IF YOU ARE NEW HERE

IF YOU ARE NEW HERE

Welcome. This site has a ton of advice. But we all want something new to solve our problem. But the truth is, the fastest way to solve our problem is with something old. Advice you get from today's forum could be very helpful. But, you could fill up 50 pages in a google doc if you look at all the old stuff on this site. Plus, it will not take you very long to figure out which people are giving a lot of tips on how to quit. So you can read their posts back from the beginning of time.

Secondly, fill up a Google doc or Word doc with tips. Then study those tips daily and most importantly, start to implement them into your life daily. You can choose to read 20% or more of your new “book,” every day. You can delete tips that you thought were great (but aren't really great for you). You can start a top 20 tips for quitting and work at seeing which tips should be in your top 20. You can move certain things to the front and demote others to the back to make sure you are working on the best things first.

If you fill up your book and put in the work, life will improve.

 

Have a time and a place to work on addiction every day. Quitting starts to increase joy.

 

The Bible tells us to take every thought captive. (2 Corinthians 10:5) That means that I have a chance to do something about all thoughts that are not well-pleasing to God, before they enter my heart and become a part of me! “As a man thinks, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. Who we are is shaped moment by moment by the thoughts we choose to let into our mind and heart. But how can we control the thousands of thoughts that enter our minds each day? What do we do with the thoughts that are not pleasing to God? How can we, in reality, take every thought captive?

Taking every thought captive – a battle
Every day, we can catch thoughts and attitudes that are contrary to God’s will and keep them from gaining control of our minds and heart. Paul explains how this is possible: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.’’ 2 Corinthians 10:4-5. It is written that we need to battle to keep our thoughts pure, but it is also written that we have weapons to fight with!

Pray: “Father, take away this spirit of lust, and show me what to think about.”

God's Word is our weapon!
For example, if we know we are easily tempted to impure thoughts about the opposite sex, we can take Jesus’ words to heart: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:28-29.

Is it even possible to keep my thoughts pure? Click here for the answer!

If we are prone to anger, we can arm ourselves with James’ exhortation: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20. These words of God are our weapons, and will give us power to take all impure thoughts captive!

Read also: 20 Bible verses to use as a sword against impure thoughts

Transformation – by the Holy Spirit
By the Holy Spirit, we can get grace and power to bring the thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and in this process, we become transformed into the person He wants us to be. We have the wonderful hope that by overcoming sin in our thought life, we can become a little more like Christ as each day progresses. In this way, we become valuable tools in God’s hands. Allowing this inner work of God to take place in us is the greatest task we can take on in life.

Lastly, respond to wrong thoughts with a specific Scripture.

• 
  Use your list of verses to respond to lustful thought with certain Scriptures. If you keep at it, it will at some point be automatic.

 

The Bible says: "Take every thought captive." If it tells you to do that, it means you "can" do it. The first step to success is to remind yourself to do it every day. Then, write out a list with 5 or 10 things that you should be thinking about. Include 1 or 2 of the quitting addictions things you are trying to work on.

Secondly, realize that satan will pop sinful thoughts into your head. But now you are prepared to take them captive. You reject his thoughts (that lead to destruction) and you look at your list and replace that thought with a good one.

If you make this into a permanent habit great things will happen!

 

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9.

Some people read the Bible every day and still fall every third day. Some add to that, by reading a key verse about lust every day. Or 2, or 3, or 4. Taking heed means remembering what the Bible says at moments of temptation. It means knowing it, it means believing it.

I'm not above average at overcoming lust. But... I know exactly what the Bible says about it. And that knowledge gives me fear.

Fear of heroin is good. Fear of punching your annoying volleyball coach (who makes your daughter cry) is good. Fear of driving 130 mph is good. Fear of looking with lust is good.

Today, increase your fear of the bad things that are killing you.

Pray: “Father, fill me with Your wisdom.” Proverbs one says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Following that first verse can turn a life from sorrow and point it towards joy. Embrace wisdom, embrace purity – they will lead you to freedom.

 

The number 1 key to quitting is to study and pray until God shows you which permanent habits you must have to quit. Then it is just a matter of time.

 

Consider fighting lust as a war. Should we spend more time fighting this war? Joyce Meyer said, "If we let satan use our mind as a garbage dump, our life will end up as a stinking mess." Instead, consider praying, "Father, guide my mind." Pastor Colin Smith said to pray: "Jesus, by your Holy Spirit, keep my mind firmly set where you want it to be focused today."
Realize that satan will rarely give up in trying to control your mind. Take that as a challenge. If you insist that you will always oppose him, that you will always get the Word in you, that you will always fight him with prayer. Then he will start to look for easier prey.
Fill up your own Google file or Word doc with posts about how to change your thinking. If you change your thinking, your life will change as well.

For the whole article: https://forum.nofap.com/index.php?threads/if-you-are-new-here.324418/

 

We should consider focusing on not leaving our minds vacant. Because just like in the story of Adam and Eve, satan will fill it up with his trash. What Christian trait will you focus on improving and thinking about today?

We should consider not allowing satan to help us pick our music, TV shows, or movies. Instead, we should consider praying about our entertainment choices. Then choosing entertainment which will allow us to have long-term joy which is found in a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ.

Is it wise to hang out with people who talk about smut constantly? Consider praying:
"Father, give me the strength to find friends who won't drag me down."

However, what if we are forced into an environment where we are surrounded, but we have to work or go to school there? In this situation, we can consider praising the Lord or increasing our focus on the Christian trait we want to improve on instead of listening to their trash.

The path to success or to slipping is either littered with trash or paved with gold. In both cases, our path is going to be lit on fire when temptation is in full force.

If our preparation is hit or miss, our path may be littered with trash, and we may continue to burn with severe temptation until we give up.

When we have prepared for this temptation with prayer and with new thoughts we have a chance. Then at the moment of severe temptation, we fight back in full strength with the verses for quitting. Now we are fighting on streets of gold with the ever-increasing help of the Holy Spirit.

There will be a fire. With full preparation, the result will pure gold instead of ashes.

 

When I was young I looked at sin as something I wasn't supposed to do. Today, I realize that God created me with a purpose in mind. Am I supposed to be worshiping and praising God? Should I be praying about helping others? Should I be doing good works?

What does God want us to do? Consider praying:

“Father, show me the plans that You have for me.”

Genesis 39:9 “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”

When our lives lack purpose one sin seems like a simple negative. Then sin multiplies until it ruins us.

It is wise to consider one sin a great wickedness. It is wise to consider one look at sinful things as sin against God.

When we have wisdom, we avoid the trap. We stay free to be the shining light that God wants us to be. Consider praying:

“Father, give me the courage to be a shining light for You.”

Finally, today I look at sin as something that will cause destruction and keep me from joy.

Consider praying: “Father, show me the full destruction of sin?”

Consider praying: “Father, help me to hate sin.”

It is wise to love God and hate sin so that your life is filled with light.

Jesus is a spectacular light. Always work on the habit of running from sin so that He can shine through you.

 

I live in Michigan and am a fan of the Detroit Lions. They have a receiver (Brown) who catches 202 passes daily. He does this because he heard that great receivers catch 200 balls daily. He decided to do just a little bit more (202). He is a star and has helped turn the Lions around. He knows what it takes to get what he wants and he does what it takes to do it.

Many come to NoFap and read articles. Some go a step further and print out articles. Some set up notes in key places to remind them to do the new things that they have learned to do at NoFap. Some write out their top 15 skills for quitting and then pray over them all the time.

Others just try to implement one or two important skills at a time, but they make doing them a huge priority. They do these skills until they are habits. Habits they then do always until the end of time.

What if you find out what you need to do to quit, and then just do a little bit more than that?

 

Every time you have a lustful thought you should pray:

“Father, help me to run from lust.”

This shows satan that you are determined to “Take every thought captive,” which the scripture tells us to do.

#2 Consider praying:

“Father, not my will, but Yours be done.”

With this prayer, we are attacking, and changing our thinking.

#3 Quote a scripture that reminds you what is happening:

Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

1 Corinthians 6:18 He who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

The Holy Spirit is desiring to live in us. Lust is war against our own bodies. Lust will beat the crap out of our bodies.

Consider memorizing this verse to remind yourself not to beat the crap out of yourself.

Note: During my last month of addiction, I was so aware that I was “damaging myself” that I literally said it out loud (when no one was home).

Lastly, you can make it. Always study prayers and scriptures that will set you free. It will be the best thing you ever did.

 

Galatians 6:8 ESV For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

Comeafterme.com noted: “You reap in a different season than you sow.

1) Notice that Galatians 6:7 starts by saying, “Do not be deceived.” Why does Paul begin with this warning? The answer is found in the fact that your reaping does not come immediately after you sow. Because of this, you can be deceived into thinking that the reaping will not come. Solomon said, “Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil” (Ecclesiastes 8:11). If you could see the long-term results of your choices, you would always sow to the Spirit.”

It is wise to connect the corruption we reap with our lust. David sinned, and the list of the corruption it caused can fill up a large book. Try not to underestimate its damage.

Second, set a goal for how many new healthy habits you will have started that you will be permanently doing after a full ten days. What you learn and do today is good. Quitting skills that you make into permanent habits (like turning from lust), are great things.

Third, consider scrolling up and reading the December 21st, 2022 if you are new here article. It says everything about how I wanted to end this article.

 

A great long term goal is to have 7 new habits that will help you stop, and seven new habits that will help you start new things that will give you things to do which will help you quit.
Either have a 2nd notebook for these long-term habits or a separate section for these long term habits.
Establishing a permanent long term habit takes about 66 days on average. This site recommends a ton of habits as well as ways to establish habits. Consider filling up a notebook with all the information you can find that will help you make permanent habits out of the 14 habits that you pick.
This site will give you 100 habits to try. But for long-term habits pick important things like turning from lust, or praising the Lord. Pick things that will help you stay free in the long-term.
Become obsessed with these long-term habits. The more permanent habits that you acquire, the easier it will be to quit for good.

 

We need to know exactly what we are working on to conquer lust, today, this week, and this month. To start, it is vital to form a habit of spending a block of time at this site "every" day. Consider setting a time and setting an alarm every day until you make it into a habit.
Second, work on the #1 thing you need to change for the month as often as possible. You can copy and paste any of my articles into a Word file or Google doc so that you have a huge # of tips to fight against the #1 thing that causes you to fall.
Third, think about the 10 issues that cause you to fall or get down. Things like anger, depression, bad TV habits, people problems, or hopelessness. Take extra notes when you read articles that are about things that often affect you.
Fourth, solve today's problems if possible. Today I am not content with anything. So, I have already prayed a dozen times: "Father, help me to be content." I will probably pray it another dozen times. To solve today's problems try putting your issue in the search. So for today, I could put "content, or contentment" in the search at this site. That technique often works, but if it doesn't you can put your issue in a Google search. They certainly have a lot of advice for many problems. One can also put "content, Christian." Then Google will bring up articles on both subjects so that you will get more information that is Bible oriented.
Every day, at the same time, consider working on changes you need to make for today and for this month. It will give you the skills you need to succeed.

 

People try the drug Oxy and think, “That felt good, I want to do that as often as possible.” Instead, if they were thinking “Long-term” they would think: I don't want to be homeless, broke, and broken.

Consider writing Long term at the top of a piece of paper. Then as you read a bunch of articles, write down the dates and titles of articles that push long-term thinking. We work because, in the long term, it is good for us. We eat fruits and vegetables because, in the long term, it is good for us. We read the Bible, pray, forgive, and love because, in the long term, it is good for us. We quit because that will increase our joy long term.

Second, addiction is thinking... “Nothing in the universe can help me right now except _______.” Never say that. Instead say: “Other things can help me and I am going to “Try” them.” Consider memorizing that quote. If your world is falling apart, a bike ride with your buddy, followed by digging into scripture will be a bit slower at first, but it will help you.

Third, consider memorizing this question for use when tempted: “Why do I have to fall.” There are 12-20 common reasons for falling. Most of the solutions to fight back against these reasons are covered on this site. Consider noting the articles and dates written for your top reasons.

Finally, consider saying 5 times per day: “I will keep fighting for a solution.” When we put in the work, life gets good again faster.

 

1 John 3:6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin.”

Some addiction treatment centers have people reading the Bible and listening to obedience-oriented sermons for 2-3 hours per day. Then... even if the addiction is very deep-rooted, they quit. Why? Because they are now abiding in Him.

Every person can quit. The only question is: How much do we need to abide in Him to quit? Obviously, some people are very busy. That is why we also want a focus on prayer and prayers. It is usually hard to study the Bible at work.

Second, take note of every tip in this article that you think is “Abiding in Him.” For example, we turn-from-lust so that we can pray, stay pure, and abide in Him.

Third, the minute we don't abide in Him, trouble starts. Adam and Eve abided in Him and only listened to Him. Then... they took a break and listened to something else. Disaster.

Fourth, consider memorizing the above verse. God offered Adam and Eve a great life. He is now offering us a great life. Abide in Him and find purpose and joy.

For the full article click.

 

The Rule of 10

We may need 10 new habits to quit for good. But at first glance that is a bit impossible. But with the “Rule of 10,” we are working on a bunch of new habits but we are focusing mightily on one habit right now.

What one habit do you need to have a huge focus on? Today, consider making it your hobby to research how to form new habits. Read a bunch of articles on Google. Put out notes about what you want to change. Look up Bible verses about what you want to change. Pray over those Bible verses and pray about what you want to change.

Second, even adding one habit is hard. Be patient, think longterm, keep restarting.

Third, add the habit you want to acquire with a Christian trait. A dramatic example of this is when we go to war with our love of pleasure and replace it with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1 says “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom.” Consider praying:

“Father, take away my love of pleasure and help me to fear You.”

This prayer has a triple effect. Fighting our love of sinful pleasure, teaching us to do what the Bible says (Fear the Lord), and it teaches us to have wisdom.

Today, consider rewriting this prayer to add the one habit you want to acquire. Then start to move mountains to acquire that habit.

 

We rarely see ourselves the way God sees us. He looks at us as people who can do great things. He does not have a list of abstract rules. His laws are there so that we can follow them so that we can do great things.

Today, I am again praying:

“Father, expand my borders and bless me indeed.”

This is a great prayer taken directly from scripture. In order to expand my borders I need more of the Holy Spirit inside me. I need to raise my standards for fighting sin and lust. I need to be willing to do God's will.

When I pray, and pray prayers like that one, I start to get a glimpse of how God sees me.

Finally, adjust that prayer to add power:

“Father, help me to turn from lust, and expand my borders.”

Finally, repent, pray, and then think about how God sees you. With every creation, He made someone who can do great things. Today, consider going to war with lust so that you can do them.

Here is a song about how God sees us.

 

I recommended the book Atomic Habits to help with quitting and my friend said, “Just watch the YouTube about the book.” This is an excellent suggestion if you don't want to get the book. But it takes 65 to 100 days to form a new habit. So if today you say, “I will learn to pray “Father help me to turn from lust” over the next 2-3 months. I will form the habit of saying/praying it 10 times “every” day, and I will say it 5-10 times during any TV program that has any risk or if I am anyplace that has risk for me.” I will also read one page from a book about forming habits every day over the next 2-3 months.

I love that plan because reading a page a day reminds you every day about the urgency of learning new “Habits.”

Second, I always say, “Memorize this.” Have a quitting notebook, have an activities notebook. Why? Because it is hard to quit. You have to literally pound out the bad, and be so obsessed with the “New good habit,” that you think about implementing the new good habit all the time.

Third, have you ever been around a weightlifter? They talk constantly about goals, getting bigger, getting stronger, they are totally obsessed. Why? Because their past goals have turned out “golden” for them. They are now bigger, stronger, with way more energy. They also are very excited about the way they look now.

Fourth, tell yourself constantly: “My new habits will keep me from destruction, they will lead me into the light, they are the beginning of joy and purpose.

Finally, pick 1-3 new habits that you want to make permanent habits over the next 2-3 months. Then get a book about habits and read a page a day, or watch 3 minutes “every” day about forming habits on Youtube. That is how anyone can pound out bad habits and start to implement good habits.

 

With the 1-2 habit, we write down 1-2 key things from an article. To triple its effectiveness set an alarm to review these key items every 30 minutes. Obviously, this only works when you are more alone and can review the key things for a few minutes. But, those are the times when temptation ramps up.

Second, Colossians 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Consider praying:

“Father, teach me how to put lust to death.”

Satan wants us to peek a tiny bit, to keep looking for just a second, to wait to turn away for an instant. Why does God want us to put lust “To death.” #1 The Bible commands us to be “Filled with the Holy Spirit.” A peek, a look, a pause stops this filling dead for more than a minute or two. Note: Treat intentional looks with rapid repentance. Don't try to fool God, he knows exactly how intentional it was. #2 Cheating keeps us from our purpose and from joy. When we cheat, someone is getting cheated. To find out who, check your mirror. Consider praying:

“Father, help me to turn from lust and show me how to find joy.”

We find joy in purpose and in the presence of the Lord. Remember the two P's, purpose and presence. They will start you down the path toward joy.