well, guys, i am addicited to it. I have been trying to get rid of pornography. I manage to stay away from it when i am close to God, but i always fall back to the same old way... Could somebody out there give me some advice? and please pray for me...
This issue needs to be discussed privately and not publicly in a forum. My email address is available in my profile.
This ministry is a great resource for this problem: http://www.illbehonest.com/
Feel free to contact James on that site even by phone for serious biblical counsel.
well, guys, i am addicited to it. I have been trying to get rid of pornography. I manage to stay away from it when i am close to God, but i always fall back to the same old way... Could somebody out there give me some advice? and please pray for me...
Brother, I think it just comes down to if we are going to trust the Lord with it or keep doing it our way. How much are you willing to suffer, how much are you willing to lose, and how much longer are you willing to let it go on before you do it His way?
From "False Intimacy" by Harry Schaumburg page 23:
Page 23 (quoting C.S. Lewis)
At the risk of offering a barren platitude, I suggest that sexual addiction primarily stems from the sinfulness of the human heart and a reluctance to be in a passionate, dependent relationship with God.
With a certain amount of risk, I'm going to post my personal testimony. I only finihsed it about 10 days ago. I'm 54 now. As I have struggled to get free, I often times just wanted to read about some other brother's struggle rather than someone give me advice. If the moderators don't believe this is appropriate, maybe you could email me at exreo1995 at yahoo dot com, and I would like to send it to you if you have any interest. But again I think the question you have to ask yourself is how big a price are you willing to pay before you stop? Are you willing to lose your wife, your kids, your health and possibly even your life? Losing your job is a small price to pay. Thanks, EZ
Testimony to follow in another post.
Deleted.
IF I may just ask for caution when this topic is discussed. There are sister here and young ones that come on. This is a difficult topic and one that I realize affects many in the church but please be mindful and in prayer when posting and discussing this in an open forum such as this....
God Bless
mj
okay,, i am sorry..
okay thanks
btw, could u help me to delete the thread? I don't know how to do it...
hi, thanks for reminding me that. Sorry for doing that in a forum. How do i find your email? I couldn't find it in your profile. Sorry,i am new to the forum.
If you look at the bottom of the thread I posted with, you can click on the word "profile" and when you open that, my information is listed in there.
By the way Duck-Knight, I wanted to make it clear that my intention really is to offer you help in this area, just that the nature of the discussion is so shameful that it can actually cause other people to be stumbled just by having to talk about it. I hope you understand that it is not I or anybody's intention to not be concerned, nor to not be loving or caring about seeing you helped here.
I just know how the human mind works, and this is one of the things our brother in the Lord Paul would have said to be something that is "Shameful to speak of."
Don't you see that the evil wants us to hide this shame? This needs to be open, talked about, prayed about in public. This is why it is so large in the church, because its a "dirty" secret. Let the kids see the effects of the this sin. They will have to face it and they need to see where it leads. We need much to be bold and brave here. I'm not saying post things that are wrong, but Endzones testimony touched my heart and now I can pray for with because it kills me to see someone go through that. Please don't delete this or stop this thread, men its time to come out and not hide it anymore. Let the light shine on it. More and more women are starting to fall into this as well. Its time to take a stand and fight it.
I suppose Inlove, that the topic could be discussed in public if everyone who contributed to the thread agreed to maintain a modicum of discernment and to avoid detail that causes brothers to sin. Setting stumbling blocks before others is a dangerous thing. This topic has gotten out of hand on this forum in the past, and I have also seen/heard it discussed in churches in a way that severely lacked discernment. The problem with discussing this specifically is almost any discussion about it can actually cause someone to sin nearly instantly with their mind. Scripture addresses it plenty, and at least my intention was not to hide it, I had no intention to convey the idea that we should do so, my intention personally is to exercise discretion. I have discussed this openly with hundreds of people. There just seems to be a bit of an awkward danger in discussing issues that men can speak to men about, and women can speak to women about, when the cross-over in a public forum can cause a bit of a panic.
Jesus is delivering people from this heinous sin and he is able to keep us from falling by his grace.
by Areadymind on 2011/9/29 12:05:00
I suppose Inlove, that the topic could be discussed in public if everyone who contributed to the thread agreed to maintain a modicum of discernment and to avoid detail that causes brothers to sin. Setting stumbling blocks before others is a dangerous thing. This topic has gotten out of hand on this forum in the past, and I have also seen/heard it discussed in churches in a way that severely lacked discernment. The problem with discussing this specifically is almost any discussion about it can actually cause someone to sin nearly instantly with their mind. Scripture addresses it plenty, and at least my intention was not to hide it, I had no intention to convey the idea that we should do so, my intention personally is to exercise discretion. I have discussed this openly with hundreds of people. There just seems to be a bit of an awkward danger in discussing issues that men can speak to men about, and women can speak to women about, when the cross-over in a public forum can cause a bit of a panic.
