I’ve been trying for years, and now I’m so drained that I can’t bring myself to start anew. I will perish with the weight of my sins.
That sound you hear is evil’s attempt to make you give up, but remember that God sees your hard work and won’t forget.
If we were to discuss God’s love and fairness in relation to pornography, I truly believe that all of us have experienced moments where we tried to quit, only to relapse quickly. So, considering the concept of God’s love and fairness, what about those who struggle with the same challenges as you and me?
I want to share an experience I had.
I spent years fighting my addiction to porn, with only a handful of days where I felt relief after crying and praying in church, desperately seeking rescue from my self-destructive behavior. There were days when I lost hope, sinking into depression, convinced that I was dead, despite my struggles, clinging to that thread for Jesus.
These days, I heard a voice that kept me going for years. I thought it echoed a sermon or maybe a verse in the Bible, but the more I tried to find its source, the more I got confused.
The voice said the following to me.
Those who fight the battle to the end will crown like a winner
I recently attempted to find the source without success, but a voice that has motivated me for many years cannot be a voice of evil. As I began exploring the Bible, I discovered various situations that can validate that viewpoint.
Once again, it is up to God alone to pass judgment. I am not here to elevate anyone or replace God as the ultimate judge. Only gods knows the hearts and he can crown each of us according to his heart.
However, as you read the following, you will come to understand the depth of his forgiveness
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth "1 Timothy 2:4"
The 1st occasion:
During the first occasion, David led 600 men in pursuit of the Amalekites who had taken their wives and children. However, 200 men were too exhausted and had to stay behind. Despite the battle not being about expansion, but about rescuing their own families, these tired men could not accompany David. When David returned from the battle with all the families and lots of spoils, the Bible mentioned that among the 400 men who went, there were some wicked individuals who refused to share the spoils with the 200 men who stayed behind. Their intention was for the 200 men to only retrieve their families and leave. Read “1 Samuel 30:9-25”
It’s fascinating how the Bible portrays these men who actually went to the battle with David as wicked, despite the logical sense in their words. After all, the other 200 men didn’t take the risk of going to war with David.
Then, David responded with the following.
Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike. And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. (1 Samuel 30:24-35).
And some of us, in our battle, can show strength to fight the whole fight at once, while others can only summon strength to fight for a while before becoming tired and giving in before trying again. If David, in his earthly judgment, established such a rule, how do you think our heavenly father would treat those who sincerely try to fight against pornography but struggle with relapses?
The 2nd occasion:
This involves Jesus himself telling a parable about a worker.
I couldn’t understand the parable’s mystery until I realized me myself was standing idle like the workers he found at the eleventh hour.
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and said to them, You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you. So they went. Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, Why have you been standing here idle all day? They said to him, Because no one hired us. He said to them, You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.
So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first. And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day. But he answered one of them and said, Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good? (Matthew 20: 1–16)
Well, that’s not fair at all.
Standing Idle
It wasn’t until I applied that on my situation. My struggle kept me from walking closely with God for an extended period; I’ve spent a significant portion of my life being idle.
God’s introduction in this passage, using the phrase “for the kingdom of heaven is,” provides clarification that the denarius mentioned in the parable is not to be understood as real money. It reflects something he is known for – his generosity in giving his spirit and forgiveness.
for God does not give the Spirit by measure. (John 3:34).
Those who work all day will be rewarded by God. Those who wanted to work but stood idle will also be rewarded if they tried their best after hearing His voice. Similarly, those struggling with porn addiction will receive the same reward if they turn to God.
God’s love will protect and defend those who come to Him late, even if other members of the church condemn them as sinful throughout their lives. God will accept them and rebuke those in the church who refuse to offer them the same acceptance, just as in the story of David, where their judgment is clouded by their own wickedness.
Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good? (Matthew 20: 1–16)(Matthew 20:15-16).
He continues to warn them, stating that the last shall be first and if you think you are first, then you will be last. Does that mean that someone who has been praying consistently for years can be considered equal to someone who is spiritually engaged for just one day? This seems unfair.
If you dig deep enough, you’ll come to understand that God sees into the depths of the heart. The person who worked all day may not have their heart fully with God. He fixated on the money he would get, which led to him ultimately receiving what he had agreed to.
A heart aligned with God would find happiness in the return of a lost sheep and in witnessing his father’s joy. If jealousy fills his heart, then his alignment with God is incomplete.
If you consider it from this perspective, you’ll realize how loving our God is and how He’s willing to give His spirit to those who spend just a few hours with Him, the same spirit that people who have been with God for a long time possess.
Once he sees someone willing to work with him, he will make them join his fields so they can work any hours and receive the reward. This is like when he said,
“encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
It is amazing how the parable reflects God’s actions. He is the one who went out and found others standing. He looks for a reason to save us. weather its kind acts, a verse that touches our hearts, or a tear shed when thinking about him, are all signs that he accepts as a signal of our desire for change. It doesn’t have to be a literal confirmation in front of him; he is just looking for a sign.
The 3RD occasion:
When the thief spoke to the other thief on the cross, he pointed out that they had both lived as thieves, and now they were facing their due punishment. However, that thief noticed the man beside them, who appeared holy, and asked Jesus to remember him.
The thief spent his entire life living in sin, far from God. However, by uttering just a few words to Jesus, similar to those who worked alongside him for only a few hours, he achieved what everyone desires: heaven.
Jesus didn’t question or confront the thief about all his sins. He didn’t ask if the thief was sure or wanted to test his loyalty first. Instead, Jesus simply saw a thief who admitted his mistakes and showed faith in Jesus’ kingdom. This was enough for Jesus to give him the green light to heaven.
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
The point is to never stop fighting.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve abstained from watching pornography.
That is not what you’re aiming for.
Your goal is to battle and work alongside God.
In the fight, they armed some soldiers with sharp knives, others with powerful guns, and a few with intimidating tanks, highlighting the varying levels of strength and determination to face the enemy.
When an army wins, every soldier is considered a winner,
regardless of the weapons they used and how badly they are wounded in the battle.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9).
My Dear, God will never ask you why you sinned, but he will ask you when you fell why you didn’t get up.
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32).
be strong, because you can
winthisbattle.
