Yesterday, we posted an intro to our new 26 Reasons to Stop Looking at Porn blog series from our friend Jay Dennis. Today we’re going to share with you the first three reasons why:

Admit Porn Is A Struggle For You

 Admit, “Yes, porn is a struggle for me” if it is. Don’t justify it, don’t excuse it. Simply admit it to God, admit it to yourself, and admit it to caring people. “By talking openly and honestly with another person about your problem you automatically weaken your connection to porn.” There is great freedom in transparent acknowledgment.

“We admitted that we were powerless over lust—that our lives had become unmanageable”

Scriptural Basis:

Proverbs 28:13

“He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

 

Breaking Free Is Going To Be One of the Hardest Battles You Have Ever Fought but You Must Believe It Is a Winnable Battle

 Battling pornography involves spiritual warfare. The flesh is going to fight you back. Your mind is going to threaten you suggesting you can’t survive without looking at porn. Satan is going to tempt you and bring tempting opportunities like never before. But, you can break free!

You can, however, experience God’s overcoming and healing power. “There is always a choice when it comes to breaking free from addictive behaviors.”

Scriptural Basis:

II Corinthians 10:4-5

“for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

 

Come Clean With God. Confess Viewing Porn as Sin

True confession always involves repentance. Repentance breaks the cycle of sin. Without repentance nothing ever changes. Repentance involves brokenness and is a moment in time when God, the Holy Spirit, convicts you to truly change the direction you are going. You recognize your sin as being destructive in your life and contrary to God’s will. You experience an overwhelming sense of sorrow for what you have done. You vow in God’s power, to no longer do that which God has revealed as sin in your life. Where there is no change there has been no repentance.

The Process of Repentance Involves:

  • Recognition—You have an acute awareness that you have sinned.
  • Responsibility—You blame no one else for your choices and actions.
  • Release—You confess your specific sin(s) to God.
  • Request—You ask God to forgive you.
  • Remove—You must distance yourself from that which causes you to fall into sin.
  • Return—You once again strive to do only the will of God.
  • Rejoice—You can know victory and freedom from sin and guilt. By faith claim God’s forgiveness.

Scriptural Basis

I John 1:9

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We’d love it if you’d take a moment to share in the comments about how you have done, or are going to take these steps, and how it’s impacted you!