• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
Aug 6, 2024
11
6
33
Troutdale
✟13,295.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
My boyfriend (male 29) and I (female 32) met about a year ago and we’ve been in this great relationship, he brought me closer to God and made me in general a better woman. So I have a lot to thank him for but that’s also why I hold him in high standards.

When we first started dating he mentioned he had an addiction with porn but that since we met he stopped watching it. Because he knows as a man of God that’s not ok.

Yesterday, I had a feeling he watched porn when I came home and I asked him and he said “yes I’m sorry” and he went on for 4 hours telling me That throughout our relationship he’s done it 2 other times and that he didn’t say anything to me because he thought I would judge him so he was working it on it on his own.

Btw, I consider myself a beautiful latin woman (sorry if my English isn’t perfect when typing, this isn’t my first language) and I’m sure I make him happy in every aspect of life, I know he wants to marry me, etc. but yet he watched porn. He says it has nothing to do with me because he finds me very attractive. He says this is like any other addiction where the dopamine needs to be fed. But that he would never cheat on me or anything like that.

Besides this issue he really is a good man but I can’t stop thinking that I’m not enough for him and that he still in a way cheated on me abs that his intentions were not to tell me but because I asked him then he had to. This makes me doubt his integrity and his feelings for me. Even though he says this is not who he is and is just a temptation coming from the dark side and that he lost the battle but not the war.

I just don’t know if I can take away the images of him watching porn. He also said he didn’t get to the point of masturbation (but that’s mostly because I called him saying I was coming home) but he said that when I called he was already “on his way out”

At this point his word has taking credibility and I don’t even know if I believe him that when I called he was on “his way out” of it.

I just want to make sure that I’m choosing the man God wants for me and that later on when I’m old, my husband will still want me and won’t be wishing other woman. He says he wouldn’t do that but I don’t know anymore.

Please if you are of Christian faith as a man or a woman I’d love to hear your advice. I don’t want to tell anyone in my life close to me because they might judge him for a long time without knowing all the good things on him but I do need advice. I want to know what should I do. If I break up with him, if I forgive him, if I take my time been cold to him and distant (this one is how I currently feel)

Long story short, my boyfriend who’s supposed to be a man of God whom I told him that if he ever watched porn he should tell me, didn’t tell me until I asked him and I don’t know if I should stay on this relationship or break up.
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: Grip Docility

Michie

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
184,355
67,375
Woods
✟6,065,228.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
My boyfriend (male 29) and I (female 32) met about a year ago and we’ve been in this great relationship, he brought me closer to God and made me in general a better woman. So I have a lot to thank him for but that’s also why I hold him in high standards.

When we first started dating he mentioned he had an addiction with porn but that since we met he stopped watching it. Because he knows as a man of God that’s not ok.

Yesterday, I had a feeling he watched porn when I came home and I asked him and he said “yes I’m sorry” and he went on for 4 hours telling me That throughout our relationship he’s done it 2 other times and that he didn’t say anything to me because he thought I would judge him so he was working it on it on his own.

Btw, I consider myself a beautiful latin woman (sorry if my English isn’t perfect when typing, this isn’t my first language) and I’m sure I make him happy in every aspect of life, I know he wants to marry me, etc. but yet he watched porn. He says it has nothing to do with me because he finds me very attractive. He says this is like any other addiction where the dopamine needs to be fed. But that he would never cheat on me or anything like that.

Besides this issue he really is a good man but I can’t stop thinking that I’m not enough for him and that he still in a way cheated on me abs that his intentions were not to tell me but because I asked him then he had to. This makes me doubt his integrity and his feelings for me. Even though he says this is not who he is and is just a temptation coming from the dark side and that he lost the battle but not the war.

I just don’t know if I can take away the images of him watching porn. He also said he didn’t get to the point of masturbation (but that’s mostly because I called him saying I was coming home) but he said that when I called he was already “on his way out”

At this point his word has taking credibility and I don’t even know if I believe him that when I called he was on “his way out” of it.

I just want to make sure that I’m choosing the man God wants for me and that later on when I’m old, my husband will still want me and won’t be wishing other woman. He says he wouldn’t do that but I don’t know anymore.

