I just finished listening to a podcast from one of our ministry partners, Steve Webb. One of his latest Lifespring podcasts, “The Perfect Sin: Internet Pornography,” offers a number of thoughts for the porn addict. If you struggle with this problem, you may want to give this a listen.
Steve offers some helpful thoughts about how to battle with what he calls “the 300 pound gorilla” of Internet porn. One thought in particular caught my attention:
“Remember that sin begins first in the mind . . . with your thoughts. Did you know that it is said that there is no difference between when you imagine something or if it actually happens? They both have the same effect on your brain. Neurologically, they’re the same. That’s why athletes often visualize themselves in competition, doing the event perfectly, and winning. Over and over, they practice in their mind.”
Great thoughts here: Obedience is first a discipline of the heart and mind, just as it is for an athlete. It reminds me of what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.