Every Man’s Fight (Pt. 1/5)
If you’re looking for some hope, keep reading. I’m no expert but I’ve fought my fair share of battles. I’ve been trained by wiser men than me and I’ve taught many young men the same principles that’ve worked for me and countless others.
Here’s #1 on my list of Biblically Based Battle Hacks
Radical Amputation
In 2019, the Freedom Fight conducted a survey of more than 1,300 Practicing Christian college students from over thirty different campuses. The students surveyed considered their faith in Christ to be very important to them. The results were alarming. Eighty-nine percent of the Christian men surveyed watch porn at least occasionally.
Scripture is extremely clear with its instruction on temptation. Flee, Avoid, Fight, Amputate.
One of my first questions when a man tells me about their struggle is, “How do you access porn?” The usual response – their phone. Next question: “What are you doing to minimize your access?”
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Matthew 5:30
It’s perhaps the most obvious of strategies, yet the least applied. This is a hill I’ll die on… and this is usually the moment most guys stop listening. The idea of blocking apps on their phone, setting up accountability software or ditching their smart phone is too inconvenient. Other guys are concerned that it might make them look weak or pervy. Let me be clear. The weakest, perviest thing you could possibly do as a man is choose a life of secret sin because you’re afraid of what others might think or it’s too inconvenient for you to change.
Here’s the truth, Your Desire = Your Desperation. How much you care about something will determine the lengths you’ll go to achieve it. When the famous mountaineer, Aron Ralston’s arm was crushed between two boulders, his desire to survive led him to desperately cut off his own arm. I had a coach that used to say, “fight like you’re the third monkey trying to get on Noah’s ark.” How badly do you desire Jesus? How far would you go to destroy sin in your life? Are you fighting tooth and nail? Are you desperate? I pray you will be soon.
Here's the steps I advise men to take, ranking from least to most aggressive:
Least Aggressive: Download accountability software for your phone and ask someone you trust to monitor your browsing. Accountable2You and Covenant Eyes are two great options.
Aggressive: Delete the apps you use for access and have a friend log onto your phone’s restriction settings and disable your access points. (i.e web browser or youtube) Then have them keep the password.
Most Aggressive: Ditch the smartphone dude. More and more guys are switching back to dumb phones for multiple reasons, but the best reason is to free yourself from carrying around a dumpster fire of temptation in your pocket all day. There’s a couple of options here:
- Bark Phone – marketed to kids but the idea is still the same. No internet, no apps, just talk and text. And you’ll probably save a ton on your monthly phone bill.
- Light Phone – might be the coolest option here but it’s a little pricier. $300 for the 2.0 and $800 for the 3.0. No internet, no apps, but you still get GPS and you can download music/podcasts.
- Flip Phone Mafia – few are brave enough to embark on this road but it’s affordable and will minimize distractions. There are a few good options here, but you have to be careful, some (stupid) people are out there making flip phones with internet browsers. It should be a crime. I chose to go with Consumer Cellular and I use the Link II.
For those who say, “I NEED GPS!” You’ll get by okay without one, just like our grandparents did. It’s an important manly skill to be able to navigate without GPS. But, if you really need one, buy a Garmin. Let me be the first to encourage you. This step will 100% make an impact in your fight for purity. It won’t end it - but you’ll be giving yourself an upper hand. As I think about sacrifice, I’m reminded of what Jesus requires.
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:16-22
The wealthy young man probably had legitimate reasons for not wanting to sell his belongings. He perhaps had a family to provide for and servants to feed. Or maybe it was too big of a hassle to change his way of life. You could think of a million excuses not to limit your access, but I’m challenging you to think about it this way.
How badly do you desire to walk with Jesus?
Don’t be the one walking away, unwilling to give up everything.
Note from the author:
I really REALLLYYYY wanted to save this blog for later in the series because it’s going to ruffle some feathers. Guys love the ‘pillow-fight’ version of purity talk but when you bring up “cutting off hands”, guys can get a little uncomfortable. Problem is, this principle is foundational and if you’re not willing to practice radical amputation, you’re not ready to have a man-to-man discussion about purity. Stick around for the rest of the series as we tackle this multi-headed monster. Send us an email at dominioncamp.ks@gmail.com and I’ll personally respond to any questions you have.