Please if you are of Christian faith as a man or a woman I’d love to hear your advice. I don’t want to tell anyone in my life close to me because they might judge him for a long time without knowing all the good things on him but I do need advice. I want to know what should I do. If I break up with him, if I forgive him, if I take my time been cold to him and distant (this one is how I currently feel)

Long story short, my boyfriend who’s supposed to be a man of God whom I told him that if he ever watched porn he should tell me, didn’t tell me until I asked him and I don’t know if I should stay on this relationship or break up.
He needs to give the porn up and it sounds like he is making excuses for it. He can’t fix this by himself. He needs to seek Christian professional help to assist him in overcoming it. You need to tell him if he does not seek help then the relationship can go no further. These issues do not get better after marriage. You might need to go with him to seek this help if you both are wanting a future together. If he cannot sincerely seek help with this then it’s of my opinion it is best to move on. Read up on the effects of porn addiction and you’ll see why it is such a serious issue.
 
Upvote 0
Aug 6, 2024
11
6
33
Troutdale
✟13,295.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
What do you mean? Discuss it with him. Are you living together?
Yes, we live together. I mean, should I break up with him or stay with him? He says it only goes up from here and that he can carry the faith in our relationship until I’m ready to forgive him. He already goes to Christian counseling but I don’t think he’s talked to his counselor about porn, but he has an appointment this Thursday and they will talk about it. I’m just scared I don’t know if this is a sign that his love for me isn’t strong enough or that I won’t ever be able to fully please him or what. He denies all of my thoughts and says that watching it is very superficial and he’s only done it 3 times since we’ve been together but I’m still afraid anyways and I don’t know as a partner where should I I stand.
 
Upvote 0

Michie

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
184,355
67,375
Woods
✟6,065,228.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Yes, we live together. I mean, should I break up with him or stay with him? He says it only goes up from here and that he can carry the faith in our relationship until I’m ready to forgive him. He already goes to Christian counseling but I don’t think he’s talked to his counselor about porn, but he has an appointment this Thursday and they will talk about it. I’m just scared I don’t know if this is a sign that his love for me isn’t strong enough or that I won’t ever be able to fully please him or what. He denies all of my thoughts and says that watching it is very superficial and he’s only done it 3 times since we’ve been together but I’m still afraid anyways and I don’t know as a partner where should I I stand.
As Christians, why are you living together before marriage? I don’t know, seems you both have started out on the wrong foot. You both should seek help to sort this out.

If it were me, I’d move out. I know, easier said than done but everything that’s going on seems pretty much opposite of what Christians should be doing. Prayers for you both. :praying:
 
Upvote 0
Aug 6, 2024
11
6
33
Troutdale
✟13,295.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
Because the economy is hard and we just need to make living more affordable by living together. He has his own room in the house and my mom lives here too, it’s not that we live as spouses yet
 
Upvote 0

Grip Docility

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2017
7,019
2,786
North America
✟19,316.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
But what do I do in the meantime?
I will reach out and answer this as honestly as possible. Men struggle with this. All men start to relieve their biological drives at fairly young ages. He's probably super ashamed that he got caught by you. I think that you are going to have to employ several solutions.

1) Explain to him that you understand that in this information age you realize that the majority of men his age struggle with that.
2) Understand that your beauty might actually be part of his trigger. When a man is young, and not reduced in drive by age, frequently emotional intimacy, physical intimacy and visual stimulation from a beautiful partner can trigger drive to a point where this occurs. Remind yourself over and over that it has nothing to do with you, other than you get his drive stirred up.
3) Be understanding, but open channels of honest communication that explain you don't desire to incorporate that into your long term relationship and as mentioned by @Michie and @RileyG, be there as spiritual support and willing to get counseling with him. Porn has a way of making interaction unnatural and messing with the purity of intimacy by infusing "ideas" that aren't developed from your exploration together.
4) Stay patient with him as this actually may be a blessing that you can carry this burden with him and help him grow beyond porn use.
5) I cannot emphasize enough that his behavior is quite the opposite of suggesting that you aren't enough. He's worked up over you and most likely doesn't desire to infringe on you with his drive.
6) Know that most young men struggle with this, without a doubt. You just happened to stumble upon a matter that is hidden due to shame.

Any specific questions that you have, I will do my very best to answer.
 
Upvote 0

Michie

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
184,355
67,375
Woods
✟6,065,228.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Because the economy is hard and we just need to make living more affordable by living together. He has his own room in the house and my mom lives here too, it’s not that we live as spouses yet
Still, unless something changes it just does not seem promising imo.
 
Upvote 0
Aug 6, 2024
11
6
33
Troutdale
✟13,295.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
He needs to see a counselor.
Yes, he already does and this Thursday they will talk about it. But what do I do? Is this enough of a reason for a break up? It’s hard for me to forgive him. But idk if as a partner I’m supposed to forgive this behavior and help him or leave him
 
Upvote 0

Michie

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
184,355
67,375
Woods
✟6,065,228.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Yes, he already does and this Thursday they will talk about it. But what do I do? Is this enough of a reason for a break up? It’s hard for me to forgive him. But idk if as a partner I’m supposed to forgive this behavior and help him or leave him
Personally, I’d break it off. At least until he could prove himself trustworthy and sincerely seeking to rid himself of his addiction. He might need the time to concentrate without distraction anyway.
 
