A Battle Plan Against Porn That Works

I am a man who has been delivered by God from a hardcore addiction to pornography and habitual sexual sin. This page gives my testimony and a BATTLE PLAN that has proven to be successful in the battle against porn. Let God deliver you from oppression.

Psalms 144:1,2
Bless the Lord, Who is my rock.
He gives me the strength for war and skill for battle.
He is my loving ally and my fortress,
my tower of safety, my deliverer.
He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him. ... {NLT}

Psalms 141:4
Don't let me lust for evil things;
don't let me participate in acts of wickedness.
Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do evil. {NLT}

INTRODUCTION - TESTIMONY: Bill Berry
I address anyone who feels oppressed by any type of habitual or recurring sin. Though this was written to deal specifically with the sin of pornography or sexual addiction, this plan will also work for ANY SIN PATTERN. You may be one who identifies with David in the Psalms above. If so, I am one who knows where you are. As the kids say these days, "... been there, ... done that! I was racked in the bondage of sexual sin for over 20 years, being addicted to pornography and involved in an underground lifestyle that flushes into the dark subculture where porn can be found. One could easily say that I was a "hardcore" addict, and it was pulling me under. There's no need to go into great detail about my habit patterns back then; but you should know that my choices were about to threaten my marriage, my family, and even my career.

Back in the 1970s, when I was so lost, I was living a Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde existence. For years I had been able to hide my addictive behaviors/habits. I was introduced to porn when I was about 12 at a Boy Scout camp. Quickly thereafter, I began to seek out porn in any form, mostly softcore stuff then. But I chose to let the addiction lead me deeper and deeper into the porn culture: books, movies, topless shows, and later videos (which today would likely be the internet). Softcore became hardcore; and as with any addiction, it took harder stuff to satisfy me. And as my Mr. Hyde choices brought me closer and closer to my acceptable Dr. Jeckyl lifestyle, I finally had to confess my addiction.

This led me to "come out of the gutter" to my wife and seek help, which I first got from a good secular psychiatrist. He did help me to understand that I was using sexual obsessive behavior to replace the physical affection that I had never experienced from my mother, who loved me but had trouble expressing that love openly and physically. It was those lost hugs I tried to replace with porn; and even though I was able to achieve a surface control of my sexual acting out behaviors, there was a spiritual "black hole" inside of me. I felt spiritually impotent, like something was missing deep in my soul.

I began to seek after New Age type religions, but found nothing to fill me up or give me strength. Finally, about 15 years ago, some new friends witnessed their faith in Jesus Christ, and through a wonderful work of the Holy Spirit (ask me about this story some time), my agnosticism was breached by the power of Christ. I surrendered to the Lord on April 13, 1983 and have become what I like to call a "posterboy" for 2 Corinthians 5:17.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ...those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! {NLT}

My surrender to Christ caused me to recognize just how weak I really was, even having been helped by a very competent psychiatrist. At that time, Satan (who hates it when a baby Christian is born from above) really came after me, and I discovered that, like the stealthy cat he is described to be (1 Peter 5:8), he will attack the young, impressionable Christian at his weakest point.

1 Peter 5:8 Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. {NLT}

That point with me was my desire for porn, and all the old poisons in my soul bubbled to the top. Oh, how I wanted to seek out those old haunts, those magazines, and those peep shows. But by then, (Praise God!) I was involved in growth and discipleship at Central Church in Memphis, TN.  The result of this growth, taking these last 10+ years, has been victory and the fulfillment of God's promise in 2 Timothy 1:7. In His grace and mercy, God has seen fit to deliver me from the sexual addictions which so enslaved me for so many years.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self discipline. {NLT}

I am writing to testify that YOU TOO can have victory in Christ over any perversion, any sexual oppression, or any habit pattern. It really depends on how much you believe in Christ's power in your life and how much you desire to surrender to Him, ... and ... how much you're willing to follow Him. I'll be glad to give you an effective BATTLE PLAN here; but ONLY YOU can put it into action. And I should warn you to be patient and endure what you're going to go through. Remember, the admonition and encouragement from James 1:3-4.

James 1:3-4 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. {NLT}

BATTLE PLAN ... Phase One: Surrender
I want to make it perfectly clear. I am writing to CHRISTIANS here. Nothing that I will say from this point on applies to the non-believer. I firmly believe that until one surrenders his or her life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, there will be NO VICTORY over habitual sexual sin. Surrender, therefore, is the Phase One in your battle plan.

First, of course, there is the surrender of belief or faith in Christ's atoning grace on the Cross, where He died for our sins. If one cannot bring oneself to confess one's sins to Christ and repent, ... asking God to cleanse himself/herself, there will be NO VICTORY. God will do a work in us ONLY with our decision to confess and truly repent of our sins and be saved. [See verses below.]

Romans 5:8 But God showed us His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. {NLT}

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish by have eternal life. {NLT}

1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong. {NLT}

But what I've discovered from my history and the reports of many who've struggled with sexual oppression is a phenomenon that I call "the repentance roller-coaster." This is where a Christian FEELS (and it is a lie from Satan!) that he has repented, but soon falls back into the same pattern of sin, feeling the guilt all over again, and having to go back and confess again. This patter often recurs OVER and OVER again, like a roller-coaster riding up and down. Maybe you're on that roller-coaster right now.

The problem here, I believe, is incomplete surrender. It would be like giving over most of the keys to a rental house when the landlord calls for them, but retaining one or two keys to secret, dark closets that are hidden from view. But who do we think we're trying to kid, anyway?! Do we really think we can hide any of our keys from the Master Landlord, ... GOD?

Psalm 139:1-3  O LORD, You have examined my heart and know every thing about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought... every moment You know where I am. {NLT}

One of the men whom I have mentored via internet email for about a year speaks strongly that we so often think we can work this problem out on our own. In his words, "This addiction is a stronghold in the life of an addict. It has become far too strong to resist. It mocks (us) by first giving pleasure and then torments (us) with tremendous guilt. It threatens marriages, careers, family relations, etc. Unless the Lord performs a miracle, the only way to have victory in the battle is to break this stronghold down in the same way it was built: stone by stone. (Your) battle plan is a structured path to breakdown this stronghold in your life."  So, as my brother indicates, complete surrender is necessary, or you might as well get ready for another roller-coaster ride!

BATTLE PLAN ... Phase Two: Preparation
No good Captain would want his troops to go into battle without good preparation. And the first stage of preparation is BOOT CAMP. Boot camp is where the soldier gets in shape, gets equipped, and learns the basics of fighting in battle.

The early stages of boot camp get the soldier into fighting shape. This involves discipline; and the discipline you're going to need to battle the enemy on the porn field only happens when you develop your scriptural muscles. You desire to avoid sin, I assume?! Well God's word is clear on this.

Psalm 119: 9, 11 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules. //10// ...I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. {NLT}

Scripture memory is where it's at, soldier! And if you're not willing to discipline yourself by study, meditation, and memorization of God's word, you will not be in shape to meet the enemy on his turf (i.e., the world).

I have a mentor, a battle-hardened warrior in Christ, who has been my drill instructor and field sargeant. In my boot camp experience, he held my feet to the fire, helping me to memorize over 75 key verses early my Christian discipline that really got me in shape for battle. He promised me that if I'd complete the NAVPRESS Topical Memory Program, it would change my life. And he was soooooo right!! Take my word (and experience) for it! Get this program now (from any good Christian bookstore). Get started NOW! Just do it! If you want to get started with your scripture memory on the web. Or this one cool one with some great memory products... Bible memory software or Cards in NIV KJV NKJ or NAS. 700 verses/48 topics.

While getting in shape, the next phase of boot camp is getting fully equipped for battle. You can find the equipment listed for you in Ephesians 6: 11 - 17. And the only way to put your equipment on is to study (and I mean really study!), meditate, and internalize this passage.

Ephesians 6:11-17 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. ... [now, take in the rest of this passage describing God's full armor] {NLT}

This is pretty heady stuff; and only you can do this equipping in study for yourself, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Who is your sargeant, your captain, and your general all wrapped up into One. If you want to understand the preparation involved here, just ask the Lord and trust that He'll lead you in the right direction. [James 1:5,6; Proverbs 3: 5,6 - study these for yourself!] But this is just going to take some good, old-fashioned brow sweat. But getting help with this from a mentor/soldier in Christ is also a good idea; and so, let's talk about having a mentor that you can trust in training (and in the field).

