By Elaina Simpson, C.S.
"Can you post about how to overcome pornography?" These were the recent words of a DoveandOliveLeaf reader. It seems to be a tabooed subject, but one should never hesitate to pray about this, or to reach out to a Practitioner or a trusted mentor for support.
Even if this is not a topic you are directly working on or thinking about, I'd love it if you'd pray about it with me this evening. The numbers of people on these sites around the world are staggering and it's important to pray to know the ongoing and uninterrupted purity and righteousness of all mankind. Luckily, we don't have to fix or change a situation with our prayer but rather see what God sees about the situation. This blesses and your prayer does uplift thought and makes a difference. :)
In my practice, I have heard from people yearning to seek freedom from this. Others that are now on the other side of this so-called challenge, have told me that they realized that cybersex and/or pornography are actually not pleasurable or enjoyable... But that it actually feels more like bondage and certainly does not lead to longterm happiness. That reminds me of this verse from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy: "Evil is sometimes a man's highest conception of right, until his grasp on good grows stronger. Then he loses pleasure in wickedness, and it becomes his torment. The way to escape the misery of sin is to cease sinning. There is no other way."
( 327:9–13)
It helps to ask oneself if they are finding their fulfillment, satisfaction and wholeness in divine Love... Or if one is searching for these things (but never finding it) in other material means. We can find a lasting sense of Love, spiritually. The spiritual Love that we all express as God's children, is always permanent, it's unselfish, and always fulfilling. If anyone reading this is working on this topic prayerfully for themselves, know that you are more than capable of feeling the Love that God is gifting to you freely-- Every moment. Love fills you up full now, not later. In reality, your purity, affection and proper expression of Love is intact and it has never left you or could leave you. This JSH audio chat is a really lovely one on this topic. I also love this chat that covers what true womanhood is. I like the idea that rather than objectifying our fellow man, we can see everyone spiritually and defend true womanhood and manhood! Have a lovely evening,
Elaina
______ For updates on future posts, you can subscribe here Read or listen to Science and Health online for free Purchase Science and Health