THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Put a rubber band on your wrist. Every time you have a lustful thought, snap it and quote: 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!"
This verse explains your joy level from a rate of 1 to 10. If you are always dark...
Try this for a week. It should really help.

For the article listing 20 things to think about (Bottom article). https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/taking-thoughts-captive.328767/

Next week: Every time you have a lustful thought, snap it and pray: "Father, fill me with Your love."
This prayer invites the Holy Spirit to fill us a tiny bit more. Every time He fills us more, there is less room for bad things.
For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/snap-it.327063/
 
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Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Spend more time with people. If you are doing well, let Jesus' light shine through you towards them. If you are struggling, find people who will shine Jesus' light onto you. If you are confused as to why you continue to struggle, ask God to show you what keeps pushing you over that hilltop onto that slippery path. Consider praying:
"Father, show me exactly what triggers me, and when it starts to happen. Why does it start to happen?"
Secondly, give thanks for what is good in your life and try to be positive today. Negativity often raises temptation, positivity often lowers it.
Thirdly, the Bible always talks about righteousness. Why? James 2:17 says, “Faith without works is dead.” When we focus on living "right," light will fill us and we can start to do good works. Consider praying:
"Father, help me to focus on living right."
"Father, show me what You want me to do."
Fourthly, truth. Believe the Bible as written. Don't explain what verses mean. Just study the verses and let Jesus show you what they mean.
Lastly, Bibleorg.com noted: “How can we produce the fruit of light? As with any fruit, it is produced in the right environment. What is the right environment? Essentially, it is our relationship with Christ. John 15:5 says, “‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

We must make our home in Christ through prayer, his Word, fellowship with the saints, worship, and service. As we do this, the fruits of goodness, righteousness, and truth are produced in our lives."

Yesterday, I talked about wearing a rubber band and snapping it when a lustful thought hit. Then quoting Matthew 6:22: “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light." Why? Because Jesus is the "Light of the world." Many underestimate what that means. When we grab onto how great this "Light" really is, everything will change.
For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/filled-with-light.323606/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
I talked about wearing a rubber band and snapping it when a lustful thought hit. Then quoting Matthew 6:22:
But what if you have multiple bad thoughts when you are busy at work? In that case, shorten that verse to "Lust equals darkness - good thoughts equal light."
Then you can use the whole verse when you are not so busy.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Depression is more about where you are going than it is about what is happening to you. In this thread's first article, my dad had 5 flats in one day. But my dad knew “Where he was going.” He was going to do God's will. He stayed positive, trusting God until on flat number five, then he spread the gospel to someone who got saved.

Sin keeps us from going where God wants us to go, and then it leads to darkness. Then it leads to depression.

Consider praying: “Father, show me how my sin leads to depression.”
Consider praying: “Father, show me how I can do Your will.”

“1 Peter 3:10 For “He who would love life And see good days,
Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Verse 11 is our recipe for starting to have happiness. Turn from evil and do good.

This verse is one of the great verses. Embrace the great verses, pray over them, meditate on them, and use them to turn darkness into light.
For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/overcoming-depression.321510/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
I was asked last week, why should we seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Don't we get the Holy Spirit when we get saved? The answer is yes. But, for most of us, we get our glass 25% or 30% filled. The command to the Christians to "Be filled with the Spirit" refers to God's desire that our glass becomes 90% or 100% filled. An additional infilling.

The purpose of being increasingly filled is so that the Spirit can empower us to do His will. The Spirit flows into us so that He can then flow out of us so that His will is done.

I try to be more filled with the Holy Spirit every day. I need the Holy Spirit so that I can attempt to help others. When we start to see the Spirit filling us, we realize that He wants to do many things through us. We realize that the Bible is true and that following Him leads us down a great road.

To be filled with the Spirit is a process of 1. Full repentance 2. Time in prayer 3. Specific prayers like, “Father, show me what You want me to do.” 4. Starting to do something to help somebody.

I had to repeat and restart this process many times, but it was worth it.

To find about 50 more ideas on being filled click https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-bible-says-“be-ye-filled-with-the-holy-spirit”.322271/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Even if we know our triggers... we can fall. Why. Because we often are not prepared. Background: My daughter practices spiking at home more than anyone on her volleyball team. When the big game happens the other girls want to hit the big spike to win the point. But many are not prepared. She is. She hits the big spike.

