Abide in Jesus. Win the War.
Willpower Is Not Enough [For Freedom — Porn Resource Pt.6]
Note: This series was originally written as a group resource to be read and discussed over a period of several weeks. If you’re reading this alone, I pray that it helps you, but I encourage you to go through it with someone.
We are at war. When at war, we need to double down on our time with Jesus. If you spend 30 minutes per day during peacetime, double that to an hour during wartime.
When sin and temptation come knocking at your door, don’t answer it. Run to Jesus. Run to accountability.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 ESV).
Saying no is not enough. Willpower won’t prevail.
Light drives out the darkness. Good defeats evil. Jesus conquers sin and death.
By yourself, you are no match for the devil, but with Jesus and His Spirit, victory is certain.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:5,7 ESV).
This resource will not help you if you’re not spending time with Jesus every day. Stop looking to people and programs for solutions; start looking to Jesus. Only then can we help.
Winning the War in Your Mind
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 ESV).
Oftentimes, those struggling with addictions may gain total freedom physically, but mentally, they’re still trapped, leading to relapse.
If you want total freedom, you cannot just change your behavior. In the case of porn, it’s still floating around in your head. You may still see it every time you close your eyes. You need a complete renewal of your mind and heart, and only Jesus can do that.
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV).
Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (see the full resource, “How to Win the War in Your Mind”). Every time porn pops into your head, submit it to Christ. Replace it with truth. Every time you feel helpless or hopeless, submit it to Christ. Replace it with a promise. Every time you accidentally see something stimulating, submit it to Christ and confess it to an ally. The battle is real, and the devil will not back down unless we make him.
TIP: Memorizing scripture is an invaluable tool in this journey to freedom (see resource, “60 Helpful Verses to Memorize”).
Mind — Body Connection
The mind and the body are connected. Oftentimes, it’s easier to control the body than the mind, so if you’re struggling with the war in your mind, strengthen your body. Ask yourself:
- Am I getting enough sleep? Am I going to sleep and waking up at an appropriate hour?
- Am I honoring God with my body (i.e. food, exercise)?
Exercise // Abide
Make a plan to abide in Jesus: time, place, reading plan (see resource, “Abide in Jesus”).
Recommendation // At Least 30 Minutes Per Day
- Read 2 chapters from the Old Testament and 1 chapter from the New Testament each day.
- Make a daily and a weekly prayer list (see resource, “Weekly Prayer Plan”)
