Let's talk about porn addiction....
Let's talk about porn addiction....
Pornography is one of satan's tools. As a matter of fact, sex is among the biggest "drives" we have, and with today's modern technology simplifying access to porn, it's no wonder so many men are "hooked." Is there anything that can be done? Please read the below to find out.
The bottom line up front: Those who believe in and worship YHWH, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, realize He has rules to follow. And among those rules is the fact that we are to keep our bodies holy:
Romans 6: 19 I speak as among men because of the infirmity of your flesh. As you (once) gave up your members to the enslavement of defilement and sin, so also now give you up your members to the servitude of righteousness and sanctity. 20. For when you were the slaves of sin, you were emancipated from righteousness. 21. And what harvest had you then in that of which you are now ashamed? For the result of this is death. 22. And now, as you have been emancipated from sin and have become servants to Elohim, your fruits are Set Apart; and the result thereof is life everlasting. 23. For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of Elohim is life eternal, through our Master Y'shua the Mashiyach. (AENT)
The Bible outlines three main categories of sin: Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).
1 John 2: 16. For all that is in the world is the lust of the body and the lust of the eyes and the pride of the world, which are not from the Father but from the world itself. 17. And the world is passing away, (both) it and the lust thereof; but he that does the pleasure of Elohim abides for ever. (AENT)
"The world" in verse 16 refers to pagan, Torahless, humanistic, evolutionary, relativistic, materialistic, sensual, unrighteous lifestyles that haSatan used to seduce mankind away from YHWH. This certainly does not refer to the earth which YHWH made according to His good pleasure.
Sex is one of Satan's most effective tools and you can be sure he's using today's technology to keep sex on the forefront of men's minds! Pornography is addictive (1 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Peter 2:19), and destructive (Proverbs 6:25-28; Ezekiel 20:30; Ephesians 4:19). Lusting after other people in our minds which, of course, is the essence of pornography, is offensive to YHWH (Matthew 5:28). Those who simply cannot break the bonds of pornography may want to reassess their relationship with God because people who truly have the Holy Spirit are able to ultimately break their "bad habits" (1 Corinthians 6:9).
The thing is, those who believe in YHWH and know that eternal life awaits, MUST get control of the situation because YHWH expects us to be "clean" in mind, body and soul. If they are married, they are committing adultery by looking at and lusting after other women. While most likely every man in the world suffers from that natural God-given sex drive on some level, YHWH is clear that we are to keep control over our minds and bodies. Adultery is a sin for which people were once stoned....
It will not be easy to stop doing porn, but "porn addicts" must remember that, every time they give in to their drive, they are committing adultery against their wives, and engaging in deliberate sinning against GOD, for which there is NO sin sacrifice. Porn addiction that is allowed to go unchecked will land one in hell!
Porn addicts need to remember, they are not alone! There is a wonderful book by Christian author Stephen Arterburn entitled "Every Man's Battle". Mr. Arterburn also conducts workshops to help men beat this demon back.
In the meantime, here is what one needs to do in order to....
Get back on track!
(1) Confess your sin(s) to YHWH (1 John 1:9).
(2) Ask Him to cleanse, renew, and transform your mind (Romans 12:2).
(3) Ask Him to fill your mind with Philippians 4:8.
(4) Remember that there is no sin sacrifice for willfull, deliberate, continued sinning and thus lead your mind and body back to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).
(5) For those who are married, you must learn to rely on your spouse alone to meet that particular need (1 Corinthians 7:1-5).
(6) Realize that if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).
(7) Take practical steps to reduce your exposure to graphic images. Install pornography blockers on your computer, limit television and video usage, and find another Believer who will pray with and for you to help keep you accountable.
Remember, YHWH is not kidding around! Those who proclaim to be His must be "set apart":
Romans 1: 28. And as they did not determine with themselves to know Elohim, Elohim gave them over to a vain mind; that they might do what they should not. 29. Being full of all iniquity and lewdness, and bitterness and malice, and covetousness and envy, and slaughter and strife, and deceit and evil machinations 30. And backbiting and slander; and being haters of Elohim, scoffers, proud, vain-glorious, devisers of evil things, destitute of reason, disregardful of parents. 31. And to whom a covenant is nothing, neither affection, nor peace, and in whom is no compassion. 32. These, while they know the judgment of Elohim, that he condemns those to death who perpetrate such things, are not only doers of them, but the companions of such as do them.
1 Corinthians 6: 19. Or don't you know, that your body is the temple of the Ruach haKodesh who abides in you, whom you have received from Elohim? And you are not your own. 20. For you are bought with a price. Therefore you glorify Elohim with your body, and with your spirit, which are Elohim's.