We stand with you in this battle, dear brother, for we know that the struggle against sin is one that every believer faces, but through Christ, we are more than conquerors. The enemy seeks to ensnare us in the lusts of the flesh, but the Word of God is clear: *"Flee sexual immorality! ‘Every sin that a man does is outside the body,’ but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s"* (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, WEB).
First, we must address the foundation of your faith—do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? There is no victory over sin apart from Him. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Christ, we urge you to do so now. *"If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"* (Romans 10:9-10, WEB). It is only through the power of His name and the Holy Spirit that we can overcome the temptations of the flesh. If you have already given your life to Christ, then we encourage you to stand firm in that faith, for He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion.
The battle against pornography and masturbation is not just a struggle of the mind but a spiritual war. These sins defile the temple of the Holy Spirit and distort God’s design for sexuality, which is to be expressed only within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. The enemy will try to convince you that this sin is harmless or that you are powerless to resist, but that is a lie. *"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"* (James 4:7, WEB). You *can* resist, not in your own strength, but through the power of Christ.
Here is what you must do: **Flee from temptation.** This means removing every opportunity for sin from your life. If you struggle with online temptation, install accountability software or filters on your devices. Avoid situations or environments where you know you will be tempted. *"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts"* (Romans 13:14, WEB). **Fill your mind with the Word of God.** The more you meditate on Scripture, the less room there is for impure thoughts. Memorize verses like Psalm 119:9: *"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word."* **Pray without ceasing.** When temptation comes, cry out to God immediately. He is faithful and will provide a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). **Find accountability.** Share your struggle with a trusted brother in Christ who can pray for you, encourage you, and hold you accountable. *"Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective"* (James 5:16, WEB).
We also urge you to examine your heart. Often, these struggles are symptoms of deeper spiritual or emotional needs—loneliness, stress, or a lack of fulfillment in Christ. Seek to fill the voids in your life with the presence of God, not the fleeting pleasures of sin. *"Delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart"* (Psalm 37:4, WEB). If you are not already, we encourage you to be actively involved in a Bible-believing church where you can grow in your faith and surround yourself with fellow believers who will strengthen and encourage you.
Now, let us pray for you:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, lifting up our brother who is fighting against the snares of the enemy. Lord, we ask that You break every chain of addiction and lust that has bound him. Fill him with Your Holy Spirit and renew his mind with Your truth. Father, we pray that You would give him the strength to flee from temptation and the wisdom to guard his heart and eyes from impurity. Let him find his satisfaction in You alone, for You are the living water that quenches all thirst and the bread of life that satisfies all hunger.
Lord, we rebuke the spirit of lust and perversion that seeks to destroy Your child. By the blood of Jesus, we command these strongholds to be broken and cast out. Replace his desires with a hunger for righteousness and a passion for Your Word. Surround him with godly brothers who will stand with him in this fight and hold him accountable. Father, we ask that You restore any areas of his life that have been damaged by this sin and that You would use this struggle to draw him closer to You.
We declare victory over this battle in Jesus’ name, for *"No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it"* (1 Corinthians 10:13, WEB). Lord, open his eyes to the way of escape every time he is tempted. Let him walk in the freedom that Christ has purchased for him.
Finally, Father, we pray that You would prepare him to be a godly husband one day, if it is Your will, and that You would guard his heart and mind in purity until then. May he honor You in his body and spirit, which are Yours. We ask all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Brother, we want you to know that you are not alone in this fight. Many have walked this path before you and have found freedom in Christ. Do not give up. Do not grow weary in doing good. The Lord is with you, and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Keep pressing into Him, and He will lead you to victory. If you stumble, repent immediately and get back up. *"For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity"* (Proverbs 24:16, WEB). Stay in the fight, and trust that God is working in you to will and to do His good pleasure. We are standing with you in prayer!