Luke 5:39
And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, The old is better.
As a loving God, He understands human nature and recognizes that certain weakness, such as pornography, can have a destructive effect and lead to addiction. He acknowledges that individuals who have become accustomed to old habits may not immediately desire something new.
Sometimes we believe that the old ways are better. However, He will work with you to bring about the change that your heart desires. He only asks that you keep the flame burning, not resist His work, and He will assist you in ensuring that the little flame never goes out.
Just as a physician provides medication to a sick person with the promise of healing within a specific time frame, God works slowly with you to bring about a lasting change that has a solid foundation and can withstand the challenges brought by the temptations of pornography.
Yet, the house of yours that resists the wind and waves is being built, block by block, with Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Be patient and keep praying. Your fight is not simply to cut the porn habit; that is a negative approach to the problem. The positive approach is to draw closer to the light and let it eradicate all darkness, little by little.
Doesn’t nature teach us that a dirty old stain from any surface requires more than one stroke to be cleansed? It’s similar here. We are not here to count the days since we last looked at porn; we are here to count the days that we have stayed with Jesus.
With that being said, if we are going through this battle one block at a time, we need both power and patience.
The Real Battle.
You will immediately receive the power, just like the sick man at Bethesda who could rise after 38 years of being unable to stand. However, patience is the actual battle you face here.
Here we have to mention another blind man story with Jesus.
Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything. And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.” Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.” (Mark 8:22-26).
A man went to Bethesda with his friends. They were seeking healing from its pool or pursuing their sinful desires. When his friends heard Jesus was around, they begged for His help. Surprisingly, the man himself didn’t ask for Jesus’ help. It was his friends who pleaded on his behalf.
Many struggling with pornography may not feel the need to change. We’ve grown used to our darkness. We believed a lie thats it’s OK as long as no one getting hurt. This man approached Jesus without seeking healing. Maybe he doubted Jesus’ ability to change him or preferred his darkness over the light. He might have worried that Jesus would see through him and reject him for his sins. These are some reasons that cross our mind and maybe his too that make his friends begging Jesus for his healing while he is not saying a word.
Imagine being unsure and skeptical about Jesus’ ability to assist you in your difficulties. Despite that, you gather your strength and bring yourself to where he is, similar to the friends who brought the blind man to Jesus. God sees your confused soul and your divided will, understanding that you need healing.
He sees you are burdened by obstacles that prevent you from seeking genuine help. God acknowledges that both you and I are facing struggles, although our situations may vary. Hence, He chooses a different approach. Instead of just commanding healing, He desires to connect with us on a personal level and provide comfort.
Solid Hearts
Bethsaida, where the events occurred, witnessed many miracles. Jesus even said,
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes (Matthew 11:21).
Bethsaida symbolizes those who harden their hearts and reject God’s word.
Jesus could see through this man’s heart. It was solid like stone. While other sick people cried for help, this man didn’t even bother to ask. It was his friends who begged for him. So Jesus wanted to cure the heart first before the eyes.
Jesus first took him by the hand and led him out of town, away from the harmful environment and sickness. They walked slowly together. After they left the town, Jesus wanted to help the man understand the extent of his darkness.
Even though the man was blind, Jesus prioritized healing his inner darkness before his eyes. Personally, I have also spent many years asking Jesus to help me win this battle, resist temptation, and stay strong.
Strong Foundation
Later, I realized what he was doing. It was just like what he did to that blind man. Giving me a victory over this habit might be temporary and without roots. If the darkness remains in me, I will relapse quickly. However, Jesus wants the change to come from within. He wants to clean the darkness from the inside out. Once our eyes are opened, we can see clearly.
Many people believe that watching pornography and masturbating frequently is not a sin. We have lost sight of what is right and wrong. We find it acceptable and think that everyone does it. We are blind to our mistakes and don’t know how to change.
Jesus touched the man and asked if he could see. This touch brought him hope and belief. Before, he was in complete darkness, unaware of his wrong actions. But after Jesus touched him, his darkness was healed. Now, he can distinguish between right and wrong. He can confidently declare that he can see, even though what he sees makes little sense. He saw people who looked like walking trees. Previously, he couldn’t see at all, but now he can see and acknowledge that what he sees is confusing. This is a crucial step in the healing process. When we see that what we once considered normal behavior is actually problematic.
The man’s faith has grown. He tasted the light and now wants more. He knows that the man in front of him is capable, so his belief grew strong. He admits seeing a shaky picture. He now realizes that Jesus is not a distant God seeks our prayers. Jesus actually wants to heal him and has the power to do so.
Jesus heard the man confess that he couldn’t see well. This was the moment Jesus achieved his goal. He understood that the man’s inner eyes had opened, enabling him to discern right from wrong. So Jesus touched the man’s eye to grant him the clarity he needed. Now, the man has a solid foundation to build upon.
What drives you?!
The best and strong belief that drives you is the one that originates from you, the one that you seek.
And you will never seek something unless if you get a taste of it, Jesus understand this and trying to do the same to you as he did with this blind man, he will try to give you a taste of a life with him, so you desire it, so you can seek it and he will continue to work with you till he heal your eyes and make you see clearly.
Healing takes time. Pornography can deeply affect our emotions, making it hard to forget those feelings. It’s tough to just walk away and pretend nothing happened, especially when our emotions push us to make the same mistakes again.
Now fully healed, a critical next step from Jesus is a warning: do not go back to the town, its lack of faith, its hardened heart, and its rejection of him.
Jesus disappears to be alone when there are people around. To find Him, go to the quietest place, which is your heart. Close your eyes and ask Him for guidance and help. Admit that you are blind in both your eyes and your heart and mind. We are all blind. I thought a touch could heal my eyes, but my disease goes deeper into my heart. I need another touch from you, Lord, to see how much you love me and to hold on to you. I love you, God, but I’m clueless about doing what’s right. Please help me. Thank you.
Win this battle.
