THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Three brothers attended a family gathering. At devotions their grandfather quoted the following:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

The oldest brother decided to spend 20 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. For a few days, he stuck with it. But soon, the pressure of his important job and two kids made it hard to do. Plus... he really didn't notice anything different in his life.

The middle brother decided to spend 30 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. For a few weeks, he stuck with it. He had also prayed a bit about his purpose and just last week his pastor had given him a small task to do to help out at church. He had noticed that in some ways this verse was starting to come true a little bit.

But, he really expected the verse to be exactly true in a great way in his life. Why pray 30 minutes every day if it wasn't exactly true. He had things to do. Soon he was back to his normal 15 minutes of prayer per day.

The youngest brother decided to spend 55 minutes in prayer every day waiting on the Lord. He had been praying earnestly about purity and purpose and he badly wanted to do something for Jesus.

For a few days, he struggled to put the prayer time in. This was so new. But then he started to really enjoy it. After a few months, his pastor said that one of the two key youth leaders was leaving. He asked if he could help out.

At first, he hesitated. He was busy. But then he realized... that this verse was coming totally true in his life. His strength was up. He was flying like an eagle. He was running without being weary and walking without fainting.

When he called his pastor to accept the role, he felt more energy than he had felt in years. He also felt more excitement.

Before waiting on the Lord he knew he wanted something. After he dedicated himself to waiting on the Lord he now knew, this was exactly what he had been searching for.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
We are sometimes tempted by our own lusts, but often we are tempted by satan just like Jesus was. But when we allow openings to satan, we allow temptation to dominate our lives.

Consider writing down where your openings are. Often they are from risky TV shows/movies, going to the wrong place, being with the wrong people, or allowing bad thoughts to swirl in your mind.

Next, realize that when you allow an opening it is basically inviting satan in. And once you invite him in, he has the right to work you over good. Let's say you decided to look at smut for a few hours. Now satan has the right to pound you all week. Ouch.

Instead, allow no openings. Run from risky entertainment, run from the wrong places, run from the wrong people, and work ruthlessly on changing the way you think.

Find clean entertainment, clean places to go to, Christian people be your new friends, and work ruthlessly on changing the way you think.

Jesus allowed no openings in his life. So when satan came around, he tempted Jesus for a while, and then he left. That's the goal. When we allow no openings at some point satan leaves. Sure, he will come back and try again later. But... he hates failure. Failure will cause him to try less and less. Make him fail and fail by allowing no openings.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Everyone should have a top 4 new habits list. Things like forming the habit to turn aggressively from sin. Daily Bible reading. Praying about purpose, and increasing in love.
We need to get very excited when we are focused on forming habits of new activities. Or increased prayer, better relationships, or increased love.
With quitting an addiction, you learn 4 new habits and you do them every day for 5 days. Then... maybe you have a bad day.
But we should not just focus on the negative. Because... we practiced these new habits for 5 days.
Yes, we should be unhappy when we sin, but after we repent we should remember - the more positive habits that we acquire, the easier it will be to fight off negative habits.
The more positive habits you have, the more your hope increases, and the more that joy will start to enter your life.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
It is wise to keep learning what triggers you. Devote a ton of prayer time, study and thought to what causes the trigger. Analyse how your thinking in the moment of temptation is not the same as what scripture says about how we should think in that situation. Is how I was thinking, living, or reacting, the same as how the Bible says I should think?

Write down how the Bible says you should be thinking in the situations that trigger you, because they will likely happen again. Then pray: "Father, help me to think in ways that honor You."

Lastly, know exactly what triggers you and be ready in those situations with prayers and Bible verses.
For the full article click https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/praying-about-triggers.323239/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Colossians 3:1-3 ESV
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

How long can we stay angry or hopeless when we think of the things above?

Consider praying: “Father, help me to focus on what You want me to think about.”

Consider praying: “Father, give me life in Your ways.” Psalm 119:37

I am a simple person. Sometimes I don't know what to think about, pray about, or do. So I just praise the Lord over and over again. Sometimes for twenty minutes. The results are usually amazing. Negative emotions are often forgotten. Temptations are often lowered.

Think about the things that are above.
For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/fighting-emotions-that-trigger-us.324353/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Why did Eve choose a solution that was short-term with added destruction? Because, once she decided not to "insist" that God would always be her answer - she needed to find "an answer."

We insist that God be our answer when we read the verses for quitting. When we start to memorize those verses. When we are prepared for future temptation with prayer.

We insist that God be our answer when we insist that He is our pleasure. That He is our comfort when life stinks.

That He will fulfill everything that we desire. That last sentence is wrong!!! We desire things that will ruin us just like Eve did. Instead, consider praying every hour:

"Father, help me to want only Your desires."

lastly, analyze why you keep going back to lust. If you run to lust when life knocks you down, pray every hour:

“Father, show me how you want to be my comforter.”

If you run to lust simply for pleasure, pray:

“Father, show me how You want to be my pleasure.”

Write down why you run back to lust. Then write down a prayer you can pray every hour.

Insist that God is your answer.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/does-p-kill-our-pain.323460/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Today I spent a lot of time praying about the cross.

KJV Romans 8 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

When we watch a movie like “The Passion of the Christ,” or when we pray about the cross, or when we turn aggressively from sin, we are walking after the Spirit.

But, this is a forum about bad habits, so the question is – how do we learn habits of walking after the Spirit more often.

KJV Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Are you like me. Are you just too hard-headed to obey this verse? But... now that I realize that sin ruins me, I pay a lot more attention to this verse.

I made the word work bold. Why? Because when we spend time working to fight against sin habits we are obeying this verse. There is power in memorizing and obeying this verse. Power! There is power in deciding to walk “After the Spirit. Power! Lastly, there is power when you study this site and take some of the suggestions and turn them into new daily habits. Power!

Consider praying: “Father, show me how You want me to fight against sin.”

When you add to your list of daily habits that you are starting (to replace what you are stopping), you are obeying Philippians 2:12.

Learn habits that will help you to “Walk after the Spirit.” These habits will bring power into your life.
For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/pray-with-power.320467/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
ABP Another Bad Post

When Biblical David was thinking right he killed a lion with nothing but a club (The power of the Lord was with him). Here is how David wrote when he was thinking right:

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. 16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:11-16 KJV

We hide God's Word in our hearts by #1, memorization. This is a great passage for memorization.

#2 We hide God's Word in our hearts through daily Bible reading. I am currently reading the Psalms (written by David). David writes a lot about his love for prayer and for the Scripture. That focus was great for David quitting his lust habit and it is good for our habits as well.

#3 We hide God's Word in our hearts by praying about it. A good starting point is to pray over and think about Psalm one. Next, pray about what you should now be thinking about (instead of lust). Lastly, pray about what you should be doing as a Christian instead of … Finally, study God's Word so that you know what you should be doing.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

David was a total train wreck when he continued in sin. When he was thinking right he was one of the greatest Biblical heroes.

Choose your path.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Drug addicts get to a state of total burnout. In that condition, they don't want drugs anymore. But... when they stop drugs, virtually all other activities are no fun for them. So they go back to drugs, which are now a lot less fun. But, in their desperate condition, a tiny bit of fun is all they can now get.

Realize that if you have been overdosing on porn you are likely in a similar state. Now you want to quit, but normal activities are not very fun. So you decide to turn to God. But many try that with mixed results. Why? The Bible says:

Revelations 3:21 "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth."

God insists on a total commitment. Many cry out to God for help, but only a few cry out in total repentance and a commitment to do God's will.

When we commit, the love of Jesus flows into us like never before. An overflowing river of power, love, and grace.

Commit to a war on sin. Commit to being in God's will. Commit to a great life. For the original article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/sin.321250/ For more information on a greater commitment https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/if-you-cant-quit.321446/
 

jberg

Active Member
MY BOOK

My book is on sale today at Amazon. It is a collection of inspirational stories about quitting porn. Today, the 12th and 13th it is 2 dollars, on the 14th and 15th, it is $3.

Reading something like this is a grade A distraction idea. It can help with your relationship with God, with your habit, and with your future. Please write a good review if you like it. It is called How Peter Quit Porn. Here is the link. https://amzn.to/3fgBo3g
The link took me to "How Gary Quit Gambling"
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The positive addiction of turning from lust is of utmost importance. When we turn on certain TV shows, or walk near a beach, or go to certain places – it is vital to be prepared. To prepare we must pray in advance of the temptation:

Consider praying, “Father, help me to turn from lust.” When the temptation comes, pray it again and then turn from it and run from it.

Biblical Joseph ran from the most beautiful woman in the land (when she tried to seduce him). Why? Because he knew what the Bible said about lust and he believed it and thought that following the Bible was good. Develop the positive addition of knowing what the Bible says about lust.

Joseph became the 2nd most powerful man in the world because he trusted God (even when he was in a pit, even when he was in jail, even when he had to wait and wait). He succeeded because he turned from sin, because he ran from sin, because he knew what the Bible said, and because he followed what the Bible said.

It takes 66 days on average to form a new habit. Today, consider starting your 66 days to form the habit of studying what the Bible says about lust and the habit of turning from sin. If you accomplish that great goal, you will be opening the door to an awesome period in your life.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Yesterday I had a bad day. Here are Bible verses to dig into when life is not perfect.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Not easy today. But my issues did not appear because I was in God's perfect will. Maybe I should change that today.

Romans 12:2 ESV
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Biblical Paul would not allow my problems to burden him. Why? Because he focused on verses like this one, and he was always busy renewing his mind.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I ignored this verse yesterday. Today I am trying to learn from Him.

James 5:13 ESV
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise."
If I had read this verse yesterday, today would have been better.

James 1:1-27 ESV
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Proverbs 17:22 ESV
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Psalm 51:12 ESV / 90 helpful votes
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Pray: “Father, take away my spirit of discouragement, and help me to learn from Your Word.

Use your computer for something great - look up verses to help you fight back.

For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/learn-from-a-4-year-old.325017/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Self-control is one of the gifts of the Spirit. The problem is... we need to get more of the Spirit in us. Spending time in prayer is a good way to increase the Spirit in us. Reading Scripture is even better, and studying Scripture is better yet, and doing what the Scripture says is really a powerhouse increase.

Consider studying and praying over the great verses. Study, pray, and analyze how to understand, love, and do what the scripture says to do.

Many people pray for 15 minutes daily, asking God to do this, that, and the other thing for them. But if you really want answers to those prayers...

Instead, start doing what these verses say to do. Or, start praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that He can show you what He wants you to do. Then increase a focus on obedience. Then you will start to see prayers answered more rapidly.


You will see a powerful increase in your Self-control when you do these things. You can use this increase as motivation that you can quit a lust addiction for good.

Realize that it is rarely an instant fix to gain self-control over lust. We want to solve a problem we made stronger and stronger for 19 years in 19 hours. Instead, realize that you likely have to dig up more and more roots that go in all kinds of directions while you at the same time get more and more scripture in.

But you will have a powerful experience even today if you dig into scripture. Then you can use that strength to realize. God is real. He does help us. He wants to help us.

Today, consider praying about what God wants.

“Father, show me what You want me to do.”

When we spend 15 minutes praying about what God wants, plus time in the all-powerful Word of God, darkness starts to leave, and the Spirit fills us more and more.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/self-control.329442/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Consider fighting lust as a war. Should we spend more time fighting this war? Joyce Meyer said, "If we let satan use our mind as a garbage dump, our life will end up as a stinking mess." Instead, consider praying, "Father, guide my mind." Pastor Colin Smith said to pray: "Jesus, by your Holy Spirit, keep my mind firmly set where you want it to be focused today."
Realize that satan will rarely give up in trying to control your mind. Take that as a challenge. If you insist that you will always oppose him, that you will always get the Word in you, that you will always fight him with prayer. Then he will start to look for easier prey.
Fill up your own Google file or Word doc with posts about how to change your thinking. If you change your thinking, your life will change as well.

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

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Today, start your Christianity anew. Read key Bible verses and believe them the way a ten-year-old would. Dozens, if not hundreds of people will explain what "tough" verses mean. But, if you want freedom from your slavery, ignore them, believe the Word as written, and see if the Bible becomes a powerful, flaming sword for you.

Use powerful prayers to prepare for temptation. Use specific Bible verses to fight off temptation. Find the power.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/prayers-that-god-likely-hears-the-loudest.324035/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Jesus died on the cross for our sins. When we accept Him, he floods us with His love. Today, remember what He did for you. The sacrifice he became for our wrongdoings. With His sacrifice, He showed us how much He loves us. The next question is, how can we show Him that we love Him?

The Bible says in John 14: Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” When we read, study, and memorize scripture we start to “have” His commands more fully. Then, as we input these commands we start to understand why He wants us to obey them.

We also show Jesus that we love Him by admitting we need a savior. Consider praying:

“Father, I need You, please help me to “show” my love for You, considering the way You showed Your love for me.”

When you don't feel like fighting for freedom anymore, remember what Jesus did for you. Trust me, He didn't feel like hanging on the cross either. Remember his love and sacrifice when you are tempted, and fight even harder.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
There are two powerhouse things we can do to gain strength. Pray, and study the Word of God. There are four types of Christians. Type one prays but rarely reads the Word. Type two reads the Word but rarely prays. Type three does neither and hopes for the best. Type four prays and studies the Word.

25% of the time, satan couldn't care less if you pray, but ignore the Word. Because 90% of the time you will be stuck in habitual sin, right where he wants you (but even then it is good to pray).

Satan is not quite as happy if you study the Word and ignore prayer. But since prayer increases our power to obey the Word. He doesn't cry too much if we are unbalanced in this way either. But, when we fight temptation with the key verses, he doesn't like that too much because doing that shows us that the Word gives us strength.

Above all, satan hates it when we study the Word and also spend time in prayer. Why? Because our prayers change when we spend time in the Word. When the Word is getting in us our prayers increase in power. Our prayers start to be in God's will instead our our “wants list.”

Today, consider spending extra time in the Bible by studying emotions that are killing you. Do a Google search on verses about anger, fear, resentment, frustration, discouragement, depression, anxiety, or any of a million other things that are bringing you down. Open Bible almost always has a list of Bible verses for you. Study them, meditate, or even memorize key verses that will change your life.

Then, consider spending extra time praying over these verses (or the key verses if you are currently in temptation). I studied and prayed over verses about anger, and my anger started to fade, and over time it just disappeared. Another example of the strength of scripture plus prayer.

Pray the Lord's prayer, pray over the great verses, look up “great chapters in the Bible” for a Google search and pray over those chapters.

Satan hates it when you study and pray about things you urgently need and want to change. Why? Because there is triple power when we attack with everything we have. One plus one does not equal two, it equals three. Triple your strength by doing both every day.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
My in-law went to a bonfire party. He is a sensible guy with a normal fear of fire. But, at the bonfire, they dumped a bunch of gas on the wood and didn't light it. Then it was accidentally lit and he was burned fairly severely over a third of his body despite being dozens of yards away from the fire (fumes carry a lot farther than I thought). He survived and is okay now (still in pain though). I am pretty sure he now has a high level of fear of mixing gas with fire. That is a good thing.

Porn is extremely destructive just like fire. Consider praying: “Father, show me how porn destroys me.”

Some people are afraid of the verses for quitting. They are scary. But... they are a lot less scary than the stories you will hear from people who did porn for 40 years. The list of things that got ruined is shocking and endless.

Consider praying: “Father, help me to fear porn.” It takes 66 days to form a new habit. Praying this prayer ten times per day over the next 66 days (6666 days) is a really good idea.

Getting burned from lust is a bad idea. Fearing (and running from) lust is a really good idea. Forming the habit of praying this prayer may very well keep you from being severely burned.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Use notes to remind you of what you should be thinking about. Have a list of 8 healthy things you should be thinking about. Maybe 4 things that are productive and 4 that are spiritual.

Think about:

  1. Praying and going to war with negative emotions

  2. A challenge you overcame

  3. A goal you have achieved

  4. How obedience will lead to God's blessing

  5. How you can find your God-given purpose

  6. How running from lust is smart. Then pray for help again

  7. An accomplishment you can be proud of

  8. Someone you have helped

  9. Problems will pass. With Jesus life will go on

  10. Someone who you would like to emulate (be more like)

  11. What you believe to be most important in life

  12. A character trait you would like to develop

  13. How your life is different because of Jesus

  14. A time you felt God was close to you

  15. A piece of music that lifts your spirits

  16. A Scripture you find meaningful

  17. What it feels like to worship God

  18. The fact the others went through similar circumstances, and are free now

  19. The Bible says to praise the Lord

  20. Consider repeating often: I will think in a positive way
Be aggressive with casting down sinful thoughts and replacing them with healthy thoughts.
Consider praying: "Father, show me how wrong thoughts poison my life."
Print out your own cheat sheet of new thoughts and look at your paper so often that it wears completely out. If you like this list, wear it out instead.
Think God's way - think right - find freedom.
For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/taking-thoughts-captive.328767/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Praise the Lord while you are watching TV or a movie. Why? Because praising God was one of the reasons that you were created. David wrote in Psalm 113:1 Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord.”

Secondly, TV stinks if we snub the Lord when we watch it.

Thirdly, temptation can sneak up on us if we turn spiritual things off when we turn the TV on. Instead, prepare and stay in prayer. Before we start watching a show consider praying: “Father, help me to turn from lust.” Then, if a scene starts getting too racy, pray it again while you start to forward fast or while you turn the show/movie off.

I was watching one of my fav actresses whose shows are normally clean. But in this episode... not so much. Even though it was an old network TV show, my forward fasting lasted about 7 minutes. I have no idea what I missed from the episode.

Oh wait, I just figured it out. I missed a chance to ruin my day, week, month, and year.

Instead, I kept my chance to have a purpose in life and a chance to find joy.
For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/watching-clean-tv-helps.323554/
 
Top