Phase 2 Lust of the Eyes
Change
“I am a Follower of Christ and the world has no place in my heart or mind. “What can we do? First we need to realize this is real and has harmful social and spiritual effects. This isn’t like other addictions where it’s obvious to others; this is a deep, shameful secret, surrounded by guilt. If our friends or family found out what would they think? How’s the wife gonna feel? Would this getting out bring any glory to God? Or would it hurt the Kingdom?
Now, let’s get real. We’re not here because we peeked at a Playboy, huh. This is a meeting for those of us who have felt the desire and overwhelming electricity and then the shame and guilt that comes from seeing Porn. No Porn is NOT just a harmless look; it digs deep into our thoughts and scripturally we’re instructed to run away from sexual sin. We can’t stand against it. This is a daily battle and some days are easier than others yes, but it never leaves. It can rear its ugly head at
anytime. Just in the researching of this has brought up old thoughts and has shown me it’s still there just waiting, like a Lion to devour me. So I must stay righteous and focused, or have to fight again for freedom. So be mindful of that as you move forward.
Craving?
Like how hunger returns as the body needs fuel, lust comes about when triggered. It could be a picture of a chic in a bikini on FB, a smell, beinglonely, feeling rejected by spouse, dating a new chic, Etc. It could be just girl’s period, the entire female genre of humans. Yes they smell good, most are nice to look at but, to look at as God would. Were not wild animals as most of the scientists of the world would have you believe, “that this comes from ourcarnal, unevolved animal lust... Whatever, we ain’t buying that because we have the truth in the Bible.
It’s what I describe as the electricity, that power or tingle you get when sneaking and seeing what is taboo. It’s the same feeling I got as a kid shoplifting, the risk of being caught, the excitement, the secret, verses the surge that washes over you as you walkout and are not caught. If you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about. This relates to seeing intimate pictures, reserved for husbands, being sneaky and sharing a moment that if caught, would land you in trouble or
ridicule (for those of you not married). This is a secret that will rot you from the inside out.
Ever feel this? Heart beats faster, feel blood pressure in your head bump, breathing become shallow? Sounds like an addictions to me.
See problem is that Porn escalates. It’s cool at first to see just risqué’photos or see movies that have soft love scenes. Then it becomes magazines with just girls, then guys and girls, then many guys and girls, then girls with animals, orgies at party pictures or videos, trying to sneak peeks at the club or dressing rooms…it goes on. It changes and you’ll never be satisfied and you’ll end up looking at stuff you never ever thought you would. And liking it! Craving it more!
When you catch yourself craving it, that’s a good sign. Instead of just doing it and wondering what happened later and how you lost control. Recognize, that is key here. Problem is that the above sequence isn’t like that anymore. Now with the internet super highway (to hell) you can bypass all that petty porn and go directly to the most heinous stuff by just typing it in the search and believe me whatever you can think of, somebody has taken a picture or video of it or has a whole website dedicated to it. Once again just typing this paragraph has got old websites and pic forums I used to go to coming back to the surface of my mind again.
Justification/Excuses
Are you making excuses for this? Do you hide behind “I’m a dude and it’s what we do”? I did, so you probably do to. Ever said to yourself one of these? “God created beautiful bodies and I enjoy seeing them.”Or “after all, looking doesn’t hurt anybody!”Or “I’m not looking at faces and I can pretend it’s the wife/girlfriend”... sound familiar at all?
What about being caught? Well all get caught sometimes, because we get sloppy. How did you justify your stash being found? That goes for the paper and electronic ones. Cookies, folders, history…. How did it make you feel to be caught? What lies did you tell to cover it up? Who is the father of lies? (John 8:44)
Remember, to justify is to make excuses for. If you have to make excuses for anything should you be doing it? I was actually told at a church seminar in the early 2000s, that’s “it's ok to look at other women because God made them for that, but we can’t lust after them, that bad” Riiight. That pastor has caused me damage from his false teaching.
Avoidance
We all have different things that set us off. So each of us must decide what were gonna do to walk closer to God as individuals and not worry about what others are doing instead.
Life Change-Physical Reality
I get very frustrated with folks getting mad at me for eating at Hooters. They say “it’s a place of sluts”, “it’s where desperate guys go to eat” or ”it’s where pervs go”. You honestly see more skin at Wal-Mart or the pool than you do there, that’s what I say. Most women say that the uniform demeans the girls. Yes, I agree it does. The uniform had its place in the 70s with a Threes Company
episode I believe. (hahaha)
In reality though, I’ve met trashier girls at Waffle House, Burger King and Cracker Barrel. But hey, if the orange shorts get you going then DON’T GO!
We’ve all seen the guy who is old and creeping and peeking ain't we? Do you wanna be him? NO…
Don’t tempt yourself, is the main point expressed here among the funny.
What about the Gym? If it becomes an issue don’t go. If you can’t turn your eyes away and not look back you need to leave. Period! Wait till you are stronger and better equipped. Basically any where you gonna see women not fully covered, avoid. The pool, Victoria Secrets, watching Volley ball tournaments (chic’s really think guys watch it for the athletic skill), Wall Mart.
Life Change-Movies/TV
What about shows that promote this lifestyle? Are you watching these:
The Sopranos? Murder, lies, drunkenness, theft, adultery, drug use, deceit...
The Shield? Murder, lies, theft, adultery, deceit…
Sons of Anarchy? Do you follow shows like this? Should you stop?
2 1/2 men? Really think about what you’re watching and what morals it promotes. Charlie Sheen having casual sex and being arrogant about it to others in the house? What example is he setting for
the kid in the house? And actually in real life the Kid came out publically that he hated working with Charlie because that is how he is in real life. Society applauds Chuck for his behavior, the Bible condemns it.
The movie Friday is so funny...when I was secular.
Now I see it for what it is. Profanity, gay sex, premarital sex, drug use, drunkenness, fighting,
theft, disrespect for property....no and on.
Movies are the same as TV shows only shorter. What are we exposing our eyes and minds to? How does this affect our heart condition? How does this affect us hearing the voice of Christ? Don’t think you are affected by it? Have you ever left a movie like Rambo or 300 and felt hyped up, powerful and ready to fight, staring down other men in the mall?
Then you were affected!
I don’t watch horror movies much anymore. I was known for my knowledge of the genre and I have eventually lost the taste for them. That was something I was a connoisseur of, very wide collection I must say that sits alone in a big folder. But not anymore, nope. If you had told me I’d not be watching them, 3 years ago, I would have laughed at you. But as time and studies have progressed, as the Holy Spirit has increased and I have decreased, things that were once important to me have waned.
Life change-Music
Violence was my main issue. So no more songs that promotes violence for me I say. What’s message is in the music on your iPod? If you are gonna be singing an “earworm”chorus all day, shouldn’t it have a Godly message? Rarely is Suicidal or Cypress Hill, Body Count, Ice T on my radio.
See I had my identity in violence and the music I chose grew and fed that. Every time I was gettin’ in trouble I had music to feed that mood and mindset, made it easier to do bad stuff. Take a stand for God, for your New Life and commitment to Him and be mindful of what you’re putting into your heart and mind. How many guys in here work out? I bet you watch what you eat huh? But not your heart or mind, why not? So avoid it, no matter how simple it is.
Subtle Changes
If you decide to follow Christ you gotta make changes man. Real ones. Small lifestyle changes make all the difference.
Instead of watching TV in bed I have a Christ related book on the stand to fall asleep to.
I limited any TV time to weekends only and that’s for all of us. This way we can focus on family, Christ and church through the week.
When Christ tells us to “cut off hands and pull out eyes” that was metaphorical of how to stop anything that plagues you. You may have to go to the extreme of not having internet access for a while. Some suggest a blocker or a filter but I thought if I can’t handle this on my own then I was a “weak man”. Well guess what? I was! That choice probably cost me more recovery time. Pride had stepped in. You could move your computer to a more public area or let a friend or accountability partner see it often to check on you. Whatever it takes to stop!
Prayer
I prayed about it. A lot. But you can pray about stuff all day long, but until YOU decide to actually act on it and change, to walk through the door when it opens….your spinning your wheels in the Worlds mud. That’s like praying for a record deal, yet never looking for a label at all, or like just sitting at home waiting for Sony/Warner to call you. We pray for strength to resist, courage to say no and wisdom to see it coming but get upset at ourselves or God for “not” helping us and them comes the guilt settling in like a little dark mist, score one for the World.
You have to decide what’s more important family, home, inner peace….I did. It wasn’t easy; it was slow and painful to take things away from my life. But the elation, the power you fell when you get up and walk away from the computer when tempted…awesome. You feel as if you have just collapsed Jericho, and as you make more choices like this the Holy Spirits voice becomes more prevalent in your life. You become more receptive to its heeding and direction.
We all studied John 15 right, where it’s about pruning. Well when you prune, you’re making the plant grow where you want it to by cutting off dead leaves, limbs and anything undesirable. Same way God does us. Let’s see, hmm Jonny here would be a better witness for me if he didn’t cuss anymore…snip. Ok, now Jonny has some pride issues...snip. Oops he’s at a kegger, needs new, more righteous friends…snip
Up he grows, now all-be-it each of these steps may take months or years to overcome, its pruning none the less.
For me Pride-Bike Club-Violence-Profanity-Haughtiness-Gossip-Edifying Others-Profanity-Movies-Respect-Porn-Tobacco-Nice to Family… Ohh and did I mention Profanity?
I had to want better; I couldn’t sit around and think about it I had to act on it. I had to want what God had planned for me more than being attached to those cut off leaves.
So how hard was it? Well I loved Cussin’ Some folks drink or smoke weed, I like Cussin’, It felt
good, made me feel good, I liked the way it felt coming out, I liked the shock value it had on others, I liked it on TV, Movies, anywhere I could hear it. Growing up with Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor on TV yea! This is something that was getting me in trouble since 2ndgrade. This was a“Leaf” on my vine that was deep set. Now it didn’t end over night. I set goals to maybe 10 words a day, then 5, then 2. In the end I prayed that the Holy Spirit make me aware before I said a cuss word and
it worked. Still does today. I literally know before a word comes out so I can check myself. It took about a year and it still likes to creep around ready to pounce again when I get weak.
Phase 2 Actions
1. Let’s be mindful of what we see on TV, movies, magazines, FB, billboards all of which are designed to elicit a sexual response in our bodies. You need to remember that we carry the Holy Spirit with us and literally if were on the porn channel He’s there too. Yea...not alone huh. If you’re watching a movie and it’s too much profanity turn it off. Too much sex or just a quick flash that gets
your "charged up" ...Nope. At the time of this writing I had stopped 3 movies on Netflix that I had enjoyed in my past life, but were not at all acceptable. So no more Friday, the Substitute, Kat Williams....Oh it’s hard, I really want to watch those, but at what cost? Basically if you wouldn’t watch it with either a Preacher (Rocky) or a 5 year old because it may offend /teach bad stuff, then
don’t watch it...
Were new folks now, with a New Life. We have a past life and we can’t sit around and complain about what we CAN’T do but rather what we NEED to be doing for Xp.
2. The praying begins. We want to be more like Christ right? We he prayed throughout the day. And since there are girls throughout the day and ads in stores (things we can’t control) then prayer is where God steps in.
So don’t just pray at bed time or morning keep it an all day prayer and close it at night. It will be an ongoing dialogue throughout the day.
We turn to Him for the strength NOT only to walk past but to NOT have the after thoughts that plague us in our quiet time later. We all had that. A hauntingly sexy image of a chic or a picture we saw earlier in the day, now were all alone and here it comes sneaking up…
Read scripture, get a study book and when you get these feelings study through it.
Pray through it.
“I am a Follower of Christ and the world has no place in my heart or mind. “What can we do? First we need to realize this is real and has harmful social and spiritual effects. This isn’t like other addictions where it’s obvious to others; this is a deep, shameful secret, surrounded by guilt. If our friends or family found out what would they think? How’s the wife gonna feel? Would this getting out bring any glory to God? Or would it hurt the Kingdom?
Now, let’s get real. We’re not here because we peeked at a Playboy, huh. This is a meeting for those of us who have felt the desire and overwhelming electricity and then the shame and guilt that comes from seeing Porn. No Porn is NOT just a harmless look; it digs deep into our thoughts and scripturally we’re instructed to run away from sexual sin. We can’t stand against it. This is a daily battle and some days are easier than others yes, but it never leaves. It can rear its ugly head at
anytime. Just in the researching of this has brought up old thoughts and has shown me it’s still there just waiting, like a Lion to devour me. So I must stay righteous and focused, or have to fight again for freedom. So be mindful of that as you move forward.
Craving?
Like how hunger returns as the body needs fuel, lust comes about when triggered. It could be a picture of a chic in a bikini on FB, a smell, beinglonely, feeling rejected by spouse, dating a new chic, Etc. It could be just girl’s period, the entire female genre of humans. Yes they smell good, most are nice to look at but, to look at as God would. Were not wild animals as most of the scientists of the world would have you believe, “that this comes from ourcarnal, unevolved animal lust... Whatever, we ain’t buying that because we have the truth in the Bible.
It’s what I describe as the electricity, that power or tingle you get when sneaking and seeing what is taboo. It’s the same feeling I got as a kid shoplifting, the risk of being caught, the excitement, the secret, verses the surge that washes over you as you walkout and are not caught. If you’ve been there you know what I’m talking about. This relates to seeing intimate pictures, reserved for husbands, being sneaky and sharing a moment that if caught, would land you in trouble or
ridicule (for those of you not married). This is a secret that will rot you from the inside out.
Ever feel this? Heart beats faster, feel blood pressure in your head bump, breathing become shallow? Sounds like an addictions to me.
See problem is that Porn escalates. It’s cool at first to see just risqué’photos or see movies that have soft love scenes. Then it becomes magazines with just girls, then guys and girls, then many guys and girls, then girls with animals, orgies at party pictures or videos, trying to sneak peeks at the club or dressing rooms…it goes on. It changes and you’ll never be satisfied and you’ll end up looking at stuff you never ever thought you would. And liking it! Craving it more!
When you catch yourself craving it, that’s a good sign. Instead of just doing it and wondering what happened later and how you lost control. Recognize, that is key here. Problem is that the above sequence isn’t like that anymore. Now with the internet super highway (to hell) you can bypass all that petty porn and go directly to the most heinous stuff by just typing it in the search and believe me whatever you can think of, somebody has taken a picture or video of it or has a whole website dedicated to it. Once again just typing this paragraph has got old websites and pic forums I used to go to coming back to the surface of my mind again.
Justification/Excuses
Are you making excuses for this? Do you hide behind “I’m a dude and it’s what we do”? I did, so you probably do to. Ever said to yourself one of these? “God created beautiful bodies and I enjoy seeing them.”Or “after all, looking doesn’t hurt anybody!”Or “I’m not looking at faces and I can pretend it’s the wife/girlfriend”... sound familiar at all?
What about being caught? Well all get caught sometimes, because we get sloppy. How did you justify your stash being found? That goes for the paper and electronic ones. Cookies, folders, history…. How did it make you feel to be caught? What lies did you tell to cover it up? Who is the father of lies? (John 8:44)
Remember, to justify is to make excuses for. If you have to make excuses for anything should you be doing it? I was actually told at a church seminar in the early 2000s, that’s “it's ok to look at other women because God made them for that, but we can’t lust after them, that bad” Riiight. That pastor has caused me damage from his false teaching.
Avoidance
We all have different things that set us off. So each of us must decide what were gonna do to walk closer to God as individuals and not worry about what others are doing instead.
Life Change-Physical Reality
I get very frustrated with folks getting mad at me for eating at Hooters. They say “it’s a place of sluts”, “it’s where desperate guys go to eat” or ”it’s where pervs go”. You honestly see more skin at Wal-Mart or the pool than you do there, that’s what I say. Most women say that the uniform demeans the girls. Yes, I agree it does. The uniform had its place in the 70s with a Threes Company
episode I believe. (hahaha)
In reality though, I’ve met trashier girls at Waffle House, Burger King and Cracker Barrel. But hey, if the orange shorts get you going then DON’T GO!
We’ve all seen the guy who is old and creeping and peeking ain't we? Do you wanna be him? NO…
Don’t tempt yourself, is the main point expressed here among the funny.
What about the Gym? If it becomes an issue don’t go. If you can’t turn your eyes away and not look back you need to leave. Period! Wait till you are stronger and better equipped. Basically any where you gonna see women not fully covered, avoid. The pool, Victoria Secrets, watching Volley ball tournaments (chic’s really think guys watch it for the athletic skill), Wall Mart.
Life Change-Movies/TV
What about shows that promote this lifestyle? Are you watching these:
The Sopranos? Murder, lies, drunkenness, theft, adultery, drug use, deceit...
The Shield? Murder, lies, theft, adultery, deceit…
Sons of Anarchy? Do you follow shows like this? Should you stop?
2 1/2 men? Really think about what you’re watching and what morals it promotes. Charlie Sheen having casual sex and being arrogant about it to others in the house? What example is he setting for
the kid in the house? And actually in real life the Kid came out publically that he hated working with Charlie because that is how he is in real life. Society applauds Chuck for his behavior, the Bible condemns it.
The movie Friday is so funny...when I was secular.
Now I see it for what it is. Profanity, gay sex, premarital sex, drug use, drunkenness, fighting,
theft, disrespect for property....no and on.
Movies are the same as TV shows only shorter. What are we exposing our eyes and minds to? How does this affect our heart condition? How does this affect us hearing the voice of Christ? Don’t think you are affected by it? Have you ever left a movie like Rambo or 300 and felt hyped up, powerful and ready to fight, staring down other men in the mall?
Then you were affected!
I don’t watch horror movies much anymore. I was known for my knowledge of the genre and I have eventually lost the taste for them. That was something I was a connoisseur of, very wide collection I must say that sits alone in a big folder. But not anymore, nope. If you had told me I’d not be watching them, 3 years ago, I would have laughed at you. But as time and studies have progressed, as the Holy Spirit has increased and I have decreased, things that were once important to me have waned.
Life change-Music
Violence was my main issue. So no more songs that promotes violence for me I say. What’s message is in the music on your iPod? If you are gonna be singing an “earworm”chorus all day, shouldn’t it have a Godly message? Rarely is Suicidal or Cypress Hill, Body Count, Ice T on my radio.
See I had my identity in violence and the music I chose grew and fed that. Every time I was gettin’ in trouble I had music to feed that mood and mindset, made it easier to do bad stuff. Take a stand for God, for your New Life and commitment to Him and be mindful of what you’re putting into your heart and mind. How many guys in here work out? I bet you watch what you eat huh? But not your heart or mind, why not? So avoid it, no matter how simple it is.
Subtle Changes
If you decide to follow Christ you gotta make changes man. Real ones. Small lifestyle changes make all the difference.
Instead of watching TV in bed I have a Christ related book on the stand to fall asleep to.
I limited any TV time to weekends only and that’s for all of us. This way we can focus on family, Christ and church through the week.
When Christ tells us to “cut off hands and pull out eyes” that was metaphorical of how to stop anything that plagues you. You may have to go to the extreme of not having internet access for a while. Some suggest a blocker or a filter but I thought if I can’t handle this on my own then I was a “weak man”. Well guess what? I was! That choice probably cost me more recovery time. Pride had stepped in. You could move your computer to a more public area or let a friend or accountability partner see it often to check on you. Whatever it takes to stop!
Prayer
I prayed about it. A lot. But you can pray about stuff all day long, but until YOU decide to actually act on it and change, to walk through the door when it opens….your spinning your wheels in the Worlds mud. That’s like praying for a record deal, yet never looking for a label at all, or like just sitting at home waiting for Sony/Warner to call you. We pray for strength to resist, courage to say no and wisdom to see it coming but get upset at ourselves or God for “not” helping us and them comes the guilt settling in like a little dark mist, score one for the World.
You have to decide what’s more important family, home, inner peace….I did. It wasn’t easy; it was slow and painful to take things away from my life. But the elation, the power you fell when you get up and walk away from the computer when tempted…awesome. You feel as if you have just collapsed Jericho, and as you make more choices like this the Holy Spirits voice becomes more prevalent in your life. You become more receptive to its heeding and direction.
We all studied John 15 right, where it’s about pruning. Well when you prune, you’re making the plant grow where you want it to by cutting off dead leaves, limbs and anything undesirable. Same way God does us. Let’s see, hmm Jonny here would be a better witness for me if he didn’t cuss anymore…snip. Ok, now Jonny has some pride issues...snip. Oops he’s at a kegger, needs new, more righteous friends…snip
Up he grows, now all-be-it each of these steps may take months or years to overcome, its pruning none the less.
For me Pride-Bike Club-Violence-Profanity-Haughtiness-Gossip-Edifying Others-Profanity-Movies-Respect-Porn-Tobacco-Nice to Family… Ohh and did I mention Profanity?
I had to want better; I couldn’t sit around and think about it I had to act on it. I had to want what God had planned for me more than being attached to those cut off leaves.
So how hard was it? Well I loved Cussin’ Some folks drink or smoke weed, I like Cussin’, It felt
good, made me feel good, I liked the way it felt coming out, I liked the shock value it had on others, I liked it on TV, Movies, anywhere I could hear it. Growing up with Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor on TV yea! This is something that was getting me in trouble since 2ndgrade. This was a“Leaf” on my vine that was deep set. Now it didn’t end over night. I set goals to maybe 10 words a day, then 5, then 2. In the end I prayed that the Holy Spirit make me aware before I said a cuss word and
it worked. Still does today. I literally know before a word comes out so I can check myself. It took about a year and it still likes to creep around ready to pounce again when I get weak.
Phase 2 Actions
1. Let’s be mindful of what we see on TV, movies, magazines, FB, billboards all of which are designed to elicit a sexual response in our bodies. You need to remember that we carry the Holy Spirit with us and literally if were on the porn channel He’s there too. Yea...not alone huh. If you’re watching a movie and it’s too much profanity turn it off. Too much sex or just a quick flash that gets
your "charged up" ...Nope. At the time of this writing I had stopped 3 movies on Netflix that I had enjoyed in my past life, but were not at all acceptable. So no more Friday, the Substitute, Kat Williams....Oh it’s hard, I really want to watch those, but at what cost? Basically if you wouldn’t watch it with either a Preacher (Rocky) or a 5 year old because it may offend /teach bad stuff, then
don’t watch it...
Were new folks now, with a New Life. We have a past life and we can’t sit around and complain about what we CAN’T do but rather what we NEED to be doing for Xp.
2. The praying begins. We want to be more like Christ right? We he prayed throughout the day. And since there are girls throughout the day and ads in stores (things we can’t control) then prayer is where God steps in.
So don’t just pray at bed time or morning keep it an all day prayer and close it at night. It will be an ongoing dialogue throughout the day.
We turn to Him for the strength NOT only to walk past but to NOT have the after thoughts that plague us in our quiet time later. We all had that. A hauntingly sexy image of a chic or a picture we saw earlier in the day, now were all alone and here it comes sneaking up…
Read scripture, get a study book and when you get these feelings study through it.
Pray through it.