Need help overcoming this.

[Someone059]

I've been addicted to pornography since I was 12. I'm 16 now and still have problems with it. I've told my dad about it two times, my youth pastor once, gone to youth camps time and time again, and still I carry this addiction. I'm too ashamed to tell them again, and I really want help from someone I don't know. When I was 12 I had a good relationship with the Lord, but over the years the relationship deceased. I really want that relationship back, I want to pray more again and read my Bible more again. Every time I want a change in my life, the temptation takes control of me and I go right back to where I started. Pornography isn't the only thing that changed my life, rap did as well. I know it's just music but, it changed me for the worst, for it has bad lyrics which have turned me into a cursing, brat. My friends are the ones that exposed it to me. When we were kids my friends were good and right with the Lord, but we all changed, and now I don't know about them. I really want to turn this life around, away from pornography, away from rap, and I want to have a relationship with the Lord. Honestly, I can't do this alone, I was hoping one of you on these forums with much wisdom and guidance from God could help me.

[Jason_NC]

I struggled with enslavement to pornography and sex for over 30 years.  It cost me one marriage and almost cost me another, and it kept me away from god for many years after my original conversion.

You can be free, but it is going to take a lot of hard work.  If at all possible find a biblical counselor.  Not just a Christian counselor, but specifically a biblical counselor (often "Christian counselors" are just secularly trained counselors with Christian morals.  Biblical counseling is different and uses the bible as the authority and not secular counseling philosophies).  Here is a good place to start:

http://www.biblicalcounseling.com/counselors

If there is not a counselor in your area your job will be much harder.

First you need to get past your pride.  I understand the shame that is involved with admitting you are enslaved to porn, I dealt with that as well.  But you will need help, and you won't get it if you can't be open about it.  You need to find a mature Christian friend you can be open with. 

Secondly, once you find that person I highly recommend a subscription to covenant eyes.  This is monitoring software that will email an accountability partner a list of all the websites you visit.  If you know that someone will find out what you are looking at it will help a lot.

http://www.covenanteyes.com

Thirdly, you need to do more than just stop looking at porn.  You need to replace it with something.  Scripture memorization will help.  Do you use porn at the same times regularly?  Start doing something else at that time.  Saturate yourself with bible reading.  Listen to Christian teaching.

[geneh_33]

That's great advice, Jason. I can certainly not think of anything to add to it.

Someone059, please do as Jason has suggested. Porn is a very serious addiction that can have devastating consequences as Jason pointed out. In the meantime I will pray for you.

In Christian brotherly love,
Gene