Can Pleasure in God Really Compete with the Pleasures of Porn?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 850
Transcript: www.desiringgod.org/interview...

[@sgtboz35]

God freed me overnight from a 30+ year addiction to porn. I had come to the end of myself and chose to radically obey any direction given in a series about porn that my church was about to hold. God chose to free me before instead. It's been four years. Not only did He change me there, but in so many other ways since then. He can do it for you too.

[@jessedphillips]

I hope it's still going well!

[@Matthew.._]

Wow thank you Brother, don’t give up, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, God is so amazing!

[@sanjanadias3105]

How did this help you ?

[@sanjanadias3105]

God bless you. But I need help in this

[@Mikt25]

@@sanjanadias3105 Sanjana, Jesus can take certain sins from you as if they never existed. You must start a dialog with Him when you are alone. Understand that we don't have the strength to conquer some things using our own strength. Cry out to Him and ask Him to show you why porn is so bad. Beg for His help in overcoming it. I had a similar experience to John and I didn't even have to ask for it. Our King simply showed me why it was so bad and then it was practically effortless. Since Sept 2021, I went from watching porn almost daily to not ever since.

[@christopherepperson3328]

I'm a former porn addicted virgin, going on 8 years without a relationship now at age 27. I don't know if I am going to marry at all, but haste the day when my faith shall be sight. The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.

[@PJ-ql4pw]

Amazing! God bless you

[@Kenji17171]

Did you married

[@ebsss100]

How’s it going now man!?

[@mattr.1887]

This is sad.

[@christopherepperson3328]

6 years later, God has blessed me so abundantly with marriage of Christian from Myanmar and a 7 month daughter. Pornography robbed me so many years of joy, still fighting it but I have help now from two of God’s most beautiful creations. I want to thank you all for helping me realize that I’m not so alone. God bless you all abundantly, and for the lonely men out there, discipleship is the experience in your own body what it felt like to be like Jesus.

[@thomascurtis9630]

this guy is like a christian ninja, feed me more! im praying for every1 in the world right now that includes YOU! God bless

[@BayBallerBrosky]

Thank you I’ll pray for you too!

[@mondligumede8841]

Thank you 😊

[@barrymckockner9902]

Bless your heart

[@seancherry3263]

the love for jesus is everlasting, he's our Lord and savior he will never leave you! sexual desire only last for a little while! love jesus more than anything he gives us everlasting life!

[@benitojohngenitojr.5608]

Pleasure in GOD in Christ is Eternal, while the Pleasure of the Flesh is Temporal.the thinking of the Flesh is Selfishly evil and sometimes Filthy.

[@eamonnjmusic]

Excellent talk around a subject I frequently think about. As a person who has struggled and caved in too frequently to various sexual temptations over the years, I’ve recently begun to appreciate the “better part”; which is focusing on God’s will. God’s will is always Love; and love of God and neighbour is the whole point. So I now consider if the behaviour or thought is one that is leading me outwards to God and neighbour, or draw me into self and separation. I believe anyone truly aspiring to live in Christ must know at least some measure of God’s love for them, and this love is the source of all joy. Pastor John seems to be saying something similar here. He understands the terrible intensity of sexual lust, which is, however, more than matched by the extraordinary surrender and depth of Christ. Over the years my attraction to these “ pleasures” has decreased as Christ’s saving power increases in my life. I am so grateful for God’s patience with me. He has helped me so often- in fact, the reality of God’s love for me has probably most revealed itself through my daily decisions to choose God over self and selfishness. Praise and thanks to the Lord who loves us all.

[@midnighthymn]

Excellent points made! This new understanding of Christ inspires me to change.

[@ChefMackWhittier]

Amen brother

[@blakeparker180]

Pray that the capacity of my desire for Christ will greatly expand

[@SkyKingAzure]

It's because humans want to be (were created to be) connected to one another. Sex is the most physically intimate act one could have with another person. It connects all our senses in a way and designed in such a way to give a form of pleasure that is rare and beautiful even to this day. Sin has tainted this so very much. It has been lessened to something that's just a biological function, which it indeed has that aspect, but it is just one part of so much more. It ties two lives together - that's why you will always remember the first time most vividly.

[@waltonfountian4412]

I wish I knew that when I was young :/ Good comment 👍🏻

[@jeremyhansen8186]

Thanks so much, so very much. In a previous post you talked about how the response to temptation, sexual in this case, and capitulation, or giving in can, at some point, exceed the grace of God. And that He will give you over to your lust, or allow you to be in bondage to your sin without having the opportunity to access Him or reestablish a relationship with Him. This scared me and as a result I began to seek His face by burying my nose in His Word. That was the transforming knowledge that was the impetus for victory in the battleground of sexual sin and I was able to save my marriage by God's grace.

[@waltonfountian4412]

Which video is that? I am interested. I am glad to hear about your marriage. I am struggling with pornography and marriage with my girlfriend is a possibility in the near future and I really do not want my sexual sins to be affecting our relationship.

