Closer I Get to God, The Harder It Is
Lorvena is struggling with pornography and it’s something she doesn’t want in her life anymore. She started looking at it, out of curiosity when she was 12 years old then it fed something in her. Lorvena explains that she’s been clean for about a week now and sometimes can go 3 weeks, but it seems the closer she gets to God, the harder it is. She recently got saved and baptized and thought everything would change. But as she’s been reading the Bible, she would still think about porn and watch it and then felt such a deep sense of shame. She constantly struggles with how to stop pornography addiction.
God crashed through Lorvena’s addiction for Christ to come into her life, but that doesn’t mean the spiritual warfare is less. As she found out, it can be more. As Satan had her in his grasp, he didn’t have to work very hard but now there is a war for Lorvena’s life.
Everyone faces temptation at some time or another, but the Bible says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Peer to Peer: Lorvena Wants Your Advice on How to Stop Pornography Addiction
Lorvena is asking for advice and prayer. She wants to know if anyone else has overcome this and what have they done to do so. She wants to know, “Is this something I’m going to struggle with my whole life?”
Our community called in to give Lorvena some encouragement, support, love and ideas to help her with her addiction to pornography. Almost every one of them said they had their own struggles with an addiction to porn. Here’s what Audrey, Stephanie, Connor, Charity, and Preston had to say about overcoming an addiction to porn.
What God has Given You is Strong Enough to Overcome Your Addiction
Audrey says, “There’s nothing you can do to completely wipe this out, but every day that God gives you the opportunity to choose Him. That you make the choice to choose Him. The devil may bring that feeling to you of wanting to do something that you don’t want to do. Every day when you wake up, read your Word. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)
What God has given you, is your faith, and what God has put inside of you is strong enough to overcome it. You are not alone. There is nothing wrong with you. God loves you. Your name is written on the palm of His hand and you’re important to Him. You can overcome it but choosing God, every day.
When Temptations Come, You Have Power and Authority in Jesus Name
Stephanie’s words are strong! She says, “I’m glad you are asking for help. It’s what the Lord wants us to do. The enemy tries to get us to be silent so he can kill, steal and destroy us. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, but the enemy will try to make you feel as if you are not worthy. Where Christ is, there is liberty. You have been set free from these things which have you bound. When temptations do come, you have the power and authority that your Father has given you.”
Keep Submitting Yourself to God and His Word
Connor says, “I also got way into pornography and was hardcore addicted. I tried so many things to get free from it, like physical exercise, I tried to quote scripture, I tried to distract myself. Many of those things helped but none of those things could break the addiction. What finally broke the addiction was I continued to submit myself to God and His Word.” Connor shares Ephesians 5:26b, “Washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” Connor says he has accountability partners who are peers, but he also has his dad as an accountability partner. Connor says to Lorvena, “As far as breaking the addiction, I couldn’t do it in my own strength. I tried and I tried, and I tried. I can relate to reading the Bible and as I sit there reading, my mind is wandering, and sex is dripping through my head. It takes that daily choice of I’m going to choose to love you God, even over my own desires. At the root of my issues, was pride and God took a 2X4 to my pride and a lot of things in my life changed. I submit myself to God and He set me free from my pride. I still face temptation, but now I’m at a point where I don’t have to give in. You have God, Himself, living in you and you have victory.
Tell the Devil, I'm Not Interested
Charity says, “As your big sister in Christ, I’m going to give you some advice that will take you a long way in your walk with Christ. The devil is our enemy, and he would like us to believe that he’s complex, but the Bible let us know that he has only 3 weapons against us. I’m going to give them to you. From 1 John 2:16, “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” Whatever he throws at you, it comes from one of those. And every time you feel yourself about to do something against God, you tell the Devil out loud, “You are coming from the lust of the flesh…no thank you, I’m not interested. And get around people who are like-minded so they can help you fight. Then get into the Word and it will easier and easier for you.”
Get Rid of Easy Access to Porn
Preston says this is one of the most difficult things to overcome. He shares Matthew 18:9 “And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.” Connor says, “If you are dealing with pornography, technology is a great asset to us but if it’s causing you to stumble. If you have to, get rid of it! You have a choice. Get rid of that which offends you. If you don’t have the avenue readily available to you, it’ll be more difficult to seek it out. Continue to read the Word. Satan has lost you so he’s going to continue to fight for you. Stay in His word, it’s sharper than any two-edged sword.”
Did Today’s Episode Get You Thinking?
I know this was a bit overwhelming for Lorvena but what amazing advice and encouragement from those who responded to her. I also heard a common theme in what everyone said…get in the Word of God and stay in the Word of God. Sometimes we forget how important it is but as God told Joshua in Joshua 1:8, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” And as Preston pointed out, “The Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” (Hebrews 4:12) We need to use the Word of God in our everyday lives to fight the battle against Satan. I pray for Lorvena. Lord, show Lorvena that you love her and cause her to be an overcomer and not just a survivor. Flood her with encouragement and prayer. Thank you that she had the courage to call in. Honor that! Amen.
Resources for Pornography Addiction:
Even though porn addiction is very difficult to overcome. You can do it. To start towards a porn-free life, download our free eBook: Understanding Porn Addiction.
Also, check out my blogs about pornography:
- Pornography Addiction: 6 Lies Pornography Tells Us
- 7 Steps Towards a Porn Free Life
- 6 Reasons to Cut Porn Out of Your Life for Good
- I Was the Good Christian Girl Addicted to Pornography
And my other podcast about addiction to pornography:
Need to talk to someone? Chat with a HopeCoach at TheHopeLine.
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Remember, whatever you do, Never Lose Hope!
