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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 9/23/2007 2:07:22 PM
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Johnny_
Posts: 769
Joined: 11/26/2006
From: California
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mb35,
You have misunderstood and misinterpreted the scripture (Mark 9:43-48). Jesus Christ our Lord was not teaching self-mutilation as you claim. The language employed by Christ in this context is a figure of speech that is common to all languages.
It is called "hyperbole". The term is derived of two Greek components, hyper (over, above), and bole (from ballein, to throw), hence “to throw above.” It is a specially designed exaggeration for the purpose of emphasis.
Thus Jesus Christ our Lord, in this context, was emphasizing the supreme value of pursuing the kingdom of God above all else. To illustrate this principle, he chose, for illustration purposes, items that are very precious to us, e.g., eye, hand, or foot. The obvious meaning is this. Recognize the value of eternal things; don’t be derailed by temporal and physical distractions.
< Message edited by Bibleman7 -- 9/23/2007 2:18:36 PM >
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 9/24/2007 10:12:51 AM
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mb35
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Interpret Mark how you feel appropriate, I will do the same. Sacrificing the flesh is different from "self-mutilation", and obsession with the flesh is the basis of porn addiction. I don't think he was using "hyperbole" [thanks for clearing that word up for me], nor do I think he was preaching "self-mutilation". He was talking about salvation - and saying it was better to sacrifice the flesh, than to spend eternity in Hell. I think he was very serious about that. What was the nature of Jesus's death? Even in modern times, if you're caught stealing in some regions your hand will be cut off. In context, two thousand years ago, I don't think reference to such things was hyperbole. Then again, maybe it was - maybe the whole Bible is full of hyperbole. Maybe the seriousness of Hell was being exaggerated also. Maybe someone can publish a new Bible weeding out all the hyperbole?
Do I want the OP to pluck his eye's out, of course not. It was a joke - although a viable solution IMO if it is compromising his salvation.
< Message edited by mb35 -- 9/24/2007 11:41:35 AM >
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 9/28/2007 12:31:47 PM
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rgsoundguy
Posts: 58
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Pottstown, PA
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quote:
ORIGINAL: MowTin
I think our real problem is not that we lust for these women. I think our real problem is that we don't care about them. If we cared then these images would make us sad instead of lustful.
Amen to that. I used to be deceived by the lie that I was only hurting myself with this sin. These women, though they may be doing it voluntarily, are still victims. Instead of just praying for God to deliver us from this sin, we need to pray for God to reveal himself to his children who are lost in this "profession." It's sad. Apparently prostitution becomes legal when a camera is present.
_____________________________
Albert Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That convinces me that our nation is insane because we continually elect republicans and democrats expecting change and get none.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 9/30/2007 10:26:43 PM
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ATS435
Posts: 9
Joined: 9/20/2007
From: NC
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I would either put the computer in a public place at home where you know others will probably walk by or put some type of cyber patrol program on your computer so you can't look at porn or stuff you shouldn't. Then give the password for the cyber patrol program to a friend and tell them not to tell you.
Other than that, you can find a friend or someone who will hold you accountable to what your looking at and when.
Sin starts in the mind, so if you can start trying to fill your mind with good things then that helps also.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/1/2007 12:44:32 PM
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rgsoundguy
Posts: 58
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Pottstown, PA
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I posted the below in another thread that was shut down and redirected here.
Marriage is in no way a cure for Sexual Addiction/Porn Addiction. In my case porn has screwed up my entire perception of what sex is. While there is a chemical reaction associated with porn, there are other issues that lead men to act out in that way. A good resource in discovering your underlying issues is a book called "False Intimacy." A good source in preparing to fight your battle against this addiction is a book called "Every Man's Battle." I hid an addiction to this filth for over 20 years starting before age 10. There is such a taboo about it in the church that I never addressed it publicly struggled internally. Praying for God to take it away, but always returning to it. After a year and a half of marriage, my wife discovered my addiction. I was thrown out of the house. My sin became very public. I felt horrible at the time, but I am now able to praise God for exposing what I was too much of a coward to confess. I am in the process of rebuilding my marriage. I am now 4 months sober. I am closer to God than I have ever been before, but my wife is still dealing with her hurt from my betrayal. If you are single do not think that marriage will cure this. Do yourself and your future wife a favor and deal with it now.quote:
quote:
ORIGINAL: guitarmark
Are you married? If so, can you get this pleasure from your wife, or are there aspects of your sex life that you feel are lacking? If you're single, fighting this is harder, but not impossible.
No condemnation - just digging a bit before diving in on this topic.
_____________________________
Albert Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. That convinces me that our nation is insane because we continually elect republicans and democrats expecting change and get none.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/6/2007 2:53:10 PM
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terryjohn
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It is interesting that the problem of pornography may not be a problem in the primitive tribes of Borneo or the jungles of deepest darkest Africa or Brazil. I mean if you were to take a pornographic magazine to these men of these tribes what would they think or say about what they see?
I think you would find after the initial interest in seeing how others live or look the magazine would be left to flutter in the dust of the ground as they would find little gratification or fascination in seeing western women naked as all their women are. They also would find, they simply did not have time to waste on such foolishness when they have far greater needs.
Nevertheless, research would need to be done into this but it does make one wonder that we have once again set up pointless little moral laws that in the have come back to bite us. Or more to the point we have called nakedness evil and now find ourselves naked and condemned for it. For as Paul puts it;
Ro 14:14 - As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food (nothing) is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
Could we say then that we should stop regarding the flesh as bad as we would have it be? For we should not say that anything God has created is evil or unclean.
Acts 10:28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
We have to learn that basically God doesn't make rubbish and we dishonour Him to say what He has created is evil.
Acts 11:9"The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'
What we then may have is then is that, weak men have condemned the flesh and now live their lives slaves to it. That which we ban becomes all the more attractive much in the same way that the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden became.
Perhaps we then need to seriously re-evaluate our understanding of what is and is not evil and stop like the teachers of the law heaping up burdens on each others backs.
Matthew 23:2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
If as I suppose that the primitive man does not see nudity as in any way provocative (as in before the fall) what have men done to make it so?
As men we must confess that;
The female form is not evil as it was created by God and fulfils its intended purpose, however, what is evil is not the object or the desire but the lack of love for that which we would spitefully use. That is we sin because we have no love for God and selfishly exploit all we see for our own selfish pleasure. He who gazes upon the female form and wishes to consume her flesh without even referring to her being is evil for what is not of love is sin. And here we have to see that the love we are talking of is not self seeking for it is of God.
Pornography is the perversion of men for the greater sculptors of times gone by did not carve pornographic sculptures but tributes to the artistry of God Himself. To gaze on the female form is not a sin but to selfishly want to pervert its God given purpose and want to devalue both the woman and corrupt the man is. We enflame our passions by condemning that which is God given and natural. We have once again taken what God has freely given and abused it.
Food is for the belly and the belly is for food but God will destroy both for it is not the food that is evil but how men consume it to their own destruction. That is all things are permissible but not all things are good for us. One man drinks wine for his health and another drinks too much and destroys his health. Which man has sinned and why?
What can we conclude? Women are beautifully, fearfully and wonderfully created and more importantly loved by God. He who finds fascination in the degradation/abuse of a daughter of God and sister of Christ is a damnable creature for there is no love in him. In the end nakedness/nudity is nothing but the lack of love for our fellow sisters and brothers is.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/6/2007 5:07:38 PM
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Konstantinos
Posts: 1349
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you get a bazooka and blow up magazines, TVs and computers.
_____________________________
eh.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/9/2007 11:53:11 AM
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NiceGuyNoMore
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quote:
ORIGINAL: John_O
Avoid 'near porn', bikini pictures or other pictures of scantily clad women where ever you find them, be it sports magazines, catalogues etc. These things are like appetizers. They will make you want more. Therefore stop snacking on this near porn stuff also.
