Pastor Barely Escapes Death In Underwater Cave (VIDEO)
Why doesn't trying harder break a porn addiction?
Because it tightens the noose rather than loosening it. Dr. Ted Roberts nearly died free-diving in an underwater cave with a rope around his leg, and he uses it to picture sexual bondage. Praying harder and reading more Scripture are good, but behavior modification does not reach the heart, and each fall piles on guilt and shame. Renewing the mind is a process, and grace drives it.
When Bad Goes To Worse
Former mega church pastor, Dr. Ted Roberts, founder of Pure Desire Ministries, retells his story [in the video below] on how he escaped a terrifying near-death experience while free-diving in an underwater cave. An incident that would teach him one of the greatest lessons in his life.
STOP TRYING HARDER
Just like Dr. Roberts had a noose around his leg, men trapped in sexual sin wear a noose around their necks that only gets tighter when they “try harder” – that is praying harder, reading their Bible more and focusing on things that will change their behavior.
Related Article: Trying Harder Doesn't Work
Behavior modification doesn’t work because porn addiction is a heart issue. They must renew their mind and that is a process. Otherwise, when they continue to fall back into sin, it only increases the guilt, shame and condemnation. So telling a man to try harder only tightens that noose.
Related Article: What Keeps Men Trapped In Porn? 3 Steps Towards Freedom
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Today, science confirms what the Bible teaches on the strongholds of the mind, which is key in understanding how a person becomes enslaved to sin. According to neuropsychologist, Dr. Tim Jennings, “Any type of repetitive behavior will create trails in our brain that are going to fire on an automatic sequence.”
That’s how 68% of Christian men can love the Lord, but stay trapped in sexual sin. The repeated viewing of porn changes their brain’s physical structure. What they need is a renewing of the mind, which requires getting into a process and knowing how to fight right.
Related Article: Why 68% Of Christian Men Watch Porn
Dr. Ted Roberts, host of the Conquer Series, has taught thousands of men over his 30 years in ministry how to live free of pornography. According to Dr. Roberts, “the gift of non-condemnation gives us the freedom to not sin anymore.”
Related Article: Why Willpower Won't Help You Quit Porn
Related Article: 5 Steps To START Your Journey To Freedom
At the center of his teaching is being “gripped by grace” and igniting a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Writing at the intersection of faith and neuroscience to help men and women break destructive cycles and walk in lasting freedom.
More articles by Jeremy Wiles →Frequently Asked Questions
Is porn addiction a brain problem or a heart problem?
It is both, which is why behaviour modification alone fails. Repeated viewing of porn changes the physical structure of the brain. As neuropsychologist Dr. Tim Jennings puts it, "Any type of repetitive behavior will create trails in our brain that are going to fire on an automatic sequence." It is also a heart issue, which is why managing behaviour never reaches the root. Real change means renewing the mind, not just restraining the hands.
What does it mean to renew your mind?
It means getting into a process that retrains how your brain and heart respond, rather than simply gritting your teeth against temptation. Science now confirms what Scripture has always taught about strongholds of the mind. Renewal takes time and it takes knowing how to fight properly, which is exactly what a structured study and a group of other men are for.
Why do so many Christian men who love God still watch porn?
Because loving God and having a rewired brain are not mutually exclusive. Around 68 percent of Christian men are caught in this, and most of them pray, read Scripture and mean every word of it. The repeated viewing of porn has changed their brain's physical structure, so devotion alone does not undo the pattern. They need a process, not more sincerity.
What is the noose of sexual bondage?
It is the picture of what porn does to a man over time. Like a rope wrapped around a diver's leg, it tightens every time he pulls against it the wrong way. Praying harder and reading more Scripture are good things, but used as leverage against the rope they only add guilt, shame and condemnation with every fall. The way out is not more force.
How does grace help a man break free from porn?
Grace removes the condemnation that keeps the cycle spinning. Dr. Ted Roberts, host of the Conquer Series, teaches that "the gift of non-condemnation gives us the freedom to not sin anymore." A man who believes he is already condemned has nothing left to protect. Being gripped by grace, and living in a genuine relationship with your Heavenly Father, sits at the centre of the Conquer Series teaching for exactly that reason.
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