The following post was written by Jacob Way.
Here are five more practical strategies you can implement today to help win the war against pornography.
- Call a friend.
Hopefully, you have a good Christian friend of the same sex who you can ask to partner with you on your road to recovery. Maybe the two of you or your small group can read and work through Hope to Win the War together. Whoever you have, agree to have a “pick up the phone whenever I call” rule. I’ve had this with several brothers. Call your friend when you are losing a battle or struggling with doubt, at any hour in any place. When they pick up, talk about anything and everything. It doesn’t even have to be about what’s currently happening. You don’t need to explain why you’re calling at 2:00 AM. They know why. Talk about a new movie you just saw or the boring science class you both are suffering through. Just get your mind out of your room, and make yourself be with someone else. Have them pray for you and vice versa.
- Worship.
Nothing emboldens the heart, or makes the enemy flee in fear, more than worship. Worship is a powerful tool to fight temptation and maintain sobriety. By singing, you are forcing your body and spirit to align in worshipping the King. You also humble yourself as you gaze upon Him. This puts your struggle in perspective. Before you worship, your sin or doubt is an immovable mountain. But the second your heart starts to praise Him, your problems shrink before your eyes. You are in the throne room of the Almighty. Then, with an effortless Word, your Savior easily knocks over that immovable mountain like a Jenga tower.
- Trust the Holy Spirit.
We must remember that the Holy Spirit is omniscient—He knows everything. This means He knows how we operate and our frailty. When He tells us not to do something, we should always listen. Several times I have been about to start a movie, and the Holy Spirit has warned me against watching it. However, I would immediately rationalize it. I hadn’t heard anything bad about this movie and had people tell me it was funny, great, or life-changing. Not heeding His warning, I would watch the movie. However, every single time, some dialogue, scenarios, sexual image, or sensual situation would lead to more sin in my life. All of that sin and temptation could have been avoided if I had just obeyed God. Be sensitive to His voice, and trust His warnings. He knows you, and He knows best.
- Remember Jesus was punished for your sin.
When you are fighting sin, it helps to remember the consequences of giving in to sin. Every sin, every single sin, must be punished. In His mercy, God has chosen not to punish you and, instead, to offer you grace. This grace is not cheap. It cost Him His only Son. Both the Father and the Son joyfully paid the price of your forgiveness. That forgiveness was the exchange of you for Christ. Your sin would be transferred to Him so God could transfer His righteousness to you. He became dirty so you could be clean. Jesus was punished as if He was a sinner so that we could be lavished with grace and fellowship as if we were holy.
- Start now.
Not tomorrow, not after church this week, but now. We both know the motivation to do anything the next day is always strong. Tomorrow, you will start that new diet. Tomorrow, you will wake up at 5:00 A.M. to run a mile. Tomorrow is a place and a time in which you will accomplish everything you want to do. The problem with tomorrow is that it eventually becomes today. Today, change is much more difficult to achieve. Our schedules get full, and our motivation depletes, and inevitably we put off our sobriety until tomorrow. Therefore, start today. Right now. Now is the time. Ask the Lord for help, and by His grace and for His glory, take the first steps to win the war now.
If you’re looking for a book to help in the battle against pornography, check out Hope to Win the War, by Jacob Way.
Check out part one of this post here … 10 Ways to Win the War Against Porn (Part 1).
Regular Pastor 