If you are reading this post, I want you to know there is still hope for you. The first step in getting help and being free is admitting that you have a problem. I believe that it is not an accident that you're reading this material. God wants you and those around you to be free from sexual immorality. Romans 6:22 “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefits you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life.”
A little back story about myself. When I was thirteen, I came across a pornographic magazine in a public bathroom. Unfortunately, I looked at the magazine and it triggered many years of fighting a porn addition. Although it is still painful to think about, it even hurt those around me. Remember, sin doesn’t just affect you. I Corinthians 5:6 “Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” What I have written for you is a few steps to take in your life to help set you free from porn and sexual immorality.
No daydreaming or sexual fantasies!
Our minds play a major role in our lives. Everything starts in the mind, so it is very important to control what you think about. Daydreaming and sexual fantasies are not harmless. They will cause you to desire to act out sexual things in real life. If there isn’t a person in your life to do those sexual activities with you will turn to looking at porn or doing sexual acts by yourself with your own body. This is still wrong and is a sin. If you want to know more about your mind and the war that is going on in it, please read Joyce Meyer’s book, “The Battlefield of the Mind”. Romans 12:2 “I will not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of my mind, so that I may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight.”
Don’t seclude yourself
If you are like me, I felt shame and embarrassment after looking at porn. Staying in seclusion will make it easy to look at porn when you are tempted. Stay away from the computer or put down the telephone and go spend time with someone. I am the type of person that likes to please others, so I didn’t want those around me to have a poor image of me, which in turn led me to keep what I did a secret. But keeping it a secret will tear you up inside. So, if you have someone you can trust consider telling them; it can be freeing. Remember, though, that forgiveness only comes from God and confessing your sins to Him. Acts 24:16 “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”
Know your weaknesses!
Don’t even give it a chance
You might reason out in your mind that a tank top or a swimsuit might be okay to look at, but this will open the floodgates or a doorway to the enemy (if you struggle with lust). Once you start looking at that it is so easy to look at harder and stronger content. If you feed something, it will grow (both in the natural and the spiritual).
Looking at pictures of someone in a swimsuit is not bad in and of itself, but it is why you are looking that matters. It is not all about the content but why you are watching it. Job 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”
In relationships with others, it is important to set limits and keep them. It is easy to keep going further and further. Don’t put yourself in a situation that would encourage sexual behavior. Be strong in your faith and conviction. I Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are helpful. Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.” The Bible says that God will never leave you. You do not have to fight this fight alone.
Doorways
Did you know that evil spirits are behind the illicit sexual thoughts and the urge to watch porn or perform sinful sexual acts? Sexual content can and will open an opportunity to one of these demonic spirits to cause these sexual thoughts to start. These spirits can’t make you do anything, but they are good at tempting you into doing something. Once you’ve given in to the temptation, the demon has access to tempt you even stronger and has even more control over you. Remember that it all starts in your mind and that is where you have to refuse to dwell on the sexual thoughts. Cast down the bad thoughts and replace them with good, Godly thoughts. God made a sexual relationship between a husband and wife to be a wonderful experience. It binds them together and allows them to exclusively share something with each other. The Bible has much to teach us about the marriage bed. Keep it pure! Luke 22:14 “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”
Know what causes issues for you and make the choices that you need to make to get freedom in your life. John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
The only true hope for freedom - Jesus
The only way to true freedom is found in Jesus Christ. The only way for your sins to be forgiven is to confess them to Jesus and receive His forgiveness. Salvation and forgiveness cannot be earned. To be saved you have to first acknowledge that you need saving and then believe that Jesus can save you and receive it. It’s that simple. If you want to go and ask someone in your life for forgiveness that is good, especially if they are still upset with you. But know this, people cannot forgive your sins, only God can forgive your sins and wash them away. It is healthy to feel bad about your mistakes but then quickly repent and receive God’s forgiveness. Feeling bad for too long will actually keep it in your mind and keep the focus on you. It will keep you in a cycle of sin. Feeling guilty too long will keep you trapped. Satan wants to trap you.
God wants you to be free. Psalm 35:1-3 “The Lord contends with those who contend with me; He fights against those who fight against me! I take hold of the shield and buckler and stand up for my help! I draw out also the spear and javelin and close up the way of those who pursue and persecute me. The Lord is my deliverance!
Pray this salvation prayer
Jesus, help me! I have had enough of trying to make it through the storms of life on my own. I want to be right with God, and I want to follow you. I believe that God raised you, Jesus, from the dead and I accept you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for giving me your peace. Thank you for forgiving me.
Pray this prayer for forgiveness and forgiving others
Father, please forgive me for not forgiving others and not walking in love. Father, I choose to forgive those who have hurt me. I choose not to hold on to resentment. I let go of my right to seek revenge, and I ask that you heal my damaged emotions. Lord, help me to forget the past so that I can move forward. Thank you for setting me free from the bondage of bitterness. I pray and ask in Jesus’ Name.
Pray this spiritual warfare prayer
I realize that all Christians, including me, are in a war with the enemy. Our enemies are trying to kill, steal and destroy in any way they can. Jesus, You have provided me with the weapons that I need to fight with because of what You did when you came and died on the cross. Teach me how to use the weapons that you have provided so that I can have victory. Thank you so much for what you did for me and thank you for helping me.