Upvote 0

Grip Docility

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2017
7,019
2,786
North America
✟19,316.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
Yes, he already does and this Thursday they will talk about it. But what do I do? Is this enough of a reason for a break up? It’s hard for me to forgive him. But idk if as a partner I’m supposed to forgive this behavior and help him or leave him
You're hurt. I can't emphasize this enough, you are living together and essentially married. I'm certain that you two are intimate and in that light, it would be identical in relationship of the heart to ending a marriage. Men his age are most certainly going to be doing the same thing, with very few exceptions. If he was with another person, I would say, end it. However, you two can work through this. If anything, it may be a blessing that the two of you can work through this together.
 
Upvote 0

Grip Docility

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2017
7,019
2,786
North America
✟19,316.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
Yes, we live together. I mean, should I break up with him or stay with him? He says it only goes up from here and that he can carry the faith in our relationship until I’m ready to forgive him. He already goes to Christian counseling but I don’t think he’s talked to his counselor about porn, but he has an appointment this Thursday and they will talk about it. I’m just scared I don’t know if this is a sign that his love for me isn’t strong enough or that I won’t ever be able to fully please him or what. He denies all of my thoughts and says that watching it is very superficial and he’s only done it 3 times since we’ve been together but I’m still afraid anyways and I don’t know as a partner where should I I stand.
You are better off working through this with him. If you help him kick that habit through support, it would be something that would be a very uncommon occurrence in a positive way. It has nothing to do with his Love for you being weak. I'm going to surmise that the majority of men his age have the same struggle. The difference is that you two are communicating about this.

He is most likely enormously ashamed and is hoping that you don't lose faith in your future together. There is much hope for your relationship.

My mom is Jewish and my Father was a minister of 40 years. When my mother found material that I had drawn at the age of 11 for that purpose, she made me so very ashamed that I hated myself and my sexuality for years to come. One day, when I was 16, my dad had "the talk" with me. I had been caught, unknowingly, as my mom had found a ripped out page of a swimsuit model, underneath my bed. I have never done drugs my entire life, but I did everything I could to hide that I was doing that, including trying to claim that I had a drug problem (literally to attempt to draw the talk away from the real issue). Finally, my dad said, son, your mother doesn't understand what it's like to be a teenage boy. He proceeded to tell me a story about when he was young and had painted a very elaborate painting of Marylin Monroe in nothing but high heals, when he was my age.

He had rolled up the canvas and hid it in the family piano. When his mother had a lady's church group over for lunch, they played the piano and my dad recalled hearing one of the ladies say "There's something making this piano key not sound right" to his absolute horror. There in front of God and the Church ladies, they opened up the piano and fished out that painting.

My mother and father have been married for over 60 years and they have been faithful to one another for all of those years. They can't stand to be apart.

I'm telling you this, because there is hope. I hope and pray that your heart is healed, as I understand that you feel pain over this, but I also want to ensure that you know that your fellow is most assuredly in panic mode and ashamed as a Christian man that has been caught doing something I guaranty you that he is ashamed of by you, the Love of his life.
 
Upvote 0
Aug 6, 2024
11
6
33
Troutdale
✟13,295.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
I’ve read all of your messages and want to take the proper time to reply but I’m at the gym right now. But I wanted to let you know that I’ll come back and reply and I also wanted to say thank you because reading this is helping me go through my day just a little better
 
Upvote 0

Grip Docility

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2017
7,019
2,786
North America
✟19,316.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
My boyfriend (male 29) and I (female 32) met about a year ago and we’ve been in this great relationship, he brought me closer to God and made me in general a better woman. So I have a lot to thank him for but that’s also why I hold him in high standards.

When we first started dating he mentioned he had an addiction with porn but that since we met he stopped watching it. Because he knows as a man of God that’s not ok.

Yesterday, I had a feeling he watched porn when I came home and I asked him and he said “yes I’m sorry” and he went on for 4 hours telling me That throughout our relationship he’s done it 2 other times and that he didn’t say anything to me because he thought I would judge him so he was working it on it on his own.

Btw, I consider myself a beautiful latin woman (sorry if my English isn’t perfect when typing, this isn’t my first language) and I’m sure I make him happy in every aspect of life, I know he wants to marry me, etc. but yet he watched porn. He says it has nothing to do with me because he finds me very attractive. He says this is like any other addiction where the dopamine needs to be fed. But that he would never cheat on me or anything like that.

