THE BEST SPIRITUAL WAY TO FIGHT TEMPTATION

[Gordon 7]

Today my Bible study was on 1st Corinthians 6 which has two tough verses:

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

This passage is not about what we did in the past, it is about what is currently happening and what could happen in the future.

Why does the Bible say such harsh things? It may be because God wants to make it perfectly clear that there is no middle ground. Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

Why does God want no middle ground? I think it is because we are created to have a purpose. If we spend our time sinning we won't have time to fulfill it.

Today, set a goal to find your purpose. I always recommend praying, “Father, help me to turn from lust, and to care about souls.” I say this because we need to be alive to overcome lust. Sin kills us. When we repent and start to focus on doing good works we become alive. When we start to be in God's will a fire is started.

Use these tough verses to kindle that fire. I never found joy until I found my purpose. Consider making it one of your top priorities.

For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/to-transcend-habits.324677/

 

[Gordon 7]

Pray for peace and contentment. His peace will guard your hearts and mind. Pray about everything. Fix your thoughts on Jesus. When temptations arise think about Jesus on His cross.

Resist is the wrong word. Replacing and refocusing is what we need to have the habit of doing. Always learn better ways to fight temptation. Wise people learn and store up knowledge. Hosea 4:6 says: My people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.

If I always pray to be more filled with peace and love, what don't I have time for? Satan really doesn't have time to try to tempt a person when they are busy doing what God wants them to do.

Matthew 5:9 ESV
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

When we pray and focus on peace we start to be blessed. Then we understand that life is better God's way.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.”

Repent, give thanks, then ask for peace. If we have perfect peace the need for satan's silliness starts to decrease.

Isaiah 26:3 ESV
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

This week was tough for me, and my challenges are not over. But, now I am going to add this verse to the verses I meditate on so that I will increase in peace and contentment.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/peace-is-a-key.326161/

 

[Gordon 7]

1st Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.”

We should strive to thank Jesus for His cross several times each day because the cross allows us to live a great life. When we think and pray about the cross, satan usually runs away. He doesn't want to hear about it.

Second, we run to the verses for quitting when temptation overwhelms us, but if we can't access those verses we can pray about the cross. The cross is powerful to help us fight sin.

Die to Sins

When we repent, Jesus begins living in us and we are made righteous. But in the area of lust we can mess that up by just continuing with a look. Instead, turn from lust instantly so that you can live to righteousness.

Today, list 3 things to think about repeatedly so that you can live to righteousness. Things like: Making it a habit to always praise the Lord (like David always did when he was living right). #2 Pray: “Father, show me what to think about.” #3 Say: I believe that pure thoughts will lead to a great life. #4 Say three things you can give God thanks for.

Consider praying: “Father, help me to think Your thoughts.”

To live for righteousness we go to war with selfish pleasures and pursue God's will. Consider praying every hour: “Father, take away my love of pleasure, and show me Your will.”

Life becomes great when we live to righteousness. Consider making it a key goal.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/wrestling-to-beat-p.321964/

 

[Gordon 7]

This week I will be watching the Australian open tennis tournament. The temptation is about average for watching something like this (beautiful female tennis players).

I will focus on two things to stay “free” of lust this week. I will practice turning from lust consistently and often. The more we think about turning, the more we will practice it.

Second, I will focus on studying the fruits of the Spirit on the days that I watch. Today I am printing out the fruits of the spirit.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

This month I will be praying over each of the fruits of the Spirit. Reading each fruit then praying: “Father, fill me with Your love.” “Father, fill me with Your joy.” “Father, fill me with Your self-control etc.”

Praying over the fruits of the Spirit is wise because it allows the Spirit to fill you and help you.

There are always two parts to quitting. What you stop doing, and what you start doing. Plus, if what you start doing involves scripture... that is a real home run.

Last, consider printing out everything about taking thoughts captive. It will give you something to think about.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/taking-thoughts-captive.328767/

 

[Gordon 7]

Be ready to avoid temptation. Thelampstand.com.au noted: “There may well be people or places or activities or media that we know in advance will challenge us: and we may strike a personal deal not to put ourselves in the way of temptation. When God has said “Thou shalt not”, we are wise to steer well clear of the forbidden fruit.”

Second, be ready to think about other things.

Third, be ready to always work daily on having deep spiritual roots. The Bible, prayer, and good works will make your roots deeper. We need deeper roots to quit for good.

