PORNOGRAPHY: Accountability and Victory

I wanted to put out some practical steps on how to overcome the addiction of pornography. I know many men are living in shame of this addiction and many more men are wrestling alone. You can not, I repeat---YOU CAN NOT wrestle with and overcome pornography addiction alone. If you try, it will lead you to a very dangerous place and in many ways it will do more harm than good.

Accountability times meet with Chris: (Must have that one person who can hold you accountable and walk this journey with you. You need to have someone to ask you tough questions.)

· 2 times a month 30 minutes to 1 hour.

· Q & A Time

· Full transparency and disclosure

Internet Accountability: (If you aren't willing to have internet accountability you are already setting yourself up for failure. If you struggle with pornography, especially using the internet why not set up boundaries and have ways to be accountable with what you look at. What are you hiding?)

· Covenant Eyes

· XXXChurch.com

New Disciplines: (Transformation happens when new patterns begin. What new patterns will you begin? It not just about what you need to stop doing, but what do you need to start doing? or vice versa)

· Adding new disciplines in your life (physical, mental and spiritual)

· Changing routines

· What are you going to stop doing?

Identify all trigger points that drive you: (You need identify those times that lead you to look at pornography---these are the trigger points.)

· Journal those times or those trigger points (It is important to write these times down every time)

o Loneliness

o Stress

o Anger

o Detachment from spouse

o Bored

· Journal and continue to ask these questions before and after.

o What is the stimulus?

o What are the initial thoughts?

o What do feel emotionally?

o What are your second thoughts?

o What behavior will you commit to instead?

· Talk about those trigger points with Chris and your spouse if you are married or other close personal friends.)

· Be fully aware what other activities can you do instead or looking at pornography. (What outs do you have?)

Books to Read:

· Wired for Intimacy

· Treating Pornography Addiction

Write Out a Personal Plan of Action:

· What do you need to guard yourself against?

· What accountability measures do you have set up?

· Are you being honest with yourself, spouse and others?

· How will you share your story with others? (There is freedom when you share struggles.)

Thinking about consequences if you are unable to stop: (There is always consequences from shame and guilt to broken relationship and detachment from spouse.)

· What relationships will be impacted?

· How has pornography impacted how you act when alone or with others?

· How has it impacted you spiritually? How have you tried to include God and His Word?

· Do you have withdrawal symptoms when you go long periods when not looking at pornography?

If you need help and want to take more practical steps along the way please email at chris.jarrell@theaterchurch.com. Pornography is not something we can take lightly, there are very serious consequences to this addiction.