Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
To those struggling with an addiction (particularly pornography and self-gratification), this verse offers hope - the only hope - for ever living a victorious life. It's not in my strength, in this program, in that accountability partner, through really getting determined; but it's only through Christ!
I believe in being determined - if you're not really putting yourself into it, and you just sit back and expect God to deliver you, then you will fail.
I believe in accountability partners - "Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed..." (James 5:16 NASB)
I believe in programs - Having a plan and a biblically based program that can walk you through the process and hook you up with other people and resources is of utmost importance. www.settingcaptivesfree.com is one of the most helpful for addictions that I've found. I highly recommend it!
I believe in using your strength - "...Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness." (Romans 6:19 TNIV) Put the same amount of time and energy into feasting on God's Word, praying, and righteous living as you used to put into indulging the flesh, gratifying the passions of the body and mind in your addiction.
All of these things are necessary strategies and tools to use. Anyone serious about overcoming an addiction and being set free from their sins will want to avail themselves to every possible resource. However, there is no substitute for Christ. Apart from him, all attempts at victory will miserably fail! Don't put the cart in front of the horse! Let Christ be your strength in overcoming habitual sins. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36 NKJV)
Pray this prayer:
Father, I realize that no one forces me to engage in these habitual sins. It is a choice that I make when presented with something that attracts me. I have conditioned myself to yield to this temptation through repeatedly yielding in the past. I know that you have the power and the resources to set me free. Please strengthen my will and help me to stop this wrong behavior. You promise that through your Son, Jesus Christ, I can do all things, including overcome this habitual sin. I purpose to confess and forsake this sin and do whatever it takes with Your help to gain and maintain ongoing victory over sin for Your glory! Amen.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Movies
“There's nothing in this movie that is worse than something I would see on the street or even at Walmart, so it's not bad.” “I've heard much worse language than this at my job.” “There are only a couple little places where the talk is suggestive, but there are no bad scenes.” “I can handle the language and the violence as long as there is nothing sexual.” “With the exception of that one scene, that was a good movie.”Sound familiar? Have you ever said anything like that, or thought anything like that after watching a movie? I have.
Just recently I watched a movie. I already had my guard up. I was thinking before I sat down, “If there's any immodesty on here at all, I'll get up and leave.” And the movie started well. Not too far into it one of the actresses was wearing a low cut blouse, but I'd seen way worse than that. It really wasn't very bad. I kept watching. A little later there was some suggestive dialogue regarding sexual things, but nobody came out and said anything and the movie moved on before I could react. I kept watching. Then there was some violence – nothing too graphic. I kept watching. A little more suggestive sexual talk. Again, it wasn't really being specific or explicit – just hinting around jokingly. I kept watching. The movie ended. I felt guilty. I said to myself, “But there really wasn't anything THAT bad on there. Why should I feel guilty?” There was no serious immodesty. It was NOT sexually explicit. What was wrong with it?
Look at my line of justification as the different scenes gave me discomfort in one way or another. Is there a difference between me seeing a lady in shorts and a tank top at Walmart, and me having a picture of the same hanging in my room? Is there a difference between me hearing suggestive sexual talk at work, and me reading a book with that kind of content? Obviously I have no control over what the girl at Walmart is wearing or what the guys at work are talking about. I can control what's on my wall and what I read. But I'm going to hear it and see it anyway, why not entertain myself with it? Besides, I'm not entertaining myself with the immodesty or the suggestive language, I'm entertaining myself with the story plot and the exciting things happening. The story would be even better for me if the girls would wear modest clothes and the guys would clean up their jokes.
So what was wrong with it? Or is my conscience just too sensitive? Do I just need to lighten up a little bit? After all, there was nothing on there that was any worse than many TV advertisements that I've seen in waiting rooms, restaurants, etc. (I don't have a TV.) Why did the Holy Spirit talk to me about it? If that was so bad, are there any movies I can watch with a clear conscience?
It was wrong for me because of a principle from God's Word that I try to apply to my life. I try to glorify God in everything I do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that even in eating and drinking I should be glorifying God. Romans 12:1-2 says that I am to be a “living sacrifice” to God. Sacrifice implies death or a giving-up of something. Perhaps that would be those areas of entertainment that do not line up with the principles in God's Word. God's Word calls me to “flee sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) Does placing sexually-suggestive thoughts in front of me sound like “fleeing” from it?
