I have been getting tons of emails asking how do I give up porn? How do i stop? I thought it was time for a battle plan. All areas of the Armed Services have battle plans ready for when they are called up to fight. They learn the layout of the land, they gather intelligence about what weapons the enemy may have, they learn their movements, and anything else they can use for attack. As with every point of offense they also need to plan a defense for when they get attacked first. You need to know how to defend yourself. Here are a few tips to help with your battle plan.
Part One: Surrender
First, Surrender! I know it seems backward but its not trust me on this. You need to surrender you life and sexual sin to Jesus. Give it all to him. He can handle it. He loves you and wants to guide you through this tough time.
1John 1:9...If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
But what I've discovered from the reports of many, who have struggled with sexual sin, is a phenomenon that is called "the repentance roller-coaster." This is where a Christian FEELS that he has repented; but he or she soon falls back into the same pattern of sin, feeling the guilt all over again, and having to go back and confess again. This pattern often recurs OVER and OVER and OVER again, like a roller-coaster riding up and down. Maybe you're on that roller-coaster right now.
The problem here, I believe, is incomplete surrender. It would be like giving over most of the keys to a rental house when the landlord calls for them, but retaining one or two keys to secret, dark closets that are hidden from view. But who do we think we're trying to kid, anyway?! Do we really think we can hide any of our keys from the Master Landlord, ... GOD?
Part Two: Preparation
No good General would want his troops to go into battle without good preparation. And the first stage of preparation is BOOT CAMP. Boot camp is where the soldier gets in shape, gets equipped, and learns the basics of fighting on the battlefield.
The early stages of boot camp get the soldier into fighting shape. This involves discipline; and the discipline you're going to need to battle the enemy on the porn field only happens when you develop your scriptural muscles. You desire to avoid sin, I assume?! Well God's word is clear on this.
So ... getting God's word deeply into your heart is a must, soldier! And if you're not willing to discipline yourself by study, meditation, and memorization of God's word, you will not be in shape to meet the enemy on his turf (i.e., the world). Some have used a mentor, a battle-hardened warrior in Christ,someone to become your drill instructor and field sergeant. This mentor will show you the ropes, someone who has been where you are at and knows your struggles and can help you get over any obstacle.
While getting in shape, the next phase of boot camp is getting fully equipped for battle. You can find God's equipment listed for you in Ephesians 6: 10- 11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. . And the only way to put this grace empowered equipment on is to study, meditate, and internalize this passage. This is just going to take some good, old-fashioned brow sweat. However, getting help with this from a mentor/soldier in Christ is also a good idea.
The final phase of boot camp is becoming battle ready with practice, practice, and more practice. This means taking the skills you will learn, putting on your grace-given armor, and getting some field experience, with the direction by someone who can give you reliable feedback with appropriate exhortation and encouragement. This person is the drill instructor who becomes your field advisor and leader. I would like to refer to the mentor as an accountability partner also.
Part Three: The Battle
You certainly know that you won't have to worry about finding the battle, because it will find you. In fact you may be right in the middle of it right now. But so many, who're attacked by Satan's arrows right into our weakest points, don't realize that we can choose to take the high ground in this battle. I'm referring to the primary staging ground which gives us a real advantage in battle with the enemy.
You see, the high ground for any spiritual battle is PRAYER. Even before you get all the appropriate equipment, ... and before you get yourself in shape for battle, ... and, with the help of your drill instructor (mentor), before you have practiced your skills, ... and certainly before you have studied God's marching orders, ... before you do all these things, you MUST GO to the place where you are in the best position to protect yourself and ultimately to win; and that place is in PRAYER! Now granted, when the battle arrives, we must go into that staging area with your practiced and sharpened sword (i.e., God's word) drawn and ready (i.e., deep in our heart).
Final : Victory
We all are looking for victory over Satan and over our sin nature. And as we've seen here, that is what you are promised. In fact, as a Christian, God wouldn't put you into any trial or tribulation or allow you to be tempted in any way that He didn't feel you could handle it … with His help
.1Corinthians 10: 13 ... No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will a make a way of escape, that you may also bear it.
Now that's encouragement! But the question is, do you believe it?! And an even more practical question becomes ... how far do we allow ourselves to be entrapped in Satan's lair before asking God to help us find a way out? It is true that our weakness can become a powerful showcase for God's strength.
Get a battle plan together today.
STEVE OH
LOVE JESUS/LOVE PEOPLE
