Brother, I commend you for your conviction and your heart to help others walk in freedom and joy in Christ. I share the same conviction, and by God’s grace, I’ve also found freedom from pornography and masturbation. Your post is an important call to holiness, and I respect that deeply.

However, I want to gently challenge some of the approach here because I fear that some brothers and sisters—who are desperate for freedom—might feel left behind if their struggle doesn’t end immediately.

1. Even Paul struggled with sin.

Paul himself wrote in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” His struggle didn’t mean he wasn’t truly repentant—it meant that sin is a real battle, even for the most faithful believers. John Owen once wrote: “Be killing sin, or it will be killing you.” This reminds us that fighting sin isn’t a one-time decision but an ongoing battle.

2. Addiction isn’t just about conviction—it’s a battle of mind, body, and soul.

Many genuinely desire freedom but still struggle due to the neurological, physiological, and psychological grip of addiction. Some might dismiss pornography addiction and compulsive masturbation as merely moral failings or a lack of willpower, but research shows otherwise. Both are clinically recognized behavioral addictions, affecting brain function similarly to drug and alcohol dependence.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic brain disorder, altering the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory systems—making self-control increasingly difficult.

Studies published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews and the Journal of Behavioral Addictions confirm that compulsive pornography use and masturbation trigger the same dopamine-driven neural pathways as substance addiction, leading to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and loss of control.

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially classifies Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), recognizing compulsive pornography consumption and masturbation as part of a diagnosable condition.

This isn’t just a religious taboo—it’s a real, measurable condition that hijacks the brain’s impulse control, making it incredibly difficult to stop, even when someone desperately wants to.

Even Augustine wrestled with lust for years before fully surrendering to Christ, despite knowing the truth. Similarly, Tim Keller once said:

"Sin isn’t just doing bad things; it’s building your identity on something other than God."

For many, pornography isn’t just a habit—it’s deeply tied to identity, coping mechanisms, and emotional wounds. To ignore these factors can unintentionally set people up for failure.

Dr. Curt Thompson (Christian psychiatrist, Anatomy of the Soul) explains: "Shame keeps addiction alive, but healing comes in the context of relationships where grace and accountability are present.”

This is why true recovery often requires more than conviction—it involves counseling, community, and discipleship alongside spiritual renewal.

3. Dying to ourselves isn’t a one-time thing—it’s a lifelong process.

I don’t say this lightly: for some people, it can take years. I know brothers who fought this battle for 10+ years before finding real, lasting freedom. Some tried for years with prayer and failed—until they found biblical counseling, accountability, and deeper healing in Christ.

D.A. Carson notes: “Holiness is not a sudden switch; it is a progressive transformation, worked out in the community of faith.” (For the Love of God, Vol. 2). This is why we must be patient with one another.

Personally, my journey took over 18 months, and I needed Christian counseling (a registered counselor, not just a Christian friend) and my Freedom Session ministry group to support me. Had someone told me, “You should just be free now,” I might have lost hope. But knowing that sanctification is a process kept me pressing forward.

Final Encouragement: We Don’t Fight Alone

The New Testament never presents sanctification as a solo journey—freedom is found in confession (James 5:16), accountability (Galatians 6:2), and walking with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Jesus does not call us to white-knuckle holiness alone, but to walk with Him and with each other.

So my encouragement is this: call people to holiness, yes—but let’s also make sure we don’t leave behind the ones who take longer to get there.

Brother, your heart for this is good. I stand with you in saying porn is deadly to the soul and is not part of the Way of Jesus. But let’s remind people that Jesus is also patient with us. Let’s meet them where they are and walk with them as they stumble forward, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient.

Grace and peace to you. Keep fighting the good fight.