To prepare for triggers, pray: "Father, help me to turn aggressively from sin," before the trigger starts to happen. Maybe your trigger is problem relationships. Prepare for the problems before they even start happening. Plan to instantly go to the verses for quitting (I added a new verse today: Romans 1:24-25) when they start happening (If you are triggered).

Today, write out your pretrigger plan. It could look something like this example:
"She will be mad at me again. As I walk in the door I will pray twice: "Father, help me to run from lust." I will try to calm her/him down, but after I fail I will focus on praising the Lord this hour. Focus on finding my purpose. I will think about living the way the scriptures say to live. I will run to the scriptures if I am overwhelmed. I will find a positive activity to do."

If you do the exact right thing today - living God's way, will you get a miracle from God today? Maybe. But what if you live God's way again tomorrow, and again next week? Miracle help? Maybe. But what if you just keep living God's way? Will you someday come home, and she is not mad at you?

At some point (a year passes quickly), a miracle could actually happen. Maybe he/she changes towards you. Maybe you have changed. Maybe Jesus' Light is shining on you so brightly that you can easily ignore what she/he says.

Finally, your trigger probably is nothing like this. But you can use the above example to write out a pretrigger plan that fits your biggest triggers.

Pray - Prepare - Win.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/praying-about-triggers.323239/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
David wrote in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

We walk in the counsel of the ungodly when we watch sinful TV, and when we listen to and believe friends who influence us in bad ways. Matthew Henry wrote:

“A godly man, that he may avoid the evil, utterly renounces the companionship of evil-doers, and will not be led by them.” Consider praying:

“Father, help me to focus on being with people who You want me to be with.”

2 We stand in the way of sinners when we choose to be in the wrong place, where the wrong people are.

3 We sit in the seat of the scornful if we listen to people who scorn Christianity. If you don't get away from them, they will likely influence you.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

We delight first in the law of the Lord concerning lust. Focusing on those key verses. Second, we delight in the law of the Lord on sins that lead us back to lust (Do an internet search: Verses about ________). Third, we delight in the law of the Lord on sin in general. Because sin keeps us in darkness and depression. Now let's see what happens when we follow verse two.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The problem is... we only half believe this scripture. The Bible says: Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

Read these 3 verses every day until you “really” believe them. Why? Because they will change your life into what verse three promises.

For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/david.325955/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
My daughter is engaged to a guy. They seem to have their fights. She does not know what to do. She is going to come and visit us for a few days. Here is what I will tell her:

Don't worry about what is happening in your life. Study the Bible and pray about what God needs to be done. On a side note, I am bored and frustrated with life. Maybe I should memorize that last sentence.

I have things that I want to do, that I normally do. They are not sins. Oh wait, the Bible says in James: KJ21 "Therefore to him that knoweth how to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

Here is the problem. I think I know what is best for me. What are the funnest things to do, what is most profitable etc? I trust God just slightly more than the Israelites did, right before they took 39 more laps around the desert.

The New Testament starts out with John saying repent. Then, with Jesus saying repent. Consider praying:

"Father, help me to trust You."

God has something great for us "to do." Sure, we need alternate activities. But our first alternate activity is to stop and see what God wants. I have my silly ideas about what I should do that are fun and profitable. But, God has a specific great plan for what I should do instead. Did I include "Great" in the sentence?

Consider praying: "Lord, I will trust in You."
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The Big Bet

I faked to the left, then drove to the right, and shot the basketball. It's in, I win.

My younger brother Mikey wadded up a one-dollar bill and threw it on the ground. "I am faster and can shoot better, but you still always win. Unbelievable luck", he said while rolling his eyes in disgust.

"I can tell you my secret." His face turned red and tightened up as he stared at me.

"When I wiggle my shoulders after I score, it gives me the Juju to keep the flow going."

"Yeah, you probably do practice some foreign ungodly religion."

"Well, at least I am not a porn addict like you. Mr future Bible school student," I said. Immediately I had total regret for two reasons. First, I knew how hard he was trying to quit. Second, I am just as addicted and he knows it.

Glaring at me he said, "I got a dollar that says I can quit for longer than you can." He began to smile. He prayed all the time. He always had his devotions. I felt trapped.

"You are on," I said confidently. But inside I have zero confidence.



The next morning Mikey comes out of his room a bit late. I know he has been praying extra.

I've been working on a sermon about Jonah," he says with a smile.

