Seito

Amen to that.

Having just come to the end of my teenage years, i must confess that i have looked at porn. But, like Padelford said "Who hasn't?"... I can tell you now, from first hand experience that, porn - no matter how soft - leads to the harder stuff later on, and from there, that leads to all sorts of things related.
I understand that people should have a knowledge of the body, and that for the majority of people it is curiosity which causes the "first look". For me, it was the case, however, that "first look" always warrents a second, and third and before you know it you're addicted.

For me, my parents sat down with me, after they caught me "clicking off" (as Mark put it), and they talked to me. They told me that it wasn't right, and that they were trusting me not to go back on the sites.
I'll admit that i wasn't always keeping their trust; but it did help. It seems to me, that the best way to combat this, is to trust the youngsters and pray.
I prayed for a change in my mind, and heart. It happened, i still fall, but who doesn't. But, Praise God, that they are few and far between. I am no where near as bad as I was before.

God Bless,
Seito

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"Owe nothing to anyone -- except your obligation to love one another"
Romans 13: 8

Bassmasa

Porn has been a MAJOR issue in my life since second grade...seeing that first girlie magazine had me hooked. It's a loooooong story, but earlier this year, God got a hold of me and wouldn't let go until I truly repented. I hid this from my wife since our dating days, over 10 full years. If she ever found out, I could have lost her, she could have taken my son. I could have lost everything important.

Like Seito, I truly repented and God has turned everything around, from my desires to my thought life. It's nothing short of a miracle. In fact, I have received so much grace from both Him and my wife, that I spoke about this in front on my entire congregation during our revival this week, over 100 people. 3 months ago, I literally woke up with nightmares about my wife finding out. Now, I'm leading a small group at my church to transform the lives of men with Christ's help.

For an outstanding book on this issue, check out "Every Man's Battle" by Fred Stoeker. It changed my life and will be the focus of our group's study. Get this issue straightened out men, there is nothing more poisonous, or tempting, to most of us.

JumpinJEHOSAPHAT

Pornography degrades women who we men must protect from degradation or surely our children will suffer the consequences of mothers who are not morally fit to mother a child.

Mark

Excellent discussion here.

Accountability is a key in my opinion.

James 1: 14 - 15 states, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” I believe that our “own desires” change as we get older. New types of sins are introduced to our body, soul (mind, will and emotion) and spirit.
It is true that some sins may be introduced early on so that we "desire" before we should. However, sooner or later, as we grow and develop many of those temptations will come our way with or without exposure.

The desire for sexual stimulation does not appear to be lessoned in countries where family nudity is more acceptable. So there does not seem to be a "fulfillment" of those desires. However, teaching children about God's desires for sexual union is very, very important!

So, as we "conceive" sin, how then can we overcome this temptation? I agree that God's grace - a power to overcome, is a major part of the ability to overcome. Another huge help is accountability (discipleship). We have computer filters. When my son lived with us (now a graduate and on his own) I gave him the password to the filter so he could override it if he wanted to, but he knew I would see the report telling me everywhere he went. This accountability was a great help.

I have written a short booklet for parents on setting limits. It has a chapter on the James 1 and its implications to our children. (Send an email to bookrequest-at-colossians2.com for instructions on how to download the book for free.)

One thing is for sure. We need to be in prayer for our children!

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Mark Strohm, Jr.
Thrifty Times

VampireGirl

I'll give some hints from the old pro here. Keep the computer in the main area that an adult is in like your bed room or the living room. Don't use AOL this helps on the child preditors too because with high speed or something similar you aren't signed up to a big network for IMs and Emails just by being on line. You can check where anyone goes by use of cookies stored on the computer unless they're smart enough to delete them every time they use the computer. I have found that by using yahoo.com I have greatly lowered the amount of junk mail and porn mail I get to the point where I don't have any.

MartyLK

If you are using Windows XP you can create a limited account which nobody would be able to use to download anything with and you would also be able to severely, very severely restrict web surfing abilities.

You would need to take the time and trouble of setting everything up for your child but it would be worth it. The way I would feel, to go about doing that would be to wait for the yells, "Dad! I can't do such and such! I need this or that!"

It works, believe me. They can hardly do anything. My niece and nephew can attest to that.

If you want help or guidance on setting up the limited account just let me know. I'm not an expert but I believe I can help.

Boanerges

There are some add on programs available in the freeware section of snapfiles that can and will filter most (but not all) objectionable material.

Nesian

i used to watch porn & i admit it was addictive. similarly with masturbation, [im being very direct, no offence to anyone] since i was abstinent, i convinced myself that it was ok...everyone does it so why not right? but deep down, i knew it was wrong. it might be pleasurable but i always felt guilty afterwards. i knew i was hurting God but i kept doing it.

then about a month ago, i gave my life to God and i haven't watched porn or mastered since when God is in your life, you can give up anything!! Temptation is always there but it's so much easier to fight it with the lord on your side. Just take it day by day

whenever i feel tempted, i remind myself that God is watching. I don't want to disappoint him or make him sad.

edit: btw, porn doesn't only degrade women but men as well.

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mustardseed

This kind of temptation isn't easy to overcome so good for you!

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God grades on the cross, not the curve.

Boanerges

Nesian I am both pleased for you and proud of you !