Escaping the porn trap I

Furaha Foot Ball Access teams considering counters to the opponent's tricks

Sin scrambled the body language of sexual intercourse.

Instead of sex being an expression of love, sealing the special intimacy of a lifelong, exclusive commitment of a man and woman in marriage, intercourse became a means for physical self gratification a position worse now than in the begining.

Position of the Bible
The Old and New Testaments speak with one voice in condemning all extra-marital sex as a travesty of God's creation plan for human sexuality (e.g. Exodus 20:14; Lev 18:22,23; Rom 1:24—27; 1 Cor 6:15—18; 1 Thess 4:3—8). God gave many laws to his people Israel, but the Decalogue (Ten Commandments) was something very special. It provided a set of headlines under which all the rest of the law is clustered and was the only port of the law directly to the people.

In the Decalogue, God’s people are defended against sin's inroads in a series of negative prohibitive don’ts in the old covenant. The fifth and seventh commandments take us on to God's plan for human sexuality. The `one-flesh' body language of sexual intercourse was designed to express the special lifelong relationship a married couple is meant to enjoy. So it comes as no surprise to find God recalling his people to that creation ideal by prohibiting extra-marital sex. We see the `bone of bone and flesh of flesh' language in this as in the creation story at the begining which anticipates the structures of family life.

But the parallels are still very striking in the new. For instance, Jesus reign forced the prohibition on extra-marital sex by condemning even the lust for it when he said ‘anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her is guilty of breaking the command of adultery’. In the New Testament the tone of God’s command, has changed but not the intention. Our Lord Jesus sets out God's ideals positively in the greatest commandments ‘Love the lord your God with all your heart and ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself’.

Sin’s in roads

Do you have a problem with pornography; to what extent have you been affected by it?

Addictive Stages of pornography

Pre-addiction
Pre-addiction describes people who begin to find themselves sexually stimulated through impersonal objects, like pornographic images, or events, like strip clubs. If you're at this level, your life is probably under control. You're holding down a job, are at Colleage or school and your relationship with your friends, girlfriend or wife is still fine. However, you realize that while your fascination with pornography, strip shows, or erotic talk lines isn't compulsive, it is dangerous. You may be troubled by the feeling that your slumbering lust could awaken and take over at any moment.

Addiction Level 1
At level 1 a man's/ woman’s lust has begun to exert its control. He/she's compulsively involved in such things as masturbation, pornography, homosexuality/ lesbianism, or demeaning heterosexual relationships. When a one reaches level 1, something significant has happened. While before they always struggled to keep lust under control, now it's running wild. The single most important aspect of level 1 addiction is the emergence of the addictive personality, consider the story of King David, solomon and Samson.

There's something about that first high that people want to recreate. Similarly, one who enters level 1 awakens their lust in a powerful way. And that initial experience is the one they want to recreate. When we enter level 1, the addictive part of our personality has been stirred. And make no mistake about it; the beast has an insatiable appetite that can slowly take over our life.

Addiction Level 2
When a man reaches level 2, he's taken a bigger and more dangerous step. Now his behavior involves victims and violations of the law. His activities include prostitution, exhibitionism, voyeurism, obscene phone calls, and touching a person intimately without consent. Most of the time he's considered more of a nuisance than a criminal, but unfortunately his behavior can inflict deep emotional pain on his victims. Those at this level will carry out their secret behavior for years, living double lives and are in constant fear of being caught. All kinds of "good" people including Christians reach level 2. For instance hardly a week passes without a news story about a preacher, politician, teacher, or Hollywood star picking up a prostitute or making an unwanted sexual advance.

Addiction Level 3
By the time a man reaches level 3, his behavior involves serious crimes in which severe damage is done to the victim. Rape and murder, incest, and child molestation occur at this level.

The moment of truth

By now you should know if you're on or off the hook
From the above you can assess if you are hooked. You should also have a feel for how far your sexual compulsion has progressed. While most of us would prefer avoiding the truth for as long as we can, eventually the moment of truth will arrive. Something will happen to force you to admit that your life is out of control. You'll accidentally leave a pornographic image on your computer monitor, and someone at home, school, or work will report it to your Dad/ mum, teacher or boss. One of your friends will find your stash of X-rated videos. You are called to answer questions at the police station because a neighbor has identified you as a Peeping Tom. You go through divorce or separate with your fiancée because you've had an affair. The school or collage counselor will call you because you've been reported for improper conduct at school or collage.

For Samson, the moment of truth arrived near the end of his life. Blinded by lust, he slept in Delilah's lap while a Philistine barber cut his hair (broke his vows/ relationship). A moment after the last strand fell, his enemies burst into his presence. Isolated from God, he was powerless to resist. Israel's champion became a bald-headed clown who entertained the Philistines. Samson had fallen. He would never gaze at another Philistine woman. His enemies had made sure of that when they gouged out his eyes (Judges 16:20-21).

How will your story end?
Many people believe that Samson's story ends on a tragic note. But it does not. Although he was blind and imprisoned, his hair began to grow, and so did his relationship with God. The Lord forgave Samson and used him one last time. The hero of Judah pulled down a Philistine temple (where he was imprisioned), destroying himself and his enemies. Samson learned firsthand what every one must know. God is the God of a second and third and fourth chance. He never gives up on us and He will never give up on you!

But to experience God's grace, we must first recognize our need. We must turn to him and others for help. That's not easy. Perhaps you realize that you have a problem but still believe you can handle it alone. Don’t be deceived if you sow in the flesh you reap corruption but if in the spirit you reap life and peace.

You don't have to wait till it is too late, you can be delivered from the porn trap and have a victorious end to your story through new life in the Spirit that God can give to you!