Porn addiction: how to leave it?

[neo-x]

So guys, what in your opinion are the best ways, which would help to leave the addiction of porn?

[Danieltwotwenty]

For me it was thinking about the real people that are in the "movies" and the real problems they have.

By me watching these "movies" I was perpetuating their misery and sin.

The Pink Cross Foundation has lots of testimonies on their website from former porn stars and it gives you a good insight into what goes on in the porn industry.

These are real people with real problems, remember that, don't be a part of the problem.

[Ivellious]

It's a tough one. when you think about it, porn addiction is basically the same as any other addiction...you use something, chemicals are released into your brain, you get a brief high, and your brain starts to crave it. So when you look at it that way, one could probably look to other possible solutions for addiction and start there, since in principle they should be mostly universal (there's a 12-step program for pretty much everything these days, after all). Of course, addiction is not a one-size-fits-all problem, so no possible solution will work for everybody. But you have to start somewhere.

Personally, trying to stop an addiction cold turkey will almost always fail unless you have insane motivation and willpower. Which is rare even among mentally strong people. Ans hypnosis sounds the same as the placebo effect to me, but supposedly it works for some people.

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

So guys, what in your opinion are the best ways, which would help to leave the addiction of porn?

Like any form of idolatry, give up trying to quit - you'll just fail repeatedly anyway - and pray that God will take it away from you. He is faithful, He will.

FL

[Danieltwotwenty]

So guys, what in your opinion are the best ways, which would help to leave the addiction of porn?

Like any form of idolatry, give up trying to quit - you'll just fail repeatedly anyway - and pray that God will take it away from you. He is faithful, He will.

FL

I actually agree with FL for once, I've beat smoking, drinking, porn and drugs through prayer and letting God take the reigns. I do have a strong will and I am very determined but I definitely could not do it without God's help. All the addictions were done cold turkey one after the other, first drugs, then the cigs, then porn and finally alcohol.

[PaulSacramento]

First, confirm that it is an addiction.
Then understand WHY it is.
ADDICTION:
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work or relationships, or health. Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.

The word addiction is used in several different ways. One definition describes physical addiction. This is a biological state in which the body adapts to the presence of a drug so that drug no longer has the same effect; this is known as tolerance. Because of tolerance, there is a biological reaction when the drug is withdrawn. Another form of physical addiction is the phenomenon of overreaction by the brain to drugs (or to cues associated with the drugs). An alcoholic walking into a bar, for instance, will feel an extra pull to have a drink because of these cues.

However, most addictive behavior is not related to either physical tolerance or exposure to cues. People compulsively use drugs, gamble, or shop nearly always in reaction to being emotionally stressed, whether or not they have a physical addiction. Since these psychologically based addictions are not based on drug or brain effects, they can account for why people frequently switch addictive actions from one drug to a completely different kind of drug, or even to a non-drug behavior. The focus of the addiction isn't what matters; it's the need to take action under certain kinds of stress. To treat this kind of addiction requires an understanding of how it works psychologically.

No matter which kind of addiction is being referred to, it is important to recognize that its cause is not simply a search for pleasure, and addiction has nothing to do with one's morality or strength of character. Experts debate whether addiction is a "disease" or a true mental illness, whether drug dependence and addiction mean the same thing, and many other aspects of addiction. Such debates are not likely to be resolved soon. But the lack of resolution does not preclude effective treatment.

[Philip]

Like any form of idolatry, give up trying to quit - you'll just fail repeatedly anyway - and pray that God will take it away from you. He is faithful, He will.

Wow, I know that advice SOUNDS so spiritual, and I think I see where it's coming from, but I'm afraid it isn't entirely accurate. In fact, it can be disastrous to follow it. Yes, trying to beat an addiction does need prayer and God's help - both obviously critical. But to "quit trying?" Just pray it away? God doesn't expect our own best efforts ALONG WITH constant prayer and dependence upon Him? That's not Scriptural advice!

[Danieltwotwenty]

Like any form of idolatry, give up trying to quit - you'll just fail repeatedly anyway - and pray that God will take it away from you. He is faithful, He will.

Wow, I know that advice SOUNDS so spiritual, and I think I see where it's coming from, but I'm afraid it isn't entirely accurate. In fact, it can be disastrous to follow it. Yes, trying to beat an addiction does need prayer and God's help - both obviously critical. But to "quit trying?" Just pray it away? God doesn't expect our own best efforts ALONG WITH constant prayer and dependence upon Him? That's not Scriptural advice!

