How can one have strongholds of lust and impure thinking pulled down? The answer to this question begins with a promise from God: “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Cor. 10:13). God can remove any stronghold from our life. Therefore, many people experience frustration when God does not instantaneously do it. In these times we should stay focused on God and make sure our prayers are focused on His help.
Here is a sample set of verses to use for help in pulling down the stronghold of pornography.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
“Dear God, You have the power to change my life. No one makes me look at pornography. To choose to look at pornography is a choice I make. It is a conditioned reflex to something that attracts me, and I have practiced giving vent to my lust and wrong thinking through pornography. This is sinful, God, please help me to stop this wrong behavior. You promise that through Christ who strengthens me, I can get victory over pornography.”
Proverbs 28:13
“He that covers [or conceals] his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.”
“Dear God, I confess my problem with pornography. I ask you to forgive me and to help me never again to allow the desire to look at pornography gain control of my heart and mind. Oh God, please give me the power of Your Holy Spirit in this area of my weakness. I renounce pornography as wrong and sinful. With Your help, I confess my sin and purpose to forsake it. Please have mercy upon me.”
Psalm 101:2-3
“I will be careful to lead a blameless life…. I will set before my eyes no vile thing…. I will have nothing to do with evil.”
“Dear God, I sincerely desire to keep my conscience clear. Please strengthen my will so I will choose to not set before my eyes any pornography. Help me to hate pornography and stay away from it on the computer and everywhere else. Help me to have nothing to do with the evil of pornography.”
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
“Dear God, I ask you to help me to obey these verses. You tell me that I am responsible for what I allow my mind to think about and what I choose to look at. I am to think about only things that are pure, and holy, and in which you delight. Please strengthen my will not only to stay away from pornography, but also to flee from it when I feel tempted.”
Conclusion
Are you willing to discipline yourself to take spiritual medicine for 90 days? Then read these scriptures and prayers four times a day: rising from sleep, lunch, supper, and bedtime, each time believing God to strengthen your inner man with His Spirit to give you victory over pornography until your next prayer session. Remember that your life is composed daily of a series of choices. At each decision point, you have the ability, through God’s grace, to choose to do what is right.
Consistent victory over sin is nothing more than making the choice to do right at each decision point.
Originally published in God’s Revivalist. Used by permission.
