Previously, we talked about how important it is not to stop or look back. This battle is a life-long struggle that requires constant momentum. If you pause, there’s a high chance of regression. If we don’t keep pushing forward, there’s a danger of slipping.
If we don’t push forward, it shows a lack of commitment to following Jesus. We’re not standing our ground as discussed in the previous post.
Perhaps it’s because we still long for our old ways, the temporary satisfaction that comes from viewing pornographic images and websites. We disregard all the warning signs and push aside the feelings we experience after giving in to lust. It leaves us feeling empty, drained, and constantly craving more without any true sense of inner peace. Elijah challenges us to choose between God and idols, urging us not to go back and forth:
“How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21 ESV).
The dangers of constantly fluctuating affect our overall well-being.
Imagine a marble on a horizontal surface. If you pull it from the right, it goes to the right. Similarly, if you pull it from the left, it goes to the left. In both cases, the energy inside the marble is transferred in the direction it’s moving. But if a force is pulling the marble from both directions, it won’t move at all. The energy from both forces will just cause the marble to heat up.
When you hold both God’s hand and Satan’s hand, neither of them will let go. You cling to Jesus because you believe He is the only one who can save you, and deep down, you know it’s the right choice. But you’re reluctant to let go of sin because of the temporary pleasure it brings. Being caught between these two forces leads to depression, anxiety, and mental distress. Your sleep suffers, and your days lack focus. Ultimately, your life loses purpose.
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24 ESV).
In the parable of the sower, those who constantly switch between two paths are like plants that grow shallow roots. You may feel a surge of excitement from the Bible, prayer, or even the words you are reading now. You tell yourself that you can overcome anything. But over time, that enthusiasm fades, and you crumble. Without depth in your relationship with God, when temptation arises like the scorching sun, you wither and eventually perish.
Living an undecided life leads to misery. I know this firsthand, as I’ve lived it far too long. It feels like you’re going nowhere, stuck in the same cycle, unable to find true satisfaction in sin or feel the purity of living with Jesus. It’s a miserable existence. The days drag by slowly, while the years slip away, leaving you frozen at the same stage you were decades ago. Meanwhile, your friends are progressing, achieving things, while you remain stagnant, just as you were years ago.
The King and the Prostitute
Picture a king who adored a prostitute, bringing her to his palace, fulfilling her every desire, and making her his queen.
So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil, and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord. But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by, and your beauty became his. (Ezekiel 16:13-15 NIV)
Take a moment to reflect on your life. Whether you are a teenager or an elderly person, you were born in God’s image—the image of a king. He has taken care of you all these years. Not a single day went by when you slept hungry or struggled in the cold. He may have given you a good reputation among your friends and a strong career that secures your future. Instead of being thankful and faithful, you ignored His voice and used the gifts He blessed you with—whether money, time, or health—to indulge in the world of pornography. Do you see the resemblance to the verse above?
Then God, with His love, warns:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).
“Vomit” may seem harsh, but it serves as a warning to those who choose darkness. God is the light, seeking to illuminate your heart. If you decide to keep half of it in darkness, He will leave you to your own methods, allowing you to self-destruct. Do not quench the Spirit. If you extinguish the Spirit’s fire, you will be left alone in your darkness. Reflect on the damage this habit has caused you; it’s all a consequence of it.
Furthermore, God’s love and mercy prevent even greater dangers from befalling us. If He were to let all the evil forces fight us, they would consume us entirely:
“Blessed be the LORD, who has not given us as a prey to their teeth” (Psalm 124:6 ESV).
Hanging between two teams can be dangerous. It dampens your spirit and delays God’s protection. Every time you relapse, you prolong this process. God remains the same—yesterday, today, and forever. He will help you regardless. The problem lies within us. With frequent ups and downs, we become tired, anxious, depressed, and feel hopeless, leading us to give up. Additionally, by giving Satan an opportunity to exploit your setbacks, he will constantly remind you of your relapses, further weakening your willpower.
There Is an Accursed Thing in Your Midst, O Israel
Everyone knows the famous battle of Jericho, where its mighty walls came tumbling down, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city. However, when they encountered the small city of Ai, they assumed it would be an easy victory, only to suffer a miserable defeat. Joshua, filled with despair, cried out to the Lord, and God answered:
“There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.” (Joshua 7:13).
They were confident of winning because Ai was small compared to Jericho. But they lost. They later discovered that one person had stolen idols from Jericho and hidden them in his tent. Only when the person was punished, and the idols revealed, did God grant them victory. We are making the same mistake.
Sometimes, we are tempted to keep images, videos, or bookmarks related to pornography on our computers, convincing ourselves that it won’t cause harm—that it’s just one video or one image. We justify it by saying we’ll only watch for one minute. I mention this because I have done this several times, and inevitably, I relapse. Part of it is God knowing that I keep these files as a sign that I don’t fully desire Him, and I’m torn between Him and my lust. Whenever I’m tempted to store anything related to pornography, I remind myself of God’s words: There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel
A Word of Encouragement
My dear fighter, I want to uplift your hope. This challenging situation will not define your entire life. It resembles the narrow door Jesus spoke of, leading to freedom. You may perceive its narrowness as you battle your temptations, but I cannot stress enough the greatness that awaits behind that door if you patiently resist a little further.
Crossing that door won’t take long. Just be patient, courageous, and faithful. Soon, things will get easier. You’ll join the heavenly chorus, grateful to the one who patiently waited and helped you. Your heart will transform, your thoughts will purify, and you will find joy. When temptation arises, you will not falter but confidently say:
“O my soul, march on in strength!” (Judges 5:21).
God knows Satan always fights. He doesn’t promise to remove every temptation, but He promises:
“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. “For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:19).
Start with five minutes of prayer.
WinThisBattle!