The final phase of boot camp is becoming battle ready with practice, practice, and more practice. This means taking the skills you will learn, putting on your armor, and getting some field experience, being directed by someone who can give you reliable feedback with appropriate exhortation and encouragement. This person is the drill instructor who becomes your field advisor and leader.

It is possible to become a battle prepared soldier for Christ on your own; but it is highly unlikely! So, you need to let your battle leaders (i.e., the leaders in your church) assign or help you find a war-proven soldier of fortune who can show you the ropes, prepare you for battle, help you develop your skills, and lead you into battle when you're ready. For me, this was an Elder in our church who was willing to become my mentor in Christ. He was someone I knew I could follow, because I knew he was following Christ, and I've been meeting with this man regularly now for over 10 years.

1 Cor. 11:1 And you should follow my (Paul's) example just as I follow Christ's. {NLT}

Your drill instructor will be there to grow you into the soldier you need to become to get out there on the battle field of this world. He will be there to pick you up when you fall ... to redirect you when you get off track ... and to encourage you when you feel down (and believe me, you will!). I cannot say strongly enough that this is a process that all too often is omitted by those who battle against sexual oppression; and it may be the primary reason why so many fail to develop into victorious warriors. So, take my word on this one! Get a mentor and follow Christ TOGETHER.

BATTLE PLAN ... Phase Three: Marching Orders
No foot soldier goes into battle without marching orders; and as a Christian, you know, that our marching orders come from Christ ... and they are found in His word. Joshua, after Moses died, found himself up against a frightening prospect. Though he had been a battle proven warrior and general, he had never been called upon to be the spiritual leader of God's chosen people. So, here he was, with God commanding him to take charge and be a leader like he'd never been before; and he didn't feel up to the task. Do you feel like you're not up to the task of becoming the man (or woman) God intends for you to be?

Well, Joshua needed clear direction. He needed "marching orders" that would lead him to success so that his life could glorify his God. And God came through for Joshua, just like He will come through for you. God gave old Joshua exactly what he needed in Joshua 1: 1-9, clear directions and encouragement for a clear task. Your task ahead is clear, and God's word to Joshua should really help you as well. Joshua wanted success in his quest for victory over doubt and the devil; and God gave him the orders that would take him to success. God said, "Get into My word and stay in My word and follow My word; and if you do, I AM will give you success in battle." Well, that's the Bill Berry version of Joshua 1:8.

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. {NLT}

See, you'll never go wrong if you're into God's ultimate battle plans, ... His victory guaranteed marching orders, ... His Holy Word. Get into passages like 1 Cor. 6:12 - 20 ... 2 Cor. 12: 7 - 10 ... Gal. 5: 16 - 26 ... Eph. 4: 17 - 24 ... Col. 3: 1 - 17 ... and others. Study, meditate, and apply God's word. Get your mentor to help you in this discipline and study.

BATTLE PLAN ... Phase Four: Finding the Battle!
You certainly know that you won't have to worry about finding the battle, because it will find you. In fact you may be right in the middle of it right now. But so many, who're attacked by Satan's arrows right into our weakest points, don't realize that we can choose to take the high ground in this battle. I'm referring to the primary staging ground which gives us a real advantage in battle with the enemy.

You see, the high ground for any spiritual battle is PRAYER. Even before you get all the appropriate equipment, ... and before you get yourself in shape for battle, ... and, with the help of your drill instructor, before you have practiced your skills, ... and certainly before you have studied God's marching orders, ... before you do all these things, you MUST GO to the place where you are in the best position to protect yourself and ultimately to win; and that place is in PRAYER! Now granted, we must go into that staging area with sword (i.e., God's word) drawn and ready (i.e., deep in our hearts) when the battle arrives.

Probably the best illustration of this battle posture on high ground was when Christ faced His adversary (and the same one you and I are facing) in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13]

I would exhort you to find this one on your own and really digest and meditate hard on this passage. Notice how Christ, the living God, prepared Himself for battle (by the discipline of prayer/fasting). He, of course, had the full armor of God on because He IS the full armor of God. So, He was fully prepared when Satan came stalking with his arrows and darts of temptation and deceit. And what was our Lord's primary weapon when Satan began slinging arrows of temptation? You've got it! It was the sword of the Spirit (i.e., His word). Three times the enemy shot his arrows, and three times came the mighty admonition, "It is written..." followed by pronouncements from the Word of God. And finally, Satan sulked off the battlefield in defeat.

In your battles, you have the same Word of God available to you and you can go to the same high ground that our Lord used to be ready for the battle. If it's good enough for Jesus, don't you think it's good enough for us.

BATTLE PLAN ... Final Phase: Victory !
You are looking for victory over Satan and your sin nature. And as we've seen here, that is what you're promised. In fact, as a Christian, God wouldn't put you into any trial or tribulation or allow you to be tempted in any way that He didn't feel you could handle it with His help.

1 Corinthians 10: 13 But remember that the temptations (this greek term also translated "trials" or "tribulations") that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, He will give you a way out so that you will not give in to it. {NLT}

Now that's encouragement! But the question is, do we believe it?! And an even more practical question becomes ... how far do we allow ourselves to be entrapped in satan's lair before asking God to help us find a way out? It is true that our weakness can become a powerful showcase for God's strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time He said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." {NLT}

Okay; where do we go from here? ...
Well, here's the deal! As one who's been where you are, and a brother who has experienced the deliverance you likely seek, I am going to challenge you to exercise your belief in the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver you from Satan's oppression and your own sin choices (because that's what they are). The question really is ... do you really believe that Christ has delivered you from the grip of sin? If you have sincere doubts, one must question your relationship with Christ, ... either your salvation or the depths of your walk in the Spirit.

1 John 1: 6-7 So, we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. But if we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. {NLT}

So, with these thoughts in mind, I challenge you to get out a clean sheet of paper and begin to develop your own - Spirit led - battle plan. This will requrie that you follow many of the elements of the plan God gave to me in writing what you have read herein. However, you should go into powerful deliberation with God, asking Him for the wisdom that He promises you.

James 1: 5-7 If you need wisdom — if you want to know what God wants you to do — ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. {NLT}

God's word lays it out pretty clearly, doesn't it? If we seek after HIS battle plan, expecting that He WILL give it to us, ... He will! Again, 2nd Timothy has it summarized with authority!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.

There we have it! If you doubt God will help you find your own battle plan, as it says in James 1, there is serious doubt as to the effectiveness of any plan you would develop. However, if you truly believe that God will bring you deliverance and you KNOW that the Holy Spirit will give you the plan to do it, God WILL give you a battle plan that cannot fail. Get this promise!

Romans 8:31 ... If God is for us, who can ever be against us. {NLT}

But let me repeat for emphasis ... I EXHORT YOU to find a Godly mentor who can help you in this quest. As I have said, this "mentor" in Christ can be your drill instructor in boot camp and later your field advisor in battle. He will also become your friend out there on the battlefield. And when you need interpretations of God's marching orders, he'll be there to give you sound advice. And occasionally, you're going to need directions through the minefields that Satan will lay along the way; and your mentor will be there to lead you, step-by-step, having you follow in his footsteps, showing you the safe way to go. I don't know about you, but when it comes to walking through minefields, I'd rather follow someone who knows the way rather than try to go through on my own.

Finally, before you leave this battle plan proposal, let me give you an EFFECTIVE DEVICE TO WARD OFF SATAN the next time he tempts you. Remember, if you are a believer, satan is after your testimony. If you haven't surrendered to Christ, he's after your soul. In the latter case, again I must say to go to this link: PLAN OF SALVATION. If you are a Christian, DO THIS:

1. Write these Bible verses on 3 X 5 cards: Ps. 119:9, 11;  1 Cor. 10: 13; Phil. 4:13;  2 Tim. 1:7.
2. Until you memorize these verses (and you should ASAP), carry the cards with you AT ALL TIMES.
3. When tempted, recite or read the verses through three times.
4. After the first recitation, pray to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to give you strength ... after the second recitation, pray to Jesus, thank Him for His saving grace ... and after #3, pray to God the Father, praising His Holy Name!

If you happen to be sitting at your PC when you're tempted, before you meditate on these verses, go to this Battle Plan. I GUARANTEE YOU with my ugly mug staring at you and God working through His word (above), you will not be drawn into Satan's trap! Satan will flee just as promised in James 4: 7. This, my friend, will work! ... but only if you do it!