Freedom from Porn – and other addictive sins March 13, 2016

Many addictions  Pornography  Gambling  Drugs / Alcohol  Phones – social media  News  Work

Pornography  Jesus said “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28  Pornography is adultery  Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Slavery To Sin  Jesus said, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34)  Certain sins cause a strong spiritual addiction or slavery

Get Serious  Matt 5:28-30 –  28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.  1 Jn 3:9-10  9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.  10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

God’s Provision for Freedom 1. Confession – Freedom from God 2. Scripture – Direction and weapon from God 3. Accountability – Family of God Support 4. Cry out to God – Salvation from God 5. Deliverance Prayer – God breaks the chains

Confession: Freedom  Confess your sins to God, spouse (if applicable) and spiritual authority (a mature Christian who you trust)  To God: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  To spouse: Matt 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.  To spiritual leaders: James 5:14,16 - Let them call the elders of the church - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective

Scripture: Direction and Weapon 1. Identify scriptures that you will be able to use against temptation (like Jesus did – Matt 4) – scriptures that say that porn is a sin and what the consequences are and how to deal with sin etc 2. Write down and memorize those scriptures – 1. Ps 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Accountability: Support 1. Find someone to be accountable to (again a mature Christian who you trust) and tell them what is going on, that you want to be free and ask them to hold you accountable in this process – 1. Ecc 4:10,12 A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. 2. Heb 10:24,25 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… 2. Identify patterns of temptation – when, where, what leads up to it 3. Set boundaries to flee from sexual temptation (1 Cor 6:8) 4. Check in with accountability person(s) at least weekly – be completely honest and open.

Cry out in Prayer: Salvation 1. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. – Romans 10:13 2. In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Hebrews 5:7 (ESV) 3. Cry out to God for freedom and deliverance – daily or as often as the temptation comes

Deliverance Prayer: Break the chains  Luke 4:18 - The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free  Jesus said, “everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34)  If you cannot stop, there is spiritual slavery

God’s Provision for Freedom 1. Confession – Freedom from God 2. Scripture – Direction and weapon from God 3. Accountability – Family of God Support 4. Cry out to God – Salvation from God 5. Deliverance Prayer – God breaks the chains