Besides this issue he really is a good man but I can’t stop thinking that I’m not enough for him and that he still in a way cheated on me abs that his intentions were not to tell me but because I asked him then he had to. This makes me doubt his integrity and his feelings for me. Even though he says this is not who he is and is just a temptation coming from the dark side and that he lost the battle but not the war.

I just don’t know if I can take away the images of him watching porn. He also said he didn’t get to the point of masturbation (but that’s mostly because I called him saying I was coming home) but he said that when I called he was already “on his way out”

At this point his word has taking credibility and I don’t even know if I believe him that when I called he was on “his way out” of it.

I just want to make sure that I’m choosing the man God wants for me and that later on when I’m old, my husband will still want me and won’t be wishing other woman. He says he wouldn’t do that but I don’t know anymore.

Please if you are of Christian faith as a man or a woman I’d love to hear your advice. I don’t want to tell anyone in my life close to me because they might judge him for a long time without knowing all the good things on him but I do need advice. I want to know what should I do. If I break up with him, if I forgive him, if I take my time been cold to him and distant (this one is how I currently feel)

Long story short, my boyfriend who’s supposed to be a man of God whom I told him that if he ever watched porn he should tell me, didn’t tell me until I asked him and I don’t know if I should stay on this relationship or break up.
I'm not condoning your fellow's behavior, by any means, but I want you to know that I have spoke to many Christian men of all walks and ages that have that struggle. Most of the time I use an analogy about the color Red and how telling a person to not think about the color red will have the opposite impact of just asking Christ for forgiveness and giving it all to the Holy Spirit, in utter honesty. Many Christian men think that God hates them for that struggle and some are even suicidal about it. One thing remains, honesty is the beginning to growth in an area.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Richard T
Upvote 0

Grip Docility

Well-Known Member
Nov 27, 2017
7,019
2,786
North America
✟19,316.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
I’ve read all of your messages and want to take the proper time to reply but I’m at the gym right now. But I wanted to let you know that I’ll come back and reply and I also wanted to say thank you because reading this is helping me go through my day just a little better
Take it from an older man that was once younger... I'm certain that your fellow thinks you are the most beautiful woman in the entire universe. I could have given you the standard morality ideals, but I have compassion for people and because of this have ended up helping many folks by the Love of Jesus Christ and the most imperative start to healing and growth is honesty. You and your man have that, now. I'm not trying to be rude to Christian humanity, but many wives are oblivious that their younger Christian Husbands have the same struggle, because it is such a degrading struggle that is typically hidden well.

All Love in Jesus Christ to you and your man. I'm praying for both of you and hoping that this brings you closer together in Christ.
 
Upvote 0

Paul4JC

the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing
Apr 5, 2020
1,811
1,470
California
✟219,060.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I’ve read all of your messages and want to take the proper time to reply but I’m at the gym right now. But I wanted to let you know that I’ll come back and reply and I also wanted to say thank you because reading this is helping me go through my day just a little better

It's something that all Christian men struggle with. That does not make it greater than other sins all Christians struggle with. Seems some sins are acceptable, others are not. Not excusing porn use in any way, but if it's confessed, it's forgiven. Some are exposed to this in childhood and it becomes a lifelong battle. This age of the internet and even just how women, even Christian women dress at times can be triggers for most men. I totally agree with @Grip Docility, that his love for you is not any less. If we were all perfect, then we wouldn't need a Saviour or forgiveness. The real Christian life is working your way through all these issues of life.
 
Upvote 0

Richard T

Well-Known Member
Mar 25, 2018
3,426
2,178
traveling Asia
✟142,815.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Here are some statistics on porn and users that go to church. The Most Up-to-Date Pornography Statistics I am not justifying porns use because it is so prevalent but so you know the extent of the problem churchwide.

Sure it is better if he were porn free, but is a deal breaker? For some it is. I knew a woman whose standard was a virgin. I can respect that but God is merciful to many who have struggled in the past. Consider his total character to see if you want to help him deal with this. Things like does he give, attend church regularly, read the bible and pray etc. I guess in other words, you need to see God's perspective on this man to see where things should go. I would say do not see it as a reflection on you. He would do the same thing with any woman and yes, he could love you as genuinely as it is possible for him. Lastly, I believe God can grace a woman or man not to touch intimately though they are in close proximity. However If anything is occurring I suggest conquering that or marrying soon.
 
Upvote 0

Michie

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Feb 5, 2002
184,355
67,375
Woods
✟6,065,228.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Catholic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others


Etc.
 
Upvote 0