One Battle at a Time
The Hebrew people spent 40 years walking in the desert. God delivered them out of Egypt and promised them a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). Why did they end up walking in a desert for 40 years instead of living in their promised land? They were afraid of the inhabitants of the land due to their physical size and numbers (Deuteronomy 1:28). They chose not to fight their enemy.
I do not understand why the Hebrew people felt scared and chose to resist God’s plan for them. God had brought them out of slavery. They witnessed powerful miracles before and immediately after they left Egypt. All they had to do was enter the promised land and fight the enemy. Victory was theirs. How could they doubt God’s love and plan for them?
The same way that we doubt God’s plan for our lives. God gave us a moral code. Our conscience is our moral code. When we lie, we feel guilty. When we steal, we feel guilty. When we view pornography, we feel guilty. When we are involved in sexual activity outside of marriage, we feel guilty. All addictions control us and riddle us with guilt. Guilt and shame exist when we do something that we should not do.
The Hebrew people told themselves that they could not overcome the enemy. This is one of the lies that you are told about your addictions. You are told that you cannot stop watching pornography, you cannot stop being an adulterer. These are outright lies. The enemy lies and says that you can’t stop doing what you are doing or that what you are doing is acceptable.
You can stop. How do I know this? Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse does not say ‘I can do somethings…’ or ‘I can do everything except stop watching pornography.’ To paraphrase the verse… ‘Everything is possible through Christ who does strengthen you.’ As such you have been assured victory in overcoming your sexual addiction(s).
The key is to acknowledge the sexual addiction and fight against the temptation every time it rears its ugly head. Don’t ever stop fighting the addiction(s). When you begin to feel tempted…
1. Ask God to provide a way out. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we are told that all temptation can be beaten, and that God will provide a way out of the temptation for our sake. There have been times at night when I have been tempted and I’ve prayed and asked that I fall asleep because the temptation is there. It has worked. The benefit was that I didn’t sin, and I had a good night’s sleep.
2. Put into practice strategies to help reduce the exposure to temptation. If internet porn is an issue, consider the following:
a. Pay to have a web filter on your internet plan.
b. Give your spouse access to your internet history.
c. Don’t access the internet without another person in the room.
d. Know your ‘triggers’ and put in place strategies to reduce opportunities for temptation.
e. If sex outside of marriage is an issue, then don’t be alone with your partner at your place or her place.
f. If adultery is an issue, then make sure you are not alone with anyone you find attractive.
g. While you are learning to overcome temptation, I encourage you to minimise alcohol consumption. Alcohol use can lead to an increase in temptation around sexual sins and we are more likely to succumb to the temptation once we’ve had a drink or two.
With time and perseverance, you will be free from the sexual addiction(s). Nowhere in the bible does God say that He wants you to be controlled by a sexual addiction (or any addiction.) As such the battle is yours to win. God gives you the strength.
When the Hebrew people entered the promised land after spending 40 years in the desert; their spies heard from the inhabitants of the land that they were scared of the approaching Hebrew army. Joshua 2:9. God was on the Hebrew side and the enemy knew about the previous victories won through God.
The enemy tells you that you can’t beat the porn addiction or the sexual sin that you keep engaging in. This same enemy however knows that victory is yours because God is on your side. Claim the victory and walk in freedom.
If you would like to confidentially discuss the topic of pornography or sexual addictions, feel free to contact us We are committed to helping you overcome and win your battles.
By JS
Note 1; The person who helped the Hebrew spies and told them that her city (Jericho) was terrified of the Hebrew people was Rahab. Rahab was King David’s Great, Great Grandmother. Jesus was a descendant from the line of King David. Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God has a purpose for your life, and He wants to work with you to overcome all addictions and problems. Rahab was also a prostitute, and her redemption shows that God can forgive everyone and use everyone for the purposes of building His kingdom.
