Freedom Counsel

Proverbs is a handbook for timeless wisdom. Many have used the method of reading a chapter for each day of the month.

Consider freedom insights in this chapter 23. Consider these excerpts and added comments.

“… Consider carefully what is before you;
And put a knife to your throat
If you are a man given to appetite.” Prov. 231b,2a

When needed, exercise bold self control!

“My son, if your heart is wise,
My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself;
Yes, my inmost being will rejoice
When your lips speak right things.” Prov. 23:15,16

When you apply wisdom to your life, you also give joy to your parents and spiritual leaders.

“Hear, my son, and be wise;
And guide your heart in the way.
Do not mix with winebibbers,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty,
And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags…Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.” Prov. 23:19,20,21,23

It is wise to abstain from company of those in a sensuous lifestyle (inclusing imaginary association by viewing videos), which leads to losses.

“My son, give me your heart,
And let your eyes observe my ways.
For a harlot is a deep pit,
And a seductress is a narrow well.
She also lies in wait as for a victim,
And increases the unfaithful among men.” Prov. 23:26-28

The way of wisdom is to turn your heart to the Lord and what is good. Pornography (which is a form of prostitution) leads to enslaving habits, like being stuck in a deep pit or stuck upside down in a narrow well!

“Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has contentions?
Who has complaints?
Who has wounds without cause?
Who has redness of eyes?
Those who linger long at the wine,
Those who go in search of mixed wine.
Do not look on the wine when it is red,
When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly;
At the last it bites like a serpent,
And stings like a viper.
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your heart will utter perverse things.
Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the [h]midst of the sea,
Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt;
They have beaten me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?’” Prov. 23:29-35

Being “under the influence” of alcohol, or dopamine (a pleasure hormone released in the brain from the superstimulation of porn) leads to sorrow, injuries, and senseless addiction.

For a contemporary summary of ten harmful effects of porn (from a secular agency), see
fightthenewdrug.org/10-reasons-why-porn-is-unhealthy-for-consumers-and-society/

Let’s heed this biblical and contemporary freedom counsel as we pray, “…deliver us from evil.”

JBW

A Christian leader has written an important article in which he opens up about the lies he believed that led to a pornography habit. Thankfully, he found freedom in Christ for sexual sobriety. He writes,

“Internet pornography use is ubiquitous. The metric you use to support that statement doesn’t seem to matter: percent of internet users who consume it, number of bits of data flowing through the Internet, or even cash currency. It is a huge business. And the internet distributes pornography at levels historically unprecedented. It quickly became easy to access, cheap to acquire, and anonymous to consume.

“I am myself no stranger to the consumption of internet pornography. To be clear, consuming pornographic material is not appropriate for a believer in Jesus Christ. Our website has more information on this. But I don’t think that principle needs repeating; my older brothers in the faith have been very clear about that.

“In this article I want to share with you some insights the Lord has taught me through my struggle to be free of an addiction to internet pornography. I will be frank. And rather than condemning you for your sin (the enemy does a plenty good job at that), I will address a number of beliefs you may find you hold, even if unwittingly. Then you’ll see how those beliefs do not reflect reality—they are all a lie.”

This article is insightful about the lies that promote the poison of porn. The antidote is a deeper appropriation of truth.

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘if you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ … ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'” (John 8:31,32,34-36 NKJV).

The article has additional persuasiveness due to the author’s first hand experience and testimony. It is summarized this way:

Read “Confessions of a Missionary Addicted to Porn” at www.Probe.org.

In 2009 some college friends launched a nonprofit organization to warn the public about the harmful effects of pornography. Today they have about 5 million followers and many helpful educational resources. Here is some introductory information about FTND.org:

Mission:

Fight the New Drug (FTND) is a non-religious and non-legislative nonprofit that exists to provide individuals the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding pornography by raising awareness on its harmful effects using only science, facts, and personal accounts.

Vision:

We aim to decrease the demand for sexual exploitation through education while helping individuals live empowered lives free from the harmful effects of pornography.
Values:

Values:

Fight the New Drug is research-based, education-focused, sex-positive, and freedom-preserving.

We commend the work that Fight The New Drug is doing. They have a current initiative called No Porn November. To access their research and view testimonial videos, visit FTND.org

Here at DeliverUsFromEvil.online we add biblical revelation to scientific education, and the power of God’s Spirit to the resolve of good ethics.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).

The Enemy of our soul has many devices. Therefore, we need to have discernment …” to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11).

You may have experienced this downward regression: an

• Impulsive act, leading to
• Compulsive activity, leading to
• Addictive behavior, leading to
• Destructive consequences.

The following testimony from Pure Life Ministries describes the tragic consequences of pornographic habits, but also testifies of the liberating power of God’s provision in Jesus Christ.

The Poison of Pornography
By Tom Blangiardo

My first exposure to pornography came as a defenseless child, less than 10 years old. I innocently rode my two-wheeler down to the neighborhood candy store where I always spent my weekly allowance, and there it was. It was in the early years of Playboy magazine leading the way for a whole new genre of “adult entertainment,” and the magazine was prominently positioned.

Something went into me that day that I could not shake. I came back a day later, and rifled through the pages, filled with both shame and overwhelming excitement. The images were indelibly implanted in my mind. Like Adam and Eve, a whole new world opened up to me. Little did I know that I had been bitten by a vicious serpent, and its deadly venom had entered my soul.

Although this poison is not deadly in one dose, the serpent is relentless. By his repeated and progressive attacks, the serpent’s victim becomes increasingly unable to resist. Satan is a patient predator. He studies and understands his victim. He doesn’t present his corrupted view of reality all at once, but rather step by step, lie by lie, as he sees the target ready to accept the next dose…

Continue reading this post from www.purelifeministries.org/blog/the-poison-of-pornography

Psalm 119 is a unique in the Psalter, being an acrostic poem that celebrates the value and impact of God’s Word. Each 8 verse section begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. (See how it looks in the Hebrew txt here: https://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/OTpdf/psa119.pdf )

Here are a “top 10” list of verses that exhort us to guard our eyes and heart through God’s Word (ESV quotations).

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word. v. 9

Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law! v. 29

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways. v. 37

Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. v. 73

In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. v. 88

Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day. v. 97

Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way. v. 104

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path. v. 105

Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way. v. 128

Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me. v. 133

We have the additional revelation of the New Covenant, with the living Word—the alpha and omega (Rev. 21:6;22:13)—residing in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11,16). May we benefit from the “washing of water by the Word” (Eph. 5:26), and practice the wisdom of God’s design for sex through His enablement.