Hi friend, I’m so glad you’re here. Even being willing to read it is a step in the correct direction. But you might have an issue. You can’t stop taking a look at porn. I mean, you possibly can probably stop for every week or perhaps even a month, but then you definately slip again. You give in to the temptation. It seems the one way you possibly can resist porn is if you happen to’re dead. What you don’t realize is that you simply’re already almost dead. You are lying on the operating room table, flatlined. Life has lost its color. Except for porn, nothing is as exciting because it once was. Porn fights are the one thing you concentrate on. Your only option appears to be to devour an increasing number of porn. But in doing so, you fall deeper into the pit of hopelessness. You’re not alone. I’ve been there. At one point, I used to be so deep in my addiction that I might call in sick to work so I could stay home and watch porn. The excellent news is you’ll be able to stop. I’ve found healing, and you’ll be able to too! Meanwhile, porn is choking the life out of you. You need CPR.
CONFESS (C)
You’ve confessed before, however it doesn’t appear to make a difference. Begin to admit on the thought level. Confess each time before you sin. Make it a game. Try to admit as soon as you sense the temptation. Invite others into your struggle before you’re taking motion. Confess when you concentrate on porn. Confess when you might have lustful thoughts. Confess if you end up aroused, and confess the thoughts and experiences that got you there. Perhaps you’re thinking that, “Then I’ll spend all of my time confessing.” That could be true for a while. But that’s the desperate cry of a virtually dead man (or woman). Do it. Every time. Confess on the thought level. And if you happen to didn’t, confess as soon as you’ll be able to. (1 John 1:8-9)
PRAY (P)
Never confess without asking for prayer. James 5:16 gives us this “formula” for healing. Why wouldn’t you’re taking full advantage of it? Confess and get others to hope for you. Pray also for yourself. Take your desperate pleas to God. Cry out to Him with honesty. Tell Him that you simply don’t wish to click that hashtag or visit that site. Tell Him that you simply don’t want to observe that movie of two strangers, who He created, having sex for money. Beg Him to assist you to take your thoughts captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Pray probably the most honest prayers which you could. Stop the formalities. Your life is in danger! As clearly as you’ll be able to, beg The One who gave you life to assist you to stop your perverted pursuits.
REPENT (R)
You’ve spoken the sin out loud to others. You’ve asked them to hope, and also you’ve prayed like your life relied on it. Now, stop returning to that well of poison. Turn out of your sin. You were running toward the incorrect end zone. You’ve been dribbling toward the incorrect goal. The referee and the fans have been jumping up and down, screaming, “You’re going the incorrect way!” Before you reach half-court, you’ll be able to know it. You can turn toward the opposite goal, the correct goal. You can change your plan of action. You can begin to run in the opposite direction. Run away out of your sin. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
CHRIST (C)
He is the brand new goal. He is what you at the moment are running toward. How are you able to fill your life with the things of Christ? What makes you like Jesus more if you do it? Do more of that! Porn has never made you like Christ more. What does? Maybe it’s a book, a podcast, a visit, sitting in nature, listening to worship music, or sitting on a patio with friends. What is it for you? Join Bible studies, attend equipping classes, go ‘all in’ together with your small group. Plan experiences with them. Finally, it’s time to commit to that recovery program. Not just going to it, but committing to going through it. Who do you’re thinking that it’s for? It’s for people identical to you. People who’re dying of their sin. Ultimately, seek Christ first, and recovery will come. (Matthew 6:33)
PURSUE MARRIAGE (P)
God has given you a single outlet on your sexual desires, and that may be a spouse. All of us have been given a “flame” of sexual desire by God. The problem with porn is that it’s like pouring kerosene on this flame, which turns into an unmanageable bonfire. It will burn down anyone we bring right into a relationship with us. So, before you’ll be able to get married, you might have to get better. Allow your desire for marriage to be a further motivation for healing. Porn will kill your marriage long before there’s even a prospective spouse in view. So, the perfect next step so that you can pursue a spouse is so that you can pursue healing – not as your sole motivation, but a motivation, nonetheless. (1 Corinthians 7:9)
REMOVE ACCESS (R)
This one will let if you happen to’re serious about getting well or not. How do you access porn? Get rid of it. A phone? A pc? Cable TV? Get rid of it. I often discuss with individuals who say they’re combating porn. Let me inform you how that conversation goes. When I ask how they’re accessing pornography, they often reply, “My cellular phone.” I ask, “Where is your cellular phone?” When they tell me that their phone is of their pocket, I even have to inform them, “You’re not combating porn. You’re carrying it around with you in your pocket. You haven’t even begun to struggle.”
If something is killing you, don’t carry it around with you. Am I asking you to do away with your cellular phone? Yes, I’m. Get a flip phone. The world will still go on, actually, with more life in it! Leave your laptop on the office. End your Netflix subscription. Do whatever it takes. If you’re thinking that that is legalistic, please read these 4 verses from Jesus Himself in Matthew 5:27-30. Don’t use the excuse: “I’ll still have the ability to access porn.” Make access to porn very difficult in order that if you end up tempted, you’ll be able to confess, pray, and repent.
CPRX2
Friend, porn is killing you. There is hope. You should be revived, and I do know no higher way than the steps above. You need CPR. Write CPRX2 (CPR times two) in your computer, your phone, and all over the place you’ll be able to. It will function a reminder that it’s good to be healed by God. Memorize these steps. I used to be once a porn addict myself. I checked out it every day. Since then, I even have been healed. When I used to be recovering from slavery to porn, I can remember driving down a highway and being tempted to have a look at a billboard promoting an adult bookstore. The girl on the billboard was calling for me, but through confession, prayer, repentance, intimacy with Christ, and a desire for a spouse, I used to be in a position to not look up. That small victory over temptation showed me there was hope. The freedom I had experienced with Jesus was finally higher than anything porn offered me. I’ve found victory in Christ. So will you if you happen to commit to those steps. I pray that you will discover life and live it to the fullest. (John 10:10)
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/damircudic
Originally published by John Pokluda. Used with permission.
Jonathan “JP” Pokluda is the Lead Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, TX. He was formerly the leader of The Porch in Dallas, TX, which grew to be the biggest weekly young adult gathering of its kind within the country. JP didn’t come to know the grace of the Gospel until his early twenties after being involved in numerous denominational churches his entire life. This ignited a desire in him to encourage young adults to radically follow Jesus Christ and unleash them to alter the world. JP’s partner in ministry is Monica, his wife of seventeen years, and together they disciple their children Presley, Finley, and Weston.
He has written 5 best-selling books, and is currently working on “Your Story Has a Villain.” This book is for you if you happen to’re weary from the struggle and able to embrace the abundant life God has for us. It will assist you to explore the tactics of Satan, equip you to beat spiritual battles, and remind you of the victory already secured through Jesus. Learn more at his website, jonathanpokluda.com. Click here for Unite Us, a movement of school students united to lift the name of Jesus.