every mans challenge. struggling. please pray.

[pixelpusher]

I'm right there with you bro.

One thing that helps me is to remember that the images or video are real people, and should be my sisters in Christ, but likely are not. That makes me want to pray for them instead.

Another thing is that when I have indulged these impulses, I've noticed that it changes my view of women in daily life, most women I see become objects as it were, and that is not right or fair or anything good.

Finally, once I was at a traffic light, I glanced over at the girls in the mustang beside me and found to my surprise that they were dressing *me* down with their eyes. (Yeah, they must have been blind) But I was shocked that *I* felt violated. Shocked, I tell you, and I was shocked I was shocked. That led me back to thought number two above. Right is right and wrong isn't.

Still, I will give in sometimes, just like a dog returning to his vomit. I agree, it is supremely frustrating. I hate it. I've pretty well figured out that it seems like the harder *I* try to "be good" in this area or others, the more I fail, and the worse I feel. I've absolutely nothing to do but give it up to Jesus and trust Him to fix me. I can't do it. I figure He knows me better than I know myself, and knows I'm sick, and knew what He was buying when He paid the price.

I'm so looking forward to being free of sin, and being with the Lord, and every relationship being good and right.

Keep the faith.

[gradywhite]

I'm right there with you bro.

One thing that helps me is to remember that the images or video are real people, and should be my sisters in Christ, but likely are not. That makes me want to pray for them instead.

Another thing is that when I have indulged these impulses, I've noticed that it changes my view of women in daily life, most women I see become objects as it were, and that is not right or fair or anything good.

Finally, once I was at a traffic light, I glanced over at the girls in the mustang beside me and found to my surprise that they were dressing *me* down with their eyes. (Yeah, they must have been blind) But I was shocked that *I* felt violated. Shocked, I tell you, and I was shocked I was shocked. That led me back to thought number two above. Right is right and wrong isn't.

Still, I will give in sometimes, just like a dog returning to his vomit. I agree, it is supremely frustrating. I hate it. I've pretty well figured out that it seems like the harder *I* try to "be good" in this area or others, the more I fail, and the worse I feel. I've absolutely nothing to do but give it up to Jesus and trust Him to fix me. I can't do it. I figure He knows me better than I know myself, and knows I'm sick, and knew what He was buying when He paid the price.

I'm so looking forward to being free of sin, and being with the Lord, and every relationship being good and right.

Keep the faith.

"I will give in sometimes, just like a dog returning to his vomit"

Now, if you can just keep that image in your head, it should really tone things down a tad.

(did you really have to say that?)

[pixelpusher]

"I will give in sometimes, just like a dog returning to his vomit"

Now, if you can just keep that image in your head, it should really tone things down a tad.

(did you really have to say that?)

My apologies. I was trying to be honest. Guess I should listen more and talk less, I seem to have a way of saying the wrong things. Sorry.

[Kliska]

My apologies. I was trying to be honest. Guess I should listen more and talk less, I seem to have a way of saying the wrong things. Sorry.

Quoting scripture for underscoring something isn't wrong! We all return to certain sin, and it paints an appropriate picture of a lot of our circumstances... it just doesn't paint a very pretty picture.

[pixelpusher]

Quoting scripture for underscoring something isn't wrong! We all return to certain sin, and it paints an appropriate picture of a lot of our circumstances... it just doesn't paint a very pretty picture.

Returning to sin is not a pretty thing. I need to hone my diplomatic skills, I got the message. Yet another area I struggle with... But I appreciate it being pointed out.

[gradywhite]

Returning to sin is not a pretty thing. I need to hone my diplomatic skills, I got the message. Yet another area I struggle with... But I appreciate it being pointed out.

I really was just trying to add a lil' humor to it. I wouldn't worry about your diplomatic skills. I love it when I can speak with someone with out beating around the bush. Personally I think people should adjust themselves to my diplomatic skills.

