javajake
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Post by javajake on May 1, 2020 5:41:59 GMT -7
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Fell and Failed again yesterday. This time I did look for it.
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Post by savedbygrace on May 2, 2020 10:43:46 GMT -7
In the "Resources" section, I wrote some notes on the free book from Covenant Eyes, The Porn Circuit.
Basically we see that our brains are "plastic" in the sense that we can develop new pathways. We can build new habits.
Now I live in an area with no snow, but the example is given of sledding down a hill where you come to a sharp turn, meaning that you slide off to the side and crash. And that danger spot won't magically go away. But with some preparation and practice, you learn that there is a way to pass by that spot, and make a new pathway.
God has made our brains in such a way that we can do that.
Now I can't say much at this point, because I'm only in Day 7 of victory, and I tend to crash and burn after 3 weeks, or even before.
But I am challenged to believe what is actually true: the good news of redemption in Christ is infinitely far greater than anything I can possibly conceive. I continually underestimate what God has given me in Christ.
Matthew 13:44-46 New Living Translation (NLT)
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!"
EVERYTHING HE OWNED! That shows the infinite worth of the treasure, the pearl, that they found.
And so I, like you, continue to pursue. I will not give up.
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javajake
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Posts: 382
Occupation: retired
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Post by javajake on May 24, 2020 9:26:11 GMT -7
In the "Resources" section, I wrote some notes on the free book from Covenant Eyes, The Porn Circuit. Basically we see that our brains are "plastic" in the sense that we can develop new pathways. We can build new habits. Now I live in an area with no snow, but the example is given of sledding down a hill where you come to a sharp turn, meaning that you slide off to the side and crash. And that danger spot won't magically go away. But with some preparation and practice, you learn that there is a way to pass by that spot, and make a new pathway. God has made our brains in such a way that we can do that. Now I can't say much at this point, because I'm only in Day 7 of victory, and I tend to crash and burn after 3 weeks, or even before. But I am challenged to believe what is actually true: the good news of redemption in Christ is infinitely far greater than anything I can possibly conceive. I continually underestimate what God has given me in Christ. Matthew 13:44-46 New Living Translation (NLT) “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!" EVERYTHING HE OWNED! That shows the infinite worth of the treasure, the pearl, that they found. And so I, like you, continue to pursue. I will not give up. Speaking of crashing and burning May 22 was a bad day. Didn't do well on the cable box last night either. Once again like you noticed...20 to 30 days the itch gets easily re-activated. I have read about the the brain pathways before also. Not giving up but greatly discouraged right now. "But I am challenged to believe what is actually true: the good news of redemption in Christ is infinitely far greater than anything I can possibly conceive. I continually underestimate what God has given me in Christ." Agreed! This is good news and encouraging! Be safe and blessed my brother! |
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javajake
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Posts: 382
Occupation: retired
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Post by javajake on May 25, 2020 5:16:54 GMT -7
Bad night last night. Fell again.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2020 5:43:18 GMT -7
Pick yourself up and continue your journey with Christ. You can do this with Our Lord's help. Keep going!
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javajake
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Post by javajake on May 25, 2020 8:31:09 GMT -7
Thanks Amy. I have been very lazy in my fellowship with Christ. And I know this is why I fail. The old man is getting the upper hand cause I'm starving the new man in Christ. 2+2=4
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Post by Deleted on May 25, 2020 18:59:26 GMT -7
Yes Jake, the flesh gets the upper hand when we neglect our time with Christ. We have to be zealous towards our relationship with Christ. We need to jealously guard our time with Him. I know that personally. with all the drama that was going on in my family, my time in the bible went bye-bye. I had to force myself to start reading it again and re-focus. It really helps. We are spirit beings now that we have accepted Christ a messiah. The only way to feed our spirit is with the Word. If we neglect our spirits, we become weak and easy fodder for sin.
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Post by Will on May 27, 2020 4:46:17 GMT -7
Hi Jake, yep I'm also a member of the 3 week club! However praise God my 'average has been creeping up over the last few years with 3 months my best. What are your triggers do you think? It massively helped me to identify these and so be vigilant about them. For me, movies, being tired and/or stressed. Getting a full day's rest every week has really changed my life for the better (it's by far the most difficult day for avoiding lust tho, the enemy attacks it like crazy). On that day I make a plan of what I'm going to do (so I don't 'drift' into anything), make sure I get hot food and switch my phone off. Also helped me to identify 'white list' activities or interests that do not have a history of leading me to acting out. I 'stock up' on these - prepare some of them, for Saturday, my day of rest, beforehand. This is because it is insane how much the enemy causes me to forget everything but acting out on rest days, it's actually weird. So if I have written down, like 'read that book!' it's really helpful. I'm like a dumb caveman, I read it and think 'aw yeah, I did mean to do that', and it means I don't run out of things to do to pass the time, because that's a serious danger zone. Above all I remember, it's just time. All I have to do it get to sleep this evening. That's it. Once I have had a real rest for the week, I'm usually pretty good. Oh and reading (only a page but hey) of the Bible every morning also is great. Just my two cents! But it all helps  God bless you brother! And praying for you! |
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2020 16:51:03 GMT -7
Thinking heavy of sin and what is does (kills our spirit, grieves the Holy Spirit, betrays Christ by stepping on His cross) keeps me in check. Thinking very serious of sexual sins.