This is a big problem that I have. It's always there, kind of hard to avoid when when you have stuff plastered all over magazines at the grocery store. We got rid of cable TV completely (not just because of that, but simply for the fact that we were wasting too much time watching TV). Still, some of the commercials out there are pretty bad.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/9/2007 11:57:30 AM
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guitarmark
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From: Ohio
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Just keeping busy can help. Cultivate some involved, time-consuming hobby or hobbies and you'll find that you less free time to think about things that you shouldn't...
It's when you sit down and find yourself with "free time" that you can get yourself into trouble.
_____________________________
Open-minded discussions about life, love and fun - based on Godly principles, yet decidedly free from gratuitous quoting of Scripture. This is my promise to refrain from typing Bible verses at you…
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/10/2007 2:41:09 PM
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NiceGuyNoMore
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I know the whole idle hands thing is absolutely true. The problem with me is that sometimes I'll be on the computer for completely unrelated reasons, then I'll check on CNN and click on the Entertainment section (which is a mistake to start) and who knows what scantily clad actress or singer your goingto see. It tends to snowball from there.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/18/2007 11:55:59 AM
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terryjohn
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Pornography distorts the wonderful creation of God. Let us then say from the outset that the female form is as God intended it and it is in no way sinful in itself. You could also say that a man's desire for a woman is also not sinful for it is a God given desire.
Nevertheless, some desires are not God given, namely, the wanting to abuse and debase others and our selves. In effect what is not of love is sin. Here love is not a love as defined by men but God. Hence, to want to use another for you own selfish pleasure is not of God.
Our problem than with pornography is that we then do not then love as we should. We could then want to define love and it is no surprised that Paul had to do this for his readers.
1Co 13:4 -
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Nakedness/nudity is nothing among animals and only brute beasts are dominated by their sexual desires, but men are defined by their love. As a result it is true that if a man truly loved a woman he would want the best for her and not want to process her.
I then would suggest that for a man to break the demonic hold that pornography has on him then he first has to desire true love.
Again there is no sin in nakedness for Adam and Eve were not cast out of the garden for being naked, however, both men and women will be cast out simply because they seek their own desires and not those of God.
Fall then in love with God and begin to see women as His daughters and not slabs of flesh in a meat market for you to buy and consume. Women are precious and loved by God. If you then have an image of the perfect woman of God try then to see her in all the women you come across you may then find that you are less likely to want to abuse them and dishonour them by wanting to view them as pornography does.
Nevertheless, when you come across a beautiful, holy, godly, woman praise God and rejoice that you admire and love her for all the right reasons.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/26/2007 1:42:11 PM
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rockominal
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From: Indiana
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quote:
ORIGINAL: NiceGuyNoMore
I know the whole idle hands thing is absolutely true. The problem with me is that sometimes I'll be on the computer for completely unrelated reasons, then I'll check on CNN and click on the Entertainment section (which is a mistake to start) and who knows what scantily clad actress or singer your goingto see. It tends to snowball from there.
You're right. It doesn't just take porn sites to provoke this issue. Anything that can trigger these obsessions can come at you from anywhere at any time. If it's not one thing, it's something else. So, then, it would still be a good idea to check back one the excellent posts that have been made on this subject.
Phenomenal: = Rõ©kõmïnå£ ™ =
_____________________________
I might tell you the truth, or something pretty close to it. Jesus says, "I Am the Truth."
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 10/26/2007 2:52:26 PM
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rockominal
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From: Indiana
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Wouldn't you know it? After I was going through some of your excellent posts I loogged off and then back on to the website. Then, right on top of the banner, this link came on : oneplace/ministries/Pure_Sex_Radio/ .
That's the first time I've ever seen that on the main page. Have you guys ever seen that before?
