There was a moment when I was looking at porn more than three times a day. I still also saw the supernatural realm regularly. However, I knew how to switch off my gift when I looked at porn so I wouldn’t see demons.
Pornography attacks the place of encounter, and encounters with God are meant to feel good. God’s goodness is fantastic. It’s his glory. My friends, you are designed to feel good. Pornography is a lie from demons to pull you out of experiencing the creator of glory and goodness.
When overcoming pornography, it is not about girt strength. It is not about abstinence; it’s about consistent encounters with God’s presence. It’s about encountering God’s presence. I needed to step into his presence even harder.
Jesus told me after repeated failures, “Micah, you looked at pornography five times today; that means I want to give you ten encounters with my glory. The only way forward is to choose something better. What I have to offer you is extraordinary.” A small doubtful yes would come after he said this because I thought he was ready to smite me and talk about my sin.
The realms of glory would open in front of me; angels would pour through, I would see the throne, and Jesus himself would lead me by the hand towards our heavenly father. I was amazed; the shame of pornography was gone. The wonder returned; the intensity of his love washed over me. The bliss I felt coming from the glory of God was overwhelming. It felt good, better than good.
Jesus said to me, “You wonder why I am not talking to you about your sin?” He pointed to himself, “My kindness draws you into repentance. Your eyes are meant to behold beauty and glory. Your repentance is looking upon me.”
That was my way out of my sin. The glory of God was just better than pornography. To those who struggle with porn, it is not the end. There is a way out! It is through encounters with God’s glory.
In Exodus 33:18, Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord, and God revealed his goodness to him. Your desire to feel good is not the problem. His goodness is what you need to rise above the temptation of any addiction. If you struggle with porn twice a day, God has four encounters he wants to give you in his glory. That’s how radical his love is. He wants to pour out his goodness even more upon you! He is not advocating that you stay in sin; he wants you to choose something better, which is only found in his presence.
Here is where you have to make a choice. It is not about what you say no to; it’s about what you say yes to. God will offer you his glory as many times as you need or desire, but you have to say yes.
In doing so, you must schedule your encounter times with God. Yes, create a schedule with God when you will encounter his glory.
I would feel the urge to look at porn most often in the morning; I knew that was the time to encounter God. So every morning, I would wake up with a prayer from Exodus 33:18, “Lord, show me your glory.” Even today, my visitation times are still in the morning with him, even though the desire for porn is not even a question. All I want is to see His glory. Honestly, I am in visitation with God more than three times a day now. You can live this life too. It just takes consistency.
What we are doing is enhancing your prayer life. It’s about being consistent. Pay attention when the impulse to look at pornography would happen and schedule an encounter time with God in those slots.
If you fail, don’t run away. Immediately run into God’s presence. He wants you with him no matter what. The hardest part for me to accept was when the glory realm would open to me after I failed. Angels would invite me into heaven. God wants you with him no matter what; I had to give in to His invitation and trust His love even after I sinned. Those times were the most powerful moments with God.
You were made to see His glory and experience His goodness all the time. Beholding His glory is the way out. My friends, your impulses do not control you. God has given you the power to overcome this, and your power is the Glory of God. Behold him with all your might. The way we defeat pornography and every spirit of addiction, we have to look up and behold the Glory of God.
Prayer: In Jesus’ name, I call to the heavens around you and above you, step into encounters with God’s glory. Jesus, you have defeated pornography by the power of your blood. I prophesy over you that it is time to come into His glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen!