“Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (NASB) -Romans 6:11
I fought with porn for more than 10 years
I fought with porn and lust for over ten years. I felt like nothing could help me. I felt like I was living in a deep dark tunnel. I started “considering” myself a slave to porn and lust.
Sin destroyed my true identity until I faced the reality that I believed a lie. I was not a slave to sin. I was not a slave to lust. I consider what Jesus did for me and how He made way for me to experience true freedom. When temptation came (usually at night when I was alone with my laptop), I’d get out of bed, turn on some worship music, and start “considering” my real identity in Christ through prayer and meditation.
Lust has no power over us… even though it doesn’t always feel that way
Paul’s words are evident, we are not dying to sin, but instead, we are already dead to sin and lust. We are dead to sin and alive in Christ Jesus. Jesus’ life flows inside of us. Many times we don’t feel that way, but this beautiful truth remains a reality.
Paul is giving us a commandment. He understands that Jesus died for our sins, He has conquered the power of sin, He has brought us into His Kingdom, and now we need to “consider.”
The word consider is the Greek word “logizomai.” It is an accounting term: it means to add something up. It’s like when you go to the bank and ask for the total balance in your account. After finding out your account balance, you don’t have more money; but what you do have is the value of your bank account.
In other words, what Paul is saying is since you are dead to sin, now reckon it to be true. Believe in your heart this reality about yourself. Live out this new identity in Jesus.
What should I do when I want to watch porn?
When temptations come, and the lustful thoughts start to bombard your mind, remind yourself that you are alive in Christ. Sin is dead and has no power. There is a new king on the throne of your heart.
A few months ago, I was reading a story about St. Augustine. During his teens and young adult years, he battled with lust. Everything changed when he surrendered his life to God. He became one of the fathers of the early church. One day an old friend approached him. She tried to seduce him to follow her home for sexual intercourse. Augustine turned down her offering right away. She thought to herself, “Maybe he forgot who I am,” and she said to him, “Augustine, it is me!” “Yes, I know,” Augustine replied, “but it’s not I.”
What a great reality! We are not what we used to be. We are not slaves to lust. We are alive in Christ. It is Christ that lives in us. We need to “consider” this new reality and walk in it.
Lust has no power; it cannot enslave us because our old desires do not define us anymore.
Today, I encourage you to pray and ask God for a revelation of who you are. Ask Him to help you believe that you indeed are dead to lust. It is no longer your battle, but His. God goes before you. You just need to walk it out.
To help you walk it out, XXXchurch.com has workshops and small groups available to help! Check out Live Free App for community, accountability, and fresh weekly resources! We are here for you, and we believe in you.