Overcoming Porn addiction is a serious problem for Christian men. Studies indicate that 60-70% of men in the evangelical church are addicted. It’s rarely discussed. And the number breaking free is small.
And for Christian men, it gets worse. Because Christian men know that viewing porn is a sin of sexual lust. And Jesus clearly taught that to think about adultery and commit adultery are both sin.
So Christian men who follow Jesus and call him Lord. Desire healthy marriages. Recognize porn as sin. Know it damages their family relationships. But still can’t quit are trapped.
So what do they do?
Hide their porn addiction, maintain a Christian appearance, and suffer with a profoundly deep and secret shame.
I’ve worked with these men for the last 5 years and observed these three keys for conquering porn addiction.
Christian Men Who Overcome Porn Addiction Want To Be Free
This sounds obvious, but it isn’t. Because the journey towards sobriety is a long haul. It requires more than a casual interest. So ask yourself. How much do you really want it?
The men I know celebrating freedom first plunged to the bottom. They cried out in despair, feeling both helpless and hopeless. Alarmed that their most treasured relationships were on the line. They became determined to overcome porn no matter what.
Other men join our groups because their wives threaten them. They attend and participate. Say all the right things. But don’t fully own the problem. Or often even admit it is a problem. They’re just appeasing their wives. And that is not enough.
Only when you’ve reached the bottom, you’re drowning in shame, desperate for freedom and willing to make recovery a priority are you ready to begin. Victory is possible. But it’s a long fought battle.
Christian Men Who Overcome Porn Addiction Approach It As A Moral And Neurological Problem
Porn addiction begins as a moral problem of engaging in lustful, sexual thoughts. So it’s natural to think the solution is a spiritual reversal. Increase how often you read God’s word, pray and confess. Pursue a deeper, spiritual life. And this is all important to the recovery process.
Except porn addiction is both a moral problem and a brain problem.
Because viewing porn over a period of time releases unhealthy surges of dopamine into the brain that alters gene expression and causes physical damage. In fact, brain scans show similarities between a cocaine addict’s brain and a porn addict’s brain.
Fortunately, God formed the brain with plasticity so it can return to normal. Renewing the mind can take 2-3 years, but is possible with perseverance.
Christian Men Who Overcome Porn Bring It Into The Light
Trying to overcome porn addiction by yourself is a long shot. Although Satan will urge you to try. Because he wants you isolated. Hiding in secret. Overwhelmed with shame. And trapped in hopeless bondage.
The men who experience freedom go public. They don’t confess it to everyone. In fact, they don’t always tell their wives until they are on a solid path towards recovery. Confidentiality is crucial for an effective porn addiction, recovery ministry.
But it starts with humility. Admit the problem to yourself. Confess it to God. Then seek the encouragement and support of other men. This is your brotherhood. A community of accountability partners. Who pick you up and watch your back. And with linked arms, you walk in the power of God’s Spirit towards victory.
There is hope. You can overcome porn addiction. When you admit the reality. Confess the sin. And commit to restoration. That’s God’s desire for you too.About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
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Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. In the midst of our country’s current unrest, an important fabric has been torn. Have you noticed?
It’s trust.
It’s trust that lets me drive on the right side of the road and expect oncoming drivers to do the same. And we smile and wave passing safely on our side of the road. At least I smile and wave. You might be texting.
Trust promotes order in a free, civilized society. And to remain, well, civilized. Otherwise, social order is at risk.
But perhaps, what’s really troubling us is a spiritual trust issue. One that penetrates deep within the human heart. And concerns spiritual questions of purpose, meaning and existence.
So, here are three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor.
Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. In What Are You Placing Your Spiritual Trust?
Beyond trusting me to stay on my side of the road. And perhaps refrain from texting while driving, what are you trusting? Money? A job? A political party? A skill-set? The government? A religion or philosophy?
As a Christ-follower, I trust an almighty God who has my best interest in mind. Because He is the only one who is completely, spiritually trustworthy.
Sure, there are things in this world that provide a level of security. But never completely. Since there are no guarantees. There is always some doubt. Did I do enough? Have enough? Check all the boxes?
Furthermore, scripture says God has a sovereign plan. And He’s moving us towards it. You might even sense the pace is quickening. The signs of something looming more visible. Maybe you’re even feeling a bit nervous and uncertain.