[@Dandelion_flight]

If i am allowed to speak my mind, I love the voice of the host. Very nice. 😁😊

[@kaiserjarme1533]

I believe that man’s pleasure to please God, is absolute and the most powerful feeling.

[@seancherry3263]

living in with the joy of jesus and doing the will of the father is infinitly better than porn. A couple minutes of porn or masterbastion can make god FURIOUS! reading the book of revelation helped me hate porn or any sexual immorality.

[@nettebroni3868]

Any addiction comes from an emotional or spiritual loophole that can be only filled with God

[@huluvzcousinbenson]

This is awesome. Thank you Pastor John. Jesus' purity is something to be admired surrounded by such temptation

[@bradyscott6912]

Oh my goodness this was so helpful, thank you Pastor John!

[@Vesselofmercy]

Wow wonderfully said! So helpful! God bless you Pastor John! His love for Christ is so admiring!

[@lingeshwarb3990]

That was stupendous !! Plzzz plzzz make more videos on this pastor John Piper!!:):)

[@miguelamacailing3354]

Awesome - goodness gracious - I love the phrase - to memorize the whole chapter of Hebrews to prevent us from becoming modern day Esau. Thank you Jesus

[@MCClark]

My simple answer would be, being that God created everything that is involved with and totally encompasses sex, that God can create and give us a pleasurable feeling that totally eclipses whatever feelings we could ever have with sex... And that feelings of pleasure that God can give would not only far exceed those sexual carnal pleasures but be 100% percent wholesome and not able to leave us with a “dirty” feeling as sex does at times..

[@darkincognito3826]

I have been in His tangible presence before and I can say the ecstatic feelings in His presence makes all the pleasures in the world put together like a more of dust.

[@Angelalex242]

Priests are called to do exactly that. So are monks and other religious types who take a vow of celibacy.

[@ugommaokorie1660]

This is excellent

[@samuelcallai4209]

so, so, so beautiful... I don't know why he doesn't have more views

[@MegaOttaviano]

fanboy

[@HearGodsWord]

Good video and really good book

[@sonicsoftly]

THIS ANSWER WAS SO GOOD

[@RobiTheophilus]

I love this!!!

[@CowboyFantastic007]

INCREDIBLE ANSWER BY PIPER!!!! ✝️ 🙏🏻

[@williampaisley826]

Very good understanding here,,,one scripture I like that goes along with this topic..ee are partakers through the Devine nature we are able to escape the lust that in the world through its lust,,,,I like the word partake,,when partake of Christ like he told us to through communion we grow that nature,then we are able to resist sins ,,and the sin of lust..)we must cultivate that nature within us....

[@Angelalex242]

Bottom line: will it be worth it when you're roasting in the eternal weenie roast? Where your weenie will literally be roasting. Eternally.

[@avian6253]

Your childlike passion inspires me

[@AChristian316]

Accountability app emailing screenshots to my wife has really helped me. Covenant Eyes or Trustablee are both good. Malachi 2:15 Guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:8 ESV - Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house,

[@johnarthur9335]

Is me John Arthur thank you for this video

[@keith6308]

Serving God brings life, self service of our own fleshly desires brings death and destruction. That's what motivates me to fight temptation.

[@thaliarose8741]

Amen

[@audreyperreault2036]

Start with what God created us with: "FREE WILL'.. and there is NO COMPARISION WITH A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD... it's a choice of consciousness.. Does the person want a low consciousness? Or does the person seek a higher consciousness? Free Will..!

[@waynejeez5620]

There is none like unto Him. To compare the activity of the sinner to the Savior, is beyond foolishness. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6)

[@blakerice7928]

Please pray for me to be delivered from sin

[@smeatonlighthouse4384]

When we are born of God we partake of the divine nature. The divine nature is love. We also become part of a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit which we receive gives power to the divine nature, also giving the ability to live out Christ who indwells us by the Spirit. We are then dead with Christ to the Adamic fleshly nature, and alive unto God in Christ Jesus. This is something which we grasp by Faith. However, to put it into practice in our bodies it is the reverse. We have to be alive to God in Christ Jesus before we can practically be dead to sin. Our hearts must have found their joys and pleasures in Christ and all the beauties that are found in Him and in His word. It is totally marvellous to discover what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. The sorry thing is that so many are not prepared to set their affections on things above, just like Israel they are still hankering after the things of Egypt (the world). The Spirit of God combats with the Flesh, however, it is only LOVE which can overcome the lusts which require sexual gratification. The first thing lost in the Christian church ie. Christendom, was Love. That is why the testimony of Christians is almost of none effect in this generation in which we live. The world if fast approaching judgement.

[@MayLieluvJC]

Amazing

[@isaacalvarez2980]

Wow

[@user-rm7hs2rg4j]

I need this

[@Anthony-yy3kc]

I have heard of men and women who truly feel the love of God in a tangible way and claim it is better than any physical love between a man and a woman! That being said I recognize that these people are not your average Christian and probably have the gift Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 7.

[@AngelicHelper]

"Do not ask stupid questions" -Ecclesiastes 7:10, Titus 3:9, proverbs 24 9

[@justusalmondwilliams9102]

Yes, it can.

[@tallterrilaw8646]

I'm curious what verse in the new testament speaks of a prostitute?

[@danielreed3718]

Oh my goodness. How are you always just popping up at the most helpful/most annoying times?

[@eliasalcantara9537]

How can I deny myself or be that way when I already been contaminated by porn? is there a way to reverse the damage porn has done to my life? It comes to the point where I have nights without peace where I can’t sleep because of my lust it’s totally damaged me I don’t want to spend the rest of my life this way is like I have no future. Is there a way to get everything back to normal?

[@glittersilver7779]

When you pray.. also do Fasting. Matthew 17:21 KJV Also have another trusted loved one pray alongside with you. Two or more praying together can you achieve this? Always stay faithful! God can cleanse your mind and thoughts. Whenever it comes to mind, pray and say “ I rebuke you: wicked thoughts!! & pray this in the name of Jesus our savior!

[@sharonr2121]

YES

[@erikr5860]

Pull the power plug. I can attest. Good word.

[@killme-fw2ji]

my love ore not feelings of sex and porn. thats why i am diffrent i told them that many times

[@chuckgills580]

Cgilbert To the believer and the quest of WS Roots let's start with the beginning Read gen-2-13 the first Nations on Earth and Read Psalm 24 and moving right along Now unto the guest that said that there is no proof in book bibile God is good the description of Jesus Christ REV 1:14-15 and you will love this one from the book of DANIEL 3:22-26 Note Iast but not least but it is imperative that you Read Leviticus 26:1 and if you get a chance watch the video WHO was DANIEL and why is he so important to us Min:21:08

[@AngelicHelper]

And you know what we love more than the savior? Naked girls on the internet!!!! Breaks my heart

[@killme-fw2ji]

its almost like jesus love and his father. but mine go beyound that

[@killme-fw2ji]

my love is tottaly diffrent

[@lazarus4878]

8:27

[@nemzyg]

Does John piper have a wife?

[@huntera6301]

Yes

[@isaiahaskew5753]

Duh...

[@nemzyg]

And to be fair Jesus was god that’s why he never sinned. He had experience up in heaven and then came in human form.

[@JESUSCHRISTISLORD911]

Nemz Lord false suggestion Jesus was tempted in every way as a man and by the Holy Spirit we OVERCOME temptation and sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 12 helpful votes No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Matthew 4:1-11 ESV / 10 helpful votes Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple ... James 1:14 ESV / 7 helpful votes But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. Hebrews 4:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 2:18 ESV / 5 helpful votes For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

[@karenthiessen1345]

M qo

[@au8363]

ACCEPT JESUS AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR AND REPENT JESUS LOVES YOU HE DIED FOR YOU SO YOU COULD BE FORGIVEN ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS AND REPENT!🙏🙏 AMEN…..

[@khatack]

"pleasures of porn?" I don't think one gets any real pleasure from porn. If you think what you get from porn is pleasure, then you've never experienced real pleasure.

[@thoward5641]

It's definitely pleasurable but it leaves you anxious hollow and very empty... Jesus leaves you with fullness and joy

[@joshuajarod1909]

@@thoward5641 Indeed it does, but indeed He Does!

[@kevinowenburress2435]

Yes the spirit is more powerful.. I just find it disappointing that there is an effort to separate similar physical emotions from the church and make it atheistic. As if marriage were not to be spiritually pleasing, and with some twisted understanding that to experience passion in the flesh in marriage is some pagan ideal that doesn't belong with Christianity. And the recording industry does this and I almost even want to say nationalizes it with women for people with money or who work in government or have degrees. And then they expect the church to accept homosexuality and they have women with friends who are homosexual and if you don't accept it then you're ostracized.

[@joshuaokoro-sokoh2993]

9:25 How did you know Jesus didn't have sexual thoughts? I'm not saying he did, but how did you know he didn't. Did he tell you? did you pick his brains?

[@alphacharlie97]

By His very nature (sinless and perfect) it’s a given that He never looked at a woman lustfully or had sinful sexual thoughts. Matthew 5:27-28

[@douglaidlaw740]

If what you are looking for is pleasure, you can't use it as a measure of salvation. Christians go to the most unpleasant places because they feel that God has called them. They don't spend their days listening to "Pastor John," who has no idea what a commiment to God really involves.

[@candywhitecandy]

Porn is so trashy and gross.

[@tessalogan586]

What a discusting topic !

[@angloaust1575]

God is able to supply sexual needs Super naturally There isn't even any need to marry One can have better people in ones dreams

[@gyroxaver6897]

What?

[@moments_with_IH]

Sounds similar to fantasizing, which could be attributed to lust. Be careful

[@angloaust1575]

@@moments_with_IH No easy answers Get married and have troubles of the Flesh and chance of catching covid Or stay single and avoid the close physical contact and be spiritual!

[@kevingreaux7133]

That is not biblical all. In fact it is blasphemous

[@1jw298]

Very odd question

[@rahulshinde6210]

Amen

[@ladys8615]

Amen