Pornography is one of the biggest problems facing the church today. The internet and modern technology have made it more accessible, affordable, and anonymous than ever before, and it is wreaking havoc on the church, stifling the spiritual life of believers, destroying marriages and families, and diminishing the effectiveness of pastors. . that 85% of young men and 50% of young women view pornography on a monthly basis.
Although Christian men and women are called to live holy lives, free from sexual immorality (1 Thes. 4:3-8), some feel powerless to break the chains of lust and shame that the use of pornography has put on them. their lives. There are questions on their minds like: “Why do I keep falling into the same sin?”; “Why can’t I stop this destructive sin?”; “Where is the freedom that is promised to us in Christ?”
If these questions describe you or someone you know, don’t be discouraged: in Christ there is always hope. You cannot compare the power of sin against the power of the Savior, the Conqueror of sin and Deliverer from the law of sin and death! Freeing yourself from habitual sin like pornography requires a change in your relationship with God, in your attitude toward sin, and in your relationships with others.
This article will give you an overview of Scripture that is applicable to this dangerous fight. If this is your struggle, I pray that you find Christ and his Word enough of him to encourage, equip, and enable you to be freed from the clutches of sin and live a holy life to the glory of God.
1. Cry out to God for the grace to change.
(Titus 2:11-14; Psalm 107; Romans 5:17; Psalm 34; Jeremiah 3:21-25)
Outside of God’s grace, we have no power to give up sinful habits. But we are not outside of God’s grace. There is hope. God answers to his people and wants to help us in the battles we face. Psalm 34:17 tells us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them and delivers them out of all their troubles.” If you find yourself burdened by the sin of lust and pornography, cry out to God for deliverance and grace to change and live in purity. Christ can give you a new heart, restore your joy, give you a clean conscience, and provide the strength you need to keep going in the battle.
2. Pursue a deep love for God and the gospel.
(Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-14, 3:3-8; Romans 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Matthew 22:37-38)
The root of the problem with porn is idolatry: it is loving lust more than loving God. Seek a deeper love for God and a greater appreciation for the gospel. Praise him for his holiness and his grace in your life. God not only offers us saving grace in the gospel, he offers a sanctifying grace that he prepares us to serve (Titus 2:11-14). Look for ways to meditate on the grace of God displayed in the gospel. Give Him the first place in your life and appreciate the gospel as the treasure that it is.
3. Hate your sin.
(Proverbs 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Matthew 5:4; James 4:4-10; Psalm 51)
The use of pornography is a form of idolatry in God’s eyes and is poisonous to our relationship with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:8; Jeremiah 2:13; Jonah 2:9). Realize that this sin can destroy you, your family, your marriage, and your testimony. Ask God to give you sadness according to God’s will over your sin and the ability to repent (2 Corinthians 7:8-13). Cry over your sinful actions. Hating your sin and not just the consequences of sin means doing everything you can to change: even the uncomfortable things.
4. Treasure the Word of God.
(Psalms 119:9-11, 1 John 2:14, Romans 15:4, Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:16; Psalm 1; Joshua 1:8)
Those who consume pornography create a series of lies, telling themselves that their sin is not that bad, that it is not their fault, that a little lust is permissible, or that they are in control of the situation. We need the Word to counter the lies and teach us about God’s beautiful creation in human sexuality. This will give us greater anguish when we see the created beauty contaminated by sin. We have to memorize the Word, meditate on the Word, and treasure the Word of God.
5. Confess your sins.
(James 5:16, 1 John 1:5-10; Psalm 32; Proverbs 28:13; Leviticus 5:5; Galatians 6:1)
A sincere confession is blessed by God and leads to healing and cleansing. Humble yourself before God, confessing your sins and cry out for his help in the fight against sin. You should probably confess to a trusted friend, pastor, counselor, or your spouse. Confession can be a very frightening event, but it is vital in repentance. As you confess your sin, practice wisdom in confession, knowing that the use of pornography is deeply hurtful to those who have been impacted by your sin. Do not stop seeking help from someone more pious (of your same sex) in this fight.
6. Eliminate sources of temptation.
(Matthew 5:29-30; Romans 13:14; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 12:13; Isaiah 57:14; Ephesians 5:3)
In the fight against sinful habits, it is important to make straight paths for our feet and leave no provision for the flesh, removing every source of temptation (Romans 13:14). This could mean putting filters on your computer, phone, or television, and throwing out anything that stirs your flesh. Don’t tolerate sin any more than you would an armed murderer living in your house. You are weak and you need to make straight paths for your feet, so that in a moment of weakness you can stand firm in the power of his strength (Ephesians 6:10).
7. Be accountable to other believers.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 2:2; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 2:20-3:8)
One of the lies that sin tells is that we are alone, with no one to help us. God has given us in the church the opportunity to have spiritual friends who can help us in our fight against sin. Pray for a God-pleasing accountability group that will help you resist sin and love the Savior. Look for technology that can help you be honest and responsible, like Covenant Eyes or X3Watch. These programs can help you a lot, but they don’t take the place of a friend asking you “How are you?”
8. Make a plan against possible temptations.
(Ephesians 6:10-20; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 1 Corinthians 10:7-14; Judges 16:4-18; Genesis 4:7; 1 Peter 2:11-12; Proverbs 22:5)
We have to get serious about our fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. A good athlete studies his opponents and learns from his own defeats, trying to find moments of weakness where he can grow stronger. We must be cunning, strategizing in the struggle to be pure. Analyze which lies you have believed and counter them with the truth. Analyze your life and see when you are commonly susceptible to temptation, and structure your life in a way that allows you to win against temptation. In Christ, you are not a slave to sin, but have everything you need to live a holy life and overcome temptation (2 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13).
9. Live by the Spirit.
(Romans 8:1-11; Galatians 5:16-25; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18)
God does not leave us in this life alone, but gives us the greatest possible resource to fight against sin: his Holy Spirit. Romans 8:13 tells us that “if by the Spirit they put to death the deeds of the flesh (of the body), they shall live.” Walking with the Spirit will fix your attention on spiritual things and not on relying on your own strength and wisdom in the fight against sin.
10. Don’t give up.
(Isaiah 40:28-31; Psalms 121; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Lamentations 3:22-26)
In Christ there is restoration, redemption and healing. Even though you may get discouraged, put your hope in Christ and preach the gospel to yourself over and over again. Realize that your efforts and energy to pursue Christ and fight against sin are pleasing to Him, and run after Him with all your might. If you are in Christ, you have a living Savior who lives in you and intercedes for you.
Another resources:
Article: by John Piper
Book (PDF): by John Owen
Internet Course: