I need help with overcoming temptation

IloveJesus-Ly

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Dec 27, 2018
106
118
32
Kissimmee
✟15,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
The bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Why is it that I cannot overcome my inappropriate content addiction? Its a sin I cannot seem to overcome and I cannot find the "way of escape to endure it" am I not understanding something in this verse? Why does it seem like im being temped beyond my ability?
 

AK1982

All things ... through HIM who strengthens!
Sep 26, 2019
116
170
41
Netherlands
✟29,012.00
Country
Netherlands
Faith
Protestant
Marital Status
Married
“Way of escape” is the amount of time you spend with His word and on your knees. The less time you spend, the more battles you lose. Some tough battles (inappropriate content addiction is surely one such) of spiritual living are only won with hands lifted up and knees bowed. No short cut!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: IloveJesus-Ly
Upvote 0

Lg2000

Active Member
Dec 15, 2003
227
267
40
L.A.
✟20,113.00
Faith
Christian
God will help you if you persist.
I've had the same addiction and I looked at quite grotesque inappropriate content not illegal inappropriate content but not the usual, I had an addiction for 20 plus years.
I was married and still had the addiction tho my wife(now ex wife) didn't mind it.

I've been clean for a minute now
. I just pray and ask God but also try to be smart about it.
I try to put myself in situations where I won't be alone if I'm tempted. Leave the door open, my kids sleep with me.
Its a struggle man but God can help . Praying for you brother.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IloveJesus-Ly
Upvote 0

IloveJesus-Ly

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Dec 27, 2018
106
118
32
Kissimmee
✟15,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Well, first of all, have you asked God to help you with it? As for an escape, turning to other hobbies/recreation instead whenever the temptation hits you can help.
Yes I have asked God for help with it.
 
Upvote 0

IloveJesus-Ly

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Dec 27, 2018
106
118
32
Kissimmee
✟15,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
“Way of escape” is the amount of time you spend with His word and on your knees. The less time you spend, the more battles you lose. Some tough battles (inappropriate content addiction is surely one such) of spiritual living are only won with hands lifted up and knees bowed. No short cut!!
Thank you.
 
Upvote 0

IloveJesus-Ly

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Dec 27, 2018
106
118
32
Kissimmee
✟15,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
God will help you if you persist.
I've had the same addiction and I looked at quite grotesque inappropriate content not illegal inappropriate content but not the usual, I had an addiction for 20 plus years.
I was married and still had the addiction tho my wife(now ex wife) didn't mind it.

I've been clean for a minute now
. I just pray and ask God but also try to be smart about it.
I try to put myself in situations where I won't be alone if I'm tempted. Leave the door open, my kids sleep with me.
Its a struggle man but God can help . Praying for you brother.
Thank you
 
  • Friendly
Reactions: Lg2000
Upvote 0

aiki

Regular Member
Feb 16, 2007
10,874
4,348
Winnipeg
✟236,528.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
The bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Why is it that I cannot overcome my inappropriate content addiction? Its a sin I cannot seem to overcome and I cannot find the "way of escape to endure it" am I not understanding something in this verse? Why does it seem like im being temped beyond my ability?

The way of escape is actually the same, basically, for all sin. Sin is just a symptom, a sign of a deeper problem, like the headache from a brain tumor. God's way of escape from sin rests upon dealing with this deeper problem.

What's the deeper problem? Self. What the apostle Paul called the "old man." It's the person we are without God, the person Paul describes in Ephesians 2:1-3 and Colossians 1:21. Our old, sinful Self can't be improved, it can't be made to serve God.

Romans 8:6-8
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.


If we aren't born-again spiritually by God's Spirit, we are all people whose minds are set on the flesh. It's our default setting. And that setting, that flesh-minded Self, is incorrigibly sinful and hostile toward God and can't be made to serve Him.

So, what is God's solution to this problem? He can't make Self better so what's to be done? Well, God's remedy is to put fleshly Self, the "old man," to death. He did this by uniting you with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, bringing you into newness of life spiritually, and freeing you from the sin-nature and power of Self.

Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.


This is what has happened to every truly born-again person. Unfortunately, very few Christians today are taught anything about what Paul describes above. Every born-again Christian has been freed from the "old man," the source of all their sin, and they are no longer slaves to sin but few know and live like it.

So, why aren't they living like it? If every Christian is "dead unto sin but alive unto God through Christ" (Romans 6:11) why are they still struggling horribly with sin? Shouldn't the Christian be sin-free, if what Paul says is true?

Imagine for a minute that you've just inherited 50 million dollars. Some distant, rich relative has left you all this money. But you don't know that he has. The money is in an account, in your name, but you have no idea that it is. Will you live, then, like a millionaire? Can you make withdrawals on an account you don't know exists?

Christians have been given enormous spiritual wealth, a "Promised Land," the Bible calls it, in Jesus Christ. In him, we have incredible spiritual blessings and life, power and freedom. Part of the spiritual inheritance every Christian has as God's child, as one who is in Christ, is that they are freed from the power of the old, carnal, fleshly, person they were (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). But, they don't know it. And so, they live like they don't know it. They can't, after all, take hold by faith of that which they don't know is theirs. As a result, many Christians live under terrible bondage to Self and the symptoms of sin it produces.

