For those trying to break free from the porn habit I would say 90% of the battle you face is in your mind. So learning to break these thought habits is important.
Your brain is great at chasing rabbits and is easily convinced to do so. Let me give you an example. Did you know that many people are willing to pay more for an item they’ve already bid on, on eBay, than to switch bidding to a new item that is exactly the same, but cheaper?
Why? Because your brain is chasing that rabbit – I mean c’mon I’ve already put a bid on it right…
Our problem, when it comes to viewing porn or lusting, is that we just let our minds do whatever the freak it wants – completely unchecked.
It’s not the sex scene in the movie, or the girl in the bikini, the lady who bent down in the store, or even porn for that matter. It simply comes down to letting unruly and unmoderated thoughts run rampant.
The natural man may do this, but if you are going to have victory over your porn habit, you need to bring every thought captive.
Focusing your battle plan
Paul in the New Testament of the Bible, says these –
“For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” – 2 Corinthians 10:2-5
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2
There is so much in these little verses… anyway before I get distracted 😀
Winning the battle that is going on in your mind takes two forms: 1) Putting in new things to think on, and 2) Capturing the thoughts that you do not want to dwell on any longer.
Renewing your mind
First thing to note – this is a process.
Renewing your mind takes time.
But just like what they say about – “You are what you eat”, this is extremely more true when it comes to feeding your mind.
Feeding your mind on good things that lift you up, set your mind on greater things, being inspired, experiencing nature, etc. These things feed your mind with good things.
Additionally, you need to watch out for mindless activities. Things you do, after a long day – scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, watching Netflix – don’t let your guard down when your tired – watching an inspiring video or reading a great speech can be just as relaxing – we’re just not used to looking there
Taking your thoughts captive
Taking an active role in your thinking is truly something to master.
It is basically training your conscious mind to be an active filter or participant in your thought processes.
When you find yourself thinking a thought that is objectionable or that leads you to behaviors you are looking to break, then you need to take that thought captive.
“Ok, so what does that even mean?”
It is like a cold slap in the face kind of interruption; a snap out of it moment, that interrupts the thought process; giving you a moment to take action before you it gets worse.
It’s seeing that you are chasing the rabbit and saying “HEY! Knock it off!”
This gives you opportunity to take actions (obedience) – which simply put is taking an action other than the one that always results when you let your mind free chase it.
Putting it all together
Renewing the mind is about putting new things into it that change what your mind has to dwell on – this is your offensive approach – replacing the garbage with the good.
Capturing thoughts is your defensive approach – it is what you do when you realized that your chasing that rabbit and interrupting those thoughts.
Taking action needs to happen immediately, once the thought is interrupted.
Thanks for taking time to read. If you liked it please share on Facebook or Twitter. Feel free to use #shackleroad, or tag me at @JayOnShackleRoad on Facebook and @ShackleRoad on Twitter.
It’s time to break free!
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