Phenomenal: = Rõ©kõmïnå£ ™ =
_____________________________
I might tell you the truth, or something pretty close to it. Jesus says, "I Am the Truth."
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/2/2007 2:46:11 PM
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KConner711
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OK, let me jump on the bandwagon here, i have some questions and comments as far as this topic is concerned.
Let me start by saying please take these all with a grain of salt as they are just questions and in no way intended to persuade anyone to change the way they view things or feel about anything.
I myself am recently contending with this issue (pornography) and a big question that I (and everybody else) havent been able to find the answer to is. What if the images you are viewing are of your spouse?? Also, what if this is one of the only ways you AND your spouse have to get "in the mood" because the rest of your life is blinding your mind from anything but that and intimacy is lost because your to worried about your job, children, bills, fixing things etc.
There is no care for what they look like, or who they are, simply the act of sex that allows the mind to release from everyday life and into a mood of intimacy that in fact is helping your/my intimacy deprived marriage. We arent lusting over those people, we dont want to be with those people, we want each other but out minds wander so much to other things of importance that we kinda need something to lock the mood into place so we can stop thinking about everything else for a few and enjoy the fact that we are married. Now dont get me wrong im not sayin its ok cause accordingly its not under terms that you are viewing these images in an adulteress manor. But what if its with your spouse and its just for the arousal to enjoy one another once the mind has been taken away from every day troubles.
The word of God is holy, and the only thing holy about man is God, therefore mans ability to translate the word is not perfect, as man is not. A holy dictionary to go with the holy bible would be great, but every revised version of the bible is different (and translated differently), and every person you speak to has a quote from a scripture (which is translated different by each person). God is not magically changing each bible to what they are really supposed to equivilate to. Hes allowing man to "revise" and "translate" the word, over and over. If turns to then, then turns to and, so on and so forth. And why would anyone need a "revised" version of the bible, the bible was made simple enough that anyone could read and understand it even without education (mostly 1 syllable words originally).
Also dolphins (smartest mammal only comparable to man) has been proven to have sex for pleasure outside of animal instinct but through choice, not just animalistic reproduction, does this mean that satan is tempting the dolphins as they are having sex without it being for reproduction purposes and just for pleasure?? I know dolphins have nothing to do with humans but from a mental capability standpoint they have alot to do with it.
Again dont condemn me for these questions, they are realistic points made by people who do know God, who believe in him and believe that they will be save through the blood of christ. It just seems as current that all anyone can give is an opinion, or another translation of a scripture. I understand in the circumstances of Sodom that the city was full of sin, a whole city which not 10 people could be found that were even remotely pure. In translation even by professionals the only words they know for sure about that story was homo-sexuality, incest and sodomy which then had a very less specific definition then today, some churches have taken it upon themselves to include oral sex, masturbation, and many other extensions that were never supposedly there in the beginning. Who do we go with, the words as they were meant then, or as they are meant now??
Words of the bible have had their meanings changed. The morals held there are still the same but with minor/major variance placed by man. Back then a word meant one thing, while today it means that plus about 20 other things, not to mention if you switch a letter it turns into a whole other topic. So do we believe what the original translation was, or do we allow man over time to fill in the blanks for us. Is the pastor/priest using a "revised" bible right about the situation?? Or maybe the professional who does nothing but decode the ancient language from its original context??
Believe me i love God and know he is part of my life, i pray daily for everything from friends, family and myself, to people who need help i dont even know. and as some of my words may seem that i am trying to contradict, these are not just my questions and the answers to these questions are currently lost. I am probably one of the most God fearing people you will ever encounter, and i am not trying to contend with the word of our Lord, just trying to get an understanding for some things that seem like they are becoming opinionated rather than proven through Jesus and the word.
I understand that most answers i can find on my own through Christ. Some questions however are a lil to detailed to just go with "well that falls under this catagory so...." With that if anyone has any sound responses whether a comment, a fact, a text of some kind, please let me/us know.