I am convicted about what I watch. How strict should I be? How “radical” do I need to be? The Bible tells me to seek God with my whole heart. Does that mean just on Sunday in the worship service? Or does it mean in my personal time with God in the mornings, and the rest of my day doesn't matter? When I am going after something with everything in me, I am spending every waking moment striving toward that goal. I might even be dreaming about it. It consumes me. The Bible tells me that God is a rewarder of them that “diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Does God really have all of me – every area of entertainment, every thought, every action, every attitude?
Recently, I decided to try to “beef up” a little bit. I read up on different workouts to build muscle. I bought some supplements that are supposed to help build muscle. I spend a significant amount of time each day lifting weights. I changed my diet. I stopped drinking pop. I try to avoid eating a lot of sweets. All day long, I find myself doing things (or not doing some things) to help me reach this goal. If my real purpose for life is to bring glory to God, shouldn't I be spending all of my energy and time striving for that goal? The Apostle Paul compares it with running a race. We are to “lay aside every weight” and run! (Hebrews 12:1) Are there movies that I am watching that are a hindrance to my life's purpose of glorifying God? If so, I need to stop watching them.
Just recently I watched a movie. I already had my guard up. I was thinking before I sat down, “If there's any immodesty on here at all, I'll get up and leave.” And the movie started well. Not too far into it one of the actresses was wearing a low cut blouse, but I'd seen way worse than that. It really wasn't very bad. I kept watching. A little later there was some suggestive dialogue regarding sexual things, but nobody came out and said anything and the movie moved on before I could react. I kept watching. Then there was some violence – nothing too graphic. I kept watching. A little more suggestive sexual talk. Again, it wasn't really being specific or explicit – just hinting around jokingly. I kept watching. The movie ended. I felt guilty. I said to myself, “But there really wasn't anything THAT bad on there. Why should I feel guilty?” There was no serious immodesty. It was NOT sexually explicit. What was wrong with it?
Look at my line of justification as the different scenes gave me discomfort in one way or another. Is there a difference between me seeing a lady in shorts and a tank top at Walmart, and me having a picture of the same hanging in my room? Is there a difference between me hearing suggestive sexual talk at work, and me reading a book with that kind of content? Obviously I have no control over what the girl at Walmart is wearing or what the guys at work are talking about. I can control what's on my wall and what I read. But I'm going to hear it and see it anyway, why not entertain myself with it? Besides, I'm not entertaining myself with the immodesty or the suggestive language, I'm entertaining myself with the story plot and the exciting things happening. The story would be even better for me if the girls would wear modest clothes and the guys would clean up their jokes.
So what was wrong with it? Or is my conscience just too sensitive? Do I just need to lighten up a little bit? After all, there was nothing on there that was any worse than many TV advertisements that I've seen in waiting rooms, restaurants, etc. (I don't have a TV.) Why did the Holy Spirit talk to me about it? If that was so bad, are there any movies I can watch with a clear conscience?
It was wrong for me because of a principle from God's Word that I try to apply to my life. I try to glorify God in everything I do. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says that even in eating and drinking I should be glorifying God. Romans 12:1-2 says that I am to be a “living sacrifice” to God. Sacrifice implies death or a giving-up of something. Perhaps that would be those areas of entertainment that do not line up with the principles in God's Word. God's Word calls me to “flee sexual immorality.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) Does placing sexually-suggestive thoughts in front of me sound like “fleeing” from it?
I am convicted about what I watch. How strict should I be? How “radical” do I need to be? The Bible tells me to seek God with my whole heart. Does that mean just on Sunday in the worship service? Or does it mean in my personal time with God in the mornings, and the rest of my day doesn't matter? When I am going after something with everything in me, I am spending every waking moment striving toward that goal. I might even be dreaming about it. It consumes me. The Bible tells me that God is a rewarder of them that “diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6) Does God really have all of me – every area of entertainment, every thought, every action, every attitude?
Recently, I decided to try to “beef up” a little bit. I read up on different workouts to build muscle. I bought some supplements that are supposed to help build muscle. I spend a significant amount of time each day lifting weights. I changed my diet. I stopped drinking pop. I try to avoid eating a lot of sweets. All day long, I find myself doing things (or not doing some things) to help me reach this goal. If my real purpose for life is to bring glory to God, shouldn't I be spending all of my energy and time striving for that goal? The Apostle Paul compares it with running a race. We are to “lay aside every weight” and run! (Hebrews 12:1) Are there movies that I am watching that are a hindrance to my life's purpose of glorifying God? If so, I need to stop watching them.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Check out www.powerlinesunday.blogspot.com. Listen this Sunday night at 9:30p.m. to hear a session on Pornography/Sexual Sins. If you miss it, you can always listen to the mp3 file later. I'll post a link to it so you can check it out or you can visit the above website and the info should all be there.
Recently I have discovered that the issue of pornography is very prevalent today in the Holiness movement. We can attempt to sweet it under the rug and ignore it, but that won't make it go away. Our culture is full of it - internet, books, cds, movies, billboards, catalogs, cellphones, Walmart, neighbors. You cannot avoid it being put in front of you. What do we do about it? How do we address it?
The power of these sexual sins is its ability to stay a secret. As long as it goes undercover it maintains its stranglehold on its victims. Confession/exoposure of this issue must take place in order for freedom to follow. Ephesians 5:11 commands us to "reprove" or "expose" the evil works of darkness. Accountability, radical amputation of the offending member (the computer, TV, internet, cellphone, source of pornographic input whatever it may be), feasting and drinking exclusively on God and His Word, and many other principles must be maintained in order for one to find lasting freedom.
Call in to Powerline this Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. to hear the discussion. The number is 218-895-0167 and the code is POWER# (76937#). If you are unable to attend the session live, you can find it in the archives on mp3 and listen anytime.
Recently I have discovered that the issue of pornography is very prevalent today in the Holiness movement. We can attempt to sweet it under the rug and ignore it, but that won't make it go away. Our culture is full of it - internet, books, cds, movies, billboards, catalogs, cellphones, Walmart, neighbors. You cannot avoid it being put in front of you. What do we do about it? How do we address it?
The power of these sexual sins is its ability to stay a secret. As long as it goes undercover it maintains its stranglehold on its victims. Confession/exoposure of this issue must take place in order for freedom to follow. Ephesians 5:11 commands us to "reprove" or "expose" the evil works of darkness. Accountability, radical amputation of the offending member (the computer, TV, internet, cellphone, source of pornographic input whatever it may be), feasting and drinking exclusively on God and His Word, and many other principles must be maintained in order for one to find lasting freedom.
Call in to Powerline this Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. to hear the discussion. The number is 218-895-0167 and the code is POWER# (76937#). If you are unable to attend the session live, you can find it in the archives on mp3 and listen anytime.
Monday, April 4, 2011
What do 911, heavy snow, a minivan, cancelled church services, cancelled choir practice, and panic have in common? They all play a part in my first Sunday in April in northern Michigan. After Sunday morning services, I drive home, grab dinner, and take off to get back to church for choir practice. As I left church the snow was coming down heavily. There were near white out conditions driving and the wet, heavy snow made the roads incredibly slippery. I came upon the scene of a rollover. No one was badly hurt, but I called 911 and got the people in the church minivan that I was driving so they could warm up. Shortly thereafter the emergency vehicles arrived so I continued my journey home. The usual hour drive home took me nearly 2 hours! I was really needing the choir rehearsal for the Easter program. I have been waiting on the soundtrack to one of the songs. It had finally arrived and I was going to rehearse it, assign all of the solos, trios, duets, etc. Now I have only two rehearsals before the program to learn the new song, finish learning the other songs, get the solos, duets, and trios assigned and learned. Choir rehearsal and church had to be cancelled due to the inclement weather. What is God doing? Oh, well. I guess I might as well sleep. Impossible. Too many things running through my mind. This is where I learn to trust God. He knows what He's doing. This Easter program is His anyway; not mine. I'm just thankful for the opportunity to be a part of it. I give it all to God. We're doing it as an outreach to people that wouldn't come to a normal preaching service. God knew I needed the day of rest more than anything and He gave it to me. I am resting in Him to do what is best and to bring about the results that glorify Him the most.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
So much has transpired since the last time I posted. (Of course that is easy when my posts are so few and far between.) Where do I start?
