Porn addiction: is there a way out?

It is seldom that one escapes the snare of porn during one’s formative years. Easy access and privacy make Internet pornography one of the most vulnerable traps for Christians today. Honesty requires that we admit this as a matter of fact. Sincere followers of Christ know that pornography is sinful and deceptive. It corrupts one’s mind and leads to addiction. Porn addicts constantly wallow in an ocean of guilt, hurting themselves and their loved ones. Nevertheless, they lack the power to break this stronghold by themselves. 

Many say, “I have vowed a thousand times not to yield, I have fasted several times, prayed over it, but nothing seems to work. I fall again and again.” Many ask, “What must be done to overcome porn addiction?” There are no easy solutions. The following are some suggestions to help you in your battle against this addiction — and perhaps, similar temptations. 

Pray continually. You need divine help to break this stronghold. You need more of His grace and strength. So, do not lose heart. Keep praying for deliverance. Claim God’s promises when you pray (John 8:36).

Fill your mind with pure thoughts. This cannot be emphasised enough: your mind matters. Fill your mind with God’s Word and pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8). The more your mind is renewed by His Word (Romans 12:1-2), the better your chances of overcoming porn addiction. Only God’s light can drive away sinful darkness from our lives. 

The more your mind is renewed by His Word, the better your chances of overcoming addiction. Only God’s light can drive away sinful darkness from our lives

Identify root causes and take precautions. You need to identify the circumstances that lead you to porn. Some cope with loneliness by seeking comfort through porn. Others look for porn as a way of relaxing after a hard day’s work or study. Still others use porn as a means to drive away boredom or monotony. Ask yourself: “When do I feel like watching porn?” Identify your vulnerability and take precautions. Find alternative ways to relax. Find new stress busters. Keep yourself occupied and avoid creating circumstances to be alone, if you know you’ll end up watching porn. Channel your creative energy into something useful. At times, you may need to be harsh on yourself. For instance, if your private net connection is making you vulnerable, disconnect it. 

Talk to someone about it. Open up about your struggle to someone who knows you well — and has the ability to keep it confidential. Struggling alone is tough. We are all co-strugglers in one thing or the other. Share your struggle with someone you can trust and pray together regularly. It will help both of you grow and mature in Christ. 

Seek professional help. There are times when a porn addict needs professional help. When things are out of control and you feel your normal life is being affected by your obsession with pornography, it is better to seek help through a trained Christian counsellor or psychiatrist.

Some good online forums are: www.settingcaptivesfree.com; www.pureonline.com/help-for-porn-addiction.cfm; and www.xxxchurch.com. 

Prepare yourself for a lifelong battle. Perhaps you hope that, one day, you will overcome this addiction once for all and become a ‘porn-proof’ person. I have come across people who were instantly delivered by God from certain addictive habits. I believe in such experiences. Nevertheless, the experience of many sincere followers of Christ has been different. Porn continues to trouble many, despite their longing for deliverance. They need to depend on God on a daily basis and be cautious all the time. The struggle with pornography may be a lifelong one for you too. But with God’s help, you can experience victory day after day (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15).