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javajake
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Post by javajake on May 29, 2020 8:03:21 GMT -7
Will my triggers are many. As small as some random sexual thoughts and images coming up in my head to seeing sexy women in public or on my devices. If I don’t quickly let them go and divert my attention and thoughts that’s where I start losing the battle. I like your battle plan. I want to start journaling each time these triggers and temptations arise and get them out of my head into the open. Just read about that approach.
Yesterday day was a bad day. Easy to give in again after a recent fall.
A realization came to me after this. There is one device I have that I don’t look up porn on when I am going through these times. It is my iPad that my wife bought me a few years ago. You can have them write a inscription on the back and I chose after my name and The coffee king to add...“To God Be The Glory”. There is no protection or accountability software on this iPad. Just that phrase. So last night I gave the Lord all my devices that I have used for porn and individually said To God Be The Glory..this is the Lord’s device and not for porn.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25 NKJV
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Post by savedbygrace on May 29, 2020 14:35:09 GMT -7
Amen! TO GOD AND GOD ALONE BE ALL THE GLORY!
That promise from Jude is one I haven't thought about for some time. Powerful. HE IS ABLE. There is no question about His power. Why then do I not run to Him at the time of need?
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javajake
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Posts: 382
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Post by javajake on May 30, 2020 6:48:55 GMT -7
I know what you mean SBG. I mark mine down to bad habits and being more in the flesh than in the spirit.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 - KJV
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javajake
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Posts: 382
Occupation: retired
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Post by javajake on May 30, 2020 7:21:00 GMT -7
One of many replies from a post on CovanetEyes on a article titled “Why Can’t I Stop Watching Porn? 3 Reasons It’s Hard to Quit”. Jim’s post caught my attention. Here is the link if anyone wants to read. www.covenanteyes.com/2017/01/31/cant-stop-watching-porn-3-reasons/ Jim on April 8th, 2019 - 5:42am I am a Christian who has struggled on and off with porn since I was a teen. Oh sure you can smash your computer and flush your smartphone down the toilet, but it won’t help. And while I agree accountability and community are important in beating any addiction the truth is it’s not enough. The times I have gone the long stretches with no perversion is when I was in a deep intimate relationship with God. As people we desire intimate relationship and we are meant to have a deep meaningful relationship with our creator. David says in Psalm 42 and I paraphrase, “the deep things in me cry out to the deep things in you God!” I would spend ample time in prayer and in the word every morning making a heart felt honest connection with God and being honest with him. I would pour out my heart. Telling him deep things about me that no one knows (of course he already knows) I would sit quiet and let Him respond to my heart. He would give me this intense love for people and I would pray for whoever He would bring to my mind. I would read the Bible and the words would jump off the page and run over my soul like warm oil. (Sorry only way to describe the sensation) We were in this amazing relationship that brought fulfillment and joy. Even though I would still struggle with porn, I would still seek God every morning knowing that even my righteousness as the Bible says, is as filthy rags compared to his holiness. I’m only made holy because of Jesus and not by my own self-righteous acts. When I would mess up I just felt God say “it’s covered. I just want to spend time with you.” I began to realize something very important, it’s God coming close to me that makes me holy and not me trying to do God a big favor by destroying my computer every time I messed up. Perversion began to leave as I began to get a high spending time with God. It’s like it took the place of the porn over time. I liked being able to talk to young women without feeling like a perve or having the guilt draped on me like a heavy wet blanket. I could walk down the street in the summer and was able to hold my head high despite all the naked flesh around me. It was unbeleivable freedom. I went a good two years like that but got distracted by work, ministry ambitions, and people pleasing. In other words I began to get self-righteous. I stopped having a deep daily connection with God and the desire for porn came right back. I have slipped but I’m getting right back up. After all it is called the “fight of faith” for a reason. So please. Get back up and don’t quit. Jesus paid the price so we can come to God anytime. It’s our own religious pride that keeps us from God. There is no waiting period. Jesus took care of it 2000 years ago. So get back up without delay and keep fighting. Don’t believe the lie that your sin keeps you from God after all we sin sometimes without even realizing it. Develop relationship. He’s your Savior, King, Father, and Best Friend. He wants to be in your world in every way and isn’t afraid of your sexuality. After all he created it. |
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javajake
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Posts: 382
Occupation: retired
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Post by javajake on Jun 5, 2020 16:50:13 GMT -7
Now that I have given all my devices to the Lord I need to spend quality time with Him and stop distracting myself with worldly entertainment.
(1 Corinthians 6:20) "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
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Post by savedbygrace on Jun 5, 2020 19:52:54 GMT -7
Yes, I totally agree. Worldly entertainment offers little or nothing of value. Even without overt "bad" stuff, it seldom if ever points us to Christ and things of eternal worth.
I haven't gotten that much into reading, but there is this huge world of great books out there. Lee Strobel has put out many wonderful books. Also "The HIding Place" - wonderful true story of the TenBoom family who provided shelter and protection for Jews during the holocaust. ... Horrible suffering and how God brought good out of it. Also Pastor Tony Evans... many great books he has written......
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God bless you brother! And praying for you!