Genuine help for those enslaved to sexual immorality and self gratification

wretchedworm · #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 02:12 AM

www.settingcaptivesfree.com

For anyone who's been fighting these problems and have not had deliverance, there is hope for lasting change. Don't give up!

Soli Deo Gloria.

Pergamum · #2 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 07:06 AM

Internet filters are very wise.

BlackCalvinist · #3 (**permalink**) 12-31-2007, 09:42 PM

so how exactly does, for example, the purity course work ?

moral necessity · #4 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 11:35 AM

I want the 30 day course to entire sanctification! Where can I find that one?

After 20+ years of grappling with this sin and 1,000 others, I've found that deliverance is the work of God, and not of man. We must give up...that is give up on ourselves and on our horses and chariots and turn entirely to God. There is hope in Him and in Him only! His love will constrain us, or we won't be constrained. Man-made constraints are false and delusive, and are like painting POR15 over rust on a car. The cancer is still inside, and will spread to other areas, and eventually the original area as well. Romans 7 is the best it gets here! But, thank God for Romans 8!

If anyone struggling with similar sins would like to hear of God's testimony in me regarding this, feel free to message me.

Blessings!

Stephen · #5 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 12:17 PM

Thank you, brother for that testimony of God's grace. It is so refreshing to hear. So much of the deliverance from these kinds of sins are based on Rick Warren's "recovery" programs or other "Christian" 12-step programs. It leads to absolute frustration and many seem to always be dependent on the steps to recovery. Thank you fellow struggler for the reminder that sanctification is never complete until we are glorified.

Daniel Ritchie · #6 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pergamum

Internet filters are very wise.

Are there internet filters that block out pornography and other rubbish on the net which you could install to your computer?

Davidius · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pergamum

Internet filters are very wise.

Are there internet filters that block out pornography and other rubbish on the net which you could install to your computer?

Covenant Eyes

Stephen · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:07 PM

Yes, Daniel there are a number of filters out there. The only problem is that no filter will prevent a person from pornographic sites. Filters are great for blocking out incoming material. Many people have filters for their children, but parents should never leave children to play on the computer for extended periods of time. There are great Christian resources, like Harvest Ministry, out of Philadelphia, which provide brothers who will keep you acconatable. While I agree with Charles on the issue of besetting or addictive sins, I do believe that these sins are committed in secret. Men need to have other men to whom they are accountable in order to overcome the sin.

Stephen · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:11 PM

Thanks, Davidus. I could not remember but Covenant Eyes is one of the best. You are assigned to another brother who will moniter what you access. He will contact you if you access something that is morally objectionable.

Poimen · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pergamum

Internet filters are very wise.

Are there internet filters that block out pornography and other rubbish on the net which you could install to your computer?

This one works very well: K9 Web Protection Find a trusted friend to type in the password when you are ready to install.

Yes no program will deliver us from sin, but it will provide the protection from being led into sin.

Zenas · #11 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:05 PM

The thing about Covenant eyes is that it makes no attempt to filter what you look at. The whole point of the program is to insert into the internet that which is usually absent, accountability. You can look at whatever you want, all the **** you can find. The thing is, whoever are your partners will be told exactly what you're looking at. I propose a pastor or elder.

If you do use it, make your partner someone who will hold you accountable; not just someone who will say in passing "Yea, saw that you messed up, but it's ok.", but rather someone who will take you out to dinner and ask you specifics about it, why you did it, what you looked at, how the struggle is going, etc., and do it every single time you do it.

moral necessity · #12 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:32 PM

You're welcome Stephen! Please remind me also, as I need it.

For me, the accountability route never worked. All it did was motivate me to stifle my desires out of not wanting to be embarassed or confronted. True, it kept me from externalizing the internal sinful desires, but those desires still churned and found their way out in other ways regardless. It also baited me further into legalism, where I didn't feel right with God because I sinned in a certain way 5 days out of the week, and I knew that somebody else knew about it. It was a circular ratrace.

The only thing that made any difference to me was experiencing its reprocussions in near totality and learning the depths of God's grace, in that He loves me anyway regardless. There's something about the free grace of God, and knowing/understanding/experiencing that you are accepted in the beloved no matter what you do, that grabs your affections and places them on the pleasures of Christ over and above the pleasures of sin.

The bottom line is this: the reason why we choose to sin is that we don't love Jesus enough! And, no amount of legalisms or accountability or filters will change that, as you well know. Only the grace of God will. And, He will win our hearts.

That's my opinion at this time, and I certainly honor those who differ.

Blessings!

puritan lad · #13 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 07:28 PM

It may be expensive (around $100), but I would highly recommend Spector Pro Software. It not only has great parental controls for blocking certain sites, it records everything, and I mean everything that happens on your computer.

CanuckPuritan24 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 08:54 AM

X3 watch makes available a fairly decent free accountability service. The software can be downloaded at:

XXXCHURCH.COM

Calvibaptist · #15 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 01:01 PM

I use OpenDNS. It is not a filtering software, but you change your DNS to their number and it filters for you. It is free.

And, yes, victory (if there is such a thing in this lifetime) over this type of temptation is not something that can be achieved through a 10-step program alone. But that does not discount taking those steps that are biblical and/or practical to avoid the temptation. Filtering content is a good practical step.