[Jacinth]

My apologies. I was trying to be honest. Guess I should listen more and talk less, I seem to have a way of saying the wrong things. Sorry.

there was nothing at all wrong with what you said
sin makes us sick

[Hisway]

I am not 20 years old, I'm an old man. I thought as I got older that these urges would go away. Wrong! I new an 88 year old man that still thought he was 20. In my opinion this is one of the strongest drugs out there. It has taken down the very elite, from pastors to presidents. It is an urge that is way bigger than you are and you cannot possibly win this battle on your own. It requires spiritual intervention. It is the type of thing that grows and the more you feed it, the more it grows. Anybody listening???? NOW is not the time to play games with God!

[MoreThanReady]

Mad at myself.. I fell off the bandwagon again... *sigh* more prayer, more turning away.. it is a struggle.

[iSong6:3]

To whom it may concern - No spamming PM's to our members, especially when you haven't posted yet.

[EarsToHear]

I am not 20 years old, I'm an old man. I thought as I got older that these urges would go away. Wrong! I new an 88 year old man that still thought he was 20. In my opinion this is one of the strongest drugs out there. It has taken down the very elite, from pastors to presidents. It is an urge that is way bigger than you are and you cannot possibly win this battle on your own. It requires spiritual intervention. It is the type of thing that grows and the more you feed it, the more it grows. Anybody listening???? NOW is not the time to play games with God!

I hear you.

I think for some people the only way to combat it is with celibacy. That includes from computers, t.v., magazines, thought ruts in the middle of the night, hot showers at strange hours, getting out of bed to accomplish some other physical thing such as work, dusting, washing dishes or whatever, and to have someone to talk to in person or online for support during temptation, no matter the hour. Unfortunately for some, they always choose the wrong course of action--temporary fulfillment under the cover of darkness.

God never allows temptation beyond what we can handle, no matter the age. Doesn't matter what kind of temptation--we all deal with hard, pulling, strong temptations. it's the choices we make in dealing with them, and with habit, in overcoming them when we get to the point of hating our sin more than loving it, and when Christ's moment-by-moment righteous Way is more important than momentarily satisfying our flesh.

[Damien1983]

ing for all those struggling with this. This is my biggest downfall personally so I can empathize 100%.

I'm just so glad that one day all this garbage will be no more. Hopefully we will be delivered of it soon.

[Trance]

I will indeed pray for you my brother-in-Christ. I understand all too well this very destructive and un-holy lifestyle and I am sharing in your struggles

[Trance]

Mad at myself.. I fell off the bandwagon again... *sigh* more prayer, more turning away.. it is a struggle.

I understand, totally. Every day is a struggle for me.

But somebody explained it like this to me: Those girls are people (and I never doubted that), but moreso, they are somebody's daughter, sister, niece, ect

If any of us had daughters, would we want to exploit them, like that?

[RapturiteSean]

I will pray for you. Having a healthy desire for your spouse is fine. Watching pornography is not something every man does, so it is not every mans challenge. I have been blessed with a lack of desire or interest that way.
I cannot relate to your problem but I do pray that God will replace your desires with something healthy that you will enjoy even more.

[tbrian40]

Praying for everyone struggling with this. I am learning to just pray through when I'm tempted by the devil. That's right, if you have time to sin, than you have time to talk to Jesus instead...He is intercedding for us all the time. Is this race easy? It can be when we drop it and give it all to Him. I'm 41 and single...I understand.

[Heislove]

long time reader, never posted. i guess I am too embarassed or ashamed to reveal my problem but nothing else works. avoiding pornography is easy for me, but avoiding masturbation is not. in my old age, i still stuggle with this. i feel ashamed for my self indulgence and try to bottle that guilt and anger so i can remember it next time my sexual desire overtakes me, but it never seems to work. i have struggled with this all my life, and while it has been about 15 years since I looked at pornography, images in my head never go away. sometimes i will be asleep and wake up to lucid dreams realizing i've yet again succumb to temptation. I know God can help me through this but I must be doing something wrong. It is a terrible struggle.

[Wally]

We have an adorable Shiba Inu - more like a plush soft teddy bear than a dog....

But she does dog things - eats ...whatever....sniffs....cat's b....you probably know what I mean...


