118/365: Purity Is A Decision

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. ~ 2 Samuel 11:2-3

King David fell into a long cycle of trouble when he fixed his eyes in the wrong direction. Darkness creeps in through a man's eyes when he allows a glance to linger and turn into a gaze.

There is a big difference between a glance and a gaze. We can't stop the world from flashing sex at us every day. But we can choose where to direct our eyes.

It will be up to you not to gaze and open the door to lust. The decision is yours... and yours alone. Stay Pure one glance at a time.

GO DEEPER: 1 Corinthians 10: 11-13

NEXT STEP: What is your plan for the next "galnce"? Do you have one?

lonnie kelley

on 05/27/2023 at 03:10 AM

Ken, you can try the Covenant Eyes software. It is a special browser that, along with an ally, share random screenshots of your internet usage. As long as you are faithful to the app it works well. It also helps by monitoring your screentime. You mite also seek our Promise Keepers. It’s a groups of men that help each other

Ken Westenkirchner

on 05/15/2023 at 12:40 AM

I need help and support with this well. please pray for me as this is a personal daily struggle. Need help with free website to block access. Thoughts?

cherub

on 05/09/2023 at 12:59 AM

Amen, really needed this reminder cause I am in this space at this moment. Thank u Lord for your goodness...

Robert McFaddin

on 04/29/2023 at 04:07 PM

Hi Matthew. Didn’t see a message, but I sent one to you.

Matthew Brown

on 04/29/2023 at 02:40 PM

Robert I tried messaging you on the messenger part of this app. From what you have shared I think we share a similar story. If you have not received a message you should be able to message me using my name

Robert McFaddin

on 04/29/2023 at 01:58 PM

This has been my problem. It has caused GREAT harm to my wife

J. K. SPRATT

on 04/29/2023 at 12:28 AM

Lust is a daily struggle for me as well. There was a time that I was great about looking away after first glance, but not anymore. It’s like I try to take in as much as possible without being noticed. I really do hate it though. I ask the Lord to help me with it almost every time it happens. I know it’s my fault for going against the Holy Spirit when he try’s to warn me, because I’m bullheaded.

Kevin Miller

on 04/28/2023 at 10:26 PM

I have issues with this. I currently don’t use porn but for many years I have used my imagination to play out what I would like to do with women. Some others here seem to struggle with similar issues. Stopping is hard. It seems like I’m thinking of these things without even realizing it. I’m working on it though.

EthanRogers

on 04/28/2023 at 05:38 PM

What evil lies lurking that come to steal away the assurance and fortitude of a weak and faultering vengeance, where intrepid carelessness foresees, not evolution, but a metamorphosis of true commitment. -Dr. J. Lansing Esq. I often feel like I'm not ready to give up certain things to God. Even drinking, how harmful it was to my life and soul. I knew I wanted to stop, I knew it would be someday, but I needed to admit that I could no longer do it with any kind of success. Fear was a big part. I liked looking at porn. The damage it created wasn't enough to want to stop. Why did I live in the dark shadows so long? The flesh is weak. My discipline to God's will needs an overhaul. When I do what I know is wrong, but do it anyway, Satan is in control. It can always be worse...But it can also be better ! I pray that God can help me want to want to stop the things that I know offend Him. This is why Jesus came to this world.

Old Dude

on 04/28/2023 at 04:24 PM

"To become one with Jesus Christ, a person must be willing not only to give up sin, but also to surrender his whole way of looking at things." ~ Oswald Chambers

KJE

on 04/28/2023 at 03:08 PM

I agree with many that have shared here! Pornography was certainly an addiction for me for many years, and I could not get away from it for more than a couple months at a time. However, by going through my 12 step recovery process it has now been over two years sober for me. The real transformation can only occur through the grace of God and through a daily recommitment to that relationship! Surrender yourself daily to God’s will, and pray, earnestly for deliverance from temptation! Praise God that he is greater than any temptation and will always provide a way out! Amen

Matthew Brown

on 04/28/2023 at 02:48 PM

For those of us that have struggled with pornography especially if the exposure was at a young age just not looking might not be enough. It may work for a time but there is real damage that occurs to the brain and porn corrupts the way we view women and making them just simply objects of lust. There needs to be healing of the mind and a true change in how we view women for there to be lasting change. It’s really no different from any substance addiction. Many choose to quit just with there own will power but it only lasts for a short time before there is a relapse or another addiction replaces it. It’s only when the choice is made to go through the steps of recovery and healing that true change is achieved. Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Ashley Jarvis

on 04/28/2023 at 02:35 PM

It took me many failed attempts at long term sobriety during my first year in a 12 step program, before my grand sponsor looked me dead in the eyes and asked, “what aren’t you being honest with yourself about?? What are you still doing or thinking that you know you shouldn’t be, or that God wouldn’t want you to? You answer that Ash, and you’ll find the root of your drinking”. It took me losing nearly everything, including nearly taking my own life, to finally realize and admit to myself, and then to him, at the root of my cravings to alcohol was porn. Ive slipped since that day, and I’ve tracked the results… A guilty, empty, shameful feeling follows. From that void, and open door, the enemy can and will come charging in with all kids of surprise attacks that I no longer have my armor on to guard against. My temper is short, my defensive posture towards others in in full force, my accusational posture towards others is obvious and glaring. I have zero doubt today that porn, and all things related to it, or at the core of all things evil in this world today. Women using its usefulness on social media, and men like dogs eating it up. It’s a truly vicious and evil cycle, and it will kill alcoholics and addicts like myself. I pray for all of us, men and women, to realize it’s damage and put it down like the time bomb it is, amen 🙏🏻

brad n

on 04/28/2023 at 02:15 PM

It has been hard but with the help of God you can do it…I did it! Boundaries are key to success and prayer…not just your own prayers but if others that know your situation…you may look but you must turn from the situation…and don’t look back