Fourth, thelampstand.com.au noted: “Reject temptation decisively and emphatically
An important factor in the Lord’s victory was his decisive, emphatic rejection of each temptation with a clear statement from Scripture. He knew what he believed, he saw the temptation in terms of a key principle (trust, humility, worship), he went straight to a key passage and he flatly rejected the alternative logic that was being presented to him.

Compare the Lord’s approach with that of David. Spiritual lethargy put him where he should not have been, his eyes lingered where they should not have looked at all, he asked questions that he should never have asked, he ignored the implicit warnings of his servants, he deliberately put himself in the way of temptation (2 Sam 11). After that, his fall is hardly surprising. What does shock us are the lengths to which David will go to cover up his sin – and, perhaps, to consolidate his ‘possession’ of Bathsheba. Even if he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time, a swift appeal to God’s megaphone-clear command – “Thou shalt not commit adultery” – and an emphatic rejection of any tempting thoughts, perhaps followed by an immediate journey to the front line, would have saved enormous heartache for David and so many others. In a similar way, Samson also fell into Delilah’s clutches by stages, inching slowly and playfully toward the moment of truth, with its terrible consequences (Judg 16:4–21).

These step-by-step slides into sin teach us something critical. Don’t negotiate! Determine that God’s law will be your first and final authority. Refuse to question what God has said. Accept the reality of His stringent warnings against sin. Reject the twisted logic and the false promises of temptation. Puncture the illusion that sin will make you happier and more fulfilled – it will not! Trust God, trust His reasons and motives, trust His process – and send the tempter packing. In the end, God will deliver something that will exceed anything you can imagine (Eph 3:14–21).”

David overestimated the fun of sin. Consider saying 5 times per day. Sin is short-term with added destruction.” David underestimated the destruction of sin... by a mile.

Plan how to “be ready” every day.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/be-ready.328885/

 

[Gordon 7]

Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”

What does put to death mean? #1 Turn instantly from sin. #2 Start working on replacing sinful thoughts with godly thoughts. #3 Strive to have continuous opposition to lust. #4 Learn to hate sin by always reminding yourself of the destruction and darkness it causes. #5 Study when and where lust attacks you. Then form a plan for your counterattack. #6 Fight lustful temptation immediately.

“12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

To change, print out an article like this one. Then use it to form a two-step process. Yes, we pray to turn instantly from sin, but then pray to put on some of the traits in verse twelve.

Consider praying: “Father, help me to turn from lust and help me to be kind.”

Consider praying: “Father, show me new ways to think and help me to be humble.”

Consider praying: “Father, help me to run from lust and help me to have compassion for others.”

Consider praying: “Father, help me to fight lust always and help me to be patient.”

Consider praying: “Father, help me to hate sin and help me to forgive.”

Consider praying: “Father, show me how to fight sin and fill me with Your love.”

What you do is 51% of quitting. What you stop doing is only 49%. Because, if you don't replace the bad stuff with good stuff... you will always have a vacuum (empty space) in your life that needs filling.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/pulling-down-strongholds.332184/

 

[Gordon 7]

There are 4 levels of turning from lust.

Level 4 is how Jesus fully turned from lust, fully focused on all pertinent scriptures, and fully focused on His purpose.

Level 3 is how Joseph ran from lust, focused on many scriptures, and stayed on track to fulfill his purpose.

Level 2 is someone fighting sin, turning from lust, thinking about one scripture, and trying to pray about purpose.

Level 1 is someone turning from lust, wondering what they are missing. Considering whether they should reconsider. Being very confused and very tempted.

All 4 levels are an improvement over wondering what to do. But... always focus on increasing your level, because, the more you do, the more you will find joy filling your life.

 

[Gordon 7]

I was at a huge volleyball tournament and what one player was wearing (almost wearing) was not my fault.

Background: I go to multiple volleyball tournaments every year, and I almost always turn instantly from lust. When I turn instantly, lust does not overwhelm me, and I can keep turning from lust all day. I can keep my peace and joy. But this was my first one in a few months, and the temptation was strong. So I “looked” for one second. I then stopped looking and started praying about turning from sin. But... when we give darkness an inch it will take a mile.

I was overwhelmed with lust the whole day. I fought it off with constant prayer. I even started working on an article despite not having time to finish it.

Key point: Turning instantly allows us to start to have peace and joy. I normally have peace and joy at volleyball tournaments, but not that time.

Secondly, after I got off to this bad start I started praying about the cross. I took my sin to the cross. I thanked Jesus for the cross.

Third, the day after I brought my sins to the cross I was looking at my Youtube history. It was filled with borderline stuff. I am pretty sure that going to the cross helped me realize that I was starting to slip a bit. I was going back to sloppy risky behavior.

Today, I am going to up my standards on Youtube and other things.

Last, Joseph instantly ran from lust. Consider praying:

“Father, show me what my life can be like if I run instantly from lust.”

Joseph saved his country. God has something great for you to do as well if you run instantly as Joseph did.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/its-not-my-fault.329050/

 

[Gordon 7]

David in Psalms 100 says to pray by entering into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Thanksgiving and praise in prayer teach us to focus on the good things we have. If I thank God for several good things that I have, it increases my contentment.

We can pray about that as well. Pray, “Father, take away my spirit of lust and help me to be content).” We will not need P at all if we are fully content.

Today, consider personalizing the Lord's prayer and focusing on contentment.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/praying-the-lords-prayer.322513/

 

[Gordon 7]

Addictions of all kinds will rule at all times that we don't abide in Christ.

I was praying about what passage I should meditate on next. As I prayed I felt like John 15 was the passage. I had no idea what John 15 was. As I read it today I thought... I don't want to write about that. Even fewer people want to read about it.

It says that we need to abide in Christ and that we need to bear fruit. Then it gives a very firm warning.

But the problem is... if we don't do what it says, it is really hard to overcome sin.

Then it gives a very great promise if we can do that. “7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

I want to go for that promise. Step one is meditating on the Word. Today, consider meditating on John 15 for the next 4 weeks. Read it, study it, and pray over it. Pray about specific passages from it:

“Father, teach me how to bear fruit.”

Remember, God will never call you to do something that you can't be great at. #2 I never found joy until I started doing what this passage says to do. #3 Hopeless alcoholics and drug addicts often can't quit to save their life. But when they do what this passage advises. Their addiction fades away.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-bible-says.328125/

 

[Gordon 7]

Every time you have a lustful thought you should pray:

“Father, help me to run from lust.”

This shows satan that you are determined to “Take every thought captive,” which the scripture tells us to do.

#2 Consider praying:

“Father, not my will, but Yours be done.”

With this prayer, we are attacking, and changing our thinking.

#3 Quote a scripture that reminds you what is happening:

Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 He who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

The Holy Spirit is desiring to live in us. Lust is war against our own bodies. Lust will beat the crap out of our bodies.

Consider memorizing this verse to remind yourself not to beat the crap out of yourself.

Note: During my last month of addiction, I was so aware that I was “damaging myself” that I literally said it out loud (when no one was home).

Lastly, you can make it. Always study prayers and scriptures that will set you free. It will be the best thing you ever did.

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

 

[Gordon 7]

I love comparing porn viewing to heroin because they have similarities. Heroin use is basically going to war with our health.

When I first looked at porn I had no idea that the Bible said that lust is a sin against our own bodies. But, after decades of lost time, I can verify that the Bible is exactly right about the destruction it causes.

Satan will always present fruit for our temptation. But here is a trick that you can use when he tempts you (when you are out and about and can't get into the Bible to fight back the way Jesus did).

Satan wants to tell you 5 reasons why you should look with lust, or think lustful thoughts.

The Secret Trick

Don't let him talk. Instead, list for him 5 things that will happen if you listen to him. Things like:

The great light of Jesus will turn off and the horrible darkness will surround you.

Isolation/loneliness will increase

Emotions like anger and anxiety will increase

Negative thoughts will overwhelm

It will sabotage the goals of better relationships

It leads to the mad cycle of _______. (Fill in what your life is like in full-blown addiction).

Write out your top five or top ten bad things that will happen if you listen to him.

Key point: If you are not telling him how it is... he will tell you how great it will be. He will convince you if you listen. But, if you dig into verses about lust, or if you focus on the bad things that will happen... you can fight back effectively.

Sometimes we quote scriptures to beat back the devil. Sometimes we quote prayers. Today, add this new weapon to your arsenal for fighting off satan. He will never slow down until you start pounding him really hard.

 

[Gordon 7]

Joyce Meyer wrote: “In Luke 4 when Jesus was being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He answered every trial with the Word of God. He repeatedly said, "It is written," and quoted Scriptures that met the lies and deceptions of the devil head-on. We have a tendency to "try" this for a while, and then when we do not see quick results we stop speaking the Word to our problems and begin once again speaking our feelings, which is probably what got us into trouble, to begin with.”

Do you know exactly which scriptures you will quote when temptation starts to overwhelm you?

Today, consider printing out or writing out your top 4 or 5 verses about lust that you will quote to satan to shut him up.

Do you know how powerful satan is? Try to fight back without scripture, and you will be reminded again for the millionth time.

