How do you cleanse your mind?

[Chococat]

I have seen some pornography both on and off the Net both willingly and accidentally. The question is how do I get the stuff out of my mind? Some of it is stuff I came across accidentally a few years ago and far from turning me on it sickened me but I still find myself thinking of it. It doesn't turn me on as it was totally revolting and seeing it truamatised me yet it still haunts me. Some stuff OTOH I willingly looked at or read and I find myself thinking of it and getting excited. I have repented of looking at it but the excitement and fantasy is still there. I hope no one will judge me rather pray for me.

 

[BelindaP]

It can be very hard to get those images out of your mind. A lot of times they'll crop up when you're trying to pray, almost as if they are accusing you.

In fact, that is exactly what is happening. The devil is called the accuser for good reason. He's the one popping those images into your head when you just want them to go away.

You might try rebuking the images out loud and say something like 'In Jesus' name I command you to get out of my head.' If you do that every time they start coming back, you will eventually stop being bothered by them. The devil will only use them as long as he can mess with your relationship with God. When that doesn't work, he'll move on to other strategies.

 

[Johnnz]

Memories just don't get zapped away. What we can do is twofold:
a) Get involved with the good, and let that keep the bad memories in a rightful perspective. And old memories do fade if we don't feed them

b) Don't get guilty about them popping up. That is just your brain working with the stored information. You can just quietly pray "Jesus, I don't want that to be part of my life." I accept your forgiveness and ask for your Spirit to help me think on better things."

You will also have a natural interest in sex, and you must not confuse that with wrong sexual thoughts and feelings. Just keep them within healthy boundaries.

John
NZ

 

[Chococat]

My main problem is with the ones I enjoy thinking about as I tend to dwell on them and then well you can guess the rest.:o :o :o :o

 

[BelindaP]

Prayer and cold showers can do wonders for those types of memories and thoughts.

 

[Johnnz]

Yep. Enjoyment is enjoyable!

You probably are a sexual person (in a good sense) and that means you will have sexual thoughts and feelings, and you will enjoy some of them. What is hard for many Christians is to sort out what is just a normal thing and what is actually wrong. Can you recognise the two different categories within your own thinking?

John
NZ

 

[worshipleader2b]

It's very tough, especially because dwelling on some wrong pornographic/sexual images can be very enjoyable and appealing.

What you need to do is as soon as an image crops up in your mind, you have to focus on something else. Preferably something God-related (worship, prayer, reading the Bible), or hanging out with friends and being really involved in it so that you don't feed it. That is showing the devil that this method of tempting you just doesn't work.

 

[JonathanP]

Here are a few thoughts that I hope will help you:

1. The mind can only be renewed and cleansed gradually, so we need to rest in God's grace and persist. Neil Anderson says this process is like cleaning up a glass of water full of coffee grounds by putting in one ice cube a day. Eventually the water will become clear but only if no more coffee is added. You cannot change what you put into your mind in the past, but by filling your mind with Scripture and not adding any more pornography, your mind will be gradually cleansed.

2. When we try to fight these thoughts by suppressing them it becomes more difficult. This is because when we try not to do or think something our focus is taken up with it. Instead we need to focus our attention on good things, ie. loving thoughts toward God and others.

3. In my experience it is easy to become complacent after a time of victory. This is when we really need to be on guard, because the enemy can exploit this. I have sometimes felt like I will never struggle with impure thoughts again, and then suddenly I have relapsed. We need to remind ourelves that even the most mature people can be tempted. This helps to keep us humble and to depend on God.

Blessings

Jonathan

 

[Chococat]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Nathan56]

Restrict yourself. First Id wipe my computer clean of all the material you have. Then tell Him in prayer that you will go 5 days without looking at porn. When ever you are tempted, remember you told Him that you would not do it and let that be your motovation to hold off. After 5 days, you figure youve gone that far why not go for 7?

This is a method that can help. Also, the feeling of unrequited lust I find to be satisfying in its own way. It shows that you have will.

Hang in there, we are in this together

 

[UnitynLove]

Bring every thought you have into subjection. When you feel yourself starting to lust say "Those shalt not lust nor commit adultry." Or "thou shalt abstain from all sexual immorality." Fight him with the word of God it is a weapon. Read his word. "My people perish due to a lack of knowledge.

 

[Vehcklox]

Pray to holy mother Mary, that she beseeches the holy spirit to remove from your mind the garbage that you recognize in the name of christ. After you have recieved the bread and wine of Jesus.

 

[figtvcmpta]

It's very tough, especially because dwelling on some wrong pornographic/sexual images can be very enjoyable and appealing.

What you need to do is as soon as an image crops up in your mind, you have to focus on something else. Preferably something God-related (worship, prayer, reading the Bible), or hanging out with friends and being really involved in it so that you don't feed it. That is showing the devil that this method of tempting you just doesn't work.

hanging out with friends and being really involved in it so that you don't feed it.

i've found that VERY helpful. and as soon as I found trouble with those friends, i decided to start staying away from them and stay home more often, (i have my own room, to give you a hint). Even though I never meant to go against God, i accidently slipped into it. So really, once you get the strength to stop for a significant amount of time, keep your mind busy. it really helps.

 

[Mortyr79]

I also have many images of sin in my mind that i just simply cant forget altough i do feel that the longer i dont look at porn the more blury it becomes but i know it will always feel like a scar in my mind. Everytime i pray i tell the lord to wash away the filth that is within my mind and to forgive that i even wanted to see those woman.

 

[janny108]

i've found that VERY helpful. and as soon as I found trouble with those friends, i decided to start staying away from them and stay home more often, (i have my own room, to give you a hint). Even though I never meant to go against God, i accidently slipped into it. So really, once you get the strength to stop for a significant amount of time, keep your mind busy. it really helps.

Definitely.
Jan

 

[janny108]

What is this is about fantasy not porn or lust? Does this work the same way?
Jan

 

[Jess88]

I've had that problem, I was scarred ever since i was 6 my brother put a porn on tv and he told me not to look at him but duh.. what six year old would do what their brothers told them. So I looked, and then I too started touching myself and I really didn't need the porn, I would make up my own stories in my head.. and I have tried ohh so many times to stop.. and it does haunt us so bad no one knows. Out of nowhere this crazy feeling comes calling you and then the thoughts aswell. This whole year I can say things are getting better, of course I've gotten weak a few times but wow it is a big difference! I have hardly any nasty thoughts anymore, if I do I try to do what my pastor once preached to us about his friend who had nasty thoughts he would put his fist on his forhead close his eyes and say I rebuke you in the name of Jesus! until it went away. and I think I have only gotten that crazy feeling in probably 2-3 months twice and I feel like I am at peace now for someone who used to watch porn once or more everyday...I didn't have friends to occupy my time so I was basically on my own trying to beat this problem, I think if you truly sacrifice this matter without looking back, God will guide you through. Don't fantasize on your own and if it comes to your mind rebuke it right away don't even give it a chance to sink in, and of course read the bible and pray.

 

[al8322]

If those people don't repent and turn from their ways, the ones who put out this pornography-they will pay.

The Lord said, "Vegeance is mine."