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The Wheel
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Index |
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel hub: Christ the center. Jesus is the hub of life for all Christians, including those sucked in by Web porn. But do they believe this? For Christians struggling with porn, faith that Christ is at the core of their being empowers them to have eventual victory over the porn habit. Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Only with Christ at the hub can other parts of a Christian's life, like spokes on a wheel, hold together and function. The
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel spoke: the Bible. This radiates Christ's power just as a wheel spoke conveys energy from the hub. As Christians read the Bible, they soak up their Savior's wisdom. No wonder Paul told Timothy to depend on the Bible for "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (see below). Key Scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness So if you're a Christian but smut is ruining your day: 1. Remember that Christ is at the core of your life (even if you feel otherwise). The
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel spoke: prayer. This is how you communicate to Jesus, just as a wheel spoke transmits "road feedback" to the hub. As Christians pray to Jesus, they tap into his peace, protection — and power to stand strong. Key Scriptures: John 15:7 (NIV)If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. So if you're anxious about your porn habits, pray to Jesus. Count on his peace to calm you down and lift you up. The
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel spoke: fellowship. Spending time with other Christians strengthens your faith, just as a spoke stabilizes a wheel. Fellow believers spur you to love and good deeds. They help you stand strong when tempted by Web porn, providing acceptance and accountability. Key Scriptures: Matthew 18:20 (NIV)For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Had it up to here with porn temptations? Find some fellow believers to help you stand strong. The
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel spoke: witnessing. Sharing the Good News of Jesus with friends and acquaintances challenges your own faith as well. Seeing the power of the Gospel work in their lives boosts your own confidence in the same power, enabling you to stand strong when tempted by Web porn. Key Scriptures: Matthew 4:19 (NIV)"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Witnessing has one further benefit: It takes your eyes off your personal struggles long enough to see how God redeems the lives of other people. That may be all it takes to believe that he'll likewise rescue you from Web porn. The
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The full and victorious Christian
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Wheel rim: obedience to Christ. This results as you depend more and more on the hub and spokes of the wheel. As you trust Jesus to inhabit, empower, and hear you, and as you seek out Christian fellowship and tell other people about Jesus, your full and victorious life intensifies. Key Scriptures: Romans 12:1 (NIV)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. If putting the Wheel Illustration into action seems overwhelming, try this: Take each part one at a time. Start by asking Jesus to become the center of your life. (If you want to know how to ask him to do this, click here.) Then continue by implementing the spokes. It's better to take some time with each spoke than to rush through without letting the meaning of each wheel part sink in. As this process "rolls out," be prepared for new fullness in your life. If you're now struggling with Web porn or other temptations, expect one more thing: greater power to stand strong. The
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