Be Watchful And Pray To Avoid Temptation

Tags

Depression, Integrity, Living Life On Life's Terms, Pornography, Prayer, Struggles, Temptation

The key, I have found out with my own recovery process, is being vigilant towards things that could be a temptation for me as well as praying when I am tempted.

I always have to be aware of my surroundings and that includes those that ARE around me. I see things a LOT differently than I did four or five years ago. I do not take those “double-takes” anymore because I know where my mind use to go when I did.

I am watchful of the things I watch on TV, as well as my phone and I have had to unfriend people on Facebook for the photos they were sharing. Just being watchful and diligent.

I also have to mindful of my words and how I react to others. I am normally a calm and quiet man but I do have a temper and if I let it loose I have no control over what comes out of my mouth.

And I must admit I was not so mindful the other day when I someone said something totally stupid. I kind of let them have it. Had to apologize later.

But…anyway…here is the one thing that has helped me the most.

Every night before bed I pray and ask the Lord to clear my mind of any unpure thoughts and allow me to go to sleep, because that was always the time when I was tempted to look at porn the most….when I was tired and couldn’t go to sleep. That, for me, was when my spirit was willing but my flesh wasn’t.

When depression sets in now I will turn on some music and pray, instead of resorting to my old habits.

Music is my therapy, as is writing here.

I do not know your struggles….maybe it is porn, anger, a sexless marriage, alcohol, drugs or over eating. But I do know, in order not to fall, you must be watchful and be mindful of who you allow in your circle and your surroundings. And for heaven’s sake pray when temptation comes.

Father,

May we be always aware of our surroundings. May we be careful about who we allow into our lives. Keep our hearts and minds pure. Give us the strength to be watchful, as it can be taxing. If we do fall and sin let us promptly ask for forgiveness. Keep us focused on working out our sanctification and break our hearts Father of what breaks yours.

Amen

 

Sometimes It’s Just Plain Tough​ Being An Accountability Partner

Tags

Accountability, Galatians 6:1, God, Restoration, Temptation, Walking in Freedom

Man, sometimes it is so difficult to be an accountability partner. Especially when it deals with pornography. This verse sums it all up for me.

There are have been so many times where I am listening to a young man tell me about what his struggle with porn has done to him and I remember when mine started, the path it took me down and how deep down that pit I allowed myself to go. But anyway…

Here I am listening to this man or young person tell me when he started watching, the things he has seen, the things he has done and more often than not I find myself saying yeah I know EXACTLY what you mean.

I share with them that it was and is only by God’s grace I am free. And that sharing my own struggle with my accountability partners and by calling on them when I felt the temptation to watch was I able to stay away.

And the whole time I am fighting a battle in my own mind trying NOT to remember the things I have seen and done in my own past. As a friend told me one day “Things seen can not be unseen.”

If I’m not careful I could end up revisiting things and allow myself to ponder, which could lead me to me looking at porn again. I have to diligent in my prayers before and after that phone call, thread on messenger or text.

I can’t go back.

Please pray for me as I continue in this journey God has called me to…helping other men find freedom from pornography.

Day 6 Of Inspiration: God Is Faithful

Tags

A Way Out, Daily Prayer, Faithful, God, Temptation

Day 4 Of Inspiration: Be Alert

Tags

Daily Inspiration, Daily Prayer, Struggles, Temptation

Somebody Is Watching You

Tags

Accountabilty, Husband, Marriage, Sin, Struggles, Temptation, Walk of Faith, Wife

Someone is always watching you to see if you slip. But the most important person who is watching is God. He loves us dearly. He does not want to see us fall, trip or hit a wall head on. Every time we are about to hit said wall God will bring something (a way out) into our lives. It is up to us, though, to see it and use it.

Sadly, many of us fail to see the way out because we are so caught up in the moment.

Some of us could be sitting at the computer late at night not able to sleep. We just sit there in a blank state looking at the blinking cursor trying to decide whether or not the hit the enter button and go there…knowing we shouldn’t. Then we get that goofy text and we sit there looking at our phone going who the heck is texting me this late. You look at the text and it just says…I need prayer…there it is… a way out.

Some of us could be sitting at work waiting for the next customer to come in and pay so we can “play” with the cash in the register…knowing deep down inside that the cash would be needed. Yet, there is the customer who paid and another coming in the store. Let’s not forget the security camera staring you in the face…there it is.

Some of us could work in those corny little cubicles (no offense, if you do) and all your work is done with no pressing phone calls to make and no more appointments. You look around to make sure no one is looking. Then you softly place your head on your arms to take a cat nap. Knowing it’s wrong or you would not have looked around to see if someone was watching in the first place and then the phone rings…there it is.

For some of us, it could be the double take syndrome. This can go for both genders by the way. You and the spouse are just talking a stroll and this handsome guy or gorgeous woman walks by. You pretend not to notice. You struggle not to look over your shoulder and then there it is. Your spouse squeezes your hand.

Photo Credit: Gen Nishino/Getty Images

For every temptation given to man there is a way out. Many times it IS the same people who ARE watching us. Integrity is tough. It is even tougher when no one is around to watch you, yet God sees all. Even those things done in the dark. He will provide the way out…if we listen..and see it for what it is.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to tempted above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation, also make the way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

• Notice it says..but such is common to man. Meaning you are not alone in your temptation. Someone else has already dealt with it.
• God is faithful, who will not permit… Meaning that God is not the one tempting you but rather the enemy of the Heavens, the devil. So don’t get mad at God when you are tempted. Get mad at the devil.
• Notice the promise…also make the way to escape. Escape means to get away. For some of us it means to RUN!

So the next time you are being tempted and you get that text, that look, that squeeze of the hand or whatever it may be, do not get mad. Be happy that God IS faithful and has placed that means of escape in your life. Take it and then praise Him for it!

 

God Bless,

Stuart