ANYWAY..... even with the disgusting dog things she does, we still treasure her.


In many ways it describes the love God has for us. We do such stupid and sometimes disgusting things.....
...well.... it just makes the Cross that much more amazing.

And there lies the power of the Cross - while we were yet sinners.... Christ went anyway.
Here is where we focus - Lord what did it cost You.... to bear my shame, pay my price....
Here we find growth, power, maturity..... When I survey the Wondrous Cross.....

It gives us the abitlity to see sin for what it is. And with His view, we can distance ourselves from sin and draw closer to Him.



And next week this adorable puppy returns with half a squirrel.... Oh God, Your Patience is beyond imagination.


Remember we are not dogs, we are His Children (when we faithe- believe), but some of us need more training than others.
Stay in His Word - be immersed - and get friends to help. A 3 strand cord is not easily broken.



PS: Shibas are like cats - they do not train well, but they love like no other dog I've ever had.

[ransomed]

long time reader, never posted. i guess I am too embarassed or ashamed to reveal my problem but nothing else works. avoiding pornography is easy for me, but avoiding masturbation is not. in my old age, i still stuggle with this. i feel ashamed for my self indulgence and try to bottle that guilt and anger so i can remember it next time my sexual desire overtakes me, but it never seems to work. i have struggled with this all my life, and while it has been about 15 years since I looked at pornography, images in my head never go away. sometimes i will be asleep and wake up to lucid dreams realizing i've yet again succumb to temptation. I know God can help me through this but I must be doing something wrong. It is a terrible struggle.

I agree with you it is a terrible struggle and the enemy keeps using it because it is so powerful. Pornography is really like a drug. But it seems like you have actually conguered the biggest battle if you are no longer viewing pornography. Praise the Lord for that! As far as the rest of the struggle, a couple of verses/thoughts came to mind.

First, 2 Corinthians 10:5...Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. I like the King James Version for this verse because it uses the word imagination, and this is exactly what the enemy is doing to keep us in bondage. He is using our imaginations with lurid images to tempt us so that hopefully we will fall into sin. But as Paul says, we can take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. I have been incorporating that verse into my prayer life a lot lately, saying Lord, help me today to take every thought and make it captive to Jesus. And I have found that, in the moment of temptation, it really works!

Second, Romans 12:2...And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Based on what you said in your post, it seems like your mind is really the battlefield you are in now (as opposed to dealing with an actual physical addiction), since pornography is no longer a problem for you. The enemy is just exploiting your current weakness to sin. And you can use the power of prayer and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the moment of temptation to do battle, by praying that the Lord would deliver you, and putting on the armor of God. And that is when the renewing of the mind can take place. When the enemy no longer has a place to stand, so he must leave.

I was having lurid dreams for a while too. I'm not sure where you fall in terms of your theology and specific beliefs about the Bible....I am very open to the supernatural, both good and evil, so I started praying that the Lord would send angels (warriors) around me to protect me in my sleep. I renounced all spirits of unrighteousness because they have no legal access to me (because we have been purified by the blood of Jesus and are protected by His power and His great name), and I prayed that the Lord would rebuke any demonic presence or stronghold that was trying to overcome me. It worked the first night and those dreams only happen once in a great while now.

Lastly, don't forget Romans 8:1. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Lord is not angry with you. So remember to also forgive yourself in any moment of weakness or temptation. The enemy wants to us be defeated, but the Lord wants all of his children to have life and peace.

[Heislove]

I would like to blame it on all the young ladies I have to encounter on a daily basis. I'd like to say if they could keep things a bit more modest, a bit less form fitting, maybe I wouldn't be staring and storing the image in my brain. I'm sure lots of you men could relate!

But I can't blame them, I am supposed to overcome temptation and God wouldn't lead me down a path I can't handle, right?

Quitting pornography was very difficult at first and after some hard training became a way of life. But I feel my body retrained itself to just be creative to lead me down the same path. Very frustrating. For my friends who suffer problems with pornography, remember that the magazines, the videos, etc are only half the battle.