"That's good," I said nodding. I returned to my bedroom. My lust is already starting to build up, and my brother is working on a sermon. I have no chance! In desperation, I type "how to quit porn" on Google.

The first article says we need to hate our sin. Immediately I pause and pray, “Father, help me to hate this sin that so often brings darkness into my life.”

The second article says we need to know why God hates this sin. It says, “God knows about how P draws people away from him. How it enslaves people so that they can't live a great life. How it drives people into destruction.”



Fast forward to day three. Unbeknownst to me, Mikey was really struggling. Again he prayed fervently. But, the minute he went back to his normal routine, he felt temptation in a heavy way. He prayed and prayed and prayed, and made it through the day.

By day four I am ready to give up. Lust is at the boiling point. I quickly search for help online. I come across an article that reads, “Quote one of the verses for quitting every time you have a lustful thought.” I print out every verse. A few seconds later – bad thought #1. Fought off with good verse #1. The battle rages and rages, but I make it through the day.

On day five Mikey prays extra. Dedicates his life even more fervently, and gets some momentum. Then as he is eating lunch he notices an old favorite movie of his. As he clicks on it he remembers some pretty raunchy scenes. But without thinking, he just blasts right into it.


That evening Mikey comes into my room. I could tell from his face that something bad had happened. “Are you okay?”

“No, I lost the bet.”

I feel an overwhelming sadness. My brother was going to be a great Christian leader. I know that I need to say something. Anything. This silence is really loud. I put my arm around him.

Finally, I say, “I had help Mikey. I started fighting temptation with verses about lust and they really helped. I started to focus on what God wants. The more I did it, the more I felt Jesus flowing into me. The Bible does say that Jesus is the Word. I really think that the Word flowing into me made me much stronger. More filled with light. It was good. I was excited about the fight. Satan was not just getting an automatic win this time. It wasn't just me fighting anymore.”

Mikey whirled around. “God was helping you.”

“He was helping you as well when you prayed,” I said. “But at the moment of severe temptation, quoting the right Bible verses is our highest power move... You know what. You are going to be a great Christian leader. Abruptly his sad face changed.

“Thank you,” he says. You are a great brother.”


For more stories about how to quit click https://amzn.to/3CRcqVd.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The next morning I found this verse: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22 That verse quickly led to this verse: Acts 1:8 ESV But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And this verse: Galatians 6:9 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

I rushed into Mikey's room and showed him the verses. “How in the world are we going to do these things,” I asked?

“I am spending a lot of time in prayer to focus on fulfilling my purpose,” he said. “But I was just about to look up some verses on courage because... I am nothing like the disciples were. Here is one.” Proverbs 28:1 ESV The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. “Seems like righteousness leads to courage.” Psalm 16:8 ESV “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

“It seems important to always set the Lord before us,” I said.

“Exactly, because then this verse will be true for us: 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

“I think that I will memorize that verse. It's good for helping others, quitting P, and increasing in love,” I said.

“Yeah, and it is very inspirational for planning a bit of extra time to be more filled with the Spirit. I want everything that the verse says.”

“Me too,” I said.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Christian books often help in renewing the mind. When you read a book like What the Bible says about Addiction you think for a while about new things. This book looks at every verse that pertains to P and expounds on them. It is like a very broad version of the verses for quitting. It explains why God is against certain things, and why He so often talks about “being in His will.” Plus if you are an Amazon prime member you can get this book for free. Then, there are a bunch of other Christian books you can get for free.

If you have an Amazon membership, buy a kindle and start reading free Christian books. It is a great distraction idea.

Secondly, reading keeps you from doing borderline things that are risky.

Finally, pursue your purpose. Read a quitting addiction book and post a review of it here (and on Amazon) for all of us. If it is not a quitting addition book, tell your friends what you learned from it.


Stay busy, and be... Love in action.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
This is the ending to Friday and Saturday's story.

The next day Mikey comes into my room. “My temptation level is up again,” he said.

“Today I was studying temperance, which is a “habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions, I said.” It is one of the fruits of the Spirit.”

“Habitual,” Mikey commented, “That is interesting. God wants us to always be moderate in eating, drinking, gaming, in well... everything related to our appetites or passions.”

“If we actually do that we will be healthier and happier,” I said.

He paused, deep in thought, then said, “Today I am going to pray about temperance in gaming, eating, and watching TV. An added benefit is that it will be a lot easier to get in my Bible study and prayer.”

“What is your strategy?”

“I am going to pray 5 times today: “Father, help me to be moderate in eating.”

Five times: “Father, take away this spirit of lust and help me to have better control over my TV watching.”

Five times: “Father, show me what You want me to do instead of gaming so much.”

“Great ideas,” I said. “My issues are different than yours, but I am going to pray 5 times about each of my issues as well. Do you think this will work?”

“It will help. If we also think about the benefits to doing these things, I think it will work pretty well.”

“I like it. Temperance; a great thing to work on.”



For more stories on how to quit https://amzn.to/3CRcqVd. On sale for $1 all week. It's free if you are an Amazon prime member.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Can the fruits of the Spirit be an answer? Do we need to squeeze out our old mind patterns. Let's check back into the story as George calls Charlie.


“Hi, Charlie.”

“George, how are you?'

“Not great. Honestly, I think about the wrong things all the time. I read an article last week that said that wrong thoughts lead to falling, but I don't know how to change that.”

“Here are some new things to focus on thinking about. Think about the fruits of the Spirit over the course of this week. First, think about improving in love. Consider praying: “Father, take away this spirit of lust and fill me with a spirit of love. Next, consider saying 5 times daily, “I will increase in love towards others.

Second, try to increase in joy. The Bible says: “In Your presence is fullness of joy.

This leads to the question of how do we enter His presence. The Bible says Psalm 140:13 ESV Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

“But I am not upright, I am a disaster,” George said.

“We study and repeat this verse to lead us to how we are going to live now and in the future. We think about this verse to remind us of what we want to do. David wrote this verse. When he forgot about it, bad things happened. When he focused on this verse as well as the other fruits of the Spirit, great things happened.”

“I will focus on this verse... I sure need some joy.”

“Lastly, how is your peace?”

“I don't have any.”

“Here is the thing. It will take hard work to focus on thinking about “embracing” the fruit of the Spirit into our thoughts. But when we quote the whole verse we see that life will be spectacular when we live that way.

The fruits of the Spirit are 22 “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control.

“So, if I start putting in the work I will start getting these fruits,” he asked.

“Yes, the fruits of the Spirit will start to fill you. It is a great way to grasp “the Answer.”

For the original story https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-answer.332804/

For more stories about quitting click https://amzn.to/3Okh5kO. On sale for $1 all week.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Thinking about the fruits of the Spirit is a home run. Our story continues:

“Hi, Charlie.”
“George, how are you?"
"I am doing better. I've been focusing on the fruits of the Spirit. Do you have some ideas about some of the other fruits?"
"Sure do. Longsuffering is a great trait for fighting bad habits. When something bad happened to Biblical Paul he stayed in God's will and praised the Lord. He was tough. Consider praying:
"Father, help me to learn what longsuffering is about." Jesus took our sins to the cross in the greatest example of longsuffering ever. If we fall because something bad happened to us, we are forgetting the sacrifice He was to us. Pray:
"Father, help me to remember Your sacrifice next time something bad happens. Help me to stay in Your will even in the toughest of times."
"Wow, I need to pray those prayers a lot. Bad things happen and I fall, George said."
"But now you have zeroed in on that trigger. Now you can pray over verses about longsuffering and make it a strength.
James 1:2-4 ESV "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."
Steadfastness is defined as: The quality of being resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering. The test will happen. How many times do you need to pray to prepare for the test of "bad things that happen?"
"Probably once every hour," George said. "And then I will fight the direct temptation with the Word."
"Perfect. Secondly, we look at other reasons for overcoming:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
"Interesting," George said. "I need to change so that I am someday soon available to help and comfort others."
"Lastly, we find a great tool to use to learn how to overcome," I said:
Romans 5:3-4 ESV
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.
"I need some hope," George said.
"Deciding to learn the habit of rejoicing is a great idea. It has multiple benefits.
So, what is your plan, George?"
"I am going to start memorizing these verses and I am going to pray every hour to learn longsuffering."
"Good, after you learn it you can reteach it to me. I could use some more of it myself."
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
The story continues:

“Hi, Charlie.”
“George, how are you?"

"Not great. Yesterday my boss ripped me pretty good."

"Does the verse: Do all things for the glory of God help the situation?"

"No, I work hard, but he just hates me because I am a Christian."

