Strategies to Overcome Porn Temptation - Believe freedom from pornography is possible!

Pornography is defeated by winning one small battle after the next. Victory over temptation is always possible, it is never easy. God has already equipped you to overcome every temptation that you will encounter today, it is up to you to access the divine strength that is within you.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.

Step #1: Throw the First Punch

Overcoming temptation begins as soon as you begin the day. Your first order of business each day is spending a few moments prayerfully reflecting on truth. You must enter a frame of mind that keeps you in a state of readiness to do all that is necessary to overcome temptation. Remind yourself, “Today I will face various trials and temptations, but I can overcome through Christ who strengthens me.”

Repeat these 5 steps as needed:

Throw the First Punch. Win the Next 10. Endure the Storm. Choose the Red Pill. Enter the Breach.

Step #2: Win the Next 10

When you encounter what seems to be an overwhelming temptation to look at pornography, don’t feel like you have to completely overcome it in that moment. Break it down by committing to not view pornography for 10 minutes. The ‘Strategy of Postponement’ was developed by ancient Greek philosophers to master overwhelming desires and emotions. Pornography temptation is defeated by winning one small battle after the next. You can win the next 10!

Step #3: Endure the Storm

The postponement strategy requires you to endure a high level of discomfort, but remember, it will not last. Every minute you endure this pain, you strengthen your inner resolve and fortitude. Endure the pain of self denial, it’s temporary, it gets easier, and it’s always worth it! Jesus Christ demonstrated the human capacity to endure tremendous suffering for the sake of love. Join him on the cross for 10 minutes.

Step #4: Choose the Red Pill

In the movie The Matrix, the main character Neo is offered the choice between taking a blue pill that would keep him trapped in a fabricated world of illusions, or a red pill that would open his eyes to the truth of living in the “real world”. Pornography is a world of slavery masked by illusions. Every decision to consume pornography is tethered to a lie. You must choose the red pill to experience an authentic life. During the next 10 minutes, work on memorizing the following 10 “Red Pill” verses:

1. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. — James 1:12
2. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. — 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7
4. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. — Hebrews 2:18
5. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. — 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
6. For You have girded me with strength for battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. — Psalm 18:39
7. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. — James 1:2-4
8. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. — Hebrews 12:1
9. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10
10. For nothing will be impossible with God. — Luke 1:37

Remind yourself of these Red Pill realities:

• Pornography affects every aspect of my behavior.
• Pornography rewires the reward center of my brain, and reduces my ability to experience pleasure and happiness.
• It produces feelings of shame, frustration, fear, self doubt, anger, and weakness.
• It makes me less capable of being in healthy relationships, and it fosters isolation.
• It reduces my ability to see the dignity in all people, including my family and friends.
• Pornography is never worth the price it forces me to pay.

Step #5 Step Into the Breach

The 10 minutes you spend on the cross magnifies the power and effectiveness of your prayers. In these moments, unite your suffering to Christ on the cross, and offer prayers for your children, your wife, and all of your loved ones. Offer it up for the entire world. Utilize the Precari app to pray for the needs of others. Ask God to bring healing to your mind and soul, and to all of those affected by pornography. In these difficult minutes, you can change the world forever.