Second, print out 5 prayers to use often to prepare for temptation. A person who is determined to always fight with prayer is a person who will someday always be prepared.

Third, recently Tao Jones quoted “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

For people at NoFap I would add, Be ye not readers of the threads only, but consider printing out key ideas and studying them until you wear the paper out, or until you start doing them.

Finally, Joyce finished with the following: “A stonecutter may strike a rock ninety-nine times with a hammer, and there may be no evidence at all that the rock is cracking. Then on the one-hundredth time, it may split in half. Each blow was weakening the stone even though there were no signs to indicate it. Persistence is a vital link to victory. We must know what we believe and be determined to stick with it until we see results.”

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/falling-before-a-fall.338403/

 

[Gordon 7]

When we are busy, there are no openings for satan to get in. I have started to pray daily over each of the 9 fruits of the Spirit. In addition, today I am focusing on faithfulness. Wikipedia said:

“Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and putting that loyalty into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances. It may be exhibited by a husband or wife who does not engage in sexual relationships outside of the marriage.[1] It can also mean keeping one's promises no matter the prevailing circumstances. It is the state of being full of faith in the sense of steady devotion to a person, thing or concept.”

In the past, I have been very bad at this. Consider praying:

“Father, teach me about faithfulness.”

Consider meditating on each of the fruits of the Spirit every day. Then spend a few extra minutes praying about one of them. This is a great way to renew your mind so that you can start to think about other things.

Step one in having faithfulness is to make a firm commitment. Consider praying:

“Father, I am fully commited to obeying Your Word, and doing Your will.”

Step two is to have a great plan. Every day you can find ideas of what to do to change your thinking or actions.

Faithfulness is turning ideas into “Consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances.”

If I were a wife who was upset about my spouses' porn habit, the first thing I would look for was evidence of the new plan for change. If I found a worn-out list of “5 Reasons for not going back to P.” If I found a worn-out list of prayers for quitting, verses for quitting, verses about learning to praise, verses about being filled with love. If I found these things I would realize the effort being made to be “faithful.”

Is God also looking for evidence of a new plan for change?

Today, start to practice faithfulness by wearing out some lists. Why? Because the Bible says: In proverbs 28:20 “A faithful man shall abound with blessings.”

Get busy and allow satan no openings.

For the whole article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/allow-no-openings.334310/

 

[Gordon 7]

My wife comes home from massive problems at her business and half of the time I don't even know she has problems. Why? Because she is home now and her past problems are okay!

She has mastered meekness.

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. Consider praying:

“Father, teach me how to have strength under control.”

Sometimes I sit around talking to my wife for two hours in the evening and she still never mentions any trouble. She can do this because she has made it a habit to “Endure injury with patience and without resentment.”

Meekness is a top-ten trait to learn in order to overcome addiction. If bad events cause you to fall it may be a top-five trait.

Matthew 5:5 ESV
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

See how great the Bible is. If you put in the work to be meek to quit a habit... you get a bonus.

Psalm 37:11 ESV
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

Bonus number two. Work on meekness and also increase in peace.

Psalm 25:9 ESV
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

This refers to a 2nd definition of meekness from Merrian Webster: “The quality or state of being meek: a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality.”

When we focus on these things, God leads us and teaches us.

Matthew 11:29 ESV
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.”

This statement by Jesus shows how He leads by example.

Consider praying every hour for the next two days:

“Father, help me to endure injury with patience and without resentment.”

Today, I am adding this prayer/statement to the things I meditate on daily. Hopefully, someday I will make it a habit.

If disaster has always caused your falls, consider making this prayer a permanent habit.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/its-ok.329006/

 

[Gordon 7]

It takes time to quit because we not only have a lust habit, but we also have a dozen other habits that feed our lust habit. Things like fantasies that we don't instantly nip in the bud. Risky TV. Going to movies without first checking out how much trash is in it. Going to places that will probably tempt us.

What habits feed your lust habit? What new activities can you do to replace bad activities? What new thoughts can you work on having to replace bad thoughts?

Second, what habits have you tried to learn this week? Glance over a few old articles and rate your success at trying to implement new things suggested instead of the old way of thinking.

Trying some of these new things is a positive habit that feeds our new “finding joy” habit. Quitting is very mathematical. The quicker you get rid of habits that lead to lust, and replace them with new habits that start to lead to joy, the quicker you will quit.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/it-takes-time.329779/

 

[Gordon 7]

When David stared at Bathsheba he forgot to ask this question. Are these thoughts scriptural? I am guessing he learned that “habit” after all the destruction. He didn't ask: Will these thoughts build me up, or tear me down? He didn't ask: Where did these thoughts originate?