If anything i have said has made you think in a fashion that is negative toward christ or has made you second guess anything about our Lord please disregard my comments. My intent here was not to create controversy but to seek guidance for questions that either i or someone else have found to be fair questions. Im not sure about the churches etc from where all of you are from but where im from you will get your question answered by another question leaving you with 2 unanswered questions. Hence my coming here to seek the opinions of people who are probably from a different christian lifestyle than what is presented in my area. (yes i have attended multiple churches and the results are the same). And again i apologize if any of my questions/comments have upset or aggravated anyone in anyway as it was not my intent.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/2/2007 10:56:15 PM
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Johnny_
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From: California
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quote:
original: KConner711
I myself am recently contending with this issue (pornography) and a big question that I (and everybody else) havent been able to find the answer to is. What if the images you are viewing are of your spouse??
The answer is "no"
Because by watching pornography of your spouse, you are lusting after your wife and her body. The bible condemns and forbides any kind of lustful acts or behaivor regardless of the circumstances.
< Message edited by Bibleman7 -- 11/3/2007 12:44:50 AM >
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/5/2007 8:00:02 PM
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librarian_ponderer
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Let me add some more practical advice to the good advice given by the others here.
One thing that you can do is keep a religious image next to your computer, perhaps a cross if you don't like images of Christ. Having a sacred image next to your computer will make it much more difficult for you to engage in porn, since the cross of Christ will be right there in front of your face. Second, memorize a short prayer or scripture passage to help you whenever you feel tempted. Say the prayer until the temptation is gone. I pray the Jesus prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me a sinner." Finally, get some exercise. Get yourself into a regular exercise program to use all that pinned up energy. God bless.
Joe
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/9/2007 11:23:17 AM
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KConner711
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K that part i got, no porn, simple, but im still having a slight doubt in the masturbation due to Leviticus 15:16-18
16 states uncleaness if a emission of semen occurs
17 says anything semen touches is unclean
18 says that if a man lays with a woman and an emission of semen occurs they will be unclean
doesnt 16 reflect the concept of being alone during an emission.
and in song of songs there are versus that in many instances directly reflects masturbation (according to multiple translations), and in no way has it been reflected as wrong. I do agree that if your doin it 3 times a day or even 3 a week perhaps then yes your abusing the privilage and should you be married in this instance then you may need to seek counseling as needs arent being met from one end or the other.
however, why did there need to be a 16 if you shouldnt do it by yourself, and why wasnt it specified. If a person can masturbate without lusting (keeping a clear mind and focusing on the feeling versus a bodily image)(<-- no lust) and it is in fact keeping them from committing wrongs that are far worse (adultery etc.)(<-- "bigger" sins) then why would it be wrong, if we are supposed to do whatever neccessary to stop from commiting sins then wouldnt you say masturbating to prevent yourself from having to commit adultery or lust would be positive as long as it isnt abused. (abused = to often, porn etc)
and before any responses are given... to gratify the flesh is not an answer in any form because nowhere does it say to gratify the flesh is a sin, when you eat you gratify the flesh in its hunger, when you have an itch you gratify the flesh with a scratch. These are not wrong and in no way any different from any other form of gratifying flesh.
Dont you think that God would rather you masturbate, then commit adultery in your marriage, or catch a disease, or possibly result in an abortion in certain cases. And think about teens, most of them have sexual urges before they even know what to do, are the images and thoughts a 16yr old boy has causing them to sin even tho their own body (not mind) is what is causing these things (hormones).
and also if a husband feels the need of 3 times a week, and the wife only says 1, after time tension will build, the husband seeks his release with his wife, and she denies him that (lets face it bible or not all women are not as accomodating as we wish they were wives especially). wouldnt masturbation be a simple way to avoid conflict or resentment in this instance, or what if the husband has issues preventing him from lasting during intercourse, then the wife goes unsatisfied and again conflict and resentment will arrise, this instance also often leads to the adultery because they cant be satisfied and must seek release elsewhere. what if the wife/husband is ill and will not be able to partake for weeks/months at a time, the need doesnt vanish, how do we cope??
