Excerpt: The Healing Power of the Gospel
Course: Freedom From Pornography
Speakers: Ryan Miller
Healing Through God’s Love
As we explore healing through relationships, we cannot neglect our relationship with God. Often, we run from Him, believing He sees us with condemnation. But the truth of the Gospel reveals a different picture.
God’s View: A Father’s Joyful Embrace
Do you know what the scriptures say in Psalm 67? ‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.’ That phrase, ‘make his face shine upon us,’ is an ancient Hebrew expression for trying to make a baby laugh. I have two young children, and I’ll do anything to make them laugh because I love them. This is how God sees us, even in our struggles with pornography, a source of deep shame.
The Enemy’s Accusation and God’s Defense
We need to understand the enemy’s role and how God meets us. The enemy is an accuser. In Zechariah 3, we see a powerful image: Joshua, the high priest, standing in the Holy of Holies, covered in filth. This was a nightmare vision, symbolizing our unworthiness. Satan, the prosecuting attorney, accuses Joshua, but then something extraordinary happens.
The Angel of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Christ, steps down from the judgment seat. He rebukes Satan and removes Joshua’s filthy garments, clothing him in pure white linens. This reveals how God sees us at our worst moments. He smiles, eager to impart His joy, and defends us against the accuser.
God’s Patient Love
I once helped tame wild mustangs. The first step was gaining acknowledgment. As the horse ran in fear, we patiently pursued it until it looked at us, then we backed away, lowering our energy. This established trust.
Similarly, our relationship with God begins with a look. Do you see condemnation or joy? Jesus dealt with your sin on the cross, making it possible to approach the throne of grace with boldness.
Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
When people say porn is empowering, it’s frustrating. If porn were empowering, why would so many performers commit suicide or contract HIV? Why are the movie titles degrading? Porn isn’t empowering; it’s degrading. Many performers have bought the lie that it gives them freedom, but you’re a slave to whatever controls you, whether it’s porn or money.
Clothed in Christ’s Righteousness
We can come as we are, knowing we’ll be met by a Savior who clothes us in pure white linens. He bore our shame, and when He said, ‘It is finished,’ He spoke of our sin and shame. We can approach our heavenly Father, knowing He awaits us with joy.
Conclusion
Ultimately, healing from the struggle with pornography requires more than just addressing the symptoms. It demands a deep, transformative encounter with the love of God. By understanding His heart, His unwavering grace, and His relentless pursuit of our wholeness, we can begin to dismantle the lies that bind us. Embrace this truth: God sees you with joy, He defends you against accusation, and He offers you a path to freedom. Allow His love to be the foundation upon which you build your journey to healing.
If you like the content, you can continue in a few different ways…
- See the outline below and check out other sections from the FFP course.
- Take the full small group course to your church community! The first course your church runs is free! Reach out to us here to learn how.
- Connect with a Share The Struggle Coach for one-on-one support. Let’s face it, some of us have tried kicking this thing, and we’ve had no luck. It’s time to start looking toward forms of support that can help us see and feel the beautiful life God has in store for us.
Part 1: Stories of Struggle
Session 1: What is the Struggle?
Video: Introduction: Freedom from Pornography
Video: Stories of Struggle with Matthias and Ryan
Video: Healing Prayer to Break Chains
Topics: Early Exposure and Unseen Wounds
Session 2: The People
Video: Brittni’s Story
Video: Humanizing the Struggle
Video: Safeguard your Life from Porn; Warfare Prayer to Break the Chains
Topics: The Broken People Who Make Porn; Taking Action Against Using Porn
Part 2: The Roots of Dependency versus Design
Session 3: How Does This Dependency Begin?
Video: Ripping the Veil off a Dark Industry
Video: What’s in the Search Bar
Video: Exploring Wounds through Attachment Style
Video: Exposing the Lies of the Sexual Revolution
Topics: The Truth about the Industry; What’s Driving Your Porn Use
Session 4: Biblical Roots
Video: Knowing Your Enemies
Video: Rejecting Synthetic for Authentic; Looking for Patterns and Capturing Thoughts
Video: Inner Healing Prayer for Pornography
Topics: Three Enemies; Gypsy Moth Mating Disruption; Inner Healing Prayer
Part 3: Reconnecting and Reattaching
Session 5: Reconnecting With An Authentic God
Video: The Healing Power of the Gospel
Video: Habits for Healing with God
Video: The Three-Part Bible Formula for Freedom
Topics: How God Sees You; Wild Mustangs; Learn the Formula for Success
Session 6: Working On Self
Video: Breaking the Addiction-Shame Cycle
Video: Creating Infrastructure for Healing
Video: The Neuroscience of Addiction; What Porn Does to Your Brain
Topics: Judgement and Shame; Visceral Reactions; Your Brain’s Reaction
Session 7: Working With Others
Video: Practices for Building Community; Relationships of Trust
Video: How to Find Good Accountability
Topics: Communities; Who to Trust; Action Before Failure
Session 8: Healing With A Spouse
Video: Providing Helpful Accountability; Confess the Temptation, Not the Mistake
Video: How to Share with your Partner
Topics: Being a Safe Listener; Sharing Safely; Listening Triad
Share The Struggle Courses
Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey). Want to start a group at your church? Reach out to us here to learn how.
What Share The Struggle Believes
Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.
We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.
We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Statement of Faith | All rights reserved. Copyright 2025
Share The Struggle is an initiative of Taming Mustangs, a 501(c)3) Non-Profit
Take the next step
Ready to do more than read about it?
One-on-one discipleship coaching helps you face what is actually going on and start moving toward real change.
Find My Coach →