Overcome Porn: The 40 Day ChallengeSample

Our culture trains us to look for the new as soon as we get bored with the old. One of the possible outcomes of that boredom is that we turn to pornography for novelty and self-fulfillment.

If boredom is one of our triggers to porn, how do we combat it?

Recognize and Repent

Maybe this is the first time you realized that you’re actually fighting boredom. Take some time to repent of this, both to God and, if appropriate, to another person.

Confess not only your sinful actions, but actions that are generally wasteful. This does not mean that there is no room for pleasure for the sake of pleasure, of course. God built rhythms of rest into our lives. But consider whether you’re trying to avoid something in your leisure, or how your leisure activity of choice may be leading you to deeper temptations.

Practice Thanksgiving

Are you ungrateful for the “old things” in your life? 1 Thessalonians 5:15-19 says to give thanks in all things. As you practice gratitude, over time you will begin to recognize, even in trying or boring circumstances, the good and perfect gifts that come from above (Jm. 1:17).

Cultivate Hobbies

Those who successfully quit porn usually do so by including sports, hobbies, or other activities in the recovery process. The parable of the unclean spirit in Matthew 12:43-45 illustrates this: it’s not enough to simply rid your “house” of demons. You must fill the empty space with something better lest the demons come back stronger than ever.

If your trained response to boredom is to turn to porn, then take some time to pick something else to do instead. Whatever you choose to do, remember this: you were created in the image of a Creator God. And the best way to counter the lies of pornography and boredom is to embrace that image.

Reject your boredom. Reject the lies that are driving you to porn. 

Reflection

• Has boredom fed into your struggles?
• Brainstorm a few ways you can combat boredom in your life, like a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try, or parks to explore in your neighborhood.