You following me so far?
 
  • Like
Reactions: IloveJesus-Ly
Upvote 0

DiscipleHeLovesToo

Regular Member
Supporter
Nov 13, 2010
2,724
529
✟77,537.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
The bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Why is it that I cannot overcome my inappropriate content addiction? Its a sin I cannot seem to overcome and I cannot find the "way of escape to endure it" am I not understanding something in this verse? Why does it seem like im being temped beyond my ability?

if you face an entrenched enemy, you have to plan both offense and defense to push them back.

(Eph 6:10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Eph 6:13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
(Eph 6:15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
(Eph 6:16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
(Eph 6:17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
(Eph 6:18) Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
(Eph 6:19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
(Eph 6:20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

you're familiar with these scriptures, but have you taken them literally? have you acted on them as though they were a big part of the answer you're looking for?

'loins girt about with truth' - increase your time in God's Word; this will leave less time available for temptation, and strengthen you (verse 10 - 'be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might' - His strength is His Word)

'breastplate of righteousness' - when you mess up, be quick to admit it to God and receive forgiveness; then meditate on how you are made righteous - His Word on who you are in the Spirit

'preparation of the gospel of peace' - up the time you minister to others - such as posting advice here when you're led - His Word on the ultimate peace that Jesus gave you (note the word 'preparation' - prepare ahead of time to resist the temptation)

'shield of faith' - His Word on His protection

'the sword of the Spirit' - His Word

'watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints' - focus on helping other know God better and stand against their temptations

this will dramatically cut down the amount of time for you to be tempted. you can also set parental locks on all your internet devices, to buy you a little more time to resist when you are tempted

shut down sources that make you think about it - TV, movies, people who are focused on it, etc.

you can do this; God has faith in you - that's why He chose you - always agree with Him!

:)
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

IloveJesus-Ly

Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Dec 27, 2018
106
118
32
Kissimmee
✟15,316.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
The way of escape is actually the same, basically, for all sin. Sin is just a symptom, a sign of a deeper problem, like the headache from a brain tumor. God's way of escape from sin rests upon dealing with this deeper problem.

What's the deeper problem? Self. What the apostle Paul called the "old man." It's the person we are without God, the person Paul describes in Ephesians 2:1-3 and Colossians 1:21. Our old, sinful Self can't be improved, it can't be made to serve God.

Romans 8:6-8
6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace,
7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so,
8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.


If we aren't born-again spiritually by God's Spirit, we are all people whose minds are set on the flesh. It's our default setting. And that setting, that flesh-minded Self, is incorrigibly sinful and hostile toward God and can't be made to serve Him.

So, what is God's solution to this problem? He can't make Self better so what's to be done? Well, God's remedy is to put fleshly Self, the "old man," to death. He did this by uniting you with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection, bringing you into newness of life spiritually, and freeing you from the sin-nature and power of Self.

Romans 6:5-7
5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,
6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
7 for he who has died is freed from sin.


This is what has happened to every truly born-again person. Unfortunately, very few Christians today are taught anything about what Paul describes above. Every born-again Christian has been freed from the "old man," the source of all their sin, and they are no longer slaves to sin but few know and live like it.

So, why aren't they living like it? If every Christian is "dead unto sin but alive unto God through Christ" (Romans 6:11) why are they still struggling horribly with sin? Shouldn't the Christian be sin-free, if what Paul says is true?

Imagine for a minute that you've just inherited 50 million dollars. Some distant, rich relative has left you all this money. But you don't know that he has. The money is in an account, in your name, but you have no idea that it is. Will you live, then, like a millionaire? Can you make withdrawals on an account you don't know exists?

Christians have been given enormous spiritual wealth, a "Promised Land," the Bible calls it, in Jesus Christ. In him, we have incredible spiritual blessings and life, power and freedom. Part of the spiritual inheritance every Christian has as God's child, as one who is in Christ, is that they are freed from the power of the old, carnal, fleshly, person they were (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17). But, they don't know it. And so, they live like they don't know it. They can't, after all, take hold by faith of that which they don't know is theirs. As a result, many Christians live under terrible bondage to Self and the symptoms of sin it produces.

You following me so far?
Yes I follow you
 
Upvote 0

plain jayne

Active Member
Aug 11, 2020
253
366
Louisiana
✟58,891.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
The way of escape is God's Word.

Here's a verse from 2 Timothy about getting away from temptation. It's a three-part exercise. All three parts are necessary.

You can remember it by all of those 2's. 2 Timothy 2:22

[1] "Flee the evil desires of youth...." = "Flee". That means hop up from the computer chair, toss the magazines away, and RUN [metaphorically speaking].

[2] "....and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...." = "Pursue". That means to actively seek out Godliness in things like prayer, Bible study, tending to others, growing in Christ and more.

