The Hidden Battle: Freedom from Pornography

Pornography is the enemy’s perversion of God’s gift of holy sexuality. It takes what is good (a healthy, loving, and affectionate sexual relationship between a husband and wife) and replaces it with lust, unhealthy desire, and other sins. As a negative influence, pornography can be the first step on a slippery slope of sexual addiction and ungodly desires, as it acts as a powerful and destructive force that entraps individuals in a cycle of lust, shame, and addiction. It distorts the God-given design of human sexuality, reducing intimacy to mere physical gratification while damaging relationships and spiritual well-being. When we choose to partner with this negative influence, we agree with the stronghold of secrecy and shame. This ungodly agreement leads individuals to isolation and reinforces the addictive cycle while robbing them of true intimacy with God and others. 

Furthermore, this negative influence warps one’s identity and purpose by enforcing spiritual strongholds of guilt, self-condemnation, fantasy, and worthlessness. Although viewing pornography is a sexual sin, at its root, it is a heart problem. Not only is it a gratification of lust, but it also reveals a desire for validation outside of God. Viewing, reading, or hearing sexually explicit material distorts one's view of self, offers counterfeit satisfaction, misrepresents the value of the opposite sex, and perverts God’s good gift of sex. (Got questions) The damaging impact pornography has on the brain, mental health, view of the opposite sex, emotional health, and the marriage relationship reveals the true nature of pornography. 

Freedom from the negative influence of pornography requires a deep agreement with the steps of breakthrough: confession, forgiveness, repentance/renunciation, and divine exchange. Liberation happens when we break free from the lies and deceptions that pornography tells about sexuality and embrace God’s pure and holy design. Additionally, accountability, prayer, and immersing oneself in Scripture are essential steps toward breaking the chains of this stronghold and restoring a life of purity and freedom in Christ. 

Questions to Ask:  

1. To what extent (time frame) have you engaged in pornographic material?  

   1. How long? 

   2. What circumstances influenced the start of this behavior? 

2. What feelings/emotions accompany your engagement with pornography material? 

   1. (H.A.L.T. – Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.) 

3. How has this unhealthy pattern affected your life (emotional/physical/social/relational)? 

4. In the past, what steps have you taken to break this unhealthy pattern? 

5. What emotions have arisen as you confess this pattern to God and others? 

6. Are there any lies you believe about God’s Word, your identity in Christ, or God’s promises to you that may be influenced by pornography?  

Connected Influences: Cybersex, erotica, fantasy, lust, masturbation, perversion, seduction, uncleanness 

Scriptural Truth:  

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman.” (Job 31:1) 

“The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:12-14) 

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16) 

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) 

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) 

How to Pray for Breakthrough from Pornography

You may pray aloud, using each step below:

1. REALIZE: "Lord, I confess (negative influence) is an area that limits my walk with You. Would You show me the first time I experienced this?"

   
   

2. RELEASE: "Lord, who I need to forgive for influencing this in my life. I choose to forgive (name of person) for (what they did or failed to do). It made me feel (share your emotions with the Lord). I release them from any debt they owe me and repent for judging them. I choose to bless them."

   1. "Lord, do I need to forgive myself for how I responded to this negative influence?”

   2. "Lord, am I holding onto judgment or unmet expectations of You because of this negative influence?"

      
      

3. REPENT & RENOUNCE: "I repent of partnering with (negative influence). In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce my agreement with (negative influence). I choose to hand this to You.”

   1. Lord, I also renounce my agreement with (any connected negative influences).

      
      

4. RECEIVE: "Lord, what do You want to give me in exchange for the negative influence I have given You?"

   1. What truth do You want me to walk in, based on Your Word, Your promises to me, and my identity in Christ?" (Write down and give thanks for the truths that you received from the Lord!)

You can break free from every negative influence present in your life! If you want to go deeper into the spiritual and emotional wholeness that God has for you, check out my book, Encountering Abba’s Heart, or use the purchase link below.

Encountering Abba's Heart