Scripture says no amount of good works will qualify me FOR God’s love and no amount of bad behavior will disqualify me FROM God’s love. That’s comforting because I’m pretty sure my bad outweighs the good. How about you? The good news is that God’s grace covers all who respond and accept it.
That’s a spiritual trust that leads to spiritual peace.
Three questions to measure your spiritual trust factor. How Proven Is The Source Of Your Spiritual Trust?
The Bible is absolute truth for Christ-followers. And you can’t get any more spiritually trustworthy than absolute.
It’s been scrutinized, analyzed and dissected more than any other document in the world. It’s historical accuracy is supported by archeology. It bats a thousand on hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. And withstood all claims of error for over 2,000 years.
From a human perspective, no other document is anywhere close in credibility, accuracy and reliability. Not one offers a higher level of spiritual trust.
How Reliable Is The Object Of Your Spiritual Trust?
My grandparents owned a farm with a pond. And we skated on it in the winter when cold temperatures froze it over. But you couldn’t tell how thick the ice was by looking at it. You had to test it.
And the level of trust you demonstrated didn’t matter.
You could march out confidently and fall through thin ice. Or inch out cautiously on thick ice that easily supported your weight. But what mattered was the trustworthiness of the ice. The object of your trust.
For Christ followers, that object is Jesus Christ. He claims to be the way, the truth and the life. The key to eternal life. The Son of God. But you can’t just believe in him. You have to spiritually trust him.
And when you do, it’s a game changer. One with an eternal impact.
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. The Bible is God’s word and therefore, His absolute truth. It doesn’t revise to reflect changes in cultural attitudes or personal moral preferences. But things work better when we conform to its teaching and here’s why it matters.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It reflects the real world.
Physical laws govern our universe. Like the north and south pole we use for navigation. Laws of physics, mathematics, and science for construction, developing technology, and formulating medicine. And of course, an atmosphere and gravity. Or we all would have already floated off into space…holding our breaths.
We depend on these laws for existence. And rely on them to manufacture things that improve our quality of life.
And there’s a moral reality too. We see it the moment someone cuts ahead of us in a waiting line and we object. “Hey, that’s not fair!” But wait. How do we instinctively and immediately know that? How do even young children know that when another child snatches a toy from them it’s wrong? Because we inherently know the same God who set physical laws also established moral laws based on absolute truth.
And obedience or disobedience to these laws also affects our quality of life. In short, as everyone willingly follows God’s moral laws, it produces a more peaceful, harmonious, and civil society.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It creates a uniform code of conduct.
The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. (ESV, Psalm 119:160)
My truth. Your truth. Relative truth. Sounds good in ideological theory because it suits everyone’s personal taste. Besides, no one likes someone else telling them what to do. But it’s an impossible reality. How do you navigate billions of individual truths? However, absolute, Biblical truth provides common rules of expected behavior for everyone.
God doesn’t give us rules to oppress human desires, but guard rail them in order to promote human flourishing. Because taking my neighbor’s belongings–his property or wife–incites conflict and pain that extends beyond the two of us. However, assisting him with a home repair promotes goodwill that might return to me when I need help.
In addition, Biblical teachings on what is right, acceptable, and fair promote trust since God’s absolute truth is completely trustworthy. And they inform us when behavior goes out of bounds. Otherwise, we all make up our own rules, which means you can’t build trust or maintain order. Then what? You form alliances, build barricades, and buy guns.
Three reasons absolute truth matters. It’s an exclusive path that sets you free.
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (ESV, John 14:6)
Isn’t this the most outrageous claim ever? Jesus says he is the EXCLUSIVE path to God and heaven.
Pretty arrogant when you think about it. Or crazy. Or cunningly deceitful. But worth thoughtfully considering. Because if his claim is true it has profound significance for the entire world.
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (ESV, John 8:32)
Wow. Not only is Jesus exclusive, he is the embodiment of truth itself. But sets us free from what?
And the answer is from sin. We are born into it. Immersed in it. And oppressed by it. But don’t even know it until freed from it.
To deny the existence of objective truth beyond human experience creates a dilemma. Without a transcendent God who establishes truth, you are forever trapped within your subjective experience. Unable to get outside of that subjectivity and objectively define truth. Therefore, freedom and hope are illusions. With no sense of stability. No foundation to stand on.
Because true freedom requires trusting in an absolute, transcendent God.
And in God’s divine providence, this freedom starts with belief. Through a step of faith. That embarks on a new, spiritual reality of following Jesus. One that is liberating and completely transforming.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview.This blog is originally published here.
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. –Isaiah 26:3
The Bible’s path to peace in today’s pandemic is contrary to other worldviews. In the midst of so much turmoil, maybe you’re asking if any peace is possible. The Bible says “yes” and shows you the way.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Comes From God
The Bible is clear on where and how you find peace.
In Isaiah 26:3, the Hebrew word for peace is Shalom. It means peace with God. In other words, God is the source of peace. And you access that peace through a right relationship with Him.
Without God you must rely on yourself and government for peace. But finding peace within yourself is difficult when you’re surrounded by turmoil and insecurity. Violence in the streets. A contagious, potentially lethal disease. And government leaders who are uncertain or unwilling to maintain order.
But according to the Bible, a right relationship with God provides a sense of security unaffected by external circumstances. It settles your heart and promotes a sense of calm and well-being despite what is going on around you.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Has A Steadfast Mind
We often view steadfast as a resolute, individual will and determined spirit. Like pressing forward alone in the midst of a storm. Fueled by an inner strength.
But the Bible says you aren’t alone. And you’re not expected to gut it out by yourself. The Hebrew word for steadfast in this Bible verse means to lean on.
In other words, the person with a steadfast mind leans on God for strength. And gains peace from God. Because God wants to support you. Guide you through His word. Fill you with His presence. And He waits for you to ask.
Leaning on God acknowledges your human frailty. And in today’s culture is possibly your greatest act of humility and courage.
The Bible’s Path To Peace Trusts In God
The Hebrew word for trust in this Bible verse means to place your confidence in.
And that is earned over time as words and actions align. But a pattern God consistently demonstrates throughout the Bible.
Obviously, placing trust in God is a problem if you doubt His existence. But it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
Many people in the Bible expressed doubt. On one occasion, a man needed a miracle so bad he pleaded with Jesus to help his unbelief. So maybe the real test is not your level of doubt but desperation.
However, it does require a step of faith. A small one that leads to a big change. And puts you firmly on the Bible’s path to peace.
As the world re-opens from Coronavirus, re-engagement uncertainty among Christ-followers varies for different reasons. And while life following Coronavirus is unknown, Christ-followers can remain confident. Confident not careless.
Here are some thoughts to guide Christ-followers in re-engagement.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AS CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES
A Christ-follower’s confidence is built on certainty in an almighty God who has you and the world in His grip.
God is a person, not a thing. Close, not distant. If He seems far away, it’s because you moved, not Him. But He is always in reach and eager for your return. Your confidence increases through a growing relationship with Him by…
Following His son Jesus Christ
Praying and studying His Word—the Bible
Assembling with His people—the church
You’ll discover God’s purpose for you and His eternal plan for the world. And gain assurance and most importantly, hope.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES BY RENEWING YOUR MIND
Messages from this world—media reports, talk shows and stories on social media—regularly spew negative messages. They pollute the mind and invoke fear. And when God’s enemy controls your mind, he controls you.
So clear the clutter. Reboot your brain. As the Bible says, renew your mind and take your thoughts captive by purposefully directing your thought life. In other words, master your mind and so it doesn’t master you.
God’s Word is solid ground amid a tempestuous sea of ideas and opinions. A reliable message that fosters mental, emotional and psychological stability. Consume it regularly and your mind will fill with truth that is spiritually transforming and sets you free.
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER’S CORONAVIRUS RE-ENGAGEMENT UNCERTAINTY DECREASES AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD INCREASES AS YOU STAND ON HIS PROMISES
The Bible offers many promises that provide reassurance.
In fact, try this. Conduct an Internet search on God’s Promises in the Bible for a list of scripture passages. Then read one or two every morning. Reflect on it, claim it and ask God to apply it to your life.
Here’s one to start you off. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. —Jeremiah 29:11
Christ-followers should use good sense and take precautions as you re-engage from Coronavirus. But live with hope rather than fear. And share that hope with others.
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