Finding Freedom From Addiction/Lust

How do i find freedom from my lust & addiction?

Por***ography (from here on out referred to as the “p-word” for search/web reasons) has become one of the most pervasive struggles in today’s world, even amongst believers in Christ! For six years, I was personally trapped in this issue – desperate for freedom and feeling hopeless, ashamed, and defeated. But Jesus SAVED me – and changed my life completely!!!! And he can do the same for you!

First, Why should i quit?

#1: The first reason is pretty simple – it is sin. The Bible is clear: to lust after another individual is sin. Recognizing this is the first step toward freedom. Check out some of the key verses below.

“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
“Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” Ephesians 5:3

Scripture consistently teaches that sexual immorality (which functions as a broad category referring to all sexual relations outside marriage between a husband and wife) is unacceptable for God’s people and constitutes sin.

#2: The second reason you should quit is that it’s HORRIBLE for you. Beyond the spiritual consequences, the p-word wreaks havoc on your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It kills your self-esteem and consistently places you in a state of guilt and shame, while also fostering a comparative mindset that leads you to be constantly critical of yourself. It destroys real intimacy by rewiring your brain, diminishing your s*x drive and your ability to experience real, God-designed pleasure. It conditions selfishness by training you to use others as objects for gratification rather than honoring them as image-bearers of God. It also leads to addiction, creating an endless cycle of craving and regret, and promotes apathy by stealing your time, energy, and motivation, leaving you disconnected from real life and real relationships. Breaking free from p-word is not just about avoiding sin; it is about restoring the fullness of life that God intends for you.

#3: The third reason you should quit is that it’s HORRIBLE for others. Quitting the p-word isn’t just about you; in reality, it harms countless others as well. Its ripple effects extend to society, relationships, and even the global community. It contributes to exploitation by fueling industries that profit from trafficking, abuse, and the mistreatment of vulnerable people, and it promotes corruption by sustaining harmful cycles of production and consumption. It also destroys relationships and dehumanizes others by fostering unhealthy views of intimacy and s*xualizing everyone in your mind, turning other people into objects for personal pleasure. This kind of addiction breaks families and marriages, often leading to broken trust, intimacy issues, and divorce. Quitting pornography, then, is not merely an act of obedience to God or care for yourself; it is an act of love toward the many people who are harmed through this great evil.

So… how do i quit?

Breaking free from pornography is not a passive process. There are a set of steps that we must actively (& consistently) engage.

Step 1 – Repentance: Repentance isn’t just saying you’re sorry, it’s a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. This process begins by addressing the root issues behind your struggle. First, practice “Root to Fruit” (this idea comes from the book Gospel Fluency by Jeff Vanderstelt – so good, please read it). This addiction issue is always the “fruit” of deeper issue such as loneliness, stress, pride, or a distorted view of intimacy. Ask yourself, “What belief or felt need is driving me toward this sin?” What are the circumstances that often lead me to indulge in this sin, and what does it say about how I’m “using” this sin? Make sure to confess not only the “fruit” but the core belief that is producing this repetitive sin. Then, bring it to God. After reflecting on the nature of your sin – with a specific focus on the underlying beliefs – confess it to God openly and honestly. Ask Him for forgiveness and the strength to fight. Lastly, you need to bring it to other people. True repentance requires stepping into the light and if nobody knows about your struggle, it’s possible that you may not be walking in actual repentance. I would encourage you to share your burden with a trusted friend, mentor, or pastor who can walk alongside you and help you remember the Good News (read more about good news here). Repentance is the starting point (& a continual practice) in battling this sin – it reorients your heart toward God and sets the foundation for lasting change.

Step 2 – Believe the Gospel: Because of the work of Jesus (read link above), there are a few key truths that you must hold onto in order to fight your sin effectively.

You’re Fully Forgiven: If you believe in Jesus, you are 100% forgiven of 100% of your sin forever. (Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”)
Jesus Is Your Righteousness: He didn’t lust on your behalf; instead, He lived a perfect life. In Him, you are counted as innocent and righteous before God.

So, you can stop guilt-tripping yourself and using shame and self-condemnation as these are tools of the enemy to keep you in a place of sin and despair. Instead of wallowing in guilt, rejoice in the finished work of Christ. You must also recognize that this is a process – sanctification doesn’t happen overnight. You’re free from sin’s penalty, but you’re also a work in progress. Be patient and persevere. Believing the gospel isn’t just about knowing the truth, it’s about living in light of it every day and preaching it to yourself over and over again. Are you embracing the Gospel for yourself? God loves you and you are righteous if you believe in Jesus.

Step 3 – Set up Guardrails: Guardrails are practical boundaries that protect you from falling into temptation. To illustrate, imagine you are in your car at the top of a steep icy slope. Once you start sliding, it’s nearly impossible to stop. When fighting lust, it’s important to take precautions and avoid the “edge” altogether – rather than attempting to stop the “car” halfway down the slope. Here are some practical guardrails:

Install site blockers or accountability software.
Avoid environments or situations that trigger temptation.
Plan ahead while you’re sober-minded. Set up systems to protect yourself when temptation strikes.
Be Proactive: Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of temptation to act. Take steps now to protect your heart and mind.
Switch to a flip phone if necessary.
Delete apps that lead you into sin.
Leave devices with a trusted friend or roommate when you’re vulnerable.

Guardrails aren’t about restriction – they’re about creating space for freedom. Jesus said, “If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.” While he wasn’t speaking literally, his words show the seriousness with which we must treat sin. (Matthew 5:30) So let’s stop rationalizing our sin and making excuses for it. If your phone, computer, or social media is a constant source of temptation, make drastic changes. If you really want to be free you must take inconvenient steps. I am convinced that when we take radical measures to fight our sin, we bring honor to God.

Step #4: Get Accountability: Lastly, it’s important to find a few trusted friends you can regularly confess to and make it a priority to tell someone every time you fall into temptation. You may feel tired or even embarrassed by how often you need to confess, but that’s okay and that’s one of the benefits of accountability. Don’t attempt to battle alone; you need prayer, encouragement, and support to stay strong.

There is a lot of information here, and I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. Above all, trust in Jesus. He is our ultimate hope, and his love and grace are what empower us to fight against sin. At the same time, it is important to recognize that addiction is not merely a theological or spiritual issue. For example, when someone struggles with alcoholism, Jesus is always the true and final answer, but that does not eliminate the real physical, psychological, and behavioral dynamics involved in addiction. As you pursue freedom, take these realities into account and understand that there is a real battle taking place not only in your heart, but also in your mental wiring and dopamine-driven patterns. This article is focused on the faith elements at play with this particular addiction issue.