Battles Men Face: Asking the Tough Questions About Pornography Use [BOOK EXCERPT]

We wage a constant battle against the lure of pornography, and we have to consider the advantages of a strategic retreat when presented with the opportunity to partcipate in pornography. We cannot deceive ourselves into thinking there is no harm done when engaging in pornography. There is tremendous harm being done. Refusal to see it and any willingness to excuse it in no way reduce the harm; they only accentuate it.

Part of being a man is having the courage to face up to the truth:

• What type or types of pornography do you view?

• How often do you view it?

• Who knows about your use of pornography?

• Do you usually masturbate while viewing pornography?

• Have you told yourself you need to cut down on the frequency of your pornography use? If so, have you been able to do so?

• Do you find yourself creating opportunities to be alone so you can engage in pornography?

• Do you think about pornography on a regular basis, even when you're not engaged in it?

• Has your use of pornography caused a problem with a past or current relationship? 

• Have you ever missed a social or family event specifically so you could engage in pornography undisturbed?

• Have you ever thought that your life would be better if you hadn't started with all this pornography in the first place?

• Have you told yourself you have to stop engaging pornography?

• When it comes to your pornography use, what are you afraid of?

Healing Scripture

Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evin in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes form us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer. (James 1:14-15)

The above is excerpted from Battles Men Face: Strategies to Win the War Within by Dr. Gregory Jantz.