THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
I am still trying to learn a new simple disciple skill (it has nothing to do with lust). I have failed so many times that I am wondering if I am a failure. But I am not a failure and neither are you.

But in order to learn a new disciple, we sometimes need to go to extremes. For example: Work often sucks, and “Stan” is in the mad cycle of, getting upset at work, then coming home and falling immediately. #2, “Dan” is in the mad cycle of, constant big fights with people he has relationships with, then immediately falling.

Let's assume they are both open to fighting temptation with the verses for quitting, but... they spiral so fast that they don't even remember to try it.

Key Point: We need to win in advance. Both of these people are thinking about their problems instead of Jesus. Solution: Set an alarm for every hour of the day and read or recite one of the verses every hour. Consistently getting scripture in us starts to get the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit will help us handle our problems.

Secondly, have a backup plan. What if Stan prints out these verses and develops the habit of reading these key verses for one to three minutes as soon as he gets in his car after work. What if he says: When I have a bad day I will read these verses for 7 solid minutes before I drive one minute.

Why will this work? It works because before, Stan would keep thinking about what he thought were his problems on the drive home. After reading these key verses he is reminded of what his real problems are. So as he drives home, he prays and thinks about his real problems. Now that he is thinking correctly, he starts to think about how much time he is going to spend praying over scripture, and then praying over articles on Nofap as soon as he gets home.

Back to Dan. Even if the big fights are not his fault at all, change is needed. Jesus commands me to love others. I don't pray enough about this. #2 Jesus says to turn the other cheek. I don't even consider that. #3 Satan will use anyone to get us to fall (but we are responsible for our reaction, not them). When we realize that “12 we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Then, we realize that we need to fight back with prayer instead of insults or getting mad.

Pray: “Father, help me to love the people around me.” How many prayers do you need to write and how often do you need to pray them in order to get out of the mad cycle? In order to stay calm enough to get to the key verses before the downward slide gets too fast.

Lastly, write out a thorough plan, which will help you win in advance so that you can safely get into scripture before you spin out of control.

Plan – pray – then allow the Word to help you win.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
My notes from Rick Warren's video continue:

“Behind every sinful thought is some lie that we are believing. Instead, take captive and conquer – making every thought obedient unto Christ.

When we allow temptation to “run,” it becomes more important than anything else. #2 When we consider temptation, we begin to doubt that God knows best.”

Insert: Pray: “Father, help me to remember that You know best.”

Rick continues: “Satan tries to get you to doubt that God loves you. #3 Deception is replacing God's truth with a lie. Satan said to Eve: If you eat the fruit you won't die. Satan uses the same bait on us over and over again.”

Insert - If I poll every person on this site who is free for 100 days and ask: Are you happier now? 99% would say yes. Memorize that fact. Believe them, believe God, tell satan that you won't be fooled again.

Rick continues: “Disobedience and defeat. What I flirt with I will fall for.” Pray, “Father, show me when I am flirting.” Always remember the consequences, what you sow you will reap.

Psalms 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.

Insert: David was blessed beyond belief when he lived the way he wrote in this passage. He was chased and beat beyond belief when he didn't.

Rick continues: Feed the truth, focus on right things. #2 Hebrews 10:24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:” Think about others – it's not about you. If you want joy, help others. #3 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Think about eternity every day. Christians will be there for a long time. Let heaven fill your thoughts.”

Great tips from Rick.

Pray: “Father, help me to focus on treasures in heaven.”

Lastly, Always have note cards or printouts with quitting tips on them. You should be praying to “turn aggressively from sin” so often that you know exactly what TAFS means.

Always have something better to think about... or you will think wrong!
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The Lord's prayer says “Hallowed be thy name.” Hallowed means greatly to be revered. A deep respect for His name and for His bible. I not only think that the Bible is true, I think that many verses have the power to change us. That we serve a great and mighty God, who is holy, just, and awesome.

That His Son is a shining light, ready to shine through us to light up a dark world. That His Holy Spirit is a holy powerhouse, ready to change us and fill us.

The Israelites needed to be reminded how great their God was. They always chose the hard way. I choose to remind myself all the time about how great my God is, and how powerful His Word is.

Pray: “Father, You Word will I hide in my heart, that I will not sin against Thee.”

