Pornography and the Bible - Part Two

Conquering Lust and Sexual Addiction

In the last post, I covered what the Bible said about Lust. To sum it all up, it is wrong and it is destructive.

No suprises there.

But in this lesson is where the real debate exists.

In my own [continued] recovery from an addiction to pornography, I have heard from more than one source that it is impossible to beat, based on the verse from 2 Timothy 2:22 which states: "Flee also youthful lusts..."

However, I believe that the Bible says we can conquer lust and sexual addiction, based on the following verses (emphasis mine):

Proverbs 6:25 - "Lust not after her beauty..."

1 Corinthians 10:6 - "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things..."

Galatians 5:16 - "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."

Titus 2:12 - "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righeously, and godly, in this present world."

Jude 24 - "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."

I Corinthians 10:13b - "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

1 Peter 1:14 - "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:"

1 Peter 2:11 - "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,"

1 Peter 4:1-3 - "1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered fo us in the flesh, arm youselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3. For the time past our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, escess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:"

1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."

2 Peter 1:4 - "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

Romans 6:12-13 - "12. Let not sin therefore reign in your motral body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13. Neither yield ye your members as insturments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselbes unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

Romans 13:14 - "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Chris, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Galatians 5:24 - "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."

So, it is clearly obvious by these texts that it IS possible to beat lust.

But how?

I would love to fill the rest of this post with miracle cure-alls you can take or do to conquer lust.

The only way is to just say "NO".

There are things that can help, however.

Ther first is to build a relationship with Christ. For more information either contact me or see the page to your left entitled, "How to know God".

The second is to join a church and attend every time the doors are open. If you need help in this area, feel free to contact me. I have several contacts who could easily help.

The third is to see a counselor/therapist. I know it's a little weird-I was downright resistant to the idea at first-but if it'll help, don't you think it's worth it?

The fourth is to set up hedges, or boundaries to protect you as best you can from possibly compromising situations. See Hedges for suggestions and a book that might help. While the author is one that suggests that lust is unbeatable, this book is extremely helpful Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It.

Those are the only ways to beat lust.

This is a battle that you and I will wage for the rest of our lives, but each skirmish will become easier as we become battle-hardened and seasoned. We are simply to inexperienced to have the strength to say "NO" sometimes.

That's where a relationship with God is necessary. It is nearly impossible to do without Him.



I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to post a comment!




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