Day 1

The Binge Purge Cycle

There is a pathway to freedom from pornography and other sexual sins. I’m not talking about behavior modification, but genuine, lasting freedom. Freedom, however, is not the ultimate goal. God has a bigger vision for you than just freedom. Hebrews 12:1 says,

“Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

God has a race for us to run, a purpose for us to pursue: to know Christ and to make Him known. But notice the verse tells us that first, we need to get rid of the things that slow us down in running our race.

I don’t know of a more entangling sin for our generation than pornography. Most people don’t realize how porn is keeping them from experiencing God’s best. I am so glad you are taking this step not to allow porn to rob you of the life God has for you. Instead of running the race God has for them, so many of God’s children are living in the binge-purge cycle.

Have you ever made these comments to yourself?

“Dang, I was doing pretty good for a while and now I am messing up all of the time.” 

“I feel so disgusting, I am never looking at porn again!”

“Welp, the streak is over, it doesn’t matter now.”

“Alright, this is the last time, then I’m going to get serious.”

These are the kinds of things someone in the binge-purge cycle says to themselves. When a follower of Christ repeatedly breaks their commitment not to act out again, the shame multiplies.

Living in the binge-purge cycle increases shame, which only feeds the binge-purge cycle.

Today’s Challenge:

1. Watch the video below.

2. Answer the questions that follow (consider discussing with an accountability partner or small group).  

Reflection Questions:   

1. What’s the race God has for you to run (Hebrews 12:1)? How does porn slow you down in your race?   
2. What does it mean that the binge-purge cycle is not just a moral problem, but a brain problem?   
3. What about the binge-purge cycle can you relate to?   
4. Why is just trying harder not enough to overcome a struggle with porn?