Up until recently, you thought you could indulge yourself, confess your sin and get on with living for Christ. Even if you had periodic lapses and secret moral falls, you thought you could bounce back after spending some time alone on your knees pouring your heart out to the Lord. You heard of others being trapped, hooked and addicted – but – no way, it just wouldn’t happen to you. For you, it was just going to be an occasional solo immoral indulgence.
But it has become a monster. You are constantly on the lookout for private-time when you can get another look – but no matter how many looks and clicks you make, you always hope there will be time for one more. You love it one minute and hate it the next. You are becoming more damaged, more irritable and happy times with the Lord are almost non-existent now. Behind the smiling face you still manage to wear, there is a heart shattered by guilt and darkness.
It’s called a vice. It’s called addiction. It’s called sin. It’s called disobedience.
Many years ago, Solomon wrote about the process of temptation to immorality. Here is what he observed:
For at the window of my house I have looked out…,
and I have seen among the simple…,
a young man lacking sense,
passing (sauntering back and forth) along the street
near her corner,
taking the road to her house in the twilight,
in the evening, at the time of night and darkness.
(Proverbs 7:6-9 ESV)
The thought is – the young man knew he was in the zone where it happened. But it hadn’t happened to him yet. He was just getting close. Playing with the idea. In the zone. Walking back and forth in close proximity to the immoral dangers. Lingering. Allowing himself to be tempted. Not quite there, but near – very close. Before he knows it, he’s on the very road to the fall.
Around him – well, it’s twilight. The grey zone. Still nervous. But the pall of darkness is now swirling around him in thick clouds. Nothing but darkness outside and even worse inside. That’s when he takes the plunge. Nothing can stop him now. It’s too late. It has happened. Now he lives with the guilt and shame – until the next time. What a vicious cycle it is – whether it’s the fantasized process or the real thing.
If this Bible Bite is scaring you and you are wondering if someone has been an informant, or how this email could be so dead-on, you need immediate help. Be sure of this, the problem will not go away on its own. It will only grow and damage you more.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).” (Colossians 3:5 AMP)
There are resources available to you. Do a little research. Google: ‘online Christian resources pornography temptation’. Be careful to distinguish between what will spiritually and emotionally help you with your sexual struggles versus other doctrinal beliefs the organization might promote outside the sphere of sexual temptation.
If you are aware of other resources and websites or precautionary software, you can make your suggestions by posting a response below to this particular Bible Bite.
This problem does not need to wreck your Christian life. Many Christians after taking deliberate actions and with strength from the Lord have successfully overcome this powerful addiction. And today, they are living for the Lord with a cleared conscience and with confidence – fully restored and enjoying Christ.
Find a safe Christian or elder to confide in. A safe Christian or a true shepherd will not embarrass or shame you or betray your confidence. They will do all they can to help and support you.
And above all, turn to Christ and to the Word of God.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay