Identity Conquers LustSample

Addressing the Roots

Why does someone who hates their unwanted sexual behavior keep going back to it? The why of unwanted sexual sin can be traced back to the six roots of a sex or porn addiction. These roots drive a person’s behavior. Freedom is rarely found if someone doesn’t understand them and how to address them. There are a lot of shallow solutions that can lead to short-term “freedom,” but for lasting freedom to be realized, the roots must be dealt with.

Most sex or porn addiction recovery programs focus on two or three of these roots. The most effective programs address all six. Identifying the six roots is only the first step; these roots must be addressed with effective solutions in order for freedom to be found.

The six roots are:

• Sexualized Society
• Addicted Brain
• Isolation
• Negative Emotions
• Trauma
• Shame

The amazing thing about the next passage in Ephesians is that when Paul gives practical steps to live out our identity in Christ, his instructions also address the six roots of addiction. To live their new identity in Christ, these believers are instructed to stop certain practices and start other practices. These practices free believers from their old life and identity and free them from sexual bondage.

Paul’s path to living out our identity in Christ is also the path to freedom from sexual sin. Over the next six days, I will lead us through Paul’s instructions and highlight how his commands can be applied to each of the six roots.

The first root is the most obvious: a sexualized society. Sexual temptation is everywhere. The more accessible an addictive substance is, the more likely a person will get hooked on it.

In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul commands, “put off your old self… and put on the new self…in holiness.” The solution for a sexualized society is holiness.

In Christ, we are holy, but here, Paul is talking about walking in holiness as a practice. To pursue holiness is to separate ourselves from sin; it literally means a “putting off.” Paul uses the analogy of changing clothes. There are certain practices we must put off that keep us stuck in our old identity and sin. In another call to holiness, Paul says, “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). When we apply the principle of holiness and separating ourselves from sexual sin, it means we identify triggers, like sexual media, and set up boundaries to address them, like locking up our devices. What are your biggest temptations? Identify them and put them off.

There are also holy habits we must “put on.” What are those practices or disciplines that lead to growth in Christ and holiness? Habits like daily Bible reading, scripture memory, and prayer are where we seek to understand and apply God’s word to our lives. It could be healthy physical habits that make you less vulnerable to temptation, like healthy eating, sleeping, and exercise habits.

Reflection Questions:

• What places, people, or activities keep you stuck in sexual sin that you need to put off?
• Have you locked up all your devices to prevent access to porn? (The Freedom Fight gives reviews on its website about different options to consider.)
• What holy habits (spiritual disciplines) do you need to “put on”? (Bible Reading, Bible study, attending church, etc.) What are healthy habits (physical disciplines) you need to put on that make you less vulnerable to temptation?

As I mentioned, the sexualized society is the most obvious root and where most people focus their energy to find freedom, but this is just the first step. We’ve got to keep digging to get to the other more hidden and often more powerful roots.