[3] "....along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." = "Along with". That means to find other Christians who have conquered the temptations you deal with. Find other Christians in general and fight the fight with them.

It's not enough every now and then to just feel bad for the sins and push them away every now and again. You have to actively pursue God and purposefully find others who serve Christ with a pure heart and walk the walk with them.
 
Upvote 0

aiki

Regular Member
Feb 16, 2007
10,874
4,348
Winnipeg
✟236,528.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Yes I follow you

Okay. Great! I'm going to assume if you have questions, you'll ask them.

So, part of the reason Christians struggle with sin so much is just plain ignorance. They don't know who they are in Christ and what they have in him and don't appropriate by faith what is theirs in him; they don't make "withdrawals" on the spiritual inheritance in their divine "bank account."

Is this you? In the face of temptation, are you aware of the truth of Romans 6:6 and following the command of Romans 6:11?

Another possible issue contributing to the believer's failure to resist sin is their starting point with God, their view of what it is to be in a relationship with God. The First and Great Commandment God gives to us all isn't to stop watching inappropriate content, or to go to church on Sunday, or even to read the Bible and pray, but to love God with all of one's being. (Matthew 22:36-38) This is where the whole Christian life is supposed to start; it's out of love for God that the Christian's walk with God is supposed to flow. God intends that His children go to church, study His word, forsake Self and sin, because they love Him. Paul the apostle even goes so far as to say that if love - first of all for God and then for others - is not the basis for all that the Christian knows, says and does, what they do is useless:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.


Too often, Christians rely on motives of fear, or obligation, or religious pride, instead of love, in their walk with God. Particularly fear - fear of God's anger and punishment - becomes the basis for the obedience of Christians to God's commands. But, the apostle John rules out fear as a proper motive for Christian living:

1 John 4:16-19
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.


Fear is not powerful enough, it serves the wrong thing ultimately (Self), and cannot be accepted, or employed, by God, therefore, as a basis for Christian obedience. Only love - God's holy, unwavering, powerful love - can move us into the crucified life that is the normal, victorious Christian life.

We are creatures powerfully moved by desire; generally, we do those things we desire to do (unless forced by some circumstance or power to do otherwise). God intends that our desire for Him, our deep longing and passion to know and enjoy Him in intimate communion, our love for Him, should fuel our walk with Him, overcoming all other things we do, or might desire to do.

Such a love for God, though, arises out of one knowing and being fully persuaded, deeply convinced, of God's love for oneself. "We love Him because He first loved us." Only when we "know and have believed God's love for us" do we begin to love Him as we ought and thus to forsake those things that infringe on our love-relationship with Him.

So, let me ask you: Do you know, really know, that God loves you? Are you thoroughly convinced, deeply persuaded, of just how enormously, and perfectly, and powerfully He loves you? If you are, when you are, it will naturally prompt in you a love for Him.

Without this deep passion for God, without a keen and growing love for Him, you lack the only motive for walking with Him that actually works, that will move you away from sin and toward holy, joyful fellowship with Him consistently and effectively.

Does this make sense so far?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

aiki

Regular Member
Feb 16, 2007
10,874
4,348
Winnipeg
✟236,528.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Baptist
Marital Status
Married
Just so you know: There is a series of things that God intends should be in place in a person's life in order for them to love and enjoy Him and live in victory over the World, the Flesh, and the devil.

Love >Submission>Transformation>Obedience. This is the order in which these things must exist relative to each other in a believer's life. If any one of these things is missing or out of the order I've listed, Christian living, especially holy, joyful living, becomes a frustrating, hit-and-miss business, where sin remains the rule rather than the exception that it should be in the life of a spiritually mature and healthy Christian.

Consistent obedience, consistent forsaking of Self and sin for God's will and way, is not an end in itself, but is supposed to be the path through which we come to know and enjoy God more and more. This is the ultimate end of our obedience to Him; for as we really deeply delight in God, we glorify Him most fully, as we were created to do. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Many Christians, though, think that a morally-pure life is the apex of Christian living. This is called Moralism and it leads, not to joyful fellowship with God which is the primary aim of God's moral commands to us, but to legalism and hypocrisy and spiritual/moral failure.

Don't get caught up in stamping out the sinful symptoms of Self on the throne of your heart. That's an endless and pointless effort. Love God. Submit yourself moment-by-moment to Him every day. Wait on God to transform your desires and conduct by His Spirit. Live out the transforming work of God in you. This is the way to victory over all sin. The end goal, again, isn't that you are free from any particular sin, but by a holy life come into a deeper, richer, more intimate knowledge of, and communion with, God. It is the latter that brings to pass the former.
 
Upvote 0

longwait

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2016
1,118
769
42
asia
✟85,978.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Why is it that I cannot overcome my inappropriate content addiction? Its a sin I cannot seem to overcome and I cannot find the "way of escape to endure it" am I not understanding something in this verse? Why does it seem like im being temped beyond my ability?

Fast and pray for God's help to overcome this weakness.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums