June 30 Day Challenge

Starting a 30 day challenge for the first time. On day 5 of my no PMO journey. I've been fractionally addicted to Porn averaging 1-2 views per week for 15 years (age 28 now).

I have always known it was wrong and feel horrible guilt and shame afterwards. Masturbation has been a worse sin for me, almost daily for 15 years which I've always tried to "justify" as OK while fully knowing God did not approve of my thoughts (about women who are not my wife, I'm single) and actions. Masturbation has always made me feel far from God. He is more important than a temporary high. He has called me to end this sin, and I'm thankful for this community for being His warriors in this arena.

1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

How true the Bible is. I have been sinning sexually against myself for so long. No wonder feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, and loneliness followed directly after I PMO'd. I was harming my own body. No more.

Really excited to begin this journey, to get closer to God, read the Bible more, view women the correct way, and get free of a horrific addiction before (hopefully) meeting my future wife.

Phil 1:3-6 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

 

Thank you Tao, and congrats on approaching the 1 year mark!

Great to have you join Vicet! May God bless your journey and your desire to obey Him.

John 14:23 Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.

Sundays are usually the hardest day for me as I don't work and am usually pretty bored. Praise be to God I am still excited and hopeful for this journey, and today has gone well so far. Having some trouble sleeping, but it is worth it.

Navy Seals have a saying "One evolution at a time" - meaning they only focus on the mission, exercise, or task at hand, and do not worry about tomorrow or yesterday. Trying to take this one day at a time, trusting Jesus to lead me all the way. He is so good, that He would redeem sinners like us, and call us Sons of the Most High. The grace, mercy, kindness, and love of Christ is truly amazing. Thank you Jesus!

 

I really relate to what you mean Vicet. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, and he has twisted God's perfect creation of sexuality into something perverted.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

There is more going on here than porn. The enemy is using this powerful weapon against us to destroy our testimony, destroy our families, and most of all, destroy our love for the Father and cripple our ability to be Warriors for Christ. Time to fight back with the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God! We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!

Excited to say that my close friend from college (who is almost engaged) has decided to join me in this June challenge!

Please keep me in your prayers. I am visiting my brother in Texas for a week, and will be in a new environment with more triggers/temptation.

Things have gone well the past few days, my day to day emotions are much more stable and urges are less frequent. The upcoming week will be a critical test, hoping to rely on Jesus to carry me as opposed to my own willpower. Cannot go back to the old way of life. God has called me to greater things.

Feeling like my defenses are a bit weak now. I will spend a half hour reading the word, praying, and listening to worship music to get back in touch with the spirit.

God bless you fellow Warriors for Christ!

 

Just wanted to update you guys. Back home safe and sound. Glad to report that my 1 week trip to visit my brother didn't involve any PMO, when travelling usually always causes me to fall into sin. Glad to be back home where it is easier to follow routines and avoid temptation. Still very motivated to continue this June challenge strong!

This verse stood out to me on the airplane:

2 Timothy 4 7-8:

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Let's keep fighting the fight and running a good race like obedient soldiers of Christ would do. We can do this!

 

Congrats to Tao on 1 Year plus! Congrats to Vicet on 10 days. May God strengthen us continually and pour His blessings out as we try and obey him.

 

Can't believe it has been 21 days so far. Seems like just yesterday I started this journey. June Challenge is only 2 weeks from completion.

Updates:

-Have experienced much more freedom in Christ since starting
-Much more stable mood. No depression, anxiety, insecurity. Used to be a roller coaster of highs/lows
-Trusting Jesus for a wife at this point, this journey is hard
-My apartment has a pool, which is a source of temptation. I'd like to tan/swim, but not sure if that is wise at this time
-Trying to stay motivated, but I feel that my defenses have weakened slightly
-Need to get into the word more these next few days to fortify my armor

"Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

Acts 26:15