God's name and His Word are sacred and holy. When I read some of these verses about lust I cringe. But I know that my God is right, loving, and good and that His way is always best (it's not even close). So I read them again, again, and again. I allow the Holy Sword of God's Word to slice out of me the things that destroy me.

The more I meditate on the Bible, the more I understand it. The more I understand it, the more power I have to obey it. The more I obey it, the more the Holy Spirit empowers me. The more He empowers me, the more He can shine His light in a very dark world.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

When we allow God's Word to empower us and change us, then we will see that He has the power to shine through us. And once that starts to happen, we just might never want to go back to the sin that previously enslaved us.

Pray: “Father, please change me, and show me what it is like to have “Your Holy Spirit” shine through me.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Positive Addictions

Many activities can become positive addictions, but they will all differ in terms of how much they help you stay clean permanently. Let's look at 5 activities: Playing the guitar, reading, vigorous exercise, teaching at church, and teaching others how to quit addictions.

Things like playing music, reading, and exercising rank high as distraction activities because they tend to take our minds to a new place. But things like teaching at church and helping others have several other benefits. Firstly, people who are teaching have to develop more expertise and more skills. Secondly, the Holy Spirit empowers those who are helping others. Because they need to be empowered.

But whichever activity you choose you will know if it becomes a positive addiction when the following occur. You start to do it daily, you love it, and now you are almost compelled to do this good activity.

Positive addictions lower temptation. If in a few months you have developed a bunch of them – you will be on the road to real success.

Today, start the positive addiction of praying about your God-given purpose. Then follow up that prayer with trying to do something to help somebody. This may be the very positive addiction you need to start in order to quit for good.
I got The idea for this from: https://stoptheaddictions.com/home-page/sex-porn-freedom/sex-porn-freedom-in-30-days-day-9/ Check it out if you want.

Priscilla Shirer wrote the following:

"When Paul talks about spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6, prayer is the seventh piece of armor. It activates all of the rest of the spiritual armor," she said. "When we refuse to pray, it's like having a refrigerator without plugging it in. Prayer is the divinely authorized mechanism God has given us to tap into His power. Without prayer, we'll be ineffective in spiritual warfare. But with it, we will be victorious."

The Truth About Spiritual Warfare

We see our struggles with habits in non-spiritual terms. So we often like non-spiritual solutions. But she notes that:

"Everything that occurs in the visible, physical world is directly connected to the wrestling match being waged in the invisible, spiritual world. The effects of the war going on in the unseen world reveal themselves in our strained and damaged relationships, emotional instability, mental fatigue, physical exhaustion and many other areas of life. Many of us feel pinned down by anger, unforgiveness, pride, comparisons, insecurity, discord, fear. . . and the list goes on. But the overarching, primary nemesis behind all these outcomes is the Devil himself."

The Enemy's Strategy
"He desires to lead you into sin so that fellowship is broken between you and God — this way you'll be disconnected from the Source of true power and strength.

The evil temptations that appeal to your specific desires and happen to show up when you are most vulnerable are not accidental. They are his deceptive tactics (and that of his evil entourage), specifically designed, timed and personalized in hopes that you fall prey to his demon ploy and miss out on experiencing an abundant life in Christ," she said.

Why It's Important to Pray
If we drink too much, watch risky shows too much, or get lazy too often, satan will attack us at these moments of weakness. When we often pray about non-lust-related issues as well as lust-related issues, we start to gain strength over them, and that will start to give satan less opportunity to temp us.

How to Pray: Just Talk with God
She continues: "Your prayer needs to be authentic and heartfelt. There is no need for ten-dollar words and poetic prose. Just be raw, frank, and real with God," she said. "I believe prayer works. Prayer has been more effective in my life than human solutions. Time, and time and time again, I've seen that lasting change comes only through prayer. When I pray — release it into His hands — God accomplishes what I can't do in my own strength.

Prayer is how we see heaven invade earth. It's what opens up the floodgates for God to come down and be involved in our everyday circumstances."

Priscilla has a lot of wisdom. Positive addictions will eventually force out negative addictions. Today, add a block of daily prayer as a great positive addiction.

When you fight satan with prayer and scripture you have a good thing. When you fight his temptations with a block of prayer over specific scripture you have a winning strategy.