Jesus is delivering people from this heinous sin and he is able to keep us from falling by his grace.
____
I agree completely with what you shared here. I do understand that this is a real issue for many men today and I will pray for the original poster of the thread. I think he should be in touch with some of the older brothers here for help. I just think there needs to be caution in how this is discussed in an open forum as was mentioned with an avoidance in descriptive speak being a priority.
God bless
mj
Endzone, I read your long post - testimony. I sense in you a heartfelt desire to know the LORD. However, in reading it some questions keep nagging in my mind so I thought I would just put them out there for your consideration. You may not know the answer either.
You declared that you were able to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit while deeply involved in immorality. From your testimony, I do not doubt you were empowered by a spirit but are you certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was the Holy Spirit?
You know the devil will work to mimic God at every turn. Paul warns us about the devil appearing as an angel of light. He says that if this angel will preach a message contrary to what he spoke he is to be accursed! Gal. 1:8.
In Galatians 5:16-25 NASB we read:
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
From these scriptures it would appear to me you were not empowered by the Holy Spirit although it would seem so on the one hand. But when you went out and fulfilled the lusts of the flesh with no impunity it leaves me wondering about your comprehension of what spirit was empowering you.
Mind to comment?
Blessings.
ginnyrose
Repent and believe the Gospel. Christ has deliverance for you.
If you are ready for it.
QUOTE: "This issue needs to be discussed privately and not publicly in a forum. My email address is available in my profile."
Is this a rebuke? If it is i totally disagree, and so does the Word of God. Bringing one's private sins into the light is biblical and may be very helpful for others here who may be struggling with the same problem. Shame on you if it is a rebuke. I admire the poster for his honesty and courage. However, if you meant this simply as an invitation for deeper discussion for deeper confidence then that is fine. There were no dirty details in his post and nothing inappropriate; as long as the discussion remains so i see no reason to rebuke or ban this type of thread.
Bless you Areadymind and MaryJane.
You ADULTS need to remember that there are underage children on this site at ALL times and remember that they have parents and you may even bring CHARGES AGAINST SERMONINDEX.
If any of you wouldn't stand up in a Church, where there's women and young children in the congregation and say anything about these things in front of them all - you shouldn't do it here neither.
If someone needs help, they should look for help in their local area for 'accountability' and if there is absolutely no one in their area, they should look for email addresses of mature Christians online and/or ministries for this problem - which there are plenty and seek GOD on your face in prayer with His Word open before you.
Brother Duck-Knight if I may suggest a book that helped me and depending on where you are in your life, choose accordingly One is for married men and the other is for young men who are likely single.
Every Man's Battle and Every Young Man's Battle.
I have read them both, I use to struggle greatly with this and it took a lot to even just resist such and invitation. As Alreadymind has already said this topic is shameful BUT if you can find someone who you can take confidence in say a dad or a close friend who you can confess this sin to when you stumble to its actually helps. Why? because there is something wonderful about confession and even on this forum I bet after you posted what you did there was greater relief in you just for asking for help.
I found a few other things as well, many men don't necessarily are attracted to the lustful for the immorality part of pornography but it goes deeper every man wants to feel accepted and wanted and that is actually what pornography does is makes you feel accepted and wanted to the very least it certianly won't reject you, which is the greater temptation.
I found some peace in Christ when I found out that HE loves and accepts me and REALLY believed this, I started to really focus on Christ and see how He loved me and accepted me.
The books I suggested you won't do you a lick of good if you are trying to fill a hole that God intends on filling or if you are seeking acceptance that God already offers, the books do however offer you practical steps anyone can take to help aid in the process.
I know you may already know this but this matter is of great urgency because if you are married it will steal your family and if you are single it could very well spoil what you don't even have yet and I say this speaking from experience of walking the harder and broken road. BUT God is still in the redeeming and saving business. Email me at mguldner@hotmail.com if you wish to talk more.
God Bless,
Matthew
Quote: "You ADULTS need to remember that there are underage children on this site at ALL times and remember that they have parents and you may even bring CHARGES AGAINST SERMONINDEX."
Overreact much?
I agree with Jesus-is-God, there is much wisdom in the words she is speaking.
Trekker...You think JiG is “Overreact much? I disagree with you on this.
