THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
In 2003, Aron Ralston set out for a day of adventure in the remote canyons of Utah. While climbing, he accidentally dislodged an 800-pound boulder, which pinned his right arm against the canyon wall. He was trapped in the middle of nowhere.
His echoing cries for help were a useless reminder of his complete isolation. He was absolutely alone. After five days with no help, Aron was forced to break the bones in his wrist, cut his arm off with a dull pocketknife, repel down a 60-foot cliff, and hike seven miles to a rescue helicopter.
The results would have been radically different if Aron had just brought a friend with him. His 127-hour struggle for survival would have been reduced to a 3 hour rescue operation.
Aron’s biggest mistake was hiking alone. Don’t make the same mistake when it comes to your journey toward sexual purity. Strive to have accountability in three areas your life: with yourself, with God, and with others.
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
1) Be accountable to yourself.
St. Paul is clear with his instructions:
“But immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:3-4)
Destroy all access to porn. Get rid of anything that resembles pornography. Trash all the sleazy movies, pictures, and websites. Un-follow any shady social media friends that have provocative posts.
The path to purity starts by being honest with yourself. You are called to greatness, and you can’t achieve greatness with pornography in your life.
2) Be accountable to others
Having a human support system greatly increases your chances of escaping the porn trap. There are anonymous accountability forums online, but I think it’s best to have an in-person partnership.
“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
Try to find an accountability partner who is holier and wiser than you. Many priests would love to be your spiritual director and accountability partner. Just ask them.
Don’t forget to filter!
A porn addict surfing the Internet without a filter is like a drug addict lighting a crack pipe and placing it on the coffee table as a “decoration”. It’s risky business.
I get it; filters can sometimes be a little overprotective. That’s why I recommend using accountability software for your computer, tablet, and cell phone. These programs work by sending your internet or app history to an accountability partner of your choosing.
Many of these accountability apps or browsers are inexpensive. Click here to try Covenant Eyes Accountability software free for one month.
Don’t count-out counseling. You may want to talk to a good Christian counselor. Yeah, I know…who would do that, right? Well, here is a suggestion to get you started:
Do an Internet search to find your local pro-life pregnancy resource center. Many of them have people that are literally waiting there to help you. Most pro-life centers can give you free and confidential advice (even if you’re under the age of 18). Don’t be afraid to ask your parents for support.
3) Be accountable to God.
Accidentally farting in public. Wetting the bed at a slumber party. Walking around with toilet paper stuck to your shoe.
It’s hard to think of anything more embarrassing than confessing the sin of pornography and masturbation to a priest. Confession can be scary. What if a priest tells his buddies all about your sins?
If he tells anyone your sins he gets kicked out of the Church. So don’t worry, confession is a safe place for healing. In fact, priests are willing to go to jail before breaking the seal of the confessional.
I avoided going to confession for almost 9 years. But after I went, the heavy burden of my sins was lifted. You deserve to be forgiven for your sins. God is waiting to take the weight from you. Don’t be afraid to give it to Him. And if you forget how to go to confession, just tell the priest. He will literally walk you through it step by step when you get there.
Because sexual sins are sins of weakness, Satan will pour on the pride after you fall. Don’t let it get to you. Go to confession and get forgiven for your sins. Many people end up bringing the same sins to confession every time they go. Don’t be ashamed to confess the same sin many times.
Stop stressing and start confessing. An abundance of Sacramental Grace is waiting for you!
In 2003, Aron Ralston set out for a day of adventure in the remote canyons of Utah. While climbing, he accidentally dislodged an 800-pound boulder, which pinned his right arm against the canyon wall. He was trapped in the middle of nowhere.
His echoing cries for help were a useless reminder of his complete isolation. He was absolutely alone. After five days with no help, Aron was forced to break the bones in his wrist, cut his arm off with a dull pocketknife, repel down a 60-foot cliff, and hike seven miles to a rescue helicopter.
The results would have been radically different if Aron had just brought a friend with him. His 127-hour struggle for survival would have been reduced to a 3 hour rescue operation.
Aron’s biggest mistake was hiking alone. Don’t make the same mistake when it comes to your journey toward sexual purity. Strive to have accountability in three areas your life: with yourself, with God, and with others.
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
1) Be accountable to yourself.
St. Paul is clear with his instructions:
“But immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:3-4)
Destroy all access to porn. Get rid of anything that resembles pornography. Trash all the sleazy movies, pictures, and websites. Un-follow any shady social media friends that have provocative posts.
The path to purity starts by being honest with yourself. You are called to greatness, and you can’t achieve greatness with pornography in your life.
2) Be accountable to others
Having a human support system greatly increases your chances of escaping the porn trap. There are anonymous accountability forums online, but I think it’s best to have an in-person partnership.
“Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
Try to find an accountability partner who is holier and wiser than you. Many priests would love to be your spiritual director and accountability partner. Just ask them.
Don’t forget to filter!
A porn addict surfing the Internet without a filter is like a drug addict lighting a crack pipe and placing it on the coffee table as a “decoration”. It’s risky business.
I get it; filters can sometimes be a little overprotective. That’s why I recommend using accountability software for your computer, tablet, and cell phone. These programs work by sending your internet or app history to an accountability partner of your choosing.
Many of these accountability apps or browsers are inexpensive. Click here to try Covenant Eyes Accountability software free for one month.
Don’t count-out counseling. You may want to talk to a good Christian counselor. Yeah, I know…who would do that, right? Well, here is a suggestion to get you started:
Do an Internet search to find your local pro-life pregnancy resource center. Many of them have people that are literally waiting there to help you. Most pro-life centers can give you free and confidential advice (even if you’re under the age of 18). Don’t be afraid to ask your parents for support.
3) Be accountable to God.
Accidentally farting in public. Wetting the bed at a slumber party. Walking around with toilet paper stuck to your shoe.
It’s hard to think of anything more embarrassing than confessing the sin of pornography and masturbation to a priest. Confession can be scary. What if a priest tells his buddies all about your sins?
If he tells anyone your sins he gets kicked out of the Church. So don’t worry, confession is a safe place for healing. In fact, priests are willing to go to jail before breaking the seal of the confessional.
I avoided going to confession for almost 9 years. But after I went, the heavy burden of my sins was lifted. You deserve to be forgiven for your sins. God is waiting to take the weight from you. Don’t be afraid to give it to Him. And if you forget how to go to confession, just tell the priest. He will literally walk you through it step by step when you get there.
Because sexual sins are sins of weakness, Satan will pour on the pride after you fall. Don’t let it get to you. Go to confession and get forgiven for your sins. Many people end up bringing the same sins to confession every time they go. Don’t be ashamed to confess the same sin many times.
Stop stressing and start confessing. An abundance of Sacramental Grace is waiting for you!