"Ah, consider the fruit of meekness. A meek person is already filled to some extent with the Holy Spirit, and they want to be even more filled. A meek person is quiet but very strong and tough. Instead of getting upset with what any person says or does, a meek person only cares about what God thinks. About what God wants, about what the will of God is.

The Bible says that Moses was very meek. He did not even talk to the Pharaoh. But he prayed a lot. Then the Spirit was on him so that great miracles were done.

Consider praying:

“Father, teach me what meekness is. Show me how to think during tough situations.”

Meekness is defined by Webster as enduring injury with patience and without resentment. But the Bible adds to that by showing how it is strength under control.

When someone rips into us, satan wants us mad, planning our revenge. God wants us under control, planning to do His will.”

“Wow, I did what satan wanted and my temptation for P skyrocketed,” George said.

“Working on increasing in the fruits of the Spirit is great for quitting addiction for two reasons. First, it gives you something new and great to work on and think about. Second, thinking about these fruits counter what satan is trying to do to you. Third, when satan sees you flip out when someone rips into you... guess what he will keep on doing? He will keep inspiring people to rip on you so that you stay in bondage.

Instead, when you react by focusing more on the Holy Spirit and being in God's will, he can't help but be discouraged. He won't give up... but he will try a lot less. He hates losing.”

“Interesting, so when I get mad I am starting a slippery slide, but when I react by focusing on meekness I start to be strengthened by the Holy Spirit,” George said.

“George, I am impressed by the way you think consistently about the gifts of the Spirit,” I said.

“Well, it is starting to help me think a lot less about the thing that was destroying me.”

“That's smart.

Lastly, when people rip into you consider praying: “Father, help me to have strength under control. Teach me about meekness.”

“Will do.”
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
This thread started off 3 months ago about a 4-year-old who decided she was going to be content. Content despite her life being ripped apart.

Very few people have made it a habit to live right when bad things happen. Very few are content with life when bad things happen.

Do we still trust God? Do we still say that God's ways are always best? After all, “Why did He allow this to happen to me?”

But some questions have no answers. Maybe I caused the mess. Maybe I just won't do what God wants me to do. Maybe life is just hard right now.

One rule that I live by is... it was not God's fault, it is always me. He is always right. His ways are always good. Why do I have this rule? For starters, it is always true. Second, satan is always telling me (us) that I did nothing wrong and that God let me down again. But satan is a liar.

Instead of asking questions I can focus on doing things God's way and focus on my purpose.

In the original story, this 4-year-old had a very wise mother who told her how to react when bad things happened. We have a very wise God who will tell us how to react when bad things happen. This 4-year-old heard and believed what her mother told her. How do we hear what God is telling us?

When bad things happen satan may have gained some control. If I consider blaming God for my life not being perfect he gets even more control. If I then get into sin, satan gets into his road grader and he drives it over me for hours or days.

Instead, we need to hear what God is telling us about what we want to go back to. I don't recommend the verses for quitting every week because it's my thing. I recommend them so that we can “hear what God is telling us.” Daily Bible reading is vital so that we can “hear what God is telling us.” Repenting, then spending time in prayer is vital so that we can “hear what God is telling us.”

This 4-year-old is going to be okay because she believed her mother. When we listen to and believe the Bible, we will start to be okay also.

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

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
When we pray: “Father, take away this spirit of lust and help me to increase in love,” we are fighting against addiction. But when we develop the habit of praying this prayer several times a day we are putting on an important piece of armor. Consider using notes, alarms, or help from an accountability partner to make this habit a solid piece of armor for you.

Second, when we focus on new activities to distract us, we are fighting against addiction. Then, when we focus on new activities daily we increase our progress. When we make some of these new activities positive addictions we are putting on an important piece of armor.

Third, when we practice daily Bible reading we are fighting against addiction. But when we use specific verses to grow as Christians we are putting on an important piece of armor. For example, your anger keeps you frustrated and addiction strikes often because of it. To fight back do a Google search on verses about anger, or... fill in the blank with the issue that keeps sinking you. Use the Bible to fight specific things and increase the strength of your armor.

Fourth, when we pray we are fighting against addiction. But when we pray about exactly what God wants we are putting on an important piece of armor.


Consider praying about doing His will, increasing in love, cleaning up thoughts, increasing in obedience, or other unselfish things.

