Freedom from Pornography?

[ransomed]

While the Bible doesn't explicitly mention masturbation, I'm inclined to say that biblically, it is. When it comes to sex in the Bible, what do we see? The promotion of marital oneness both spiritually and physically (i.e. sex) and the condemnation of everything else whether it's mentioned (i.e. homosexuality) or not. Masturbation is centered on oneself and plays no part of marital oneness.


Personally I feel that masturbation is the greater evil. If you sit down and look at pornography, you are being tempted. If you walk away, you have achieve victory over that temptaiton. But to go to the next step is to give in to that temptation, which is where the real damage takes place.
It's also a form of idolatry, because the sexual image becomes a thing of worship and desire.

[glenndp]

"If you even look upon a woman in lust, you have committed adultery with her in your heart"

Jesus makes it pretty plain that whether its viewing pornography or masturbation, it will involve looking at a woman with lust (via porn or the mind's eye) -some memories are best forgotton, but once an image is planted, my friends, it's planted. That's why these images can come to mind at some of the most inappropriate times.

This is a struggle that many men face. The fact is, once we gain victory over one sin, it seems another pops up. Drives me absolutely batty! Keep praying for me as I will pray for you.

God bless you all.
Glenn

[jesusislord65]

wow, idolatry?

[ransomed]

wow, idolatry?

yes, if you consider idolatry to be anything that you hold in higher esteem than God. an image of a golden calf really isn't any different than pornographic photos, in the sense that they both create separation from God. just my opinion.

[disciplefogod]

wow, idolatry?

Yeah I'd call it Idolatry, I've suffered with this problem for a while myself. I'd call it Idolatry mainly because you're looking for satisfaction and you're looking for relief from stress and a quick boost from something else other than God. I've noticed that whenever I mess up that I just committed Idolatry because I put it above God in hopes that it would greater satisfy me than my hunger for God.

Pornography and Self-Gratification I believe when they're committed:

You've committed Idolatry
You've committed Adultery
You've committed Fornication
You've made it #1 in your life and God #2.
You've looked in other stuff for relief in Stress and satisfaction when you should have looked upon God

Thank God that we are under grace!

[Paradigm]

I still don't understand how married men fall into this problem if they have understanding wives as you all say.

[Wally]

Desire can come at anytime; a scent, a sound, a scene.

Because it is pleasurable, men dwell on it. It tends to condjure images, memories, that are intense. If continually dwelled upon, it leads to fantasy.

When unfulfilled, it can breed contempt, anger, envy, self-justification.

The last one is the worst as it leads to acts that many will regret.

The Lord made no difference between the thought or the act. And as such we who believe need to see it for what it is; take it to the Lord, and seek His help and strength.

Perhaps married men have a more difficult time as they think the desire can just go home and be satisfied. But often there are interruptions, health, timing issues that thwart an encounter. And even if wedded bliss is shared, many still want more.

Sometimes the gouging your eye out or being a eunich seem the only viable option.

But again, remember He loves you. Remember how He showed it. Remember your promise. Chase any of the visitors out of your dreams, and keep your beloved treasured. Then just walk daily in the Lord.

And ENCOURAGE One Another.

Men: Be Holy for your Wife, your Sons, your Daughters. It is worth it.

[Paradigm]

Desire can come at anytime; a scent, a sound, a scene.

Because it is pleasurable, men dwell on it. It tends to condjure images, memories, that are intense. If continually dwelled upon, it leads to fantasy.

I don't know why God programmed man to have such a strong need for it.


When unfulfilled, it can breed contempt, anger, envy, self-justification.

Withdrawal symptom effects just like any other drug. Only problem is that this "drug" is natural and the withdrawal symptom does not go away.


The Lord made no difference between the thought or the act. And as such we who believe need to see it for what it is; take it to the Lord, and seek His help and strength.

Well I'll tell you a personal story that happened to me a few years back (probably around 7-8 years now).

I met a christian guy back then whom which I wanted to build a friendship. The one time I talked to him he looked straight at me and said "The Holy Spirit says that you are in sin because you are looking at pornography and you are pretending to be a christian, and that you are going to hell".

For the longest time after that I fell into a depression, because I couldn't stop my addiction and I knew that this guy was right. After researching the scriptures, it basically looks like the only escape from it is marriage.
The problem for me is that I didn't (and still don't) want the responsibility of marriage, for various reasons.


Perhaps married men have a more difficult time as they think the desire can just go home and be satisfied. But often there are interruptions, health, timing issues that thwart an encounter. And even if wedded bliss is shared, many still want more.