one thing that alot of people have asked is if God placed instances in the bible to specifically label certain practices wrong (incest, homosexuality, bestiality, rape etc) why didnt he include masturbation directly. he felt the need to tell people they cant sleep with animals, but never mentions that you cant masturbate. now i dont know about everyone else but i can see alot more people at ANY point in history masturbating more then there are people who are sleeping with animals. <-- (if you do this grab a bible and for God sake pray til you can hear angels sing)
i have done alot of research on this subject and the only thing i ask that is if someone does feel differently please back your opinion with a sound scripture as everything on this matter seems to be very opinionated and most of the responses start with a biased mind rather than an open one. cause remember if its not sin and we make it one we are changing gods law (not good)
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/9/2007 11:29:02 AM
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KConner711
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and for those of you who are still struggling with porn, im with you all the way, i deleted all mine and it has been almost 2 weeks since ive seen anything other than a victoria secrets catalog (which my wife was showing me for purchasing purposes) so good luck for all who have this problem, god will help you as long as you ask for help and forgiveness, oh and by the way, no point in asking for forgiveness if you dont think its wrong you have to know that it is wrong or youll always go back.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/9/2007 4:08:32 PM
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shawke
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Attention:Moderator's Note
Please do not begin discussions about masturbation in this thread. There is an ongoing thread on that topic HERE.
Please do not send me PM's, or discuss this message in the community.
Questions, comments, and concerns may be emailed to community@salemwebnetwork.com
Thank you
Steve
Forums Moderator
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/17/2007 5:40:53 PM
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Teenager
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I'm new here and have read the advice given so far. Can I be so bold as to post an alternate and simpler remedy which requires only three steps.
I run a regular men's support group where we talk about all sorts of stuff. When discussing this topic, one guy at our meetings reckoned he should not go to the beach or shopping malls anymore, abit like that story of the priest who would not leave his vestry and plastered the walls with bible pages - trapped by the sin that beset him.
I told the boys that a negative method is by focussing on the sin and not Christ. Just like Luther going up the stairs on his knees doing penance and flagelating himself. The whole focus was on the sin committed and made it into a monster that loomed bigger and bigger throughout his experience. Limiting where we go and what we do is not my understanding of what Jesus had in mind for overcoming difficult sin.
I don't think throwing out the computer is the answer because it will just transfer onto something else like peep shows and stuff. My friend suffers from porn addiction - you should see his computer. It looks like a porn addicts computer with messages down the side and anti porn slogans on the screen saver. The problem is he is so focussed on porn being the problem that he is diverted from Christ where his constant focus should be.
My computer has no porn stoppers installed and at the click of a button I can be at the most rootin tootin porn sight you have ever seen. But I choose not to go there today. I am not trapped by it and it is not a monster anymore for me because I choose not to think about it 24/7. I think we need to get to the stage where we can have porn flashed in our faces and not bat an eyelid. We should not be caged by our sin by doing all this external stuff. First of all we need to release ourselves from the worry of porn and give that to Jesus. Next, have a regular connection with Jesus every day. Finally, if we fall into the sin of porn ask forgiveness. That's all we can do - it's no use letting it cloud our vision of Christ trying to fight it ourselves.
There is a culture of blaming our sin on external circumstances and not really taking responsibility for it. We know it is wrong to do porn and most of us have probably been there and looked. Choosing to focus on Jesus and not my sin is a biblical concept and is never an excuse for sinning. All it does is keeps me focussed on the One who can free me from my sin and stops me from giving my sin the undue attention that usually leads to discouragement about it.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/18/2007 10:46:46 PM
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bryanpaine
Posts: 3
Joined: 11/17/2007
Status: offline
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I have been struggling with the sin of lust/porn pretty much all of my life and I have found two things that have helped.
First, and foremost, delighting myself in the Lord. He is my everything and realizing that I am nothing without Him..
Second of all, I read the book "Every Man's Battle," written by Fred Stoecker and Stephen Arterburn. This book dealt with the issues that have plagued my life and it changed my life. I HIGHLY recommend it. It is worth the 10 or so dollars for a lifetime of change. They use scripture and real life scenorios to shape people's thinking. Buy it and read it....See if it works for you.
I pray that it works for all who read it.
Has anyone else read this book?
_____________________________
Bryan P.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/19/2007 2:08:39 PM
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rayofson
Posts: 10247
Joined: 4/11/2005
Status: offline
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Every time that I read this thread title, I think of this
_____________________________
Please don't feed the Ogre.
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/22/2007 12:43:10 PM
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christianfather
Posts: 1
Joined: 11/22/2007
Status: offline
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First of all you need to get an accountability partner:
What he is...
* A friend who cares enough to ask the hard questions:
* Have you viewed any pornographic image since we last spoke, intentionally or not? If so, what steps will you take to avoid doing so in the future?
* Have you acted out since we last spoke? If so, how?
* How has your spiritual life been? Have you prayed, sincerely?
* Has anger been a problem for you today? If so, who was the object of your anger?
* If your child(ren) (or friends) knew what you've done today, would they be pleased? If not, why not?
*
One who is willing to be diligent in keeping contact with the addicted person.
*
One who is willing to regularly make the addicted one the subject of his prayers.
*
One who is capable of looking beyond the hurts, anger, and frustration that characterizes pornography addiction.
* Have I forgotten to ask you anything?
What he is not...
*
A person upon whom the addicted one can cast his facade of normalcy.
*
One who is to be taken advantage of.
*
One whom you should expect to believe your lies.
Choosing an Accountability Partner...
Although it is healthy to be ashamed of the sins you are involved in, don't let that shame become one of Satan's weapons to keep you trapped. Secrecy is often a Christian's biggest enemy, while confession can bring freedom and release from the bondage of an overwhelming sense of shame. If no one knows of your personal moral failures, there is no one to be accountable to, or to help lift you up in prayer or encourage you. Don't let your pride destroy you (Prov. 29:23; Mark 7:21; 2 Chr, 32:26). In an accountability relationship, you choose a confidant that you can be honest and open with about your addiction. Confess your sin (James 5:16). Be sure to choose someone of the same sex. Preferably, select a discrete person that has some spiritual maturity in their walk with Christ, and who has a helpful, non-condemning spirit.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecc. 4:9 - 12
"Two are better than one, and more happy jointly than either of them could be separately, more pleased in one another than they could be in themselves only, mutually serviceable to each other's welfare, and by a united strength more likely to do good to others" Matthew Henry
Second take the sexual impurity course at http://settingcaptivesfree.com
I took the course to help me stop looking and seeking porn.
In Christ
Kevin
<><
Accountability is a Christ centered relationship, which encourages spiritual growth and life change.
http://groups.google.com/group/s_f_o
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RE: how do i stop looking at porn PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!! - 11/22/2007 3:38:17 PM
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notmycity
Posts: 766
Status: offline
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Consider this:
“By the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.”
Ps 19:9
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
(NKJ)
Ps 111:10
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
(NKJ)
Prov 1:7
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(NKJ)
Prov 1:22-33
22 "How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge.
23 Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded,
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes,
27 When your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil."
(NKJ)
Prov 8:13
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.
(NKJ)
Prov 10:27
27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.
(NKJ)
Prov 14:26-27
26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.
(NKJ)
***Prov 16:6
6 In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.***
(NKJ)
Prov 19:23
23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.
(NKJ)
Prov 23:17
17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;
(NKJ)
Heb 12:28-29
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
(NKJ)
_____________________________
<><Topher
"I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." Psalm 119:63
and..
"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." Heb 13:14 = "notmycity"
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