Hello everyone I am new to Christian Forums. I would like to introduce myself my name is Andrew. I am writing this because I feel like a bad Christian, because the Devil still tempts me with pornography on occasion. I'm trying to live a better and more pure life, but I still get the urge to view pornography and touch on occasion. I repent when I do it, but I feel like I am only going to get so many strikes. So what am I to do? I'm a 25 year old single dad and I get urges like every other male. I just feel really guilty about mine. Could someone offer up some advice?
Greetings brother. Thank you for taking the time to be honest here.
Like contango said, you are certainly not alone. This is an issue that every guy faces, andi I imagine that there is more secret shame felt by this sin that any other sin.
That being said, I don't want to undermine the value of getting rid of these two sins. Though they are common, they cause a great deal of unnecessary and avoidable strife in our Christian walks. I have a verse for you with a couple thoughts on it. I'll try to be straightforward, but know that this is coming from a brother who stumbles in many ways as well.
Romans 8:13 - "
For if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."
Just to be clear, this verse isn't saying that by doing these things you are earning your salvation, even though this is perscribed as a duty.
There is a promise of life for killing off sin. It's more than just not sinning, but taking an active role in killing off the power of that sin in your life.
It is something that we make a conscious, guided effort to do as well. We should be in prayer to be rid of sin, most definitely, though to kill sin will also mean our own selves taking actions to get rid of that sin.
But you also see that it's by the power of the Holy Spirit that you do it. If you want to be rid of sin, it must happen by the power of the Holy Spirit or it won't happen at all. But the Holy Spirit is able and willing to do this work for those who want to do it.
That all being said, how much do you want to be rid of these sins? If you don't desire it, you won't be rid of them; but if you do, that will go a long way in killing off the power of this sin. It won't ever be perfectly mortified, but it's like a serpent that, though it's still alive, has lost its power to strike effectively. If you take to this sin like one killing off a viper, wanting it to be dead, by the power of the Spirit he will see victory; but if you only go so far as what feels sufficient for the time being, it may come back worse than before, and it would have been better had you not started.
When you go to kill these sins, do it with the intention of finishing the job.
There's a book that you would be interested in reading. It's an old Puritanical work, uses dated language and is kind of deep, but I think that you will find this very helpful. "
The Mortification of Sin" by John Owen. He writes another book called Indwelling Sin in Believers which I haven't read yet, but heard it's an excellent work. If you take the first one seriously, I believe you'll find a lot of help and insight to your problem--and not just for these two sins, but also other ones in your life.
I'm glad that you are open about your sin and are seeking help
At the same time, don't take your battle superficially. I know that we are not perfect in this life, and virtually every living man deals and struggles with this issue, though don't let that discourage you from killing off these two. If it helps you too, it is entirely possible to go a very long time without masturbation or pornography, or at least in the most express forms. Just be careful that while you strive to get rid of these, you don't fall prey to other subtler, "lesser" forms of lust.
God bless you bro.