I am still working at the Boy's Home. My hours have shifted a bit - instead of 80-90 hours a week, I now get about 20. This was by choice. I am teaching full-time at Daystar Christian Academy in Evart, MI (the same town as the Boy's Home), helping out with the music ministry at my church - Evart Bible Methodist Church, and working on several little projects at the same time.
The little side projects include: Working on an Easter Cantata at my church, practicing trumpet and voice, trying to learn Spanish (via Rosetta Stone), looking into a Master's program for music, writing some articles (at this point for my own amusement - perhaps a few of them will make it to my blog), and attempting to develop something to help those struggling in the area of sexual addiction to come to complete and lasting victory.
My life is completely different right now than it was even at the beginning of this year. Things have changed so dramatically that I feel like I am no longer the same person. On January 31st, I went to the church and was crying out to God in desperation asking Him to do a work in my heart. I had been struggling for quite some time with a lack closeness with God. I had been going through the motions every day, but getting nowhere. I had even begun to fall to some sins that I had not fallen to for some time. That night, in desperation, I prayed, "Lord, break me, mold me, fill me, and use me." Immediately, I had the thought, "Do you really mean that? Do you really want to pray that? Do you know what you are saying?" I stopped and considered for a while and finally said, "Yes, Lord. That is what I want."
The very next day, on February 1st, in answer to my prayer, the Lord began the breaking process that was to last for several days - crushing, pulverising - until I was thoroughly ground to powder. In fact, it was so sudden and so thorough that it took me a couple days to remember having prayed that prayer. When it dawned on me, I began to cry out to God for strength to handle the pressure and not have some kind of mental and nervous breakdown. Little by little I have been able to sleep again, pray again, and function again. God has opened doors of opportunity already that I never would have had if I had never gone through this traumatic experience.
As I said before, I am a new person. I am not the same Joe Hough that posted last time. He is dead. I only hope that the person who now posts on this blog from time to time is a better replacement. I hope that, as God continues to refine him in the fire, He will come forth as pure gold - reflecting Jesus Christ and radiating the joy of a life lived only for God's glory.
I am still working at the Boy's Home. My hours have shifted a bit - instead of 80-90 hours a week, I now get about 20. This was by choice. I am teaching full-time at Daystar Christian Academy in Evart, MI (the same town as the Boy's Home), helping out with the music ministry at my church - Evart Bible Methodist Church, and working on several little projects at the same time.
The little side projects include: Working on an Easter Cantata at my church, practicing trumpet and voice, trying to learn Spanish (via Rosetta Stone), looking into a Master's program for music, writing some articles (at this point for my own amusement - perhaps a few of them will make it to my blog), and attempting to develop something to help those struggling in the area of sexual addiction to come to complete and lasting victory.
My life is completely different right now than it was even at the beginning of this year. Things have changed so dramatically that I feel like I am no longer the same person. On January 31st, I went to the church and was crying out to God in desperation asking Him to do a work in my heart. I had been struggling for quite some time with a lack closeness with God. I had been going through the motions every day, but getting nowhere. I had even begun to fall to some sins that I had not fallen to for some time. That night, in desperation, I prayed, "Lord, break me, mold me, fill me, and use me." Immediately, I had the thought, "Do you really mean that? Do you really want to pray that? Do you know what you are saying?" I stopped and considered for a while and finally said, "Yes, Lord. That is what I want."
The very next day, on February 1st, in answer to my prayer, the Lord began the breaking process that was to last for several days - crushing, pulverising - until I was thoroughly ground to powder. In fact, it was so sudden and so thorough that it took me a couple days to remember having prayed that prayer. When it dawned on me, I began to cry out to God for strength to handle the pressure and not have some kind of mental and nervous breakdown. Little by little I have been able to sleep again, pray again, and function again. God has opened doors of opportunity already that I never would have had if I had never gone through this traumatic experience.
As I said before, I am a new person. I am not the same Joe Hough that posted last time. He is dead. I only hope that the person who now posts on this blog from time to time is a better replacement. I hope that, as God continues to refine him in the fire, He will come forth as pure gold - reflecting Jesus Christ and radiating the joy of a life lived only for God's glory.
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