INTERNET ADDICTION understanding – counselling – coping Additional aspects of Christian counselling Prof. Dr. med. Samuel Pfeifer

For a general description of Internet Dependency please refer to the first presentation on this topic. Here you will find some specific aspects of Christian Counselling Download from www.seminare-ps.net/en

No human longing is more powerful, more difficult to rein in No human longing is more powerful, more difficult to rein in. Sex has enough combustive force to incinerate conscience, vows, family commitments, religious devotion, and anything else in its path. Philip Yancey

Strategies to keep from falling Watch your spiritual health Lapses in the spiritual disciplines of meditation, worship, prayer and healthy self- examination are certain to spell trouble. Guard your marriage Regularly evaluate your relationship with your spouse, keeping him or her involved in what happens in your ministry world. Take adequate precautions If you find yourself thinking more about ways to be with a co-worker than with your spouse, set strict parameters about that working relationship. Avoid meeting alone with him or her. Understand subtle signs of sexual attraction Exchanging notes and gifts, holding hands tightly in prayer, allowing the arm to linger just a bit longer on the shoulder, offering embraces more often—these may denote a relationship veering into dangerous territory. Compiled by Randy Alcorn

Marriage, Sex, and Sacrificial Love (Philip Yancey) Marriage strips away the illusions about sex pounded into us daily by the entertainment media. Few of us live with oversexed supermodels. We live instead with ordinary people, men and women who get bad breath, body odors, and unruly hair; who menstruate and experience occasional impotence; who have bad moods and embarrass us in public; who pay more attention to our children's needs than our own. We live with people who require compassion, tolerance, understanding, and an endless supply of forgiveness. So do our partners. Such is the ironical power of sex: It lures us into a relationship that offers to teach us what we need far more—sacrificial love.

Strategies to keep from Falling Back off early When you realize a counselee has become interested in you personally, it is time to refer that person to someone else. Maintain clarity in your thinking Never justify flirting, and never disclose to another person that you have lustful thoughts about them. Make yourself accountable Don't try to be a lone ranger leader. Guard your thought life "Our thoughts are the fabric with which we weave our character and destiny." With good reason Paul encourages believers to keep their minds focused on things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Sexual Temptation: Establishing Guardrails and Winning The Battle (Eternal Perspective Ministries, 2011), ISBN 978-0-9700016-5-8 Compiled by Randy Alcorn

Group activity / Questions How has the Internet changed your life? Do you remember incidents that brought home the dangers of the internet? Apart from overt pitfalls, where do you encounter problems (yourself, your children, loss of time, excessive surfing etc.) What are you doing to prevent the dark sides of the internet invade your life?

Ressources: www.sexhelp.com