Finally, almost everyone is weaker in one area from the last paragraph. Today... resolve to change your life by making it a strength.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Watch Clean TV/Movies

If you are clean for 3 days or less, it is wise to know exactly how much nudity/sex is in the new shows/movies that are now available.

Pray: “Father, help me to check before I watch.”

If you are asking Google how much nudity or sex is in ______ all the time, all you have to type is “how much” and Google will fill in the rest, then you put in the show's title.

Pray: “Father, help me to choose a great life instead of short-term fun which leads to destruction.”

When you look up a movie or TV show and see that you shouldn't be watching it, you will be tempted. So consider praying the above prayer. If temptation continues, get into the scriptures until you have regained control.

Satan lies and tells you other shows won't be as good. But if you choose the clean show, and praise God while you are watching it, it will be better and your overall life will be way better.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the PATH of life: in thy PRESENCE is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are PLEASURES forevermore.

With the clean show, you can have God's presence, pleasures, and the start to the fullness of joy.

If you memorize this verse and that sentence it will give you the wisdom you need to pick shows which will not stop you from having a great life.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” James 1:14-15.

When we study scripture we start to understand which desires we should fight often. When I watch TV I want to look at a beautiful woman. If I do that in excess I will come to the crossroads where it will “give birth to sin.” Instead, I can pray to run from sin several times when I turn on a new program. Instead, I can find other activities to do. Instead, I can remember that something always dies if I allow my current habits to lead me back to porn.

“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 also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

With every article I write I determine not to mention the verses for quitting. But the above verse loses its power if we don't dig into scripture. These key verses are your way of escape.

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17.

We walk in the Spirit by often saying: “Lord, I praise You.” By saying, “Father, Your ways are best.” By asking: If His ways are best, what change is needed to follow His ways. By striving to believe that obedience leads to the great life that the Bible says it leads to.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Scriptures about lust are mighty for pulling down strongholds. Prayer is mighty to prepare us for the temptation and scripture is mighty to pull it down.

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11.

When the writer (David) followed his own advice he was a great hero, pure and blessed. When he didn't... disaster.

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.” Ephesians 6:10-11.

We are all weak in one or two parts of the armor. Study this passage to see what part you need to pray about and then focus on making that part stronger.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Deuteronomy 28 says that we will be blessed if we follow God's commands.

KJV 28 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:​

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

9 The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.

12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13 And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14 And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Next, the last half of the chapter is a list of all the bad things that happen if we sin, and sin, and sin. Duh. If we check the results of habitual sin over the past year, our results are just like the last half of this chapter.

This chapter is awesome for a porn/lust addiction for two reasons. Firstly, memorize all the great things in the first half of the chapter that will happen when we overcome. Use them as inspiration. Secondly, the second half of the chapter tells us why the last year was not so great (if that was the case). It also tells us to be very fearful of doing the same right now, and this year.

I have studied and studied this chapter. I have found that when I live like the second half, bad things happen just like the Bible said they would. When I live like the first half, good things happen just like the Bible said they would.

I teach my kids to be Deuteronomy 28 Christians. I teach them to believe what it says. I teach them that they can live a great life if they do what the first half says.

Finally, it does not matter what you believe about this passage. What matters is that you watch your life as it unfolds over the coming year. Watch to see if this chapter is a predictor of how your next year goes.

Or, we can live like the first half, believe God, and have a mighty blessing.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9.

Some people read the Bible every day and still fall every third day. Some add to that, by reading a key verse about lust every day. Or 2, or 3, or 4. Taking heed means remembering what the Bible says at moments of temptation. It means knowing it, it means believing it.

I'm not above average at overcoming lust. But... I know exactly what the Bible says about it. And that knowledge gives me fear.

Fear of heroin is good. Fear of punching your annoying volleyball coach (who makes your daughter cry) is good. Fear of driving 130 mph is good. Fear of looking with lust is good.

Today, increase your fear of the bad things that are killing you.

Pray: “Father, fill me with Your wisdom.” Proverbs one says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Following that first verse can turn a life from sorrow and point it towards joy. Embrace wisdom, embrace purity – they will lead you to freedom.

For the full article click https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/if-you-are-new-here.324418/ Highly recommended.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
All habitual sin gives satan a piece of our hearts. Porn, drunkenness, lying, covetousness, or a list of 100 other things, all give him access to us. And once he is “in” he has the extra power to tempt us with lust all of the time.

I always say “go to war with all sin.” The reason for this is that when we fight “all sin,” he starts to lose his way in.

I wrote “Snap it” 3 months ago. After I wrote it I was shocked by how sharply my temptations went down when I used that method. The article advised: “Put a rubber band on your wrist. Every time you have a lustful thought, snap it and praise the Lord.”

When I did that my temptations went down. I was replacing his place in my heart with praise for the Lord.

Secondly, last week I got mad at my daughter's volleyball coach. He really deserved it. But, I was so mad... my old anger problem was right back in full swing. I started getting mad at everyone and everything. Suddenly I realized that I had let satan in. And now that he was in, he was gonna have the opportunity to do a lot of damage.

So I repented of my sinful anger. Suddenly, I stopped getting mad at anyone. Repenting kicked him right out, and my war with sin put up a barbed-wire fence that he now had to try to fight through. Now he was out and the Holy Spirit was activated again. Life was good again.

Lastly, when we are also fighting other non-lust-related sins, we are taking away satan's place in our hearts. And when we are praising and worshiping God instead, we are giving the Holy Spirit space. And when He is given space, good things start to happen.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Willpower is resisting short-term temptation in order to achieve long-term goals. When the teacher says: quit porn and you will be happier, everybody lines up to quit. When he says: memorize these verses to prepare for your great future – the line gets a lot shorter.

Willpower is being prepared for temptation. Write your top 3-5 reasons for quitting on a 3 by 5 card and read them constantly all day long.

APA.org noted the following regarding willpower depletion:

“Some of the earliest evidence of this effect came from the lab of Roy Baumeister. In one early study, he brought subjects into a room filled with the aroma of fresh-baked cookies. The table before them held a plate of cookies and a bowl of radishes. Some subjects were asked to sample the cookies, while others were asked to eat the radishes. Afterward, they were given 30 minutes to complete a difficult geometric puzzle.

Baumeister and his colleagues found that people who ate radishes (and therefore resisted the enticing cookies) gave up on the puzzle after about eight minutes, while the lucky cookie-eaters persevered for nearly 19 minutes, on average. Drawing on willpower to resist the cookies, it seemed, drained the subjects’ self-control for subsequent situations.”
Resisting drained their willpower.
“In another study, he (Muraven) found that smokers who practiced self-control for two weeks by avoiding sweets or regularly squeezing a handgrip were more successful at quitting smoking than control subjects who performed two weeks of regular tasks that required no self-control, such as writing in a diary.”

Practicing self-control increased their willpower.

Avoiding sweets and fatty foods has two positive effects. #1 practicing self-control will give you a tiny edge towards the self-control you really want. # 2 When we feel better, and when our bodies are a bit healthier, we have less willpower depletion.”

Willpower depletion is real and what that means is... we need to win fast.

3 verses to memorize to win faster:

Matthew 6:22-23
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Galatians 5:1 ESV
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Lastly, willpower is sometimes just deciding to be tough. Check out this highly recommended thread https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/learn-from-a-4-year-old.325017/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
My brother-in-law came to town this week. He struggles in some areas like many of us do. But, just a little bit of Jesus shines through him when you see how much he loves his family and how he treats others. He is increasing in his power to help others simply by his example of Christian love.

Pray: “Father, fill me with Your love. Help me to focus on Your ways so that Your light shines.”

A farmer saw his electric bill soaring. So he changed all his bulbs to a lower wattage despite his constant need to work after dark. On his first night, he skinned his knee slipping off a ladder step that he could barely see. On his second night, he cut his hand with a saw. He thought he had the board in the right place, but the darkness fooled him. Then on the third night, he stepped in a hole and broke his ankle.

Sometimes I am tempted to not read the Bible. But... the Bible turns the light on. And honestly, I am rarely tempted not to pray. It turns on a bright light.

Things like working on addiction turn on the light. Praising Jesus, singing Christian songs, and focusing on toughness turn the light on.

Say: “I refuse to continue to be a slave to this.”

Secondly, notice how good your life is when you have your light shining brightly. This is vitally important because trials and temptations will come. And when they do, you will remember that making the right decisions do lead to a great week, month and year. You will know that you just have to make it through that tough day. And once you know that you want a great year... it is an easy decision to study the Bible, or Nofap articles, or to pray for an hour so that you can change and have a great year.

Finally, when we focus on living in the light, it is a lot easier to see the path to a great productive life. For the full article click https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-power.327802/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Turn your Eyes upon Jesus

Helen Lemmel wrote the following hymm:

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace"

Life is getting tough. Gas prices are rising and food prices are going through the roof. But whatever problem you are facing today, the answer is the same. When we look upon Jesus our problems grow strangely dim. Today was a big mess for me, but I spent time in prayer. Now I am coping by thinking about heavenly things. Turning our eyes on Jesus means putting Him first. Keeping Him in our thoughts. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could walk on water. When he focused on the physical world, he sank. When I focus on Jesus I see the Truth. Today's bad events are merely a speck in the million years of my life.

Lastly, is something in your life taking you far from Jesus. What can you change to bring your eyes back upon Jesus so that you can live the abundant life?
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Someone noted that my giving thanks solution was not a surefire cure for depression. That is a fact despite the fact that it helps and is a really good practice. But the truth is that a full cure takes a lot of work.

To fight depression look for articles on this site about new ways to think. About new activities, positive addictions, being filled with the Holy Spirit, prayer, emotions, “The Light,” and joy. I have a hundred old articles in the Christian section. Some of these types of articles are filled with tips for overcoming depression. So the key to overcoming it is to have organized, available, and at your fingertips... some of those ideas that you are working on.

In real life, if you add giving thanks and praising Jesus to a list of 10 things you are working on from those old articles, you will really have something.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
When Disaster Strikes

Horatio Spafford wrote the famous hymn, “It is well with my soul,” after he heard the news that his four daughters had died in a transatlantic voyage.

I tell people incessantly to read the Bible, pray, run from sin, and study ways to quit. Why? Because I want you to know this huge powerful God that Horatio knew.

I am having a really bad day. Wouldn't it be nice if I had a huge powerful God like Horatio had? Oh wait... it is the same God. But, based on my reactions to disasters in the past, I just don't know Him the way Horatio did.

Because of Horatio's massive faith, hundreds of millions of people have been helped after hearing his words. Most of us would be shocked if we knew what God would do if we had faith like that.

Today, I am going to believe in that huge powerful God that Horatio believed in. I am going to go forward, trying to live in God's will.

I bet Horatio practiced the fundamentals of Christianity. Because of that, he was ready for disaster. And obviously, he continued to follow God's will in the disaster. Because of that, he will always be a hero, helping others for the remainder of history.

Today, read the Bible, pray, turn from sin, and study how to quit. Why? Because then you will know this huge, powerful God that Horatio knew.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
George's life was spiraling downward so he went to the sand dunes to contemplate how to avoid destruction in the future. While striding up the dunes he paused to look at beautiful lake Michigan, sparkly, clear, and blue. Then he noticed a man passing him. He had on a t-shirt that said, “The Answer” on the back.

“How you doing, the man said with a smile?”

“Okay... so tell me, what is the answer?”

The man looked at George, his eyes conveyed a spirit of wisdom. He said, “Most people chase pleasure, and gain. The Bible tells us to pursue purpose and purity.”

“How would I start doing that,” George asked.

“Attack sin systematically. Biblical Paul was not perfect, but he always attacked sin.”

“I could never be perfect,” George said.

“Neither could Paul, but he always repented quickly. He always had a plan for how he would change. He knew that purity was the answer.”

“Oh, so he planned better and tried harder.”

“Right, and he knew the scripture. He knew what he what striving for was right and great.”

“Yeah, I am always confused about everything.”

“For me, if the Bible says to do it that way, I believe it, try to do it, and think that it will make my life great.”

“Well... I try to do Christian things sometimes and my life is not great.”

“Here's a tip. The answer is to get rid of the sometimes in that sentence and to believe the Bible until it starts a fire burning in your soul. Paul had this huge fire burning, and that is why he knew what he knew. That is why he attacked sin.”

“So, if I do that I can have a great life?”

“One last thing. Always pray and ask the Holy Spirit what to do. Paul always tried to help others, to shine the light of Jesus wherever he went.”

