@helpmeimlost,

Since you have identified that this is a 'thorn in your flesh' you are obviously aware of that Scripture verse. So... while this is not some great wisdom I am giving just an opinion- maybe instead of focusing so much on the thorn or the flesh you could instead focus on something else. Give something else your full attention and accolades. Perhaps you could start focusing on the needs of others- or focusing on the things in you that God has given you to use to bring joy to yourself and to others. I'm not saying that you shouldn't work on the very thing that is causing you to stumble or that brings you so much pain but rather a shift in your attention/focus so that you are not so consumed with the failures.

I think for myself- the more I balance out my focus the more healthy I am and then in turn it manifests in a more balanced life. Does that make sense?

yeah concentrating on the thorn indeed leads nowhere.I would know, i went through that path (not porn but concentrating on failure) at it was up to no good... at some point i was failing exams one by one, eventually i had to repeat a year in the university.
that year i changed my way of thinking and even aced some tests oh and i started exersizing during that year and shed 14 kilos (about 30lbs) and met a very nice girl who is now my wife.
so think positive and learn the lesson from your experience- you didn't go deliberately towards something that is wrong, instead you slipped because of something that you weren't aware of was on tv and i imagine that you wouldn't have watched that show if you knew there would be semi-nudity right? so don't feel so bad about yourself.
it's better to take action rather than feel bad about something that is not your fault.
by taking action i mean stop watching tv ad do something else instead like workout or something. There's a lot more sex on tv these days than 20-30 years ago so if you have some show you like and you know is "eyes-safe" then you can watch it every week, i guess the news is no problem either.

That's exactly how I am having victory today. I have found that the only way to mount an effective defense against the devil is to have an unparalleled offense! When you pray with your brothers, serve in the church, encourage others in Christ, pray for others etc. you are invading Satan's kingdom and dealing him a deadly blow! God will bless you for your obedience! Of course, stay away from tempting areas and acknowledge your sin, but don't run away! Fight back and serve God! It's amazing how God will bless you through that. :)

For reference: Romans 8, Colossians 3, 1st Corinthains 10, and the book of 1 Timothy are all excellent passages for encouragement.

EXCELLENT POINT Empyrean

I am going to say it again...as I have said it before. Every man and woman needs a sponsor or accountability group. And your need for support was right at that moment of temptation. With others who know of your struggles you can pick up the phone and call someone and honestly say to them what you just said in your post. Then the two of you can pray for healing and deliverance from taking the temptation to the next step...sin. There is nothing wrong with the temptation but the choice we make can cause us to sin or be obedient and have self control. We need to seek accountability through the body of Christ... There are Christian support groups in most areas that deal with sexual problems. Seek other Godly men and pour out your heart like you are doing here. God bless you for your honesty. I believe you are on the path to recovery... I will be praying for you.

And if you have to...throw that TV out the window...lol. Kidding but get rid of the TV if it is causing you to stumble. I went without TV for a year once and I didn't miss it at all. Got lots of things done, became fit and trim and replaced it with healthy habits... TV for the most part is garbage anymore.

Awesome posts! Remember, there are two 'offensive' weapons mentioned in Eph 6. The word of God and prayer. But the 'word' of God mentioned is not logos(the whole word), but rhema, meaning a specific passage(s) that the Holy Spirit may use to teach/comfort you. That's why keeping a Bible near you when possible, OPEN to a helping verse is so vital. I'm reminded of Jesus being tempted. He did not debate Satan, but relied on God's word. He even used it to rebut Satan's misused of the word.

In my experience, even with an open bible, praying can be more effective sometimes because you are directly in contact with Him. Pray and pray like crazy when tempted while removing the temptation.

Removing a temptation is great, but we need to replace it with something. That something is the word and prayer. Good works/thoughts etc all naturally spring from these two things. Prayin for ya...we love ya and more importantly, God loves you!

Quick study about logos and rhema. should take about 10 min to read.
ati.iblp . org /ati/family/articles/concepts/rhema/

Quick note: In doing a little more study, I found that my distinction of rhema and logos may be construed as supporting a charismatic faith healing thing. I don't follow that, but was simply showing a nice detail of how when tempted, the Holy Spirit often brings up certain passages we have already learned to help comfort/respond to the temptation. It's not a huge deal but seeing as some may make it out to be, thought I should clarify my post... :)

I am not even close to dogmatic about this issue but thought how awesome it is, when tempted or down or whatever, how Bible verse pop into our head and comforts us. Truly God is great!

"Removing a temptation is great, but we need to replace it with something. That something is the word and prayer. Good works/thoughts etc all naturally spring from these two things. Prayin for ya...we love ya and more importantly, God loves you!"

Awesome point, giantsfan24! I never made that connection! Thanks for that!

Read Psalm 103

please pray for me...

Did that whats up?

i don't know what i can say to you... except thank you!! i have been on the bottom for so long... prayer is real, God is real, his grace is real!! :') things have happened that are impossible according to chance... I'm forgiven... I don't have to burry myself anymore - i am free... the load that has been taken of my back has been killing me for so long and then its gone, just like that, my eyes are reopened to the truth... i have been dead for so long... please pray that God keep me in his word and that i remain awake and humble... the spiritual warfare that is raging is real, and satan switched needles and pins out and rolled out the artillery... but the shield that is jesus is stronger than any atomic bomb the devil can throw at me... thank you jesus for everything!! please pray that the trojan horse be identified at the doorstep so jesus remains the lord over this house!! i had a dream that a transparent glascyllinder was carried to my doorstep, i opened the door and saw that i contained some nasty bugs so i put it down... as im about to close the door the neighboor comes laughing over and goes back to his yard where people are laughing and having fun... as i stand there the sudden feeling comes over me that i could join them... yet in that very moment a 1000's of bugs fell from the tree that the neighbour had just passed under in order to walk to his yard... if i had followed those would be all over me... seeing the nasty bugs i immediately try to close the door, but its locked on one of those doorstoppertriangle things... as im fighting to close it the the naighbour laughs and opens the glas jar and suddenly a huge bug flies out and rushes towards me, but passes by me into the kitchen of my house and then returns before i know it has crawled down my back from the neck under the clothes and into the underwear and i WAKE UP and immediatley reach into my underwear... but nothing is there.................... i don't know what to make of this... im NOT crazy... please pray for me in dealing with things ahead!! i afraid that i will fall even worse!! God help me... im posting this without even reading it because otherwise i will most likely delete it... please help

Hey helpme dude... we're all strangers and we can pray, but what you're describing sounds a little unusual, so I would recommend that you see a licensed counselor and talk to him/her about the things that are bothering you. God is for you. God is with you and God is in you. He's greater than all, I will not fear.

helpmeimlost - read Matthew 16 my friend and ask the Lord to show you how to play offense! It's really the only sure way to grow OUT of your stumbling block and move from merely knowing 'about' God's will to BECOMING His will. There is a vast difference between knowing and BEING. God speed!