I think it is a VERRY good point when she is saying “If any of you wouldn't stand up in a Church….
Etc…
browny
We need to face the fact that pornography is a major problem in the Body of Christ, and this includes pastors and leaders.
The enemy has power over those in bondage to this sin as long as they are in denial and will not bring their sin out into the light. Being open and honest about our struggles and sins, confessing our sins to one another causes the enemy to loose his power in those areas that have been hidden in darkness.
However, especially in the area of sexual sin, there is no need in rehersing each detail which could cause others to stumble. We need to confess our faults and failures in a very general way sparing the details. I have counciled with people that have shared their struggles with me cocncering sexual sins and really felt that they shared too much detail, and I had to wash myself with the word and the blood just to deal with the imaginations that came. We must recognize the devices of the enemy.
The Church to a large degree has swept these matters under the rug, and men and women remain in bondage to this sin. This is not just a male problem, but an increasing number of females are becoming addicted to pornography and chat rooms.
There is total deliverance and freedom for all those that really want to be set free. The blood and name of Jesus are still mighty to set the captives free.
Mike
Yes brother Mike it is a fact we need to face and think about this. And there is room to share and to seek advice on SI by brothers and sisters who are not judging people for struggling with pornography or related items like that.
And Amen to your what you are saying Mike about bringing those things in the light.
And I am glad you are mentioning about “sharing details” and how you had to wash yourself with the word. Although a woman, I know where you are speaking about.
A bondage it is! A mean weapon of the devil with the purpose to destroy lives & family relationships & health And sadly to say… for believers also their relationship of peace with the Lord.
And I also know there is TOTAL deliverance possible of ALL kinds of sin including sexual addiction. ONLY BY THE BLOOD AND BY THE NAME OF JESUS. And..the heart of a person in need, looking only to the Lord, seeking Him with reverence fear and the deep desire to walk in His ways.
One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control I believe this fruit of - controlling yourself- also is for our sexual life, way of thinking and acting in this area.
As a daughter of a prostitute I have seen many man in deep trouble.
There were some preachers included and when I was witnessing to my mother about my faith, it was a strong argument for her not to trust those man who, before the started their meeting, preaching about Jesus, came to see her. Having their face “shining “ on billboards in the town she lived underlined with words from the Bible….
Later I worked with an organization to reach prostitutes with the gospel, visiting them at their places and I have seen a few of them get saved. I can tell you, they have a wonderful testimony and by the reality of their new life and by showing their pure daily walk now they are a blessing to many people.
So sharing is fine, as long as it is with the desire to get out of this pit of sin. -And I am not suggesting you -duck-knight - to be not willing to get free of this bondage.-
I believe you truly are seeking a way out.
But don’t you give the answer yourself ??…I quote from your words: “ I manage to stay away from it when i am close to God”
So brother. repent, be reconciled by the Blood of Jesus, stay close to Him, read and – live - His word in your daily life, give it all your strength to follow Him and RUN if you experience this sin to get a hold of you. Just Run..away from it. Turn your head away, close your computer if necessarily, fill your thinking only with the word of life and pureness and let the fruit of the Spirit –of self-control -grow in you.
Shalom,
Browny.
In response to trekker, no it was not a rebuke. My intention, as I stated a number of times is to offer help, and cover sin.
If you all want to listen to a great sermon about confession. This sermon by J. Edwin Orr has a great deal of practical wisdom concerning it.
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=149&commentView=itemComments
We need to face the fact that pornography is a major problem in the Body of Christ, and this includes pastors and leaders.The enemy has power over those in bondage to this sin as long as they are in denial and will not bring their sin out into the light. Being open and honest about our struggles and sins, confessing our sins to one another causes the enemy to loose his power in those areas that have been hidden in darkness.
However, especially in the area of sexual sin, there is no need in rehersing each detail which could cause others to stumble. We need to confess our faults and failures in a very general way sparing the details. I have counciled with people that have shared their struggles with me cocncering sexual sins and really felt that they shared too much detail, and I had to wash myself with the word and the blood just to deal with the imaginations that came. We must recognize the devices of the enemy.
The Church to a large degree has swept these matters under the rug, and men and women remain in bondage to this sin. This is not just a male problem, but an increasing number of females are becoming addicted to pornography and chat rooms.
There is total deliverance and freedom for all those that really want to be set free. The blood and name of Jesus are still mighty to set the captives free.
Mike
Thank you for your encouraging post. I agree that the details of sexual sin are certainly not needed. The enemy does use them to make them stick in your mind for a while. But at least you had the courage to be concerned enough to try to help brothers and sisters that are so struggling in this area of their life. May the Lord bless you for that and bless your ministry. Thanks.
I have deleted my personal testimony from this thread as I know the moderators had some reservations about it and others just flat didn't like it.
Sincerely,
EZ
I am praying for you with fervency as some of my loved ones have been caught by this as well. Pls don't feel scolded for asking for help.....if you can't find someone's personal email, the moderator, Greg Gordon can help you....
GOD BLESS YOU!
I am praying for you with fervency as some of my loved ones have been caught by this as well. Pls don't feel scolded for asking for help.....if you can't find someone's personal email, the moderator, Greg Gordon can help you....GOD BLESS YOU!
Thank you so much, and the Lord bless you.
1058 Views.....30 replies. Maybe this is deeper than we think for a lot of Christians.
The cure for pornography is repentance and saving faith. It does not matter if a person is a pastor, deacon....etc. No one can be right with God and partake of these things.
"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Cor. 6:9-11).
There is hope. Paul said, "And such were some of you..."
Cast yourself upon Christ. He has grace for victory. Get rid of anything that would lead to impure thoughts: immodest dress, television, books and magazines with impure ads or story lines, internet sites, anything that would lead to wrong thoughts or doing. Think upon things that are pure, lovely, virtuous, of good report, etc. Make a radical break with sin and trust in the cleansing blood of Christ.
JB1968 on 2011/10/6 17:33:28 wrote:
"The cure for pornography is repentance and saving faith. It does not matter if a person is a pastor, deacon....etc. No one can be right with God and partake of these things."
JB1968, if we take out 'pornography' of your above statement and replaced it with the word 'SIN', would that be the path for one to become totally sinless? Is it really that easy, 'JUST DON'T DO IT.'?
Are you currently totally sinless?
If so, how long have you been sinless?
My view to Christians on how to escape one's addiction to pornography is to take God with you [the addict] in all we do, even when one reverts to pornography, take God with you and confess to God that you (the addict) are unable to stop yourself from seeking pornography, that you are helpless, you want to stop and so far you can't, and tell God you love Him, and know He loves you, and you wish to be His, but you have no control over your compulsive addiction toward porno. He must tell God that it is up to Him (GOD) to change his very nature that pornography becomes no longer a desire. And the Holy Spirit will change his very nature so as to be delivered from this addiction, We must remain in fellowship with God even when we are weak and doing wrong things, and observe first hand God's love and deliverance. It may take awhile, but trust God (faith), He loves you and wants to deliver you when asked. It may take awhile, be patient, God will not fail.
Art, you obviously haven't done an Exhaustive study on "Pornea" - which includes any type of sexual sins.
It's the one spoken of the most in the N.T. and the one that Paul and others give the greatest amount of Scriptural advice on ... and "Just Stop" is a good paraphrase of just one of Paul's exhortations regarding it.
Do a complete N.T. search and then study on "fornication" and see what you see at the end of that search & study.
I did that a long time ago in order to understand it and help somebody. It's very clear what GOD says on this particular sin regarding the flesh, and how His Body is to handle such things.
See how important that it is, that this particular 'sin' be nipped in the bud, dealt with immediately and Paul's recommendation on 'how'. We may not believe in sinless-perfection, but His Word is quite clear on the "how long" should we allow certain type sins in our own flesh and in the Church. Time to get rugged with this one and not be wimps-for-women. The 'flesh-hooks' need to go or the person will have 'voluntarily' drowned themselves. This one is serious-business and His Word gives ALL the advice that any man needs - period.
To call it an "addiction" is to use the secularists terms. Paul does not even hint at that term in The Word, so neither does GOD. It's just something that some folks 'prefer' to do, over loving GOD over SELF pleasure... period again.
Okay Jesus-is-God.
If what you say works, that is good. I was simply giving my personal view on the matter, and certainly not the final word on such a vast topic.
BTW, I have no personal desire to look up fornication, nor all other sexual acts mentioned in the Bible. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived had many wives, had many male and female concubines. The same with his father David. It is not the sex that is wrong, nor the number of partners one has sex with, at least if you believe the OT. But adultery and murder is unacceptable before God. Even in the NT, Paul informed Clergy they should have but one wife. There was no prohibition toward a Christian having more than one wife.
As for me, one wife is certainly plenty. And a wonderful woman, mother,and wife she is.
Art, if all you can give is Pre-Christ's Crucifiction & Resurrection examples - then you shouldn't be on this thread unless you've studied what I mentioned above, because the words of our New Testament, given to us at such a great cost, should be our guide book, by the Nail Prints in His Hands and sending of His Spirit to indwell and direct into All Truth.
