What’s the Opposite of Addiction?
In 1 Peter 2:11, the apostle Peter urges us to abstain from fleshly lusts and desires.
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”
The command is clear: to remove completely or hold off from activities that are not pure or wholesome.
But don’t miss the second part–it’s equally important, especially in the context of quitting pornography: these passions of the flesh wage war against your soul. That’s strong language. To win the fight against porn, you must recognize how porn is unleashing warfare on the deepest part of who you are. Shame is different from guilt. Guilt says I’ve done bad but shame says I am bad. Self-loathing is at the core of shame. The self-condemnation of shame has no place in the life of a believer.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
There is shame with any addiction but especially for the Christian who struggles with a porn or sex addiction.
Sobriety involves making a conscious decision to abstain from any substance or behavior that is addictive. It is a process of actively choosing to break free from the habit of addiction, which includes being mindful and aware of potential triggers and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle.
If you’re struggling to quit porn or feel a heavy sense of burden, shame or guilt, there’s a reason: you’re entangled in a supernatural fight. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
When you take the first step to quit your porn addiction, you’re entering a very real spiritual battle. Recognizing this truth is critical to finding true freedom.
This phrase ‘wage war’ is actually translated from the Greek word ‘strateuo,’ which has its origins in military terminology and speaks to the strategy required in combat. When we understand it in this way, it becomes even clearer why these desires can be so dangerous to our spiritual well-being – they are powerful and deceptive enemies that can slowly undermine our faith if we do not learn to break free from them. The next four words Peter says after commanding these believers to abstain from fleshly lusts is “keep your behavior excellent.” Peter isn’t simply telling believers to repress the wrong behavior. He’s urging believers to replace it with excellent behavior. Don’t just repress, replace.
This is why we teach through the no cost Freedom Fight program that true abstaining can only last when godly habits are acting out behavior and the steps that lead to it. Instead of dwelling on an impure thought, you have a verse to meditate on. Instead of isolating yourself in your room with the media, you call a friend or leave the isolating situation. Don’t just repress, replace.
This journey is difficult, but it’s not meant to be done alone. If you’re ready to come alongside others and take the first step, we’re here to help. We invite you to take the 30-day challenge, a powerful biblically based and scientifically informed program to help you break free from pornography and other unwanted sexual behaviors.