“I am no good at that type of thing.”

“Jesus picked the 12 disciples mostly from fishermen. He wanted people who would try, not those with a religious degree.”

“I am willing to try.”

“Then you have everything you need to find the answer.”

To buy my book with stories on quitting click https://amzn.to/3Okh5kO. All proceeds go to this ministry.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
One week after his sand dunes trip ended, George called Charlie, the man he met at the dunes.

“George, how are you, charlie asked?”

“I'm okay. I've been trying to do what you told me, but it's not working. I've been trying to attack sin, but my lust addiction always gets me.”

“The key to overcoming is to find out where the breakdown is.

To do: Firstly, we should read the Bible daily. A chapter in the Old and a chapter in the New Testament. Even better, we should study God's commandments. A Google search will bring up a list for you. Better yet, we should meditate over and work on commands that we struggle with. Still better, we should memorize and pray over the specific verses that give us insight into our struggle.

Firstly, we need to know where the breakdown is because the Bible says that satan takes strongholds in our minds. He has taken over a portion of our thinking. With his stronghold, he keeps the power to consistently fill our minds with lust.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Now, we need to take that stronghold back. Let's look at the “to do” paragraph. Some people read the Bible a bit, others memorize and pray over specific scriptures. But if we want to take the stronghold back it is important to do everything on that “to do” list.

Here is why. Let's just say that we both read the Bible and start to memorize the verses for quitting. But... we notice that every time we get drunk, or greedy, or covetous – you name the sin that starts you on a slippery path. Every time we fall into any habitual sin we fall back into the lust habit.

In that case, we were sloppy with other commandments. We agreed with God that the lust sin would destroy us, but we decided that the other ones would not. God said they will, but, just like Adam and Eve, for a minute, we think we know better.

Memorize the Adam and Eve story. They gave up everything for a stinking Apple.

If I will give up everything for greed, or if Bill gives up everything for partying, or if Alice will give up everything for things.

If we give up everything, then, we need something sinful to replace our emptiness. Or... we can agree with God that doing things His way will start to lead to a great life.

Here are a couple of prayers that you could consider praying a few times per day:

Pray: “Father, show me why these other sins are so problematic.”

Pray: “Father, I agree with You. Please help me.”

Secondly, the to-do list will take a lot of time and effort. But... if you do the “to-do” list, you now are starting to write a new ending to your very own Adam and Eve story. Now, you are rapidly breaking down satan's stronghold. Now, your story starts to include, blessings, purpose, and the start of a great joy. And... your takeover and take-back will increase in success.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Two days later, George called Charlie, the man he met at the dunes.

“George, how are you, Charlie asked?”

“I'm great. I've been trying to do what you told me, it's something I really want. But, the reason for my call is that I told my best buddy about the “to-do” list and he found it very overwhelming. Talk to me a little bit about that.”

“I have two stories for you. The first one is the famous story of jungle hunters who set traps for monkeys. They would make traps where the opening was just big enough for the monkey's hand. Then they would place a shiny object in the trap. The monkeys would reach in, but once they grabbed the object, their hand was too big to pull back out. Even when the hunters were coming to kill them, they still knew they wanted that shiny object more than anything. They refused to let go and the hunters got them.

Consider praying: “Father, help me not to overvalue pleasure and not to overvalue ______.” Most of us have about four blanks we need to fill in.

The “to-do” list is overwhelming... unless we let go of those shiny objects we value so highly.

The second story: I was speaking at a small church about overcoming addictions. I gave everyone a one-page handout of the main points. The group was so lively and enthusiastic, I loved it.

When I finished a lady walked up to me and said, “Can I have your notes.”

“I have more handouts, do you need one,” I said.

“No, I need all your notes.”

“But, this is my copy that I use for these talks.”

“You have other notes, and you have other notes in your computer.”

Now, the truth was... I didn't have this exact message saved. Sure I had these notes scattered here and there in my computer, but – wow.

She stared at me and said, “I need your notes.”

I gave her my notes.

Obviously, she had a son or daughter on drugs or something like that. And she did not want some random one-page handout. She wanted, “All the notes.”

Other people got a few good tips, she got all the notes. And if anyone who got information from that meeting quit for good, I bet it was her kid.

