Pornography and sexual addiction have become major problems in our current culture. While offering the promise of “great sex”, the onslaught of sexual images from television, movies, magazines and particularly the internet has instead destroyed the sex lives of millions of men and women.
For many, the issues of pornography, lust and fantasy have devastated their marriages. Statistics show that 50% of Christian men have a problem with pornography. No church is immune. Men are entrenched in decade’s long negative patterns and this is usually a long term battle to conquer.
Sexual addiction is just that: an addiction – not unlike drug or alcohol addiction. Few addicts can just “stop on their own”.
Scriptures to Memorize
The most powerful thing you can do to combat temptation and help you deal with issues of pornography and lust is to memorize scripture. You will have the very Word of God in your heart, like the Bible commands. Memorize these scriptures and be set free. Jesus came not only to save you FOR your sins, He came to free you FROM your sin. These scriptures will empower you to live the life Christ died for and intends for you to have. The Word tells us that sin no longer has a hold on us if we are believers in Jesus. Speak these verses when you are dealing with temptation. Fight with the power of the sword, the Word of God, just like Jesus did when He faced temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version)
13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
James 1:12-16 (New International Version)
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.
Psalm 119:9-11 (New International Version)
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
James 4:7-8 (New International Version)
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Matthew 1:21 (New International Version)
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
1 John 2:14 (New International Version)
14 I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Hebrews 2:17-18 (New International Version)
17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement forthe sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (New International Version)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.