Some use the O.T. ONLY when it's Convienent!
There was no prohibition toward a Christian having more than one wife.
Where/when will these type posts end?
(quote)Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived had many wives, had many male and female concubines. The same with his father David. It is not the sex that is wrong, nor the number of partners one has sex with, at least if you believe the OT.(quote)
Ok i have never heard that they had male concubines? please give scripture if you post something like that. I do not believe that solomon and david where homosexuals.
BTW, I have no personal desire to look up fornication, nor all other sexual acts mentioned in the Bible. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived had many wives, had many male and female concubines. The same with his father David. It is not the sex that is wrong, nor the number of partners one has sex with, at least if you believe the OT.
Seriously Art? Repent dude, David and Solomon didn't have male concubines that's just really bad interpretation.
David and Solomon both LOVED the Law of God dearly. David wrote his loving devotion to the Law of God, and what was forbidden in the Law of God? homosexuality, David wept bitterly for one act of adultery he wouldn't have been caught dead with official concubine males because it would have simply been a HUGE contradition to David's Love for the Word.
But sure go ahead please point me to the scriptures that state these two men were homosexual and had male concubines.
If you are trying to set up a good argument at least use good scriptural evidence and interpretation, otherwise on this particular forum you won't get any respect as a student of the Scriptures and will hardly be taken seriously.
Jesus-is-GOD on 2011/10/6 21:41:30 wrote:
"Art, if all you can give is Pre-Christ's Crucifiction & Resurrection examples - then you shouldn't be on this thread unless you've studied what I mentioned above, because the words of our New Testament, given to us at such a great cost, should be our guide book, by the Nail Prints in His Hands and sending of His Spirit to indwell and direct into All Truth.
Some use the O.T. ONLY when it's Convienent!"
I find using both the OT and the NT have lots to say to us when used in context.
Jesus-is-GOD on 2011/10/6 21:41:30 also wrote:
"
[quote ArtB]There was no prohibition toward a Christian having more than one wife.
Where/when will these type posts end?"
And I will reply with William Paley's famous line: "Who can refute a sneer."
The reality is that Paul clearly stated that, what we call clergy, (i.e. Bishops, Pastors,etc.) must have no more than one wife. This recommendation was based upon Paul's view that having one wife requires a husband to spend a considerable amount of time with her in their union together. Having two wives would require even more considerable time to also please the 2nd wife with the same quality time she deserves. And then there will be more children to raise, teach, and to spend quality time with.
Paul's ideal for clergy was to have no wives so that they could spend all their time spreading and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, just like himself. But he allowed for one wife for clergy due to the way God made us.
And Paul is correct on this. But Paul saw no need to impose one wife only on non-clergy. It is quite clear from his comments that he did not object to non-clergy Christians having a second wife. And there were Christians who had more than one wife. If Paul felt this was wrong, Paul would have explicitly banned all Christian men from taking more than one woman as a wife, and not just single out Clergy. There were Christians over the next four centuries who had more than one wife.
As for me, I think one wife is plenty. I have enough trouble pleasing the one.
Later on would come the Catholic Church, led by Jerome and Augustine, banning marriage altogether for clergy. A good reason for this was so the Priest could be wholly dedicated to his duties full time as Paul suggested. The real reason for this is that the Catholic Church need not waste wealth on clergy families and that clergy families will not inherit property when the Clergy pass away, it will belong to the Church.
As for the topic, pornography totally distorts and perverts the beautiful sexual relationship between a man and a woman, and the oneness intended in that union, and of the overall loving family union including the Children.
This thread is being put to rest. Again, users are asked not to discuss pornographic or other sexual topics here. It is the height of folly to engage in these discussions like this. You open yourselves to all sorts to dangers, and you expose weaker believers to the same. There are special ministries that deal with this thing; if an individual is needing help in this area, it is recommended he or she seek out the appropriate avenue of approach.
by luke673 on 2011/10/7 5:00:55
"(quote)Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived had many wives, had many male and female concubines. The same with his father David. It is not the sex that is wrong, nor the number of partners one has sex with, at least if you believe the OT.(quote)
Ok i have never heard that they had male concubines? please give scripture if you post something like that. I do not believe that Solomon and david where homosexuals."
I am not going to discuss bi-sexuality in the Bible on this forum. I regret now that I mentioned it. I erred in writing male Concubines and I withdraw that remark. Thanks for pointing that out to me, Luke.
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