Two for One
 

Two for One

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: Two for One----------------------------------------- Date: 04/09/2000
Keywords:    "friend" "someone" "two"


Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation.

Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10*

9. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

10. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Questions

1. According to this passage, why are two better than one?

 

2. What happens to the man who falls and has no one to help him up?

 

3. Can you think of ways that a friend could help you in your struggle against the temptation of internet porn?

 

Practical help

The exxit team strongly encourages you to seek out a trusted Christian friend with whom you can talk honestly about your struggles. We know that may be the last thing you want to do. Even if you see the need and would love to have someone to talk to, you may think it would be impossible to find someone who would understand and not judge you. But are you assuming that without having tried?

Let's think this through. Are you sure there's no one in your life you can trust with this? Or are you unwilling to seek help unless you can do it painlessly? Dear friend, to be quite honest, there is no way you are going to win this battle unless you are willing to endure some pain and embarrassment. But living with this secret is no picnic either, now is it?

You may not have a friend who'd feel comfortable giving you advice, but do you have one you could call or go see when you are tempted? Do you have a friend who'd be willing to ask you on a regular basis if you're staying away from the porn sites? Do you have people in your life who would pray for you to avoid temptation, without having to know a lot of detail?

Have you considered asking your pastor for help? Have you thought about seeing a Christian counselor? There are lots of fine ones with experience in helping people who are actually addicted to porn.

If you're a married man, would it be a good idea to tell your wife? That's not a question we can answer for you, nor would we try. Needless to say it would be excruciatingly painful for you both. For some people, though, it brings an end to the deception and is the first step toward freedom and healing. Some questions to consider: Are you sure your wife doesn't already know? How much longer are you going to be able to keep it a secret? Would you be able to share this with your wife without shifting the responsibility for change to her shoulders? Are you prepared for the pain it would cause her? Would that pain be worse than the toll this problem may already be taking on your relationship? Would your motive be to relieve your own anguish, or would it be to end the deception and confess to the one you've wronged? Pray and think about these questions long and hard before you make a decision.


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*Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.