Why a Porn Blocker Alone Often Fails
Probably one of the most obvious and simple ways to stop looking at porn is to employ some kind of filter to remove the junk. There are many Internet filters on the market today. Covenant Eyes also has a filter. And, for many people, using a filter is a good thing, particularly if there are young people in the home.
In Psalm 119:37 it says, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” If we choose to keep our eyes clear, it “gives us life.”
But, for anyone struggling with consuming pornography who has employed a filter as their primary method for changing their behavior, most find that nothing really changes. Have you ever seen a sign on a wall that says, “Don’t Touch–Wet Paint?” What are most people automatically inclined to do–at least be tempted to do? That’s right–touch the wall! That rebellious nature in every human heart is drawn to that which we should not do–especially in the midst of battle if we are trying to break free.
Even St. Paul understands our struggle when he says, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). For many caught in a porn addiction, a filter alone simply becomes a challenge to beat, and many are highly successful in finding “holes” in the filter and continue to look at porn.
Maybe there’s a better way.
Maybe the reason for the low success rate regarding resolutions is because the root cause of our many habits and hang-ups is never addressed: our thinking. Even more specifically, the purity of our thinking.
For years, we’ve heard about the power of positive thinking—and with good reason. There is actual science behind this. But, can positive thinking actually help us block pornography?
The Brain Can Change (Neuroplasticity)
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” –James Allen (author of As a Man Thinketh)
At the heart of all the “New Year’s goals” lies the desire to simply be a better, purer person this year. Maybe your goal is to be kinder in thought and deed to others. Maybe it’s about being less critical, judgmental, or breaking negative thought patterns about oneself. Maybe it’s about heavier issues like struggling with various forms of addiction.
The Brain That Changes Itself, the acclaimed book by Dr. Norman Doidge, shares the amazing science of brain plasticity and ways to harness its power to make lasting positive changes.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Doidge shares the story of Michelle Mack, a woman born with literally half a brain. The left hemisphere of Michelle’s brain was missing—the hemisphere that controls speech and thought. Yet to meet Michelle, Doidge shares, the deficiency was not overtly obvious. This patient was able to work a job, vote in elections, and had a great sense of humor. This was possible because Michelle’s right hemisphere took over the job of the left.
While the vast majority of the population will never suffer from a neurological disorder, Michelle’s story illustrates that our brains are equipped to do some pretty heavy lifting. The ability to “re-structure” the mind gives great hope to those who struggle with mental illness, addictions, and other negative or destructive thought patterns.
As positive thinking changes the brain in a physical way, pure thinking can do the same. Taking what we know about the effect of positive thinking and applying that to the power of pure thinking can set the stage for some inspiring change in one’s life.
This way of thinking allows us to actually chart the course of our thoughts by trudging new pathways in our brain. Through repetitiously focusing on the purity of thoughts, the old pathways become less traveled and more difficult to follow. For those who want to block porn out of their life, this is incredibly positive news.
This post is taken from Covenant Eyes: www.covenanteyes.com/2017/01/23/block-porn/ part two will be published tomorrow.
Probably one of the most obvious and simple ways to stop looking at porn is to employ some kind of filter to remove the junk. There are many Internet filters on the market today. Covenant Eyes also has a filter. And, for many people, using a filter is a good thing, particularly if there are young people in the home.
In Psalm 119:37 it says, “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” If we choose to keep our eyes clear, it “gives us life.”
But, for anyone struggling with consuming pornography who has employed a filter as their primary method for changing their behavior, most find that nothing really changes. Have you ever seen a sign on a wall that says, “Don’t Touch–Wet Paint?” What are most people automatically inclined to do–at least be tempted to do? That’s right–touch the wall! That rebellious nature in every human heart is drawn to that which we should not do–especially in the midst of battle if we are trying to break free.
Even St. Paul understands our struggle when he says, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” (Romans 7:15). For many caught in a porn addiction, a filter alone simply becomes a challenge to beat, and many are highly successful in finding “holes” in the filter and continue to look at porn.
Maybe there’s a better way.
Maybe the reason for the low success rate regarding resolutions is because the root cause of our many habits and hang-ups is never addressed: our thinking. Even more specifically, the purity of our thinking.
For years, we’ve heard about the power of positive thinking—and with good reason. There is actual science behind this. But, can positive thinking actually help us block pornography?
The Brain Can Change (Neuroplasticity)
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” –James Allen (author of As a Man Thinketh)
At the heart of all the “New Year’s goals” lies the desire to simply be a better, purer person this year. Maybe your goal is to be kinder in thought and deed to others. Maybe it’s about being less critical, judgmental, or breaking negative thought patterns about oneself. Maybe it’s about heavier issues like struggling with various forms of addiction.
The Brain That Changes Itself, the acclaimed book by Dr. Norman Doidge, shares the amazing science of brain plasticity and ways to harness its power to make lasting positive changes.
In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Doidge shares the story of Michelle Mack, a woman born with literally half a brain. The left hemisphere of Michelle’s brain was missing—the hemisphere that controls speech and thought. Yet to meet Michelle, Doidge shares, the deficiency was not overtly obvious. This patient was able to work a job, vote in elections, and had a great sense of humor. This was possible because Michelle’s right hemisphere took over the job of the left.
While the vast majority of the population will never suffer from a neurological disorder, Michelle’s story illustrates that our brains are equipped to do some pretty heavy lifting. The ability to “re-structure” the mind gives great hope to those who struggle with mental illness, addictions, and other negative or destructive thought patterns.
As positive thinking changes the brain in a physical way, pure thinking can do the same. Taking what we know about the effect of positive thinking and applying that to the power of pure thinking can set the stage for some inspiring change in one’s life.
This way of thinking allows us to actually chart the course of our thoughts by trudging new pathways in our brain. Through repetitiously focusing on the purity of thoughts, the old pathways become less traveled and more difficult to follow. For those who want to block porn out of their life, this is incredibly positive news.
This post is taken from Covenant Eyes: www.covenanteyes.com/2017/01/23/block-porn/ part two will be published tomorrow.
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