Easy access to porn.
As a kid I remember getting shopping ads in the newspaper. While I looked through things I wanted, there was an alternative motive, the lingerie ads. It was one of the first things I masturbated too. It was easy to get a hold of the ads, what the companies would send out as ads would be so much more. From the time I was a kid there have been a lot more then less. What can we do about this? If you’re in this boat, how can we get through this?
I would like to say these ads don’t tempt people but just in the past months, I have a middle age gentlemen tell me this was one of his biggest struggles, getting the ads and that was his sexual sin that he acted out on. We can lust over things we don’t have in our own lives. As adults, we can try to justify this as we are trying to get a present or look for something for our significant others. It can lead us down a path we don’t want to go. While this isn’t the deepest sexual sin, it’s still a sin.
Jesus goes into this in an interesting couple of verses in Matthew 5:27-30, “27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
While this is some harsh verses, it doesn’t mean to literally gouge out your eye, but to protect yourself in any way possible so you don’t fall into this. We can struggle with this but it doesn’t mean we are going to hell for this. Lingerie ads are all around though. You need to protect yourself.
Different ways to protect yourself from this…
Bouncing thoughts – When I talked to a sexual psychologist for my own struggles he brought this up to me. When your eyes notice something of the sexual nature, bounce. Bounce your thought to something else immediately. The first times I did this, I didn’t realize how much looking I actually did in a day. It does help, bounce your thoughts.
Limit ads – ads can pop up at the side of your internet. Some ads have the ability to be limited so you don’t see those type of ads anymore.
Shop at good sites – If you are looking for lingerie, you can let your wife buy for herself (Honestly is lingerie a present for you or for her?)
If you are single – I feel for you man, this is always a tough month, and you could be looking for a release. Use the bounce methods or find something to pass the time. I know, not biggest help but find something to occupy the time. Idle hands and time can be a big problem and was when I was single.
Good luck during this time that is a blessing and a curse and stay pure.