Chris Grainger: 1:10

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, guys, your meat episode. Let's get right into it, okay? So the scripture of the week this week is in the book of 1 John 2, the 16th verse. It says For all that is in the world, the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride, pride of life, is not from the father, but from the world. All right, fellas, I took a lot of time to unpack that one verse in our spiritual kickoff episode. So again, if you're, if you haven't had a chance to listen, go back and listen to it. And if you like the spiritual kickoff episodes which we know you guys do go get your daily SKO free at the line with N dot U S. So sign up for today. It gets you plugged into our community, to our platform. Guys, we don't put that stuff anywhere else. We're not posting it out on YouTube or anything like that. Just it lives there specifically for that reason, and we're here every day, monday through Friday. So if you need that little extra boost of encouragement, I'm telling you, guys, and now you have no reason not to because it's completely free. All right, so this this week we're talking head on about pornography. Okay, now I wrote a Bible study on the Bible app and so much of what we're covering here is on is directly from that study. So if you go through the study, by the way, it sounds just like podcast. Well, it's because we create these resources out here. We want to share it in other places as well. Not all you guys are on the Bible app, okay, so that's where you're going to find it, and maybe this is for you.

Chris Grainger: 2:43

This next sentence makes sense. Like I know I shouldn't look, but I just can't stop. You ever say that before, because lots of guys feel powerless when it comes to this, right, but the reality is you ain't got to stay stuck, no, no, and I'm hopeful to enlighten, maybe to encourage and equip you to start fighting, because you may just feel like just another bro, just another guy, but you have what it takes to break free and to live in victory. And we talked about this one verse for the SKO so far as first John two, 16, lust of flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life. It's not from this world, but that's it Right. And if we be, if, if you, if you run around with the with your chest poked out saying that I got this, the reality is no, you don't, bro, you ain't got this. The first thing you have is this when it comes to pornography, you have to be super vigilant on just getting this removed from your life, whatever the cost. So now we're going to kind of dig into, okay, if we recognize that, the lust of flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life, this is big deals. Where does it start? And I want to take you to Philippians 4.8. Because Paul tells us there finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. And that's in philippines. So we have to guard our mind. We just have to.

Chris Grainger: 4:18

And I I'm gonna tell a story here around sports. Okay, because baseball was my deal, that was my jam, bro. I loved, I love baseball. We played hours, and I mean hours, either in the batting cage, at the actual, actual field itself, or just in the yard, it didn't matter, man. And then, as I started learning sport, you know, you hear the saying that the best offense is a good defense. Right, and I found myself. I love that side of the game and I could see at the first baseman how my play impacted the game. I could also see if we didn't play very well defensively. It broke us up. We were pretty terrible.

Chris Grainger: 5:01

Then I started thinking about that. In light of the temptations that we face as men. It looks like it seems to me like at every corner. Now, right that we turn, I don't need to fix this. It seems to me that when I started reflecting on temptations that they are seemingly at every corner. Okay, so we have to start. Really, if temptations are everywhere, we need to have a good defense up.

Chris Grainger: 5:45

Okay, a really good defense, and we have to consider one thing that's worth considering is strong boundaries, and maybe the idea of a restriction or or is is the reason why lots of guys don't do this, because it feels like you know, uh, man, I'm putting, I'm putting myself in a box and the reality is you want to see a grown man turn to a toddler. You just tell him what he can't do. Just sit back right, because we're going to go out of our way to be autonomous, right and flexible, because that's what everybody wants these days. And yet we need to recognize, when it comes to the context of battling pornography, if we don't have these boundaries in our life, they have to be a non-negotiable, because the reality is there is no foolproof, guarantee list of boundaries. To say this is all going to work, but no boundaries is a guaranteed path to failure. So the key is determining which ones make the most sense for you directly. Again, if the evil one was going to attack you, where would he target? And if you understand the answer to that question, that starts giving you ideas on what the defense looks like, because this may mean accountability software needs to be on your electronic devices, okay. Or it may be more situationally focused, where you avoid triggering or risky scenarios Right Altogether. The bottom line is that whatever the area of weaknesses is for you and your situation, you have to take action to close off potential points of entry for the evil one.

Chris Grainger: 7:30

So now let's go back to the baseball field for a second Suppose. All I did was focus on defense, just being the best first baseman. I pitched and I played first base. Let's just say first base. I just did the best I could to be the best first baseman, I never make any mistakes, right? That would make it hard for the other team to score. Let's just be real. Right, it would be hard for them to put points on the board or runs. But I'm telling you, if all I did was play defense, I would never put any runs on the board either, because at some point we've got to stop playing defense. You've got to pick up a bat and put some runs on the board. Let's just be real.

Chris Grainger: 8:12

And there's no better offensive weapon against pornography than the Word of God. Because Paul the Apostle shows us that the sword of the Spirit is part of our daily armor. To put on the battle Right, to go into battle, rather, against the evil one. And we can't think that pornography is somehow outside of this realm, because pornography has a grip. And why would you leave your battle weapon at home? Just think about Jesus.

Chris Grainger: 8:45

How did he combat the evil one? Directly in Matthew 4? There he was right, nose and nose with the evil one, and all he had to do was say the word, and that bro would have been out of there. Yet he was right, nose and nose with the evil one, and all he had to do was say the word and that bro would have been out of there. Yet he gave us a model, simple model. He just said it is written. He did it three times.

Chris Grainger: 9:01

I'm telling you, brother, if you're fighting pornography, having a slew of it is written in your life is so crucial Because in the moments when the evil one comes, man, you got to be ready. You have to be ready because defense will keep the enemy at bay, but offense reclaims that lost ground and advances God's kingdom in your life. So I'm telling you right here strengthen those boundaries up, wield the sword of the spirit and stand firm in the power of his word. So that's it, right here. So that's just the first thing we're talking about. We'll take a quick break. I've got something big to share.

Chris Grainger: 9:45

We're making a major shift because we know the battle is real and it's time more men had access to the support they need. For too long, guys have been trying to carry the weight alone pressure at work, tension at home, wounds from the past, in a world that demands strength but offers no place to rest. We see it, we've lived it, and that's exactly why we built our community. It's a stronghold, a place where warriors can find rest, truth and a band of brothers standing beside them. And starting now, we're making it easier than ever to step in. We've lowered the barrier to just $15.99 a month. That means, for less than the cost of a drive-thru lunch, you can join a brotherhood that's centered on Christ and built for growth. Inside you'll find access to our daily spiritual kickoffs every Monday through Friday, our Lion Lunches, our Bible Studies, our Friday Forge Gatherings all that and so much more. Every man needs a stronghold, and you don't have to fight alone. If you've been waiting for the right time to jump in, this is it. Go to thelionwithinus and join the community and see for yourself what happens when iron truly sharpