Breaking Free from Addiction to Pornography- Part 2 (Breaking the Cycle)

In Part 1 we discussed the cycle of pornography addiction that keeps people in bondage. For Christians who want to be set free, it is vital to know what keeps the cycle going. Condemnation is the fuel that keeps the cycle going on. Without condemnation, the cycle falls apart.

Here is a recap of the cycle:

1. Temptation

2.Confidence in the flesh

3.Sin

4.Shame,Guilt,Condemnation

5.Resolutions (based on human efforts)

In my last article I discussed that an understanding of grace is key to overcoming sin and breaking this cycle. Yet grace only works when you apply faith. So it is going to take faith to break the cycle. Faith is an action based on the Word of God.

Temptation– this comes in the form of words, a thought, or an image that you see with your eyes that arouses the senses to get you to sin. When the temptation comes, you must immediately recognize it as a demonic attack. So you must act instantly. By acting (releasing your faith), you combat the temptation with the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5 gives us the blueprint of how to do this:

Casting down imaginations, and every thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

So when the thought comes to your mind (thoughts or feelings of lust) you must immediately cast it down by proclaiming the Word of God. Find a scripture that corresponds directly with the situation. In the case of sexual sins, 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body, but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Don’t ‘think’ the scripture, say it out loud! I don’t care how stupid you might look, but speaking words out loud have the ability to break demonic thoughts. If you let the thought simmer in your mind without dealing with it, you will eventually end up in sin. For example, let’s say you are walking outside and see an attractive woman or you might be on the computer and something inappropriate pops up on your screen- say out loud, “Flee fornication!” In Genesis 39, when Joseph was presented with an opportunity to fornicate with Potiphar’s wife he didn’t stay a while and think about it—he fled instantly.

The reason a person will not cast the thought down instantly (by speaking) is because they are deceived into thinking that they can handle it. This is step 2 in the cycle, Confidence in the flesh. The truth of the matter is that you cannot handle it. Do not even put yourself in situations that are questionable, which would make it easy for you to fall.

Lets go back to step 1 and analyze it further, so you never make it to steps 2,3,4, and 5.  If you are in bondage, certain physiological things take place in your body when a temptation arises. For example, if you are an alcoholic and you see a picture of alcohol your hate rate will rise, eyes dilate, and other chemical reactions take place.  The same happens if you are addicted to chocolate, drugs, or pornography. Yet the deception is that this craving will last until you feed it what is wants. This is a lie straight from the pit. The reality is that these cravings or urges are temporary. And once they are dealt with (with the Word), they go away. In James 4:7 we are instructed to submit to God, then resist the devil, and he will flee from you. He doesn’t say resist the devil and he will flee from you. First  you must submit to God! This is done by speaking faith filled words out of your mouth, as we discussed earlier.

Inside of you are two natures. The old nature and the new nature (which you received by receiving Jesus as Lord). When you feed the new nature, by praying in the Spirit, reading the Word, praise and worship,and resisting temptation, it becomes stronger. When you feed the old nature (which should be dead and buried), by giving into lustful temptation, it becomes stronger. So after you have defeated the enemy a few times by resisting the devil’s temptation,  your new nature is now stronger and his attacks seem weaker and less threatening. This is also the process known as mind renewal.

So what happens if you fail and mess up? That is an excellent question. 1 John 2:1 says I write these things unto you, so that you may sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

So if you fall, dust yourself off, and get right back on the horse. God is not condemning you, He wants you to win. The enemy succeeds in keeping people in bondage because he pretends to sound like God with condemning thoughts. It is time to unmask the devil. When there is no condemnation, there is no bondage!

In Phil 3:13 Paul says, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So forget the past, you are free to run your race! I don’t care if you may have messed up yesterday, God is saying that you are free today. Man will attempt to dig up your past and your mistakes, but God does not. He has already sent Jesus and paid the price for your sin. So the sin issue was dealt with 2000 years ago. He is not holding it over your head, that is the devil’s job. There is nothing that can stop you from living the life that you were called to live, and being victorious over every obstacle. The only one that can stop you is you. Through shame, guilt, and condemnation, the devil will try to get you to stop you.

The Spirit of Christ Jesus has made you free today. You are free from any and all bondage. Are you free to sin? God forbid. People that use their freedom as an occasion to sin will be dealt with by God in His time, but I’m not addressing this article toward them. I’m speaking to you. You are free to overcome sin and live a victorious life.

God is not condemning you. You are free today. Now go and sin no more!