I want God but how can I overcome a sex addiction?

The Apostle Paul when speaking to the youthful Timothy, tells him to “flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22) It is important to note that the apostle tells him to “flee,“ not hesitate and think about it, but run from youthful evil desires. These “evil desires of youth” encompass many areas, one of which, we feel, is the dwelling on and fantasying about sex. The apostle further tells Timothy to “pursue righteousness” and “call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 

He is even more explicit to the church at Philippi. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) 

He tells them (and this is the key word) to THINK on these things. Are you thinking about noble, admirable things or are you allowing your mind to drift into less wholesome areas? You must ask yourself, as one who desires to have God in his life, if addiction to sex has any place in the Christian profile that Paul describes? 

We realize how very difficult it is to change a behavior once it is firmly established. Sexual addiction in particular is extremely habit forming. In order to rid yourself of this behavior, you must earnestly pray about changing it and then take positive action to do so. Positive action must consist of ridding yourself of the source of your addiction such as pornography, especially on the Internet or keeping company with the wrong people.

We would highly recommend Christian counseling because you will receive direction for your newly found time. You will be encouraged to pursue avenues which benefit others and which build up your own self worth in the process. It is important to note that you are not alone in your affliction. Many suffer as you do. Some were unaware of their weakness until they got hooked. Ask the Lord to help you. With him as your pilot you will succeed.

 “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

During this period of God’s plan, a special class is being called to have the opportunity, if faithful in their Christian walk, to live and reign with Christ in heaven. However, the rest of the world will also have an opportunity for life everlasting on earth during the 1,000 year Day of Judgment. Jesus died for all mankind, not just some. In the Kingdom on earth soon to come, all will have to make right their past lives and conform their characters to the beautiful standard God had set so long ago in Eden. Therefore, does it not make sense to live a life that is pleasing to God now? How much easier it will be in that Day of Judgment. 

Do not waver in your pursuit of God. Stay committed to your goal, no matter how strong your desire may be to return to your old habits. Changing a habit takes courage, fortitude, time and much, much prayer. Change does not happen overnight. If you really want God in your life, you will have to work at change by resisting the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. In the process of this endeavor, you will learn the importance of prayer and how to rely on God’s strength and not your own. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” (1 Peter 3:12) On our own we are weak, but with God’s help, we will succeed and the glory will be His! “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29) 

How might you overcome the apparent contradiction of wanting God and not wanting God at the same time? The answer is simple. You must put God and his commandments first in your life and not waver from that goal. If you are not able to overcome this addiction on your own, it is important to seek out the necessary help. If you choose to stay addicted to sex, you are putting sex above God in importance. “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” (Luke 16:13) “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” (James 1:8) There is no middle ground. God must always come first. For he has commanded, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

To learn more about sex addiction listen to, “Virtual Sex and Pornography- Does God Care?”