Handling Pornographic Attacks: Examine, Resist, and Pray

By Paul J. Bucknell

Part 1: The Big Surprise | Part 2: Examine, Resist, and Pray | Part 3: Accountability and Purity

1) Examine Oneself

I, of course, immediately examined myself. I reviewed my life and tested the gates of my life to see if they were secure. Had I unintentionally left a crack in the door open to the evil one? But none of my habits had changed. I could not detect any change that made a difference. By God’s good grace, I had been consistently making all the necessary decisions to maintain a pure and godly life.

I also examined my motivations—a much more difficult task. For example, did I stay one second longer than necessary looking at a web page because of some exposure of flesh? I sensed I was okay but reminded myself that I needed to be very cautious. My decision-making process had slowed down to a microsecond (every moment is precious in this fight). In response, I increased the speed of my decision-making. This caused me to be unable to linger (if I was lingering at all).

Most days, I look at a news page online. It has an entertainment section that I quickly skim so I don't see any pictures that might tempt me to linger. In the end, I was somewhat satisfied with my review but, in the spirit of Psalm 139:23-24, I prayed for my heart, as it is very deceitful.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

2) The Battle

As mentioned above, I had to confront these thoughts. They were no longer subconscious; they demanded my time and prayers. During my quiet moments, I would often find a promise or Word and apply it to my situation. What would I do when the filthy images appeared on my mind’s screen?

I instantly rejected them due to their vile content, but because the image was prolonged by their repetition, I had to reject them multiple times. I have no doubt that the devil’s accomplices planted these images in my mind.

In the end, my will was being tested. Did I really want to get rid of these images, or did I have some secret desire to indulge in them? While Satan tested me, God proved my faith. Essentially, I did not need to change my battle plan from before but only to hold onto it tightly. This was not the time to try something new. I only needed resolve and commitment to remain a pure man for my Lord and my wife. I deliberately chose this path of rejection (at this point) rather than indulging in those wicked images.

Even as I write this, a specific image (horribly pornographic) keeps flashing back into my mind. Because it intrudes on my normal thinking, I have to deliberately avoid focusing on it. It’s difficult because, for a brief moment, it takes over my mind’s entire viewing screen.

These suggestive thoughts were not my own. If I indulged in them, much like a candy seller offering me a free piece of candy, and took a ‘good look,’ then these thoughts would become mine, and temptations turn into sins. In that case, I would choose to please my flesh over God’s will. Instead, thankfully, I chose each time to focus on what I was originally doing.

3) Diligently Pray

If I couldn’t push the thought out of my mind by simply focusing on my work, I would pray. The evil thought would sometimes be relentless, coming back to my mind just like a hound dog barking nonstop after finding its prey. I forget what I might have prayed, but let me give you an example of what I might pray.

Level 1 Prayer

“Dear Father, I come in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. You have delivered me from all evil. Deliver me now. I reject these thoughts as vile and evil. I want no part in them. You have overcome the evil one. Now overcome him and demolish these thoughts. Set my mind free to serve you in my work, attitudes, and thoughts. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.”

Level 2 Prayer

If I felt really oppressed, I would pray more intensely.

Dear Father, your child is under attack. He needs your help. Come and deliver me from this evil net being cast over my heart. Come and help me. I desire your ways and only your ways. If I have in any way sinned, please free me. Cleanse my sins. I want to be fully dedicated to your purposes. I want to love you and my wife with all my heart. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.

Level 3 Prayer

This third kind of prayer I only said once when I saw that this onslaught of vile images seemed endless.

Dear Lord, I need Your help. You are my Deliverer. I now come in the great Name of Jesus Christ and reject the evil spirits that have been sent to disturb me. I command the spirit of pornography to leave and not bother me anymore. I command every wicked spirit to leave my presence and leave my mind alone. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.

The previous prayers, though not exactly remembered, were brought before the Lord’s throne as often as I needed. I realized there was a battle happening for my soul. I knew the Lord could deliver me just as He had before. And He did. I noticed a significant change after prayer and after asking my wife to pray for me about this issue. I told my wife that these attacks have become a regular part of my life now.

« Back to Part 1: The Big Surprise | Continue to Part 3: Accountability and Purity »

Part 1: The Big Surprise | Part 2: Examine, Resist, and Pray | Part 3: Accountability and Purity