It is primarily an inward battle that God must win for us or we lose it all. But so is every aspect of sanctification. That is why spiritual disciplines are important. Not because they are the answer, but because they put us in a position to listen to The Answer, who is Christ.

raekwon · #16 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvibaptist

I use OpenDNS. It is not a filtering software, but you change your DNS to their number and it filters for you. It is free.

And, yes, victory (if there is such a thing in this lifetime) over this type of temptation is not something that can be achieved through a 10-step program alone. But that does not discount taking those steps that are biblical and/or practical to avoid the temptation. Filtering content is a good practical step.

It is primarily an inward battle that God must win for us or we lose it all. But so is every aspect of sanctification. That is why spiritual disciplines are important. Not because they are the answer, but because they put us in a position to listen to The Answer, who is Christ.

(on both the OpenDNS recommendation and the truth about victory over sin)

moral necessity · #17 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 01:57 PM

I agree with Doug as well. We are to "make no provision for the flesh with regard to its lusts", and we are to work towards mortifying the lusts within us, along with placing ourselves in the path of grace as best we know how to. Also, if it is our prayer for God to "lead us not into temptation," then, certainly we ought to not lead ourselves into it. Thanks for your input regarding these truths.

Blessings!

ReformationArt · #18 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 02:40 PM

We use BeSafe. It is a very good filter, although no filters are perfect. It offers the same kind of service included as Covenant Eyes (sending a report of sites visited).

Bsafe Online #1 Family Filter

Although women are subject to these same temptations, the majority of **** addicts are men. My wife is the password keeper for our home computers, and my laptop.

For those in the DFW metroplex, there will be a conference on Sexual Addiction in the Church, held before the winter stated meeting of the Presbytery of the Southwest (OPC) at Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth (10750 Westpoint Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76108). Here are the sessions:

January 17 - 7:00 PM - The Spiritual Emptiness Behind Sexual Addiction
January 17 - 8:30 PM - Sexual Addiction and the Law
January 18 - 9:00 PM - Sexual Addiction and Confession.

It will be January 17-18

ReformationArt · #19 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 02:44 PM

I preached a sermon on Job 31:1-12 titled "The Ravaged Mind" where I address the destructiveness of pornography. You can listen to it by clicking the following link:

http://www.ccopc.org/sermons/job/06-...Mind-Moody.MP3

wretchedworm · #20 (**permalink**) 01-02-2008, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moral necessity

You're welcome Stephen! Please remind me also, as I need it.

For me, the accountability route never worked. All it did was motivate me to stifle my desires out of not wanting to be embarassed or confronted. True, it kept me from externalizing the internal sinful desires, but those desires still churned and found their way out in other ways regardless. It also baited me further into legalism, where I didn't feel right with God because I sinned in a certain way 5 days out of the week, and I knew that somebody else knew about it. It was a circular ratrace.

The only thing that made any difference to me was experiencing its reprocussions in near totality and learning the depths of God's grace, in that He loves me anyway regardless. There's something about the free grace of God, and knowing/understanding/experiencing that you are accepted in the beloved no matter what you do, that grabs your affections and places them on the pleasures of Christ over and above the pleasures of sin.

The bottom line is this: the reason why we choose to sin is that we don't love Jesus enough! And, no amount of legalisms or accountability or filters will change that, as you well know. Only the grace of God will. And, He will win our hearts.

That's my opinion at this time, and I certainly honor those who differ.

Blessings!

The accountability factor is crucial if we are ever to be freed so i disagree when you say it doesn't work. Perhaps you may want to relook at what accountability actually entails or means. When there is light, there can be no darkness.

There is some truth in what you said about legalism but it is also a very dangerous thing when taken in the wrong way.
The tension between working out our salvation and God's grace is always there. (This is addressed in the course)
But end of the day, He's truth still stands, God cannot be mocked, and if we continue to indulge in sexual impurity then the Word says that we have not truly understood God's grace, no matter how we want to justify it so let us not decieve ourselves.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. - Gal 5:19-21

This is one of the important issues which the Way of purity course will address thru biblical counselling.

Blue Tick · #21 (**permalink**) 01-03-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

You're welcome Stephen! Please remind me also, as I need it.

For me, the accountability route never worked. All it did was motivate me to stifle my desires out of not wanting to be embarassed or confronted. True, it kept me from externalizing the internal sinful desires, but those desires still churned and found their way out in other ways regardless. It also baited me further into legalism, where I didn't feel right with God because I sinned in a certain way 5 days out of the week, and I knew that somebody else knew about it. It was a circular ratrace.

The only thing that made any difference to me was experiencing its reprocussions in near totality and learning the depths of God's grace, in that He loves me anyway regardless. There's something about the free grace of God, and knowing/understanding/experiencing that you are accepted in the beloved no matter what you do, that grabs your affections and places them on the pleasures of Christ over and above the pleasures of sin.

The bottom line is this: the reason why we choose to sin is that we don't love Jesus enough! And, no amount of legalisms or accountability or filters will change that, as you well know. Only the grace of God will. And, He will win our hearts.

That's my opinion at this time, and I certainly honor those who differ.

Blessings!

Well Said!