Ever had this feeling before? I know I have. The feeling that God isn’t answering your prayers. I’m certain that many, many of you have felt or do feel this way. As I was thinking about this, God put this thought in my head: often, the problem is us.

You see, we might be praying for help to overcome this addiction. We might be praying for strength to overcome the temptations when they come. But are we really trying to overcome? Are we doing what it takes to resist temptation?

 Consider the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob. In Genesis 39, we find the story of Mrs. Potiphar trying to flirt with Joseph. Joseph repeatedly rejects her advances. He told her, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). But one day, in verse 11, Joseph went into the house, and no servants were there. Mrs. Potiphar was trying a different approach. She grabbed him by his garment. (Remember, if the devil can’t get you to sin through one temptation, he will try another one. Make no mistake. Be on your guard. 1 Peter 5:8).

What did Joseph do next? He ran. He didn’t even fight for his garment. He just ran. What are you doing when temptations come? Do you run? Or do you stick around to flirt with it?

Remember also what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5:29-30, this is right after Jesus mentioned that lusting in the heart is the same as adultery, Jesus says that if your hand or eye causes you to sin, cut it away and throw it away. In other words, if you can’t seem to stop using your computer to look at porn, get rid of it. If you can’t stop using your cell phone to view porn, get rid of it. Use filters that you don’t have the passwords to. Get an accountability partner. Use x3watch.

It’s not that God doesn’t want to answer our prayers. But we have a part to play.  Remember James 4:7-8: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”