Fast From Pornography

The Thirty Day Fast

Have you found yourself to be somewhat addicted to internet pornography or sexual behavior? Then you might want to try the 30 DAY FAST. In terms of pornography, this means a total visual or "image withdrawal" for forty days. This is especially important for men who have been addicted to internet homoerotic pornography. If you have been taking "snapshots" of homoerotic pornography, your mental camera is loaded. You retain a memory bank of imagery on which you continuously depend. This loaded camera of images compulsively, impulsively draws you to want to see pornography because it is exciting and euphoric. This is why it is important for you to have an extended fast from all imagery; to have an "image withdrawal" so that the film of these images has time to fade . During the 30 day fast you will wipe your mental screen free of all such imagery and purify your mind.

If it is homosexual behavior from which you want to fast, you can also use the following accountability tools for that purpose as well. God's Word says, "Draw close to the Lord, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, and purify your hearts, and don't be double-minded any longer".

The most common thing about sexually addictive people is that they have a thought/imagination door which is always open, and addiction begins in the mind. If they allow the first thought/imagination, they are soon under a sexual "trance" which they experience as irresistable. Romans 12:2-3 says, "Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed-how?-by the renewing of the mind".

Addicts are people who are especially vulnerable by reason of (l) A set-up or state of chronic emotional de-vitalization, and (2) Their hair-trigger reactions to homoerotic stimulation. Given these conditions, as soon as a sexual thought/imagination is formed and indulged for awhile, they are on their way to inevitable sexual behavior in one form or another. They must learn to close the mind or thought/imagination door as quickly as possible. How? How are sexual thoughts formed?

Through four doorways. (1) The eyes, (2) the ears, (3) touch, and (4) memory. When he sees, hears, touches or remembers some homoerotic object of attraction, he is instantly triggered to act-out sexually. Once a thought/imagination is formed by whatever passes through these doorways, he finds himself unable to resist. This is why the door to the mind/imagination must be closed quickly and decisively. Addictive people cannot indulge even a small thought/imagination without it compelling their wills and actions. Again, this is why a FAST is so important to clear and clean the mind and heart completely and to learn self-control at the entrance of these doorways.

It is my experience that God Our Father in His love for the addict will stop you if you cannot stop yourself. He allows you to experience a "break-up, a break-down, so that you can make a break-through and break-out" of your former compulsive, impulsive, obsession with the sexual. I have found that He usually allows a crisis to enter a person's life when they are out of control sexually. It seems to take one or all of four forms: (1) The person becomes extremely emotionally miserable, depressed, troubled to the point of some form of emotional breakdown. (2) The person's physical, medical health is effected by sexually risky behavior, or by mental health related complications. (3) The person finds himself in serious trouble with his family, and other relationships. (4) The person gets in trouble with the law. So before Our Father administers serious discipline, here is what you must do!

What are the benefits of such a fast? Like the film in the camera, after forty days, you will experience a fading of both the images and the desire for the images. You most likely will experience a sense of freedom and strength. There will be a freeing of your mind. As it says in Romans 12:2: Don't be conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will know what is the perfect and pleasing will of God for your life!

It is my experience that men who are using the 30 Day Fast (very useful as a Lenten discipline) find that they become more confirmed and strengthened in the three relationships which make up their IDEAL SELVES, namely:

a. Your relationship to God- You feel at peace and at one with God. You recapture your best feelings with God, times of His presence and activity in your life. Your closeness and fellowship with the Father will feel alive and intimate again!

b. Your relationship to important others-your family members especially. What is their best image of you as father, husband, son, relative, friend, Christian man or minister? The fast will remind you of how these people view you and how you want to be seen by them. You will be at peace in these various roles. You will be integrated, have a good conscience, be undivided and content.

c. Your relationship to your work-The fast will remind you of your best ideal image of yourself which comes through your work. Think of how others see you; e.g. skilled craftsman, accomplished musician, expert in your field, etc. You will find yourself more productive, effective, and content with your work, your vocation or ministry and your avocations.

c. Your relationship to your Self-You will see an increase in self-esteem and self-image as well as know the joy of having a clear conscience.

Fasting accomplishes many things. One of the greatest benefits of fasting is that through denying the lusts of the flesh, the spirit man gains ascendancy. Fasting was always used as a means of seeking God to the exclusion of all else.

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