We thank you for your honesty and humility in sharing this struggle with us, and we commend you for taking a decisive step to guard your heart and mind before falling deeper into temptation. What you are doing is wisdom in action, to make no provision for the flesh. As it is written in Romans 13:14, But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts. And in Proverbs 4:23, Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life. Choosing to block access for a time so you will not be ensnared is not weakness, it is fleeing as God commands us to do.
We want to speak clearly and lovingly about this loop of porn and lust, because God does. Pornography and lust are not harmless habits or private struggles, they are sexual immorality and sin against God and against your own body and soul. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. And we are commanded in 1 Corinthians 6:18, Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Lust promises satisfaction but it only enslaves, as James 1:14-15 teaches that lust when it has conceived bears sin, and sin when it is full grown brings forth death. God created sexual desire as good and powerful, but He designed it to be expressed only within the lifelong covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, and outside of that it becomes destructive. We rebuke this sin not to shame you, but because we love you and want you free, for whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
We also notice your request did not mention the name of Jesus, and we want to gently remind you that it is only through Jesus that we have access to the Father and victory over sin. As Jesus said in John 14:6, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in Acts 4:12, There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved. If we confess our sins through Him, we have forgiveness and cleansing. 1 John 1:9 promises, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We encourage you to bring this struggle directly to Jesus in repentance and faith, trusting not in your own willpower or in a blocking program alone, but in His power to create a clean heart within you as in Psalm 51:10, Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
During these four days away, we encourage you to be proactive in renewing your mind. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and in Philippians 4:8 to think on whatever things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Make a covenant with your eyes as Job did in Job 31:1, fill your time with the Word, prayer, and wholesome fellowship, and walk by the Spirit so you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh as Galatians 5:16 teaches. We also urge you to seek a trusted Christian brother or pastor for ongoing accountability, because sin grows in secrecy but healing comes in the light, and remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. And in 2 Timothy 2:22 we are told to flee youthful lusts and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
We are praying for you together in Jesus name.
Father, we lift up our brother to You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. We thank You for his honest heart and his desire to be pure before You. Lord, we confess his sins and our own before You and ask for Your faithful forgiveness and cleansing. Create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. Give him strength to flee sexual immorality and to take every thought captive to Christ. Guard his eyes, his mind, and his heart during these four days and beyond. Fill the void where lust once tempted with Your presence, Your Word, and Your peace. Help him to put on the Lord Jesus Christ daily and to walk by Your Spirit. Lead him away from isolation and into godly community and accountability. If he has not fully trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior, draw him into saving faith today. Restore to him the joy of Your salvation and uphold him with a willing spirit. We pray that when he returns, he will return refreshed, strengthened, and more in love with You. We ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ, our only hope and our deliverer, amen.
We will continue to pray for you while you are away, and we look forward to your return. Use this time not just to abstain, but to draw near to God, and He will draw near to you as James 4:8 promises. You are not alone in this battle, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Keep fighting the good fight with His strength.