Faith in Jesus Christ

Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. -Alma 37:33-

Many of us tried to get out of our addictions through sheer willpower or through having faith in a friend or therapist. Sooner or later we found that our faith in ourselves or others did not enable us to overcome our addictions fully. Write about your feelings today of being humble and willing to turn to Christ and His gospel above all other sources of help in your recovery efforts.

Another quote I really like is from Elder Packer, clear back in October of 1986:

The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior....That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.

This is an important distinction, which brings in a duality of true recovery. Recovery is about a change in behavior, but it is also a change of heart - a change of motives. Ask anybody that has heard me talk about the gospel much and they can probably recite my motives monolog. Still, I think it holds true. My addiction to pornography and masturbation is a two fold problem. Yes, I have undesirable actions, which I would like to overcome, but there is a deeper problem. I have an addiction to lustful thinking as well. What is lust? Definitions are very meaningful.

The LDS Guide to the Scriptures defines lust as: To have an inappropriately strong desire for something. Thus, I have an addiction to thoughts that are inappropriately strong, specifically about things of a sexual nature. I have an addiction to sexual arousal. So, I could study all about the process of sexual arousal, but that would not help me overcome the problem. In fact, it would probably make it worse, because it would give my sick mind more to go off. More triggers are not good.

Instead, I need to focus on recovery. On that note, I could study addiction recovery from a worldly view. That is an interesting proposition though. For instance, from the world's point of view, pornography isn't bad. It is just another form of erotic stimulation. They are beginning to come to the conclusion that an addiction to it, just like addictions to anything else, can be a problem; however, through the gospel we come to know that it is a bad thing. Now, you could argue that the Bible, or the Book of Mormon, or the Doctrine in Covenants, or The Pearl of Great Price never mention pornography. That may be true, but they do mention something very related. Lustful thinking.

In the Law of Moses it says that we should not commit adultery, which is true; however, Christ taught a higher law. From him we learn that lusting after a woman is committing adultery in your heart. So, what is pornography about? Well, it isn't my wife up on the screen. Thus, pornography is prompting me to lust after other women. Along those lines, I can lust after my wife as well. Now, this is a new idea to me. In the past, I have always assumed that as long as I was thinking about my spouse, it was okay. I have recently come to a different conclusion. Remember, lust is a desire that is inappropriately strong. Thus, I can lust after my own wife.

Does that mean sexual desires are inappropriate? No, but I do have to bridle my passions, both within and without my marriage.

Coming back to the original question, the gospel of Christ can help me do this. As I study the gospel and rely on the Spirit (read Holy Ghost), I can begin to discern what is appropriate and what is not. I will also be able to learn what to do about it and how to change said behaviors. I can learn to bridle my passions and rid myself of lustful thoughts. It is only through the gospel that I can do that though, because it will change my behavior faster than studying behavior will.

~Sean~