By Njoki Karuoya
Pornography has become a big problem in our society today. So bad has it gotten that gals and dudes are freely enrolling for pornographic movies and photos.
Some have even posted their images on the Internet without fear and shame, and without realising that this single activity could come back to haunt their lives in future.
Granted, there are hundreds of people who get off on pornography, and many are addicted to the movies and images.
They find them exciting, erotic and many end up also getting addicted to masturbation as a way of fulfilling their sexual appetites while watching the videos.
Just as there are many people addicted to porno, there are just as many people who want to get away from the addiction and lead different lifestyles.
If you are one of those who want to put a stop, truth is the journey can be difficult, just like any other addiction recovery is. The story of leading gospel musician Kirk Franklin is an example, but he beat his addiction, and so can you.
Here are a few tips that can get you started on your journey.
1. Begin by destroying all sources of pornography that you have in your possession. If the images and videos are on Internet, delete them all. You may be tempted to keep some of the images but if you are genuinely serious about beating your addiction, you should erase and/or burn them all.
2. From where do you access the pornographic sites? Do you have a computer at home? If so and you are connected to the Internet, then you need to get a friend you trust to come to your house and block all pornographic sites. Your friend should not protect the access with a strong password that you can’t think of and he should be the kind of friend who is strong enough not to be persuaded to tell you.
That way, you will not be able to access the sites. Ask your friend to also install filtered Internet for you, which is devoid of all sex sites and movies.
3. Avoid the friends who are addicted to pornography. Keep off the temptation and you will gradually decrease the desire to get onto the sites or watch pornography. They may not like it, but it is for your own good. If you want to re-establish your friendship with them, do so after you have gained the strength to say ‘no’ to pornography.
4. Remember you are not alone in this. Google for Kirk Franklin’s story and others like him who were once addicted to pornography but are not any longer because they found ways to eradicate the desire.
Learn from their stories. Let them be your inspiration.
5. Seek new friends, especially those that enjoy other creative interests such as sports. At the same time, diversify your entertainment so that it includes other interesting activities like drama, the arts, etc.
These should consume some of that energy that you have been expending on sexual thoughts and desires. If your pattern is to watch the movies at night before sleeping, start reading books at that exact time or play action games to take your mind off.
6. If possible, join a youth group within your neighbourhood or national youth organisations like I Choose Life (ICL) based in Riverside Drive, among others.
This will introduce you to new friends, new ideas and new activities that will take your mind off sex/pornography. For you to feel fulfilled and expended, make sure you are proactive when you do join.
7. This may sound old, but stop dating until you are over the sexual urges. If you want to date, seek out a gal or dude whose principal interest in the relationship is not sex, you know, like those who believe in abstaining until marriage.
8. Lastly and most important, develop a spiritual hunger for God. The closer you draw to God, the less you will want porn. Why? Because the last thing you will want to do is offend God by doing that which He does not like. Learn to seek God every day with your whole heart, mind, body and soul, and you will ultimately triumph over pornography.