This week I am working on praying about increasing in love. Doing that increases the “Spirit” in me. Working on the gifts of the Spirit is a powerful way to put on thicker armor.

Lastly, have organized what you need to know to find success. I don't know exactly which of the last 50 articles you need to dwell on to make it. I don't know exactly when you need to reread something in order to make it. But if you become an expert at finding what you need, when you need it, you will make it.

Copy and paste links or addresses of articles that work for you. Then organize them in a Google file, noting when you need to access them.

Reading articles from this site is fighting against addiction. But, knowing which articles you will need, and knowing exactly when you will need them is putting on a thick piece of armor.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
One major problem with lustful thoughts is... we don't really want them to totally go away. We think they are too much fun. Just like how Adam and Eve in the garden thought the apple was too much to resist. A & E did not understand how much destruction the apple would cause them. We don't understand how much destruction lust will cause us. Consider praying:

“Father, show me the destruction that this sin causes.”

Biblical David did not know the destruction. There was a lot of it.

One reason David fell into lust was that he was not doing what God wanted him to be doing.

When we are busy thinking and praying about what God wants us doing we might have a better understanding of what joy is. Consider praying:

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

What if David had prayed that prayer every hour? What if he had spent time seeking the Lord (In the year of his fall) as Joseph did? What if he had run from sin as Joseph did?

Secondly, when TV features too much smut, sometimes we just need to turn it off and take a walk.

I wrote a bunch of stories about “George” who was renewing his mind by working on increasing the fruits of the Spirit in his life. Why. Because, when we take that walk we have something better to do than stupid TV. We can work on increasing the fruits of the Spirit into our lives as George did.

The Bible commands us to “Renew our minds.” If you look up enough old posts you can come up with 7 techniques to “Renew your mind.” Print them out, put them in your phone, memorize them... do whatever it takes.

When our minds are filled with great thoughts, then dark thoughts start to be revealed as dark destructive thoughts.

Notice “When our minds are filled.”

David's mind was in neutral (at best). That vacuum allowed bad things in.



A mind that is “completely” filled up, is a mind that is allowing no openings.
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
Over the last week, I have not felt blessed. So I prayed quite a bit about it and here is a verse I came up with.

1 Chronicles 4:10 'Oh, Lord, bless me indeed and expand my territory. Keep Your hand on me, and keep evil from me, that I may not cause pain!'


Why pray this prayer? Because we have habits, a hundred distractions, and a million important things to do. When Jabez prays “expand my territory” he is telling God: I am willing and ready to do what You want me to do.

Allowing distractions has two bad effects. First, when we are distracted, we are less focused on Jesus, and temptation might be overwhelming. Second, we think we just don't have the time or ability to do what God wants us to do. To fight back consider praying:

Father, expand my territory, and bless me indeed.”

Now that I am focusing on praying this, I am starting to realize that some of my distractions are having a negative effect on my life. In all likelihood, the things that God wants me to do will have a positive effect on my life and maybe on other people's lives as well. Consider praying:

Father, show me what distractions you want out of my life.”

When Jabez prayed his prayer repeatedly, he was telling and showing God that he was completely dedicated to doing his will.


Last week I was dedicated to doing God's will. After I pray these prayers a million times this week... maybe I will be closer to being completely dedicated as well.
For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/a-blessing-or.332248/
 

Gordon 7

Well-Known Member
We have things that we do “in excess” that may be connections to addiction. Things like drinking, gambling, risky TV/movies, friends that are a bad influence, and 100 other things. If I picked something you do that upsets you. Please forgive me. Things that I do are similar to what you do. Consider praying:

“Father, show me what I do that is a connection.”


Second, life batters us on some days or weeks. When we don't turn aggressively to God, to praising God, to giving thanks even in tough times, we are making a connection because of what we didn't do. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to never give up. Help me to trust in You.”


Often when we are battered in life, that is when we learn the most, grow the most, get filled with the Holy Spirit the most. When life gets hard, and we keep fighting a strange thing happens. We read an article (that we saved or printed out) for the 11th time. We tried to do what is said 10 times and failed every time. But we try yet again.

Now... we are giving God plenty of space to help us. We patiently wait with full belief that His way is right. That life will turn around soon if we turn to Him. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to remember to turn to You when life gets tough.”


When we always insist on trying to be in God's will when life gets tough, we will be right on the verge of understanding how to quit for good.
 
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