Do you use porn and sex to medicate yourself? To escape the stress of life or your work or your family? Medications can be a great thing when you are sick and need them to heal like antibiotics and penicillin. Taken at the right time and in the right way they bring healing. When antibiotic penicillin was discovered in 1920, it made a huge impact in killing the bacteria that would cause damage to the body.
Porn and sex are not like that. They do not heal the problem by destroying the flesh that dwells inside of us. They only serve to inflame those desires and will always want to take us further than we ever thought we would go. What works against the flesh is mortification, at least that is what Paul says in Romans 8:12-13;
“So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
When we use porn and or sex to “medicate” these evil desires … to use someone or something like a sex “object” we are living according to the flesh and that will bring death. Maybe eventually physical death but in the meantime a living death. Like living with shame, fear, anger, worry and increasing stress instead of experiencing the “life” or “abundant life” that Jesus wants to give you.
So, we are told to put to death the deeds of the body. To kill or mortify it. The question is how do we do that? First, we need to see in the text the means by which God has given us to do it. He says “…but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body…” Two critical things to see in this verse.
The way the flesh and the deeds of the body are to be put to death is BY MEANS OF the Spirit. This is not something we ourselves can physically do but by turning to the Spirit in the moment of temptation and then walking by means of the Spirit. He is going to give you a way of escape as is promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13;
“No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
Notice God promises a way of escape so that we will be able to “endure” it. That word endure says to me that the escape is not an instant solution. You and I know temptation is not like that. Take this pill and the pain will go away. Temptation hangs around like and aroma. Aromas linger like when my cat poops on the hallway. I don’t have to see it to know it is there. So also, temptation lingers, and it may take some time to escape.
Secondly, notice that this must be done in conjunction with the Spirit. The subject of the verb “putting to death” is not the Spirit but us. We must call on the Spirit. We need to be the one to actually flee the youthful lusts. For us to mortify these deeds of the flesh we are going to have to take action.
That is why I am strongly recommending that we learn to use meditation and communication to defeat this powerfully sinful behavior that has become so much a part of our lives. So, the idea of fleeing youthful lusts has a destination to it. That destination is leaving the literal place you are being tempted and rushing into the presence of God, communicating with Him and then communicating with your support team.
And when in His presence make Him your focus. He is Almighty. He is beautiful. Seeing and meditating on Him adds depth to your relationship. Isn’t it about time to put away childish things and mature into a Christ-like person? The choice is ours every day and every time we face temptation.