I didn't get that from FL's post at all, I read it as quit trying to do it just on your own.

I think it is a combination of prayer, realistic goal setting and if needed professional help.

[Philip]

I didn't get that from FL's post at all, I read it as quit trying to do it just on your own.

To which I totally agree - one can't overcome such things just through their own willpower.

I think it is a combination of prayer, realistic goal setting and if needed professional help.

Add in great personal effort and you have it. My criticism of how FL described it was only aimed at those who aren't mature in their understanding of Scripture - so they won't believe that, "Since I can't change myself, I'll not worry about it, simply pray - let God handle it - and I'll just go on and live my life." But that negates personal responsibility. Those immature in Scripture can easily develop false theological understandings that absolve themselves of personal efforts.

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

My criticism of how FL described it was only aimed at those who aren't mature in their understanding of Scripture - so they won't believe that, "Since I can't change myself, I'll not worry about it, simply pray - let God handle it - and I'll just go on and live my life." But that negates personal responsibility. Those immature in Scripture can easily develop false theological understandings that absolve themselves of personal efforts.

Actually, my comment was directed at those who are mature in their understanding of Scripture. Babes in the faith think they can overcome their addiction on their own, with a little prayer thrown in for good measure. God is the one who changes me, who gives me the new desires of my heart. I am powerless to change myself.

FL

[RickD]

Fwiw, this krazy klown agrees wholeheartedly with the crazy Canadian(FL).

If it's God's will, He will do it in His time.

The wisdom of Paul in 2Corinthians 12:1-10 comes to mind:

12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

[Kurieuo]

Just hand it over to Christ, and then divert your focus externally to loving others.

Of course, it doesn't mean you just ignore it or make no effort to self improve. But don't beat yourself up over it too much either. Christ has your back.

This is what the Accuser wants -- to make you feel inadequate and like you're not worthy to be an ambassador for Christ and therefore you become ineffective due to your own self-doubt.

However unworthy we are, Christ forgave and accepted us... so even if we are unworthy (and I believe we all are), we're nonetheless Christ's imperfect ambassadors.

Take confidence in the grace Christ provides and just try to allow your light to shine to others with the same love, forgiveness, understand and compassion that Christ shows towards you.

[Furstentum Liechtenstein]

Just hand it over to Christ, and then divert your focus externally to loving others.

Of course, it doesn't mean you just ignore it or make no effort to self improve. But don't beat yourself up over it too much either. Christ has your back.

This is what the Accuser wants -- to make you feel inadequate and like you're not worthy to be an ambassador for Christ and therefore you become ineffective due to your own self-doubt.

However unworthy we are, Christ forgave and accepted us... so even if we are unworthy (and I believe we all are), we're nonetheless Christ's imperfect ambassadors.

Take confidence in the grace Christ provides and just try to allow your light to shine to others with the same love, forgiveness, understand and compassion that Christ shows towards you.

Excellent!

FL

[Philip]

Kurieuo wrote:Just hand it over to Christ, and then divert your focus externally to loving others.

Of course, it doesn't mean you just ignore it or make no effort to self improve. But don't beat yourself up over it too much either. Christ has your back.

This is what the Accuser wants -- to make you feel inadequate and like you're not worthy to be an ambassador for Christ and therefore you become ineffective due to your own self-doubt.

However unworthy we are, Christ forgave and accepted us... so even if we are unworthy (and I believe we all are), we're nonetheless Christ's imperfect ambassadors.

Take confidence in the grace Christ provides and just try to allow your light to shine to others with the same love, forgiveness, understand and compassion that Christ shows towards you.



Excellent!

FL

Ditto!

[Gman]

So guys, what in your opinion are the best ways, which would help to leave the addiction of porn?

It can be done... Just realize that viewing pornography is a sin in G-d's book. And not only does it destroy your relationship with G-d but with others as well. It is a destroyer of marriages, relationships, and your walk with G-d and will leave you empty, alone, and cold. We are to live pure lives as Jesus is pure Matthew 5:48.

These article that Rich wrote addresses it very well.

http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/p ... tians.html
http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/h ... _porn.html

As few verses that addresses sin..

Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

Romans 6:15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.