the thought, it's more like "abandoning" the thought.

[SteveL]

Have you been redirecting your time and attention? I've found that when unwanted thoughts creep in, if I turn away from them and immediatly focus on something else (like Bible study, prayer or work) it's easier than "fighting" the thought, it's more like "abandoning" the thought.

Yeah, I've been told I can make this whole purity thing "too overstated" to the point where I'm focusing on it in an unhealthy way, and only leads to me eventually slipping because it's on my mind so much. I think you're right, redirecting my time and thoughts would help. Thanks for the tip.

[justsayin']

Hello SteveL,

Thanks for your honest post.

I have a friend who struggles with this issue too. I feel he is really quite sick of it and is quite burdened by it, but is not quite at the stage where he is ready to give it up altogether. I hope for his sake that day comes soon.

I haven't seen the debate re masturbation on here, but my opinion on that subject is the same as yours. God made the act of sex and the pleasure of it, to be enjoyed strictly between a man and a woman, and any deviation outside of that confinement, is a sin.

Keep praying and calling on the name of Jesus when you feel Satan is coming to attack you, he hates the name of Jesus so much and flees.

And also keep reminding yourself that "God is with you always". God says that in the Bible doesn't he? So if he is with you all the time, then when you feel temptation, think of him as being in the room with you, actually standing there in front of you.
It suddenly becomes very embarrassing to do anything as you feel he is watching you (which he is anyway), but Satan makes people forget that.

I am keeping you in my prayers.