Am I Addicted to Pornography?
Written by Barry Schoedel, MTS, MA
Many men I know tell me they either have a "problem" with pornography or that they are "addicted to pornography." While there is some truth to this, pornography in and of itself is highly addictive and is a problem for anyone who views it, it often takes guys years to realize the problem isn't pornography but lust. It is true that pornography did indeed fuel our lust fantasy at some point and brought it to depths we previously thought impossible. However, the driving factor is not pornography as such but the Spirit of Lust. We owe to the Desert Fathers our classification that we call the seven deadly sins: pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, avarice, and sloth (remember: p.a.l.e.g.a.s.).
The Desert Fathers were master psychologists in many ways because they looked deeply into their own minds and hearts to better understand how it is we end up doing things we ought not do. They considered each of the sins, before they become sins, as temptations in the form of various spirits, thus with lust there is the "Spirit of Lust." The Spirit of Lust is in some way personified insofar as it truly is not merely a principle of evil that tempts us, but actual evil beings, fallen angels and Satan. Thus, lust is not merely a principle, but an invitation to the rebellion of God which the fallen angels live in for eternity. By uniting oneself with the Spirit of Lust one joins in the rebellion against the power and goodness of God. The person who engages in auto-erotic behavior using pornography to fuel his fantasy is actually a person who is coupling with forces which are demonic in nature. It is above all else a rebellion against Jesus.
The Spider Story
Written by Rick Lentz
The Spider Story – Inspired by the Holy Spirit – Transcribed by Ed Achtenberg
This is the Spider Story which I feel was inspired by the Holy Spirit. This was the opening of a letter I sent out to several of my friends who are in prison and who may struggle with depression or feelings of helplessness.
A spider is confined in a bathtub that he had entered out of curiosity. Once there, he finds that he is in a domain of uncertainty and cannot get back out. He scrambles around the tub knowing the only way out is up, yet he cannot grip the walls with his legs in order to climb out.
On the Topic of Forgiveness
Written by Bob Tomlinson
On the topic of forgiveness, let me ask this question: “What is God’s message to us?”
I believe that it is clearly a message of love and forgiveness! Note, that I say love and forgiveness. Why do I say this? Is it not true that when we read Scripture the overall message that Jesus gave to his disciples and the world is the message of God’s love? Jesus constantly and consistently reminds us about God’s love for each of us and to love one another (John 13:34-35). However to truly love our fellow man, we need to also know God's message of forgiveness (Mt. 6:12, 14-15), for being able to forgive one another is the true test of love.
The Ocean of God’s Love
Written by Rick Lentz
