Steps to help set you free from this lifestyle:
1. Finding Freedom in Christ Start by learning who Jesus is and what He can do to set you free from this behavior by reading the Gospel of John in the New Testament.
Freedom from any bad habit or addiction comes when you begin a relationship with Christ. Jesus said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:18-19, NIV).
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free," we read in Galatians 5:1 (NIV). And in John 8:34-37, we see, "Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed' (NIV).
When a person trusts Christ as Lord and Savior, he or she can be set free because Jesus is God and said in John 10:10, "I have come to give you life and give it more abundantly" (NIV). Jesus sets people free and answers the questions and pain in their lives such as: where am I going when I die; how can I deal with suffering; and what am I living for on this earth? He also gives power to overcome the temptations and the addiction when a person surrenders his or her life to Him.
People need spiritual change from the inside out. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you. It is through Him and His power that you will ultimately find true freedom from and victory over this lifestyle and addiction.
People - all of us - need spiritual change from the inside out. Jesus wants a personal relationship with you. It is through Him and His power that you will ultimately find true freedom from and victory over this lifestyle and addiction.
You need a new identity. Understanding and building your self-worth on the love and forgiveness of Christ will help you stop looking for your identity in the approval of others or in your performance. Read The Search for Significance: Seeing Your True Worth Through God's Eyes (workbook included) by Robert McGee.
2. Finding Freedom through Prayer and Fellowship
Prayer is the key. Praying to Christ for the power to change and power to resist the temptation. Jesus said in Matthew 6:9-13, "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (NIV).
Real Freedom comes when we surrender our lives and hearts to God and admit that we cannot overcome this sin in our lives without His help and intervention. Jesus said in Mark 14:38, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (NIV). Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, "I do all things through Christ Who strengthens me" (NIV).
Find a solid, Christian church to get encouragement and fellowship because Scriptures command us to fellowship with other believers and to pray for one another: Take a look at your life and yourself. Begin to find freedom for yourself before it's too late!
Get into a support group, get counseling and start over with God - who can give you supernatural help to escape these self-destructive habits!
3.
Finding Freedom through choices you make: Plan 3-4 things you are going to do before you cave-in to the urge to go to this sexual behavior.
When you have the urge: Pray for God's power to avoid this temptation: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Cor. 10:13)
Meditate and memorize some scriptures about Christ's power in your life: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13. Read scriptures about how to be strong in the Lord and put on the full armor of God such as Ephesians 6:10-18. Read scriptures which teach Christian living and virtues such as Colossians chapter 3: "Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above.......set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ... put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry..... Put on the new self......let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. (and in verse 17): and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,..... "
What choices can you make so that your behavior glorifies the name of Jesus Christ? Read scriptures on how how to be a good steward of your time, talents and resources. Decide to do something else (a healthy activity): leave the scene or your gay friend. Turn your car around and go home instead of the gay bar, etc.
Start a project or begin to clean your house. Call someone or a sponsor to talk and pray with from
Homosexuals Anonymous. This person can help you think about what you are doing, how to avoid triggers and start doing something productive and making friends with heterosexuals instead.
Commit to taking these steps before you cave-in. It's my belief that you have control over this behavior/addiction and that with God's power you can avoid and prevent it. This activity and pattern is a choice and you don't have to make that choice.
4. Finding freedom through counseling and support. Christian counseling and support can help you leave this lifestyle. Secular counselors may not encourage you to change as they may believe this behavior is acceptable.
Counseling is available through
AACC.
Support groups and resources for change are available at:
Stephen Bennett Ministries Becoming Real (for youth)
Christian Ministries for those dealing with homosexuality Exodus International 1-888-264-0877
Exodus Youth Free to Be Me Homosexuals AnonymousLove Won OutTransformed by Grace PO Box 6237, Evanston IL 60204-6237, 847/733-0511
Overcomers Outreach, Inc: 1-800-310-3001; 714-491-3000.
If you really want to change - God will help you and bless you as you take a step to follow Him. God will help you discover real freedom and real life as the person He made you to be.
© copyright 2007 by Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC
