5 Steps to Breaking Free from Porn _Joe Dallas (2)

After all, he feels entitled to satisfy himself, regardless of who may be hurt. So
he indulges in lust and self-absorption.
Another common weakness is anger. The man with a temper who acts
rashly when he’s irritated may use porn as a way of “lashing out” at his wife
because she irritates him.
One more example of weakness is fear. The timid man who is cowardly in
the face of conflict may run to porn as a shelter when he’s afraid. He hides
from life’s problems instead of dealing with them directly.
Sometimes character problems exist in a man long before he starts using
porn. Other times, they develop as a result of his porn use. Guys who used to
be honest, for instance, may find themselves lying to cover their tracks after
viewing the stuff. Men who used to be open and warm may become defensive
and secretive because they have a habit they want to keep in the dark. Whether
the character problems existed before or after the habit developed, these flaws
become weak links in the chain of resistance.
Paul advised Timothy to know himself (1 Timothy 4:16). The apostle also
admitted to the Corinthians that he kept a close watch on himself just like an
athlete in training would. He didn’t want his weaknesses to overtake him and
derail his life (1 Corinthians 9:27). And if Paul saw the need for self-watch,
you and I can’t afford to do less.
Part of knowing yourself means knowing your gifts, your calling, your
responsibilities, and your passions. It also means knowing your areas of
weakness and liability—not because God calls you to beat yourself up over
them, but because as a good steward you want to take responsibility for them.
You want to correct them when possible, learn to work around them when
needed, and stay aware of their potential to disrupt your life. You want to
always pray, as David did, that secret faults and presumptuous sins will never
rule over you.
Practices
1. In response to the impact porn has had on your mind, be sure to develop
legitimate sources of pleasure and invest in them regularly. A physical
workout, a movie, long walks, or watching a football game can go a long
way toward giving your brain a legitimate chemical rush that will help