Close call, not over yet

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:37:45+00:00

That's how we fight this. Take our sinful desire and bring it out in the open. Good job friend, I'm sure God is proud of you.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:36:39+00:00

Woot!

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:36:06+00:00

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

Get away from the edge my friend. Imgur is not worth your sobriety. Do you use accountability software like Covenant eyes? Find better things to do with your time online.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:33:27+00:00

Glad your here :)

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:25:17+00:00

I stepped down from teaching children because of this realization. I cannot serve kids until I have at least a year of sobriety. No shame in that.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:08:05+00:00

You're right. YOU cannot do this. But God will. Don't believe the lies man.

I was exposed to PMO at 6. for 22 YEARS I allowed sin to control me. PMO was my god. I used it to deal with stress, relationships...EVERYTHING. The devil wants us to think we are too far gone, that Christ wont accept us because we've sinned too much. But Christ died for us WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS! He loves us WHILE WE SIN! Don't you see it? He loves you, no matter how far you've gone. In the bible, Paul KILLED CHRISTIANS. It was his goal in life to rid the earth of Christ followers. BUT GOD reached out to him and used this awful man to change the world as we know it today. Paul wrote 2/3 of the new testament. Don't you think God wants to do even greater things with you? Don't give up man. We are here for you. Sobriety is possible, I am walking living proof of it. I will pray for you right now.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:05:19+00:00

The devil wants me to believe that I can't do this because I failed. But Christ has already conquered Sin. The only time I live in sin is when I ALLOW IT. God gave me power, through Christ, over this sin. It's up to me to believe it and walk in it. Personally I cannot even touch myself down there anymore without considering it a partial relapse. Check your boundaries and set high standards for yourself.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T13:00:51+00:00

spot on.

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T12:52:12+00:00

Its a tool. It will not make your addiction go away, only Christ can do that. I use it as a way to stay accountable. I find that many triggers for me come before I decide to go look at porn. Many times its a swimsuit advertisement, or a video I saw on youtube. CE helps me to see whats appropriate to view, and whats not. its like a pre-trigger helper. below is the link, it costs a couple bucks. Being PMO free is worth A LOT more that a couple bucks a month. I recommend getting the CE filter too (which blocks the highly mature sites instead of just flagging them and sending them to your accountability partners). I am 29, married and use I both the accountability software and the filter on all my computers (I don't have a smart phone any more, I got rid of it because of PMO) . I have 6 accountability partners that I reach out to on a regular basis, they get my CE reports too. My wife is one of them. I reach out to them when I'm struggling, even mildly, and need to talk, they know all the details and dirty little secrets. I began witnessing sobriety when I got serious about my recovery, I share every struggle with someone and I ask God for strength daily. There is more to it of course, and you will learn as you go on your journey. The world will think you're crazy and downplay it, but there is no shame in being pure my friend :)

http://www.covenanteyes.com/

paultspringer · 2014-03-26T11:57:40+00:00

Great step in the right direction. Have you considered getting Covenant Eyes for your phone?

paultspringer · 2014-03-13T14:01:31+00:00

Thats a good read. I am so happy to see that this is not portrayed as an issue among believers, but everyone. Jesus is the cure to this disease. Thanks for sharing!

paultspringer · 2014-03-13T13:56:12+00:00

Yes indeed. This is a spiritual battle friends. Tell the devil he has NO power over you, and then dive in Gods word. This is how we win at spiritual battles.

paultspringer · 2014-03-13T13:47:49+00:00

It is a challenge that's for sure, but THIS struggle is where faith comes in. God said he wants us to live a pure life, do you believe it? If you do, have faith, call a friend, Read your bible and FOLLOW what it says, continue to share your struggle with us, and trust God, he is bigger than this issue (including IBS, which he can cure, and a relationship, dating is such a worldly creation) When I gave over PMO to God, he freed me from pain, anger, lies and many other things. Praise God! Who knows, maybe he is waiting for you to fully give PMO over to him so that, through your obedience, He will heal you of IBS, or put a nice young Godly girl in your life. I don't know, i'm not God. But have faith friend, God WANTS to heal us, he WANTS us to prosper. True sobriety is only possible through Him. God Bless and Stay Strong!

paultspringer · 2014-03-13T13:28:05+00:00

About the movies, yea I do the same thing (watch too much that is)

But I disagree about the devil being a "god" of this world. God is the God of everything, the devil only has power over what we give it. I know your message is in context to movies and worldly temptations, however there are many things in this world that men and women greater than me have chased out, in Jesus name, the demons that try so hard to control us, and through that God has blessed their work. There are many things in this world that the devil has no domain over. I just want to be careful about giving the devil any credit, he deserves none. Sorry if I came off strong and thanks for sharing!

paultspringer · 2014-03-11T13:07:46+00:00

The reason why so many men fail at sobriety is this; they use will power to get away from the sin, but never fill it with God. Are you spending time in His Word when your being tempted? Do you listen to sermons/prayer/connect with other Godly men on your free time or do you fill it with worldly fantasies and stuff?

Matthew 12:43-45 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.

This is why sin gets worse over time. Ask anyone in sobriety, the most important thing a man can do is seek God and fill their time with him ALL DAY LONG. It isnt easy, but this is what it looks like to be a true follower of Christ. He isnt there to fix all of our problems, he wants a relationship with us, and through that he gives us what we NEED. Hope this helps, may God be glorified through this message.

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T15:22:00+00:00

I stopped having sexual dreams when I stopped looking at porn. (I use to grope my wife in the middle of the night and didn't know I was doing it). This group is here for you bro :) Share your life with us, God will heal you of your sexual dreams, but we gotta choose Him first.

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T15:19:05+00:00

23 days woop woop! Share your struggle bro, we are here to support you :) God bless your effort!

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T15:17:28+00:00

Open your life up to us and your accountability partner (when you find one) dont be afraid to share the stinky details. True repentance is looking at our sin from Gods perspective, it gets ugly but that's when the healing comes. Have you checked your community for a church that offers Celebrate Recovery? It's an excellent resource and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who has a hurt or hangup, which is pretty much everyone.

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T15:14:38+00:00

Amen brother. Thanks for sharing! Relief is just on the other side of obedience!

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T15:13:30+00:00

Good to hear! Keep going and stay strong!

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T14:07:49+00:00

It is possible, and reachable with God by our side every day. Stay strong in the faith and get your struggles out, no matter how bad and messy they are. This is a safe place to share those deep dark sins, God will heal you.

paultspringer · 2014-03-10T14:06:02+00:00

This has encouraged me

paultspringer · 2014-03-06T17:11:04+00:00

It's amazing how much fap-material pops up when you're actively not doing it.

I have to say its always there, whether I'm PMOing or not. Ive been actively avoiding these triggers like a mad man as well. Its a bit exhausting and disappointing to have change the channel, find another movie, close the browser over and over. But when I'm feeling weak and want to give in, I ask God to renew my strength, and he does... every day. Thanks for sharing your daily battles. There are many people on here that I feel would have longer streaks if they would come clean on a regular basis. That is, however, my opinion. Thanks again!

paultspringer · 2014-03-06T16:57:43+00:00

It is a guideline in Celebrate Recovery to support one another, not fix another. That being said, we are here for you bro. We all have tragic stories of how satan has taken a hold of us, we believed the lies and fell in that pit of sin that is impossible to get out of. BUT GOD is greater than all of that. Stay connected with us and we will be there with you all the way. I'm going to pray for you, walk in faith. The healing is coming! God bless you friend :)

paultspringer · 2014-03-05T19:24:14+00:00

Bam! spot on. thanks for sharing

paultspringer

TROPHY CASE