Sometimes, we are tempted to look back. It could be a trick from Satan, reminding us of sweet memories through pictures. Or maybe it’s just our bodies longing for familiar habits and desires. In these fleeting moments of weakness, we experience something sweet. We taste the forbidden fruit, which the Bible describes as enticing and delightful. Our senses of sight and taste make these emotions stick in our subconscious. They can resurface whenever an opportunity arises.
Imagine yourself riding in a car, barely glancing back because you are aware of the consequences. You understand that an accident can occur in just a split second, so you remain vigilant at all times. The same principle applies to our battle. Once you have decided to confront your giant and emerge victorious, you will undoubtedly be tempted many times to look back.
The temptation itself is normal. Part of it arises as Satin fighting us, attempting to lure you away from doing what is right. Another part comes from your own body, stemming from your experiences and habits
What causes quarrels, and what causes fights among you? Is it not this that your passions are at war within you? (James 4:1).
Sin does not originate from your physical self, but from moments that trigger emotions and ignite lust within the body. This then becomes an enemy. Once your body joins this fight, the outcome is not in your favor. It’s not because the body itself is evil, but because it’s easily persuaded and tricked.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Galatians 5:17).
Because of the temptation, Lot’s wife was transformed into a pillar of salt. Jesus acknowledged the significance of this event and specifically mentioned it in Luke 17:32-33
Remember Lot’s wife, whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. (Luke 17:32-33).
Dear fighter, if you cling to lust, temptation, and your porn habits, believing that this is what life is all about, you’re close to losing that life. However, if you let go of this life and leave it behind, despite the temporary pain and the feeling of not truly living, you are actually preserving your life, as the verse promises.
Jesus usually encourages us to remember saints and strive to be like them. However, in this case, he wants everyone to remember Lot’s wife. Even though God tried to save Lot and his family from death in Sodom by warning them to flee to the hills without looking back or stopping in the valley, Lot’s wife couldn’t resist turning her gaze back to the city. This implies that she was still deeply attached to what she was leaving behind.
Jesus tells you not to look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills.
If you choose to remain in the valley, you will be vulnerable to the influence of evil and become an easy target. The valley, being close to Sodom, a land filled with death and sin, is a dangerous place to be. You are susceptible because you still have emotional attachments to these sinful ways. Just like God warned Cain, saying the sin desire you, but you have the power to control it. You can escape from this destructive path and choose life, but ultimately, the decision is up to you.
sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. (Genesis 4:7).
Sometimes, you may be tempted to look back. At certain images or website, but it’s crucial not to give in. Even if you don’t fall immediately, the devil will use those images to try to make you stumble later on same day or later. When you’re feeling weak, he will bring back those images and remind you of the sensations that come with them, ultimately causing you to fall. It’s best to resist the urge to look back in order to avoid this outcome.
And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).
Just like riding a bike, if you’re always looking behind you, it’ll be challenging to stay on track and will hardly reach destination. I’ll give you a couple of examples.
St. Paul was a person who had a prestigious and wealthy life. He held a high position in the eyes of the temple priests. However, once he came to know Jesus, he willingly abandoned all of that. He was not tempted by the comfort or riches of his previous life; he simply left it all behind. In comparison, there is another disciple mentioned in the Bible named Demas. The Bible states that Demas left Paul because he loved the present world, (2 Timothy 4:10).
By doing a simple comparison, we can see whose name is remembered until now.
Another example is when God took the Jews from Egypt with a mighty hand. He led them to worship Him and promised to take care of them. He made them walk on a land that no one had ever been able to walk on before or after. They walked on the bottom of the red sea, with water on both sides like a massive fence that was a miles high. Just the thought of this reminds us of how humble humans are and how wonderful God is for doing that for His people. However, they still said they missed Egypt and the food, even though they had been working like slaves in Egypt.
My dear fighter, our previous life was filled with images that fueled our addiction, much like becoming addicted to alcohol. If you’re striving to stay sober, it won’t be helpful to continue frequenting places that sell wine. Perhaps you’re not purchasing anymore, but there’s no guarantee that this situation will remain the same or how long you will resist.
Remembering the evil that comes with indulging in pornography is like fueling a fire within your mind. The best way to extinguish this fire is to suffocate it by depriving it of oxygen; by not dwelling on it, it will eventually die out on its own. However, if you constantly look back and give it even a little of attention, you are providing it with the air it needs to keep burning. Eventually, it will grow stronger and lead you to make regretful choices. But if you have the patience to move forward and resist the urge to look back for a while, this fire will eventually fade away. Trust me, then if you happen to come across an inappropriate image by accident, you won’t be easily tempted to slip, because the fire inside you have been extinguished.
“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?, I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19 ).
My dear, if you feel like your soul is a wasteland of impure images and lustful thoughts, and your heart is dry and devoid of emotions, there is hope. God promises to rejuvenate your soul and transform your heart. He will take care of you and grant you a new heart.
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26).
be patient holding his hand, he is opening your ear so you can hear his voice, and his voice saying to you now that all the memories and thought that your body using to make you look back is just the noise of the past that you leaving behind, all is not real, you didn’t gain one thing out of all this years looking into porn
What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (Romans 6:21).
once you see his mighty hands helping you through your struggle, you will sing like Isaiah 50:5
The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. (Isaiah 50:5).
My dear, I know your struggle is real. It has tempted me many times to click on those websites that I remember like my name. My body craves it, along with my soul. I get so tired, but I try my best not to give in. I sit still, with tears in my eyes, not looking to the heavens, but to the one who is inside my heart. I cry out to you, God. You know how strong my desire to watch porn is, and there’s nothing preventing me except that I want to follow you. I want to live with you. I choose you. And God, it’s not easy for me right now because, as I speak these words to you, flames consume my entire body. My mind is in turmoil, torn between asking for you and being pulled towards my old habits and intense desires. I feel like a ship caught in a strong storm, feel my courage fading, my heart going up and down with each wave as a drunk person, I cry to you, oh lord in my distress.
They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. (Psalms 107:26-30).
Arise, my savior, and rebuke these winds, saying, “Quiet! Be still!” Deliver me from my weakness, grant me the strength to win this battle.
keep praying for 5 minutes (step1)
May add 5 more minutes (step 2)
Win this battle.