In his later years we know that David learned to get busy doing what God wanted him to do again. He got his mind busy, thinking the way God wanted him to think again.

Today, the focus is learning to praise the Lord the way David did. He was one of the greatest Christians of all time when he focused on thinking right and praising God. David wrote Psalms. Let's see what he said.

Psalm 150:6 ESV
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”

Today I learned... this sounds as much like a command, as it does a suggestion.

Psalm 34:1 ESV
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 71:8 ESV
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.”

David focused on God's glory all day, and he praised God all day.

Psalm 100:1-5 ESV
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Psalm 146:1-2 ESV
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”

Always work on improving the habit of praising God. It is a great tool for renewing your mind to get your thinking off of the wrong things.

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

 

[Gordon 7]

To quit, take an honest inventory of what you are doing to quit. Write out a list of what you do consistently to quit.
The length of your list will not tell the full story, but it will tell you something.

The pyramid example is a good one because we need a solid base. Bible study and prayer are vital, but we need new activities to replace tempting activities.

Praising the Lord is fantastic, but it loses its power if we don't have turning from lust as a key part of the base of the pyramid.

Second, consider making it a goal to be able to recite your top ten tips for quitting.

Third, consider making it a goal to work on implementing one or two of your top ten into daily life.

Finally, develop the habit of doing everything from the base of your pyramid daily. God will see your effort. Then consider praying:

“Father, what do You want me to do to quit?

This is a prayer that “always” eventually gets answered. Keep working, keep praying, and you will make it.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/the-pyramid.333550/

 

[Gordon 7]

When David stared at Bathsheba he did not understand what the Bible meant when it said: “The wages of sin is death.”

But after he sinned and sinned and sinned, he began to understand. He understood that the wages of his sin was actual death (his son). He realized that something always dies or starts to die when we sin.

The problem was that he had really bad timing in his full realization of this verse. When he was staring at Bathsheba he was totally unaware that something would start to die if he looked with lust.

Joseph

Joseph was likely tempted by the Pharoh's wife. She was likely the most beautiful woman in the land. But... he was highly aware that something would start to die if he snuck a look at her with lust. If he began to fantasize about what could be.

The key point: Instead, he turned instantly from that sin, and kept his joy by worshiping God. Then, when she tried to seduce him, he ran. Why? Because he knew that something would die or start to die if he gave in.

Joseph fully realized what this verse meant before temptation arose. He fully realized what it meant during temptation. He was so aware of what that verse meant that it would have seemed like the dumbest thing in the world for him to have given in to lust.

Consider memorizing the key point paragraph. Why? Because #1, Joseph was fully prepared for temptation in advance. #2, Joseph turned from lust and kept his joy. #3, he knew exactly what would happen if he gave in. #4, satan tells us how much fun sin will be. He leaves out minor details of what dies or starts to die.

Finally, always be aware of sin's consequences. Always keep praying: “Father, show me Your will." Always have plans for other things to do. Always be aware, then get busy doing something else.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/david-and-joseph.326676/

 

[Gordon 7]

My daughter is getting married. Will she have a perfect life like it originally was in the Garden of Eden?

Steps to having a perfect life. First, get your joy from God, not from your spouse, your career, your money, or your hobbies.

Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is the fullness of joy: and at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

Note to self. If I want more joy today I should do a Google search on how to get into God's presence.

Today, try to include God in your relationships, activities, and even time spent in front of the TV. Consider praying:

“Father, I am open to You filling me and changing me so that You can change the world.”

Step two: Be content. My daughter's new husband will not be perfect. She will be disappointed with him unless she decides to be content with him the way he is.

What do you need to pray (daily) about to be content with? Jobs, wives, relationships, lack of relationships, lack of money? Many of us will have a lot of problems every day.

Consider memorizing 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

God wants to help you through your problems by helping you be content. Keep praying about it until it happens (because we have all fallen a thousand times when we were discontented).

Step three: Let God's love fill you. I have a printout of verses about love which I meditate on almost every day. I also pray over 1st Corinthians 13:4-6 as well. Why? Because the Bible says:

1st John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

If God starts to be more “in us” as we study love, does that help us live in His presence?

Finally, I am fascinated by the end of that Psalm: “at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”

I have “my” plans for how to have pleasures today. God has “pleasures forevermore” for me at His right hand. Today, I am going to try to investigate what that would be like.

For the full article https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/create-your-own-garden-of-eden.324144/#post-3458411