Overcome Porn: The 40 Day Challenge Sample

Day 3: Super-practical steps to quitting porn

In our journey to shape our character, sometimes the simplest strategies are neglected the most, but often we need to start with small simple steps. Our new choices will eventually become habits, which will eventually become part of our character. And why should we care about our character? Your character is all about your very makeup: what makes you the person you are, your very nature. This includes mental and moral qualities, temperament, disposition, and ultimately your personality. Your character is shaped by endurance, and is rooted in the work of the Trinity (Romans 5:3-5).

There are many things that will shape our character in this life, including suffering. In Interior Freedom, Jacques Phillippe explains that in times of suffering it is of greatest importance to live in the reality of each moment. He explains, “Nobody has the capacity to suffer for ten or twenty years; but we have the grace to bear today the suffering that is ours now. Projecting things into the future crushes us–not experiencing suffering but anticipating it.”

Matthew 6:34 states “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” This invitation calls for us to be present to the day at hand and not to worry ourselves about the past or future. In order not to be overwhelmed, it is important that we be present to the day’s problems only. Matt Fradd shares that one practical step for quitting porn is, in fact, be present to today, thus not to make promises like “I’ll never watch porn again.” Instead, he suggests that you start with, “Today, I will not watch porn.” Matt Fradd explains, “You need to stop thinking about sexual freedom as a destination and start thinking about it as a daily—sometimes hourly—choice.”

Sexual freedom is not as much a destination as it is a daily and hourly choice. Take it one step at a time. Step forward and step up in order to meet the challenge of sexual freedom on a daily basis.

Action Step

This brief video shares some of the critical steps to defeating porn. After you’re finished watching, take time right away to implement some of the steps mentioned.

Reflection

How does consuming pornography impact your character? What are your “positive motivations” for quitting pornography?