Latest / Reborn w/ Antonio Boutros / Overcoming Lust: Uncover the Path to True Freedom

Transcript

Overcoming Lust: Uncover the Path to True Freedom · Reborn w/ Antonio Boutros

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Hey everyone, welcome back to the Reborn Podcast.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: I am your host, Tony Boutros, and for those tuning in for the very first time, I'm a 20-year-old entrepreneur, author in the making, and most importantly, a follower of Christ.
• 0:14
  SPEAKER_00: This podcast is all about personal and spiritual development, entrepreneurship, and leadership, all through the lens of faith.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: Today we're diving deep into a topic that's often swept under the rug, but affects so many of us.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Overcoming lust and pornography.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: This is a struggle that can feel isolating, shameful, and overwhelming.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: But I'm here to tell you that freedom is possible.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_00: We'll explore how community, our sisters and brothers in Christ, and prayer can lead us out of this darkness and into the light.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: So grab a seat, settle in, and let's get started on this journey towards liberation and spiritual growth.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: Lust and pornography are topics that many shy away from discussing openly, especially within a church.
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: But the truth is these are pervasive issues that can hinder our personal growth, damage our relationships, and distance us from God.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_00: I know this struggle personally.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: Before I found Christ in October of 2023, my life was uh filled with various battles.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: Poor health mentally, physically, and emotionally.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: I was searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places, and lust was only one of those pitfalls.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: It promised satisfaction, but only left me feeling empty and ashamed.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: But through my journey of faith, I've discovered powerful tools and support systems that have helped me break free from these chains.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_00: Today I want to share these insights with you.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: Not as someone who's got it all figured out, but as a fellow traveler on this path to redemption and wholeness.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: Let's turn to scripture for our foundation.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_00: In first Corinthians six and eighteen, Paul writes, flee from sexual immorality.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body.
• 2:19
  SPEAKER_00: This verse isn't meant to condemn us, but to guide us towards a healthier, more fulfilling way of living.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: I want to touch again on the power of community.
• 2:35
  SPEAKER_00: One of the most significant lessons I've learned is the immense power of community and over overcoming struggles like lust.
• 2:44
  SPEAKER_00: When I was battling on my own, I felt isolated and defeated.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: But once I opened up and allowed others into my journey, everything changed.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: And let us consider how we may spur one another on another spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: Not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: Being part of a supportive community provides accountability, encouragement, and a safe space to share our burdens.
• 3:31
  SPEAKER_00: Let me share a story.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: After my baptism in uh in April 2024, I was at a weekly prayer group that I had joined back in October 23 at a local um co-working space in a room that we called a locker room, uh, the blue table.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: It's this amazing blue table that just has lights underneath it, and I mean just envisioning the table itself, just it's a it's a great feeling, but it's a smoke gathering where we bring our struggles to the table literally and figuratively and lift each other up in prayer.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: I remember one particular meeting where I was feeling overwhelmed by temptation.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: The group surrounded me, laid hands on me, and prayed earnestly.
• 4:24
  SPEAKER_00: That sense of community and collective strength was unlike anything I've ever experienced.
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: During that morning, I was feeling overwhelmed.
• 4:36
  SPEAKER_00: And I said, God, because I so I believe one of my core beliefs is that it's much easier to replace than it is to remove.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: So I said, God, don't even, don't even, you know, make this something I have to struggle, you know, to battle with.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: Just make it something I I don't I don't even want it.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: Remove it entirely.
• 4:53
  SPEAKER_00: And I said, okay, God, uh, like I said, I think it's easier to replace it.
• 4:56
  SPEAKER_00: To remove, so replace it with a yearning for a wife.
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: Replace it for a yearning for building a family.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: And seemingly immedi immediately he did.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: Excuse me.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um and since then I have been I've had a strong yearning for wife.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: That did lead to another problem though, because I was initially seeking peace and rest in a wife versus in Christ.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: So I still did not place my identity fully yet in Christ.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: I still wanted things outside of him.
• 5:37
  SPEAKER_00: Community does not just offer support, it also reminds us that we're not alone in our struggles.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: There are often others walking the same path, facing the same giants, and together we can find strength and victory.
• 5:54
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's talk about the unique and invaluable role that our sisters play, sisters in Christ play in this journey.
