[Vaynan]

Originally Posted by Sean

1 Corinthians 6 tells us to flee sexual immorality. So....

Confess the extent of your sin to a more mature Christian.

Give them full permission to ask you anything in regard to what you're struggling with

Avoid any images which will arouse you. So whatever it is that gets you going, avoid it. That may mean you don't watch one of your favorite tv shows.

Don't get a blocking program, get an accountability program. Get a Covenant Eyes account. You can find ways to turn off the software or uninstall it, but then an email is sent to your accountability partner.



However, if you're not pursing Christ as well, you'll always revert back to your sin. It's important that you not only avoid things which lead you to sin, but you must also pursue the things of God. So it's vital you do all things your Sunday school teacher told you to do pray, read your Bible, and go to church.

For the most part I agree with Sean here, but on that blocking program, I'm not so sure. I agree it would be a good idea, because then you have someone to answer to, but the big thing I think that would help you the most is to find things to occupy your time, and keep your mind on Christ. When you have free time, talk to people, whether in person, on the phone, or online. If you are completely alone with no one to talk to, keep the door to your room open, the lights on, turn on some Christian music, anything to distract you. If it comes right down to it, turn off your computer.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Vaynan

For the most part I agree with Sean here, but on that blocking program, I'm not so sure. I agree it would be a good idea, because then you have someone to answer to, but the big thing I think that would help you the most is to find things to occupy your time, and keep your mind on Christ. When you have free time, talk to people, whether in person, on the phone, or online. If you are completely alone with no one to talk to, keep the door to your room open, the lights on, turn on some Christian music, anything to distract you. If it comes right down to it, turn off your computer.

I don't disagree. Software programs are like safety nets. If everything else fails, then your access is restricted.

[fenderguy962]

The best advice I can give you is to pray, and ask others to pray for you. And when you get tempted, turn the computer off. Leave it alone for at least an hour or so. Conciously make it harder for yourself to sneak away and get online. And do get some programs that block out bad websites. What Sean suggested where it notifies someone if you turn it off sounds like a great idea to me, and besides that even if you do know how to get around a program, the extra time it takes you to do that could make you stop and think about what it is that you are doing.



I know how hard it can get, and I'll be praying for you.

[scared2mosh]

Our old computer had that content watch program and while it did block you from most bad sights it wasn't perfect. It sometimes blocked legitimate sights and allowed a few innapropriate ones... plus there were ways around it. Also I think it is partly responsible for that compy crashing.

There is a program called "Covenant Eyes" that you install on your computer that sends a weekly internet usage log to an accountability partner of your choice. I would recommend that over Content Watch and I think that it is also cheaper that CW.

I'll be praying for you... this can be one of the most difficult sins to break free of.

feel free to PM me if you need any extra prayer or want some form of accountability (although it would probably be better if you had an accountability partner than you knew and could talk face to face with).

ps I would HIGHLY recommend the book "Not Even a Hint" (although I believe it has been renamed)

[TylerGCA]

Well i was addicted to Pornography about a year ago and the thing that got me were sexy ads. Like a sexy girl in some short shorts or something and i would start to search stuff and go at it.

FREE Accountability Software - X3Watch

X3 Watch is a free accountability thing and i had it email my pastor.

I've been porn free for a bit over a year now.

[Ted Logan]

If your parents are Christians, consider talking frankly to them about the problem. It may sound incredibly scary and bizarre, but the fact is that your parents probably have no idea that you're suffering (and you are SUFFERING) under the weight of this sin. Do they want you to suffer? Of course not! All you have to do is say, "I'm struggling with a sinful habit and I need your help to figure out how to cut it out of my life." Even if they react with awkwardness, they will probably want to help.

Another option is (as has been said) making the internet accessible only in a public place in the house. However, everyone goes to bed at some time, and it might be tempting to use the internet in the wee hours. For this reason, I want to suggest an extreme solution: Disconnect your internet service and use a public library or coffee shop for all your internet usage. This would also limit the amount of time you're on the internet anyway, which is never a bad thing.

Most of the time, people look at porn either when they're supposed to be doing something they don't want to do or when they're not doing anything. Adding structure to your life will help with the latter, and identifying the types of things you avoid by watching porn will help you structure those activities at times and in places where porn is unavailable.

All this is practical wisdom, but the most important things have already been said: Pray that the LORD would give you a love for what is good and hatred for what is evil; ask for the help of godly men; ultimately, don't rely entirely on making it difficult to access porn, but rather structure your life in ways that are centered on the LORD and His Kingdom. I guarantee you that no one has ever wasted four hours of their life watching porn while simultaneously working in a Christian soup kitchen or preaching the Gospel in a public place.