She wanted it. Nothing was going to stop her from getting it.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Volleyball is very up and down. My daughter's traveling season ended poorly, with her coach giving her less and less playing time. I asked her what her plans were and she said she planned to keep playing. I was worried because high school season starts next and the players are really good.

To prepare, I told her to work on squats, throws, and several other things.

Yesterday, I went to her first high school scrimmage. I was disappointed, but not surprised when she was not one of the starters – she was struggling in the last two tournaments that I saw her in. But, after a few minutes in she went. Much to my relief, she played well. The coach started pulling other girls out for subs, but she kept her in. She started the next match and stayed in the whole time.

I sat there pleased and baffled about how well she was now playing. But, then it hit me. Her older sister recently moved in with us and had been dragging her to sand volleyball for three hours every night all month. Additionally, she was doing everything I told her to do to prepare for the season.

Suddenly I realized that she was doing everything she could do to win – a ton of squats, toe raises, throws, running, and sprinting. Day in and day out she was doing everything she knew how to do, to be ready for the test.

But then... the miracle happened. Her sister had dragged her to play with expert players in sand volleyball. She had been transformed by those matches from being the most confused person on the court a few weeks earlier to someone who knew exactly what was going on. Now she was stronger, smarter, and quicker.

She did everything she knew to do, and then... somehow she got her miracle and now knows exactly how to do it.

Food for thought.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Michael Hardiman says in his book Overcoming Addiction that “Sex addiction is a compulsively driven need to use sex to relieve the addict's sense of inner emptiness or to alleviate feelings of anxiety or distress. As the feelings of emptiness increase, the person tries harder to fill it with what is actually causing the emptiness, leading to the futile cycle that seems to be a central element in all addiction, namely, using something to meet one's needs that can't really meet those needs, and that damages the person in the process.”

A lot of people who read my articles think, boy, this is a lot of change. But we always underestimate the destruction of lust and overestimate the pleasure of it. To me... no one can spend too much time trying to reverse what that last sentence says.

Consider praying: “Father, help me to focus on Your will so that I can have a great year.”

Consider setting a goal of having 200 great days over the next 365 days. This is a very reasonable goal for someone who decides to fight sin. Instead of saying, “this is a lot of change,” focus on the great life that you can have.

The amount of time that you are willing to fight against lust on your worst days determines your odds of having a whole lot of great days. For the original article click https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-root-cause.326303/
 
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Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Yesterday I wrote to fight through today so that you improve your chances of having a lot of great days this year. The million-dollar question is... does anyone have that many great days? Here is a story.

Billy was spiraling downward. His porn and other vices were causing huge problems. He had a week's vacation coming, and he saw an ad for an authentic Holiness experience. He signed up because he had had a holiness friend as a kid. That kid always seemed to be happy.

On his arrival day, they served a hearty meal of Scrapple, which was a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal, wheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed loaf, and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving. Delicious.

The next morning they were up at the crack of dawn to milk the cows. His host Aaron asked, “How is your life going?”

“Okay, honestly, I am here because my life is just not going great, and I have the feeling (based on my past experiences with the holiness movement) that I could learn a lot from how you live.”

“That is very wise, sometimes less is a lot more.”

“What are holiness values that make you so different?”

“Our faith includes humility, simplicity, and putting God and community ahead of the individual. For us, life is a spiritual activity, we focus on discipleship, forgiveness, and doing what the Bible says to do.

We make a priority of family. We eat meals together, attend church services, and other community events together.

Obedience of the Bible's commands is a key to our happiness. Generation after generation of our families have seen that following the Bible has made a great life for their elders. Because of that, a huge percentage of the children want to live just the way their parents did.”

“So here is my question. Do I need to throw away my computer and TV so that I can have a great life like you do?”

“That's not a bad idea. But the truth is... no matter how many things the holiness movement bans, one can get into sin anyways. And sin steals our joy.

But, when we are fighting sin we do find a great life. Then, we have the opportunity to help others because God helps us help others. I think those last sentences really are our secret.

Lastly, you're not from the holiness movement, but you can spend time with people who make Jesus a priority the way we do. They are out there and you can find them. They can help you find the way the same way that generations of holiness people have shown me the way.”

“Thank you. This may turn out to be the best vacation I ever had.”
 
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