Purity is not innocence.
If you define your sexual sobriety by zero thoughts of fantasy, no second looks, and only the purest of motives, prepare to reset your sobriety date – often.
Purity is not innocence.
This is to excuse any of the above. You absolutely should strive every day to overcome fantasy, second looks, and poor motives. But perfection? It won’t happen.
The Bible says, “There is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
Don’t let perfection become the enemy of good effort. I like the way Zig Ziglar said it: “Doing your best is more important than being the best.”
Recovery Step: No one expects you to be perfect, but we do expect you to remain sober. God’s best + your best makes that possible.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
