The Slavery, Bondage and Controlling Power of Sin
To whom this may concern,
I read your message "Hell and Who Goes There," and it is the message that
I have been searching for lately to turn from the sin that I keep going
back to constantly. I am a 21 year old college student and I was saved when
I was 17 years old.
Since the early part of this summer, I have made a mental challenge for
myself to pray to God everytime I think about him, which is a lot of my
time, especially when I am driving somewhere or walking to class. I have
also attempted a challenge for myself to read at least a chapter a day out
of the bible.
I have this major sin in my life (pornography), which was introduced to me
at the age of 13. I plead with God to keep me from going back to it, but it
feels like my faith is not strong enough. I need your prayers and insight
on how to grow more to Christ and away from this perversion.
I feel that your message is a seed of hope, which I pray will pull me
through this ordeal in my life.
Sincerely,
Evangelical Outreach's Response: Greetings to you in the precious, liberating name of the Lord Jesus!
Thank you for your letter. Sorry it took us a little while to get back
with you.
Jesus taught more on Hell than He did on Heaven, but we rarely hear about
this very literal place, where we as Christians can still potentially end
up (Mt. 10:28).
D., the key for you as a young man is thus:
It would also be good to wash out your mind the same way before you go to
sleep at night. You need to flood your mind with God's truth, hide His
word in your heart, wash your mind out, especially as a college student
since you are forced to think constantly about this world system and
philosophical issues. Not only that, but the temptations for you are much
greater in college than they perhaps would be in another setting.
It's not only what you put into your mind and heart that will affect your
behavior, but it's what you don't put in. Consequently, you should
immediately cut out all sources that would tend to generate lust. This
means stop watching TV. We stopped watching this vile tool of the devil
years ago and it has been an incredible blessing. Also immediately burn
any and all pornographic literature that you have! Do not give the devil
a foothold in your life through any form of lust, especially since the
Tempter has been so successful with this in the past. You are in a very
intense, spiritual warfare. The only way you will overcome is with good,
that is, by using spiritual weapons as you fight against the devil's
subtle and clever temptations. Sometimes he waits for the most opportune
time to try to snare you, so be on your guard always. You are battling
for eternity.
D., whom the Son sets free is free indeed (Jn. 8:36). We say this to
you as gently but truthfully as we know how: You may very well have been
saved when you were 17, but if you are enslaved to pornographic lust, you
are not on your way to heaven at this point. Jesus taught that lusting in
the heart was the very same as committing the actual act (Mt. 5:28). Of
course, complete delivery and freedom from all sinful bondage is
available for you regardless of how many times the devil has snared you
with this particular type of sin. Please see our article about Jesus'
teaching on lust.
Keep yourself from spiritual pollutants (Jam. 1:27).
Following Jesus
Return to Evangelical Outreach
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I
have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psa.
119:9-11).
It is absolutely imperative for you to spend good, quality time in the
Bible for yourself EVERY DAY, at LEAST 15 minutes. You will probably need
to spend more time than this since reading a chapter a day is not helping
you much. Let me recommend at least three chapters every day from the New
Testament. You should also spend quality time memorizing and meditating
in the Scriptures. [Please listen to our audio sermon entitled, "The How and Why of Memorizing Scripture".] You will find that the draw for sin will quickly
become diminished as your thinking becomes centered on God's eternal
truth. The Bible is your contract book with the Almighty God. Your
eternal destiny hinges on what you do with this message. It couldn't be
more serious!
www.evangelicaloutreach.org
Or send your tax-deductible check
Evangelical Outreach
or money order today to:
PO Box 265, Washington, PA 15301