7/17/2017 Seven Promises to Pray Against Porn | Desiring God

Seven Promises to Pray

Against Porn

Article by J.A. Medders

Pastor, Tomball, Texas

There is hope. Right now. Since you are reading this, chances are you are looking for
supernatural help and power over porn.

But I also know the odds are high that you are hobbled by doubt-inducing shame. I know
because Ive been there. The swell of temptation the clicks, the views, the web-history cleaning
and the shame, disgust, confession, resolve, and the backsliding are all old bullies of mine.

They can be your old enemies, too. How? Even in the midst of shame, dont be ashamed of the
power of the gospel (Romans 1:16).

Resurrection Power over Porn

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Beginning in Edens garden, freedom with God was traded for a dungeon. But Jesus came to
ransom us from the dungeon. He plunged into our place, took our lust, immorality, and
pornography use, and died with them under the wrath of God. Why? So that we could die with
him and be raised to new life (Romans 6:6). But ancient powers whirl around you and your
WiFi, hoping to distract you from the no-longer-dead Lord Jesus. Take these thoughts captive.
Attack these temptations. The Internet is a cosmic battlefield. Grab your weapons.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. . . . I have
stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:9, 11). Jesus
lived this for you and me. Jesus fought against Satans temptations with the very words of God
yes, as a model for us, but the Lord Jesus deflected temptation with divine truth for us, so that in
his power we can stand firm when we access the World Wide Web.

In our ever-connected world, when we are a flick and click away from danger, we can call Gods
word to mind at a higher speed than any page can load. But you have to call it to mind. When the
temptations circle, we have to stop, crack our knuckles, dig in our heels, and believe the Bible.

Seven Assaults Against Porn

These seven verses can serve as an attack plan, a Messiah-taught martial art against lust and
pornography. A verse for every day. Read it in the morning. Pray it at night. Train in the car.
Run to it when you hear the temptation in the distance. Text it to a friend. Memorize with an
accountability partner. Fight.

1. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

Right now, if you are in Christ, you are uncondemnable because Christ was condemned for you.
But Satan wants you to believe otherwise. He wants you to doubt Gods grace, mercy, and
faithful love. Dont. The miracle of grace is that before, during, and after that sin, you are
condemnation-free.

Pray: Father, Im prone to doubting your grace; the shame and self-hatred I feel after
viewing porn is devastating. But the gospel devastates what devastates me. Help me to
believe I am forgiven.

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2. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of
slavery (Galatians 5:1).

Right now, in Christ, you are free. You must believe it. You are not doomed to digital dungeons.
Dont go online with palms up and wrists ready for sins chains.

Pray: God, you set me free. Help me to believe it. Help my unbelief. Give me resurrection
power to stand firm, just like Jesus is living in heaven for me right now. Help me, Jesus.

3. This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality
(1 Thessalonians 4:3).

God is growing you. God is with you. He wants you to walk away from pornography, and he will
help you. Believe it. Your purity is Gods will. He will give you the resources you need to do his
will. God will help you.

Pray: God, you say your will is my sanctification, my growing in Christlikeness. I believe
it. Help me to be like Jesus right now and when temptation arrives. Help me to abstain;
I want to. But I need you. Help me, Lord.

4. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears
much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).

Our attempts to fight against pornography often fail because our schemes are powerless. Our
union with Christ is a protective shield against the temptations of pornography. We are
connected to him, and he can produce the power we need to turn away. He powerfully works
within us.

Pray: Jesus, I need you. Ive tried on my own and I fail. Without you, Im doomed. And
with you, Im free. Jesus, my Lord, help me.

5. Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as
is proper among saints (Ephesians 5:3).

The gospel brings us into the life of Christ, a life that isnt filled with sexual immorality, but one
of purity. Pornography is not proper for Gods children. We need the bluntness
of Ephesians 5:3. We are saints, co-heirs of the universe. It wouldnt be right for a billionaires
kids to eat from Golden Corrals dumpster. It isnt right for us to dwell in a digital landfill.

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Pray: Father, you tell me this isnt proper for me. I believe you. I am your child. Youve
made me a saint. I dont want this sin. Help me, Father.

6. Whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him (2 Corinthians 5:9).

What do you want? Do you want to bring joy to your heavenly Father, or do you want to bring
temporary pleasure to your flesh? Its not anti-grace for our obedience, in Christ, to be pleasing
to God. Its the fruit and function of grace the life of Christ in our lives. Ask yourself who you
want to please: the porn video producer? Your sinful passions? Or Jesus Christ?

Pray: God, I want to honor you. I dont want to grieve the Spirit. My aim, my desire, my
goal is for you to be glorified, pleasing you. Lord Jesus, help me.

7. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And
the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me (Galatians 2:20).

Youve died with Christ. Youve been raised with Christ. Jesus is alive in you. When the
temptations call, walk away from your computer by faith in the crucified and risen Christ. You
can walk away because Jesus walked out of the tomb. He loves you. Remember his love.

Pray: O Jesus! You love me. You died for me. You are alive in me. I believe you will
empower me to turn from this sin. Im looking to you. I live by you. King Jesus, help me.

J.A. Medders (@mrmedders) is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Tomball, Texas, where he lives
with his wife Natalie and their two kids. He is the author of Gospel Formed and blogs
at jamedders.com.

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