And this is what irritates me. Marriage doesn't mean that intimacy will be perfect. HOWEVER it does mean that you have an outlet that you have to know how to manage. If your wife is willing to help you (as the Bible states) then you should have NO REASON to resort to anything else.
Anything else I would consider an excuse. If your wife is NOT willing to help you, then you are stuck with all the drawbacks of being single and also being married, and NONE of the benefits of either. So I don't know what to tell those that are stuck in this position. I do know that a Godly woman would work with you, even if her desire is not the same, a compromise could be reached. Isn't that the whole point of marriage?


Sometimes the gouging your eye out or being a eunich seem the only viable option.

I've thought about it, I've even somewhat considered this path. But self mutilation of this sort would probably not be looked on favorably by God.


But again, remember He loves you. Remember how He showed it. Remember your promise. Chase any of the visitors out of your dreams, and keep your beloved treasured. Then just walk daily in the Lord.

I honestly don't know what God is going to say to us that struggle with this sin when we are in front of him. We try our hardest but even if we can keep from it for months, all it takes is one fall and you're back in the sin.

Personally I think I have no choice but to seek marriage (and sort of take my chances to see if I find success) and I think all other single men have to do the same (unless God wants to bless them with the gift of celibacy, as I've said in the other threads)

For married men, if your wife is willing to help you, you have NO EXCUSE. If your wife is not willing to help, then you have to figure out why (if that means marriage counseling or whatever, then you do what you have to to)

[Wally]

You know, I have considered the idea for single men,
Rather than marry and mess up some godly woman's life,
Would they be better off taking a wife in their dreams and remaining faithful to her? I guess that seems selfish. There are so many godly women in need of a companion.

I caution any man not to blame God for their natural desires. The curse was brought on by sin. Our sin.

Why does one man walk like Paul, having a gift that freed them to focus on God's work, while another has so many wives can he really love any of them?


Often sin is simply I want more that what God gave me.

God is teaching some Contentment.

But once a month?

God is teaching patience.

But she's sick.

God is teaching Compassion.

But that one is so hot.

God is teaching faithfulness and purity.

But It's so strong.

God is perfecting His strength in your weakness.

But I feel miserable, it helps me cope.

God wants you to help your brother instead.

I know the excuses. I am a man. I never expect a woman to understand. To me, that is where God works helping the husband and wife be tender to each other. That is why God says our bodies belong to the other. That is why there is no shame between husband and wife. It is a special relationship full of hurt, misunderstanding, and struggles yet some of the greatest blessings given to flesh. The Goal is to overcome sin, to surrender to God ,and find fullness in Him, all the while blessing our partner.

Those teamed with a godless spouse have a very difficult journey, but even then God will do great works if you let Him. (I am not talking about violent abusive relations - which in my mind is spiritual adultry - which can still yeild fruit for the faithful.)

No this stuff that is in our faces day in and out, is part of our time. It may very well be the same stuff Lot struggled with. You know it's wrong, but you know why so many are bound to it. I don't want to be a Lot, rather a Job.

I look forward to the day when this old man finally looses its grip and falls to the ground as dust, leaving a new creation. One that finially can look back at the process fall on his knees and praise the Lord for never letting go, even when he did.

Thank you Jesus. No, I do not look forward to the fire, but purify me. Conform me to Your will. I know You love me and nothing can separate me from Your love. Everything I have done, do, and will do will be nailed to the Cross or clensed with fire. All for Your Glory Alone.

[Paradigm]

^^^ Well I was going to post a huge reply. But I deleted it all and decided for simplicity.

You guys are absolutely right in saying that marriage is not a guarantee of intimacy. I know that. Since I have never been married perhaps I can't understand fully what you guys go thru.

I know one thing though. Many are claiming that they have a wife who is willing to help them. These are the men that I think have no excuse. Are you too busy with your 4 kids, mortgage and bills, working 3 jobs to manage it all? Well, I'm sorry but who asked you to get into so much debt? Did you need to buy a huge house and two SUV's? Did you need to have 4 kids? I don't want to sound like I'm picking on you, but sometimes we truly do lie in the bed that we made. If I had a life that was that stressful, I'd figure out a way to cut back. When you risk committing sin to satisfy yourself because something is missing out of your relationship with your wife, then you HAVE to find what that is!!! All the praying in the world isn't going to change that if it's something that YOU can change on your own.

I am currently lying in my own bed that I made. I'm paying for some HUGE mistakes in my life, but as always, we have to put all our troubles on the Lord as he is our only way to happiness and to eternal life.