"Our souls have shriveled to the size of a TV sitcom." - John Piper

"If you keep your hand off that mouse, guys, the world will open up to you." - John Piper

I'm speaking to the church here.

I don't hide my past, but rather glorify God in it. When one has been freed from the chains of sexual sin it's something you generally want to talk about. When you're "out there" with your past, people tend to gravitate toward you with questions about freedom from sexual sin. The big question is always the same, "How can I be free?" The answer is in Romans 12:2, a complete transformation -- a renewal -- of one's mind. That renewal only comes through persistent mediation on the word of God. Soak yourself with the the water of the word, because the oily taint of sexual sin can't mix with living water.

"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18).

This week I had the privilege of talking to two men who are wanting to be free. The first man I talked to, a stranger who I got connected with through a mutual friend, said his wife walked out on him two weeks ago (in no small part due to his pornography problem). He said he has since had a revelation of God's goodness, and he's a changed man. What I say to that brother is, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you ...". Two weeks of sobriety is wonderful, but the real proof of repentance is humility fused with time. The narrow way is a way of pressure: glorious, catharsis-inducing pressure.

The second man I talked to, a friend, wants to stay pure online. He's struggled. He's flirted with adultery. He's played with a double life. I sensed so much humility when he confessed his sins. He didn't shy away from tough questions; in fact, he asked for tough questions. He doesn't care who might find out about his problem; he simply wants to be free, no matter what humiliation may come. To him I feel confident claiming the promise that "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

The reality of sexual sin is a reality every Christian man must face because our culture demands our lust and Christ demands our holiness. What's the exchange? You get to lay down the burden of constantly fleeing, even when no one pursues (Proverbs 28:1). What's more, you get to abandon the seedy websites, the late-night porn binges, the constant high-seeking of self gratification, and the illusion of "life." What do you get in return? As C.S. Lewis said, "Christ. And with him, everything else thrown in."

Nevertheless I [Jesus] have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel . . . to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality. . . . And he who overcomes and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
- Revelation 2:20, 26