Brandon Pembleton

on 04/28/2023 at 02:05 PM

When I first started recovery my brother and mentor talked about how toxic porn was. I had never thought of it up until that point as being all that bad. I rationalized it as well it will keep me from sleeping with 100s of women. Which it kind of did. My body count didn’t reach 100 but it is pretty high unfortunately. I was an alcoholic and one of my other vices was sex. Not as anything other than another way to feel superior over others and validated. Yuck! I didn’t believe in God really at all then unless I was in trouble then I did briefly. So I took the advice of no more porn. That and alongside a recovery really altered my view on it. It truly is something sacred that should not be messed around with. In the past when I did I do remember feeling horribly empty inside after a hook up which would make me want to drink which would make me think I’m super hot I should call some ladies over. Rinse repeat damage again and again to my very soul. Thank you, you broke me free of that loop God. I now can see a beautiful woman and think good for her and leave it at that. Plus it has made me far more focused on my relationship with my girlfriend and not constantly thinking I need a plan B. God gave me the confidence I was artificially after. Thank you God. I love you amen 🙏

Boyce Moses

on 04/28/2023 at 02:03 PM

In a world filled with lust and filth it’s easy for anyone to fall. Seems like 24 hrs a day Satan is throwing traps and temptations at us. We have to stay focused on the cross and follow the straight and narrow path. If we fall, get up, ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself and keep pressing forward. Keep fighting the good fight brothers, the prize at the end is so worth it. Love you Jesus! 🧡💚❤️💙

Tommy Williamson

on 04/28/2023 at 01:06 PM

Before I broke the chains of my addiction in October 2023 I literally would look at any woman or girl and even sometimes other guys as nothing more than a sexual play thing. Age didn’t really matter, race didn’t matter and even if they were good looking or not. Thank God he has taken all of that has been taken away. It took basically two things for me to start the real catalyst for change. The first was asking God within every prayer to let His will be done in my life as it is in heaven and to search every part of me and remove every thing that was in my life that should not be there. Then he led me to a two verse passage, Mathew 6:14-15. These verses are right after the Lords Prayer and to paraphrase them they tell us to forgive that have done evil to us or we will not be forgiven by God. After reading those two verses I just sat there running them through my mind when a voice told me that it not only meant other people but also forgiving myself. Since then no more porn or lust.

Matt B

on 04/28/2023 at 12:53 PM

I would like to say I’m very proud to be about of the group! I’ve been apart of it for about 6 months now and never said anything. I’m 38 single with two children. I struggle every day with anger, working in construction foul language, and pornography just to name a few. I believe the Lord Jesus Christ is my savior. That being said it’s very humbling to see men just like me stumble just like I have. To know that I’m not alone. Which I know we all all sinners, and we fall short from the glory of God. But to read every ones post and how if one person stumbles, you guys build them up. I truly believe this is a true blessing in my life and has help me on my journey to become a better Christian, and also to raise my children in the Lord so I would like to think everyone that’s a part of this group!

Mr.Marve

on 04/28/2023 at 12:20 PM

I’m a victim to this , honestly I’m glad I read this , I have this issue and with this world I’m gonna adopt to it and see the result , thanks very much

Jeff McKinney

on 04/28/2023 at 12:01 PM

God bless you James for staying sober 18 months. My wife wife got sober when she was 27 and she turns 60 this year. We have been blessed with 30 years of marriage and 5 kids. It works if you work it. CB and Scott thank you for your words of encouragement. I truly needed to read the words about God’s daughters and reflect on a glance vs. gaze. It’s a tough world out there. We can do this together

on 04/28/2023 at 11:47 AM

This might be the most common challenge for us men. Like Scott said, there are beautiful women everywhere. I’m not into pornography but used to be yet I catch myself looking longer than I should at women. I have sisters and a daughter and I remind myself that someone I am looking at is someone’s daughter and I need to respect that. God, I pray for strength and wisdom to be respectful to women and treat them as though they are my daughter or sister. Help me realize they all are your daughters and let me glance but not gaze.

James Peckham

on 04/28/2023 at 11:23 AM

Thank you Lord, for giving me the tools and strength to overcome and become healthy again. 18 months sober….and working at being better every day.

Scott Beebe

on 04/28/2023 at 10:15 AM

This is by far one of my hardest challenges! With the internet being everywhere and I’m not talking about pornography, but the easy access to see pictures of attractive women on social media, etc., can be a battle for me. Lord, please forgive my weakness and allow me to better myself in this area.

118/365: Purity Is A Decision

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