How can I overcome an addiction to internet porn? Can addiction to pornography be defeated?

Studies show that terms relating to porn are by far the most commonly
searched-for terms in the internet search engines. Every day,
literally millions of people do searches related to the porn industry.
The powerful imagery of internet pornography is highly addictive. Many
men (and women) have been caught in the snare of internet porn and
find themselves helplessly addicted to its visual stimulation. This
results in uncontrollable lust, an inability to experience true sexual
intimacy in marriage, and often intense feelings of guilt and despair.
Pornography is the #1 cause of masturbation, sexual assault, and
sexual deviancy. Most importantly, pornography is offensive to God,
and is therefore a sin that must be confessed, repented of, and
overcome.

There are two primary aspects in the battle to overcome an addiction
to internet porn: spiritual and practical. Spiritually, addiction to
pornography is a sin that God desires you to overcome and therefore
will enable you to do so. The first step is to make sure you have
genuinely placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Without
salvation through Jesus Christ, there is no possibility of a true and
lasting victory over pornography: "Apart from me, you can do nothing"
(John 15:5).

If you are a believer in Christ and are struggling with an addiction
to internet porn, there is hope and help for you! The power of the
Holy Spirit is available to you (Ephesians 3:16). The cleansing of
God's forgiveness is available to you (1 John 1:9). The renewing
capacity of God's Word is at your disposal (Romans 12:1-2). Commit
your mind and eyes to the Lord (1 John 2:16). Ask God to strengthen
you and help you to overcome pornography (Philippians 4:13). Ask God
to protect you from further exposure to porn (1 Corinthians 10:13),
and to fill your mind with things that are pleasing to Him
(Philippians 4:8). These are all requests that God will honor and
answer.

Practically speaking, there are numerous tools to combat an addiction
to internet pornography. There are good programs available at
www.X3pure.com and www.PornAddiction.com. There are several quality
internet filtering programs that will completely block your computer
from accessing pornography, such as Covenant Eyes. Another fantastic
tool is available at www.X3Watch.com. X3watch is accountability
software. It tracks your internet browsing and sends a report of any
objectionable websites you have visited to an accountability partner
of your choosing. Your temptation to view internet porn would be
greatly reduced if you knew your youth pastor, parent, friend, pastor,
or spouse would receive a detailed report about it. There are also
quite a few good books on overcoming porn addiction: Every Man's
Battle: Winning the War on Sexual Purity One Victory at a Time by
Stephen Arterburn, Pure Freedom: Breaking the Addiction to Pornography
by Mike Cleveland, and The Game Plan by Joe Dallas.

Do not despair! An addiction to internet porn is not an "unforgivable
sin." God can and will forgive you. An addiction to internet porn is
not an "unconquerable sin." God can and will enable you to overcome
it. Commit your mind and eyes to the Lord. Commit yourself to filling
your mind with God's Word (Psalm 119:11). Seek His help daily in
prayer; ask Him to fill your mind with His truth and block unwanted
thoughts and desires. Take the practical steps listed above to keep
yourself accountable and block access to internet porn. "Now to Him
who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).