November 12th
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8 NKJV
One of the things that accompanied my former porn addiction was that the very words used in the porn stuck in my mind for years afterwards. Pornographers use their “street language” to describe and promote their products, which can powerfully shape our thoughts and attitudes about sex. I remember how hearing or reading such words could create sexual arousal, leading me to search for porn. The words and images permeated my mind – my “thought life” was awash in sexual sin.
I believe that there is a way to erase those words and images and I’ve seen it in action now since my deliverance from addiction in 1999. The Bible tells us that the blood of Jesus is able to wash our conscience from the dead works of sin such that we can serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14). Believing in the cleansing power of the blood, we can ask God to purify our minds from the sin we’ve practiced and the sinful things we’ve looked at. I’ve found that whenever I face a tempting image or thought, I can “plead the blood of Jesus Christ” over my thoughts, and the temptation will weaken if not completely dissolve.
In conjunction with applying the blood of Jesus, a daily “filling” of the word through Bible study will help purify our minds and re-establish wholesome thought patterns. Jesus explained in the above passage that we are to abide in him and his words should abide in us. Abide has several meanings, including “accept without objection,” “to remain stable or fixed in a state,” or “to conform to,” according to the Webster’s Dictionary. God wants us to conform to his word and keep it our minds “fixed” on it. This will help us keep our way pure and recover from the corruption of the past. Consider what David wrote about:
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NIV
God’s word will counteract the street language of porn and the other things that have corrupted our thinking. Additionally, the Holy Spirit will help us retain and recall God’s word, as we faithfully study it each day. He will help us apply the word to whatever temptation we may be facing.
Questions for further thought:
How important is the blood of Jesus in the defeat of Satan? (Revelation 12:10-11)
How powerful can words be? (Proverbs 18:21)
How important is the role of belief (faith) in the thought-cleansing process? (Mark 9:23)
Paul mentioned in Romans 12:2 that we are to no longer be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. What worldly thought patterns are you conforming to that need to be broken?
Prayer:
“Lord God, thank you for the cleansing power of the Blood of Jesus! I believe that through my faith in you I can be washed from all the corruption of my past sin. Please wash my conscience with the blood of Jesus. Please strengthen me to seek you daily and study your life-giving word. Teach me how to abide in you and I pray that the Holy Spirit will cause your word to abide in me. Thank you for the tremendous promises of your word. I praise you now and forever! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”