• 6:02
  SPEAKER_00: Women bring in different perspective and depth of wisdom that can profoundly impact our healing and growth.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: In my experience with conversations with female mentors and friends, I have opened my eyes to the broader consequences of lust, not just on ourselves, but on how we view and value others.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: They've helped me understand the importance of purity, respect, and genuine love.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: Proverbs 31 and 26 says, She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: Our sisters in Christ often embody this wisdom and kindness, providing insights and encouragement that challenge us to rise above our struggles.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: Personally, I believe that when you are not around sisters in Christ, it can be much easier to objectify and sexualize women because you don't know women.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: But when you begin to surround yourself with members of the body of Christ, and specifically uh sisters in Christ, you start to get to build relationships with women, you start to have love for women, you start to get to know people, go get to know women uh and sisters uh personally, and I think once you get to know them personally, uh you have love, and you have more self-control because you know that women are not just this thing that is to be objectified, that is not just this thing to be uh sexualized, they are these beautiful creatures um who are playing their role in building God's kingdom, as we uh men are also beautiful creatures playing our role to build God's kingdom.
• 8:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um I believe that's the biggest thing for having different uh brothers and different sisters in Christ.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_00: Ultimately, engaging with and learning from our sisters in Christ helps us develop healthier relationships and fosters a community built on mutual respect and support.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: Prayer is without a doubt one of the most powerful tools we have in overcoming any struggle, including lust.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_00: It's our direct line of communication with God, our source of strength, wisdom, and grace.
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now, how how how awesome is it that hey, I can I can I can close my eyes, I can put my hands together, I can pray, I can look up to the heavens and speak directly with God.
• 8:58
  SPEAKER_00: Can I get an amen for that?
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: Man, that is speaking directly to God.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: We're living on earth where we look left to right, all we see is imperfect humans, but we can we can we can pray and speak directly with God, our source of strength, wisdom, and grace.
• 9:15
  SPEAKER_00: Hallelujah.
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: Hallelujah.
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: Philippians 4 and 6 encourages us, do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
• 9:31
  SPEAKER_00: Bringing our struggles to God through to bringing our struggles to God through prayer invisez healing and transformative power into our lives.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: In my darkest moments, when temptation felt overwhelming, turning to per turning to prayer provided immediate relief and strength.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: There are times I'd wake up in the middle of the night, wrestling with thoughts I didn't want, kneeling beside my bed and pouring my heart out to God, brought peace that surpassed all understanding.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: On that note, I also want to touch on worship, specifically worship music.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: I think on one hand it's great to have peace and quiet, and I I believe that the best song that you'll that you'll ever hear is going out in nature, taking a walk, listening to the birds, listening to the leaves, listening to the winds, because that's the only song that's made entirely by God, um, versus by man.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: But I think worship music also can play a pivotal role on focusing your heart, your mind on Christ.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_00: And as with prayer, worship also aligns our hearts with God's will, helping us to desire what is pure and righteous.
• 11:02
  SPEAKER_00: And prayer specifically, it's not just about asking for help, but also about listening and allowing God to work within us, reshaping our desires and thoughts.
• 11:15
  SPEAKER_00: Incorporating regular prayer into our daily routines builds spiritual resilience, whether it's through morning devotions, prayer walks, or moments of silent reflection through the day.
• 11:26
  SPEAKER_00: Maintaining that constant connection with God empowers us to resist temptation and walk in freedom.
• 11:35
  SPEAKER_00: Just as our sisters in Christ provide wisdom and perspective, our brothers in Christ offer accountability and camaraderie.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_00: That's crucial in the spite against lust.
• 11:45
  SPEAKER_00: Proverbs 27 and 17 states, as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_00: Having a group of men who understand your struggles and are committed to walking alongside you makes a world of difference.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_00: I've been blessed with incredible brothers in Christ who hold me accountable, check in regularly, and aren't afraid to ask the tough questions.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_00: We meet weekly, share our victories and setbacks, and pray for each other earnestly.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_00: This accountability structure has been instrumental in maintaining purity and making consistent progress.
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_00: I'm reminded of a couple weeks ago I had the blessing to take one of my sisters in Christ dancing.
• 12:30
  SPEAKER_00: Um and we were together most of the night, but for someone at night, uh for a few minutes, she was talking with this other guy, and she came back to me and she she's the first the first thing she said about him, he said she said, um, man, he cussed five, like five, he said the F word like five times when I was talking to him.
• 12:49
  SPEAKER_00: And that just reminds me, like, if you are surrounding yourself with a man like that, uh, who's probably also giving angels, he's probably also doing all these things, right?
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_00: And and then you know, I pray that he's not, but a lot of these things correlate with one another.
• 13:08
  SPEAKER_00: Versus spending time with those who have accomplished what you want to accomplish, who are who are chasing after uh Christ as fast as they can, who are um purpose why calling oriented.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_00: They're not they're making they're making faith-based decisions, not feeling-based decisions, not uh uh world-based decisions.
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_00: Right?
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_00: They're listening to worship music, they're not listening to rap that is all about sex, drugs, etc.
• 13:42
  SPEAKER_00: Which, by the way, I I used to be the kid who like all the that's all I would listen to.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_00: All I would listen to is rap.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: Um They're probably you know, the people that you want in your life are watching uh shows like The Chosen.
• 13:55
  SPEAKER_00: They're not watching whatever shows that lead you to temptation, right?
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_00: And so on.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: And so just just seeing how the difference is, just in that little moment, like the very first thing she said to me was he literally he he said that he said the effort like five times in in the five minutes I was talking to him.
• 14:17
  SPEAKER_00: And just those little things, if you're surrounding yourself with people like that, that's who you're gonna become.
• 14:24
  SPEAKER_00: Who you surround yourself with is who you become.
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_00: All these cliche things are cliche for a reason.
• 14:29
  SPEAKER_00: They're cliche because they are accurate, they are true, they're right.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_00: These tr these relationships also offer a space a safe space to be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
• 14:46
  SPEAKER_00: Knowing that others have faced and overcome similar challenges gives hope and practical strategies to continue moving forward.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't have such a group, I encourage you to seek one out.
• 14:58
  SPEAKER_00: Join a men's Bible study, connect with mentorship programs, or even start your own accountability group.
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: Surrounding yourself with like-minded brothers committed to living out their faith can be a game changer.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: If you're if you're in Indianapolis or around Indianapolis, reach out to me on Instagram.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_00: I have several groups I'll be happy to plug you in with.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: Um I also have a couple that are virtual, so no matter where you're at, feel free to reach out if you're looking for community.
• 15:31
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, specifically men, primarily.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_00: Um that we discussed the foundational elements, community, sisters, and brothers in Christ, and prayer.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_00: Let's delve into some practical t steps you can take to today to overcome lust.
• 15:54
  SPEAKER_00: Number one, identify triggers.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: Understand what situations, thoughts, or environments lead you into temptation.
• 16:04
  SPEAKER_00: Once you know your triggers, you can proactively avoid or manage them.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: Number two, set boundaries.
• 16:17
  SPEAKER_00: This might mean limiting certain media consumption or being mindful of the company you keep.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_00: With that specifically, social media.
• 16:29
  SPEAKER_00: If you are struggling with mental health, if you are struggling with lust, I would delete all social media.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: Social media can be used positively but it is extremely dis uh difficult and it is extremely it requires an extreme amount of discipline because it's so easy to find lust, to find things that are negative on your mental health.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're struggling with any of this, I'd strongly suggest that you uh go cold turkey on social media.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_00: I I believe that could be one of the most helpful things you can do.
• 17:20
  SPEAKER_00: Three, engage in spiritual disciplines.
• 17:24
  SPEAKER_00: Regular regularly read scripture, pray, and worship.
• 17:28
  SPEAKER_00: Filling your mind and heart with God's truth leaves less room for harmful thoughts.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_00: Here's the thing What you fill your cup with is what will pour out.
• 17:40
  SPEAKER_00: I've spoken about it before, but if you have not heard the heard the parable of the c the guy with the coffee cup, um he someone ran into him, he spilled his coffee.
• 17:53
  SPEAKER_00: He goes in back to where he was and the pastor he was talking to, he he and the pastor asked him, Well, man, why why did he spill your coffee?
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_00: And the guy said, Oh, well, it's because uh this guy ran into me.
• 18:06
  SPEAKER_00: The pastor's like, No, it's not.
• 18:10
  SPEAKER_00: You spilled your coffee because you had coffee in your cup.
• 18:16
  SPEAKER_00: If you had tea, lemonade, water, you would have spilled one of those things.
• 18:22
  SPEAKER_00: But you had coffee in your cup.
• 18:24
  SPEAKER_00: And so that is what spilled out.
• 18:26
  SPEAKER_00: And so what this is saying is if we're filling our minds with vulgar ideas, if we're filling our mind with lust and porn and uh music that's about sex and drugs and all these these negative influences, that is what's gonna pour out.
• 18:45
  SPEAKER_00: When we get into a situ when we see a woman, we're gonna immediately sexualize her.
• 18:48
  SPEAKER_00: We're not gonna look at her as a as a sister in Christ that we we love.
• 18:53
  SPEAKER_00: We're gonna look at her as a uh a girl that we want to sleep with.
• 18:59
  SPEAKER_00: If we're filling our mind instead with church, with worship, with prayer, with with the word, with good community, when we're faced with a similar situation, instead of seeing this woman for just someone to sleep with, we're gonna see them as someone to love.
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_00: Someone that uh someone that is a human being.
• 19:22
  SPEAKER_00: Someone who is a sister in Christ.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_00: Uh similarly, let's say you get into a I know for me personally, one of the things I've struggled with is is uh going in my car and and having this, you know, people just they're going slower in the fast lane than the than the than the people in the slow lane.
• 19:42
  SPEAKER_00: It's like, man, what are you doing?
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_00: Get out of the lane, bro.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_00: And it's like I back then it's like dude, hong, con get on their get on their butt and uh and so on.
• 19:56
  SPEAKER_00: But today it's like I'll give them a space.
• 19:58
  SPEAKER_00: Uh if I need to go around, I'll go around.
• 20:00
  SPEAKER_00: If I need to um, you know, just wait for them to move, cool, whatever.
• 20:05
  SPEAKER_00: Um and ultimately, like realistically, like I like driving fast, but I'm gonna save two minutes or five minutes.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: Like, I'm not I'm not gonna save very much time in the in the grand scheme of things.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm also typically I'm listening to um uh a productive podcast, you know, whatever uh business or personal involvement, um, and and that kind of thing.
• 20:29
  SPEAKER_00: Or if I'm not listening to a podcast that I'm learning from, I'm listening to worship music or uh just God-based music so that I'm still uh you know putting good things into my mind so that when I'm spilling my cup, good things are spilling out.
• 20:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um, number four is stay accountable.
• 20:48
  SPEAKER_00: As we discussed, connect with trusted individuals who can support you and hold your you accountable in your journey.
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: One of the biggest things I've struggled with is sleep, oversleeping.
• 20:58
  SPEAKER_00: And uh I remember talking to a friend of mine last year, and he said, and I was telling him, I'm like, man, you know, that the the hardest days to wake up are the days where I don't have an early morning meeting.
• 21:13
  SPEAKER_00: And he's like, Yeah, that makes sense because the hardest person or I'm sorry, the easiest person to let down is yourself.
• 21:19
  SPEAKER_00: And he's not saying that for me personally, he's just saying, like, in general, the easiest person to let down is yourself.
• 21:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and he was also, he's a brother in Christ, like he's you know, follow Jesus.
• 21:28
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so I think that speaks to the point that yeah, you need to have these people around you that you look up to that you trust that you um like for me it's a lot of my like my mentors.
• 21:42
  SPEAKER_00: Like I l I recently told a mentor that yeah, I I have been struggling with sleep and I could you know I could use your help with this.
• 21:50
  SPEAKER_00: Um and uh and I mean it's helped.
• 21:57
  SPEAKER_00: I've been sleeping as much.
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Much as I should, not more, not less.
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_00: Um, and staying accountable because I have someone keeping me accountable versus just myself.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, pursue healthy activities, engage in hobbies and activities that promote well-being and keep your mind occupied positively.
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_00: Exercise, reading, volunteering, and creative pursuits can all be beneficial.
• 22:25
  SPEAKER_00: I want to touch on that last one specifically a little bit.
• 22:28
  SPEAKER_00: Creative pursuits, because I feel like a lot of time in creative pursuits, for me personally, it's writing my book, it's making this podcast, etc.
• 22:38
  SPEAKER_00: The the scientifically proven, it's it's the best way to learn, the best way to retain what you learn is to teach it.
• 22:45
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's really why I make the podcast.
• 22:48
  SPEAKER_00: Is because I am learning and I'm keeping this stuff in my mind now because I'm I'm trying I'm teaching it, right?
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_00: What I've learned.
• 22:59
  SPEAKER_00: Um and it also gives me purpose and fulfillment to be able to serve others.
• 23:06
  SPEAKER_00: Exercise.
• 23:07
  SPEAKER_00: I think you should exercise every day.
• 23:09
  SPEAKER_00: Um, at least an hour uh can be as simple as walking.
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_00: Reading is great, uh, especially obviously reading the word.
• 23:15
  SPEAKER_00: Uh, but I also think that reading books um that are uh aligned with your goals uh are also great.
• 23:23
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, right now, I am about to start on this book, Atomic Habits, probably within the next couple weeks, uh, because I'm finishing up another book that I do not have next to me right now.
• 23:33
  SPEAKER_00: But um yeah, so books can be great as well.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_00: Um volunteering.
• 23:44
  SPEAKER_00: Um volunteering, I think, is great, especially if you are an entrepreneur, you are a leader, especially if you're someone who's blessed financially, giving your time for free when your time is worth a hundred, two hundred, five hundred, thousand, you know, whatever it is per hour, and you're giving this time for free.
• 24:02
  SPEAKER_00: That can be one humbling, that can be fulfilling, that can uh I I think there can be a thin line between doing it for him, doing it for God, and and and being self-serving, because that can uh, in a sense, almost make you self-righteous.
• 24:21
  SPEAKER_00: And that is obviously something that we want to avoid.
• 24:24
  SPEAKER_00: Um number six is seek professional help if needed.
• 24:31
  SPEAKER_00: Don't hesitate to reach out to counselors or therapists who specialize in this area.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: Professional guidance can provide additional tools and support.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_00: This is one that I've kind of gone back and back and forth on.
• 24:44
  SPEAKER_00: I think if you can get a spiritual-based therapist who is not there to keep you in therapy your entire life, but is there to I f I feel like as a therapist, your job is to kind of get them better.
• 25:03
  SPEAKER_00: And uh by doing so, they should not be a client of yours their whole life.
• 25:07
  SPEAKER_00: Um, or at least their uh interval should be a lot longer between, once a month, you know, etc.
• 25:13
  SPEAKER_00: rather than like I used to go literally, you know, every day.
• 25:17
  SPEAKER_00: Um, so um and remember, overcoming lust is a process, and it's okay to stumble along the way.
• 25:26
  SPEAKER_00: What matters is your commitment to get back up and keep moving forward, relying on God's strength and the support of your community.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: Uh so here are those six those six steps again.
• 25:38
  SPEAKER_00: First, identifies triggers, second, set boundaries, third, engage in spiritual disciplines, fourth, stay accountable, fifth, pursue healthy activities, and sixth, seek professional help.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_00: Romans eight and thirty-seven assures us in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loves loved us.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_00: Hold on to this promise as you continue your journey towards freedom.
• 26:07
  SPEAKER_00: Now let's talk tackle some common questions and concerns people have when dealing with lust and pornography.
• 26:14
  SPEAKER_00: Is feeling tempted the same as sinning?
• 26:19
  SPEAKER_00: Great question.
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_00: Feeling tempted is a natural part of human being being human and is it is not a sin in itself.
• 26:30
  SPEAKER_00: Even Jesus was tempted as described in Matthew 4 and 1 through in Matthew 4 and 1 through 11, we see Jesus uh has 40 days and 40 nights where he is fasting in the in the in the wilderness in a desert.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_00: Um and the devil comes to him and he keeps trying to test him.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_00: And uh the first test is uh he tests him with, Well, if you are uh the son of God, tell these stones and become bread.
• 27:04
  SPEAKER_00: And Jesus answered, It is written, Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
• 27:10
  SPEAKER_00: Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest points of the temple.
• 27:15
  SPEAKER_00: If you are the son of God, he said, Throw yourself down, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot at your foot against the stone.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus answered him, It is also written, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_00: Again a devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.
• 27:42
  SPEAKER_00: He said, All this I will give you.
• 27:44
  SPEAKER_00: He said, If you will bow down and worship me.
• 27:47
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus said to him away from me, Saiyan, for it is written, Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.
• 27:53
  SPEAKER_00: Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
• 27:59
  SPEAKER_00: What this tells us is that even Jesus was tempted at times.
• 28:07
  SPEAKER_00: And he did not sin.
• 28:15
  SPEAKER_00: It's how we respond to temptation that matters.
• 28:19
  SPEAKER_00: When we choose to entertain and act on those thoughts, it becomes sinful.
• 28:24
  SPEAKER_00: The key is to recognize temptation early and respond with prayer and truth from scripture.
• 28:31
  SPEAKER_00: Question two is I've failed multiple times.
• 28:34
  SPEAKER_00: Is freedom still possible for me?
• 28:39
  SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
• 28:42
  SPEAKER_00: God's grace is boundless, and his mercies are new every morning.
• 28:48
  SPEAKER_00: As it says in Lamentations 3 and 23, 22 to 23, because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed.
• 28:56
  SPEAKER_00: For his compassions never fail, they are new every morning.
• 28:58
  SPEAKER_00: Great is your faithfulness.
• 29:02
  SPEAKER_00: Failure does not define you.
• 29:05
  SPEAKER_00: It's an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.
• 29:08
  SPEAKER_00: Stay persistent, lean on God's strength, and utilize the support systems we've discussed.
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_00: Freedom is a journey in every step that counts.
• 29:23
  SPEAKER_00: Question three, how can I help someone else struggling with lust?
• 29:29
  SPEAKER_00: Approach them with love, empathy, and understanding.
• 29:35
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's I think it's very easy to come and condemn, come and shame people.
• 29:47
  SPEAKER_00: And I saw this this is what I'm talking about when I say you can use social media positively, um, even though it's difficult.
• 29:54
  SPEAKER_00: I saw this reel earlier today that said following Jesus is forgiving the unforgivable because Jesus did the same for you.
• 30:03
  SPEAKER_00: Jesus forgave your unforgivable sins.
• 30:06
  SPEAKER_00: Um and so approach them with love, empathy, and understanding.
• 30:11
  SPEAKER_00: Offer a listening ear and share resources that have helped you or others.
• 30:16
  SPEAKER_00: Encourage them to seek community and professional help if needed.
• 30:20
  SPEAKER_00: Pray for and with them, reminding them of God's love and the hope available through Christ.
• 30:28
  SPEAKER_00: As we wrap up today's episode, I want to remind you that overcoming lust and pornography is not just about resisting temptation, but about pursuing a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God and others.
• 30:41
  SPEAKER_00: It's about embracing the abundant life that Christ offers and walking in the freedom and purity He desires for us.
• 30:51
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, you're not alone in this journey.
• 30:54
  SPEAKER_00: Lean into your community.
• 30:56
  SPEAKER_00: Engage with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and stay rooted in prayer.
• 31:01
  SPEAKER_00: Progress may be gradual, but with persistence and faith, victory is within reach.
• 31:09
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me on this important and heartfelt discussion.
• 31:13
  SPEAKER_00: I hope it's provided you with insights, encouragement, and practical steps to move forward.
• 31:17
  SPEAKER_00: If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe to the Reborn Podcast and share it with someone who might benefit from it.
• 31:25
  SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel and Instagram for more content on personal and spiritual development.
• 31:31
  SPEAKER_00: Stay blessed, stay strong, and until next time, keep pursuing growth and walking in faith.
• 31:40
  SPEAKER_00: God bless you all, and see you in the next episode.
• 31:48
  SPEAKER_00: Hey listeners, before we sign off completely, I would love to hear your thoughts on today's topic.
• 31:53
  SPEAKER_00: What strategies have you found helpful in overcoming struggles in your life?
• 31:58
  SPEAKER_00: Send me a message on Instagram or leave a comment on my latest YouTube video.
• 32:03
  SPEAKER_00: Let's keep this conversation going and continue supporting each other on this journey.
• 32:07
  SPEAKER_00: Also, are there any other topics you'd like me to cover in future episodes?
• 32:12
  SPEAKER_00: Your feedback is invaluable in making this podcast as impactful and relevant as possible.
• 32:20
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks again for being part of the Reborn community.
• 32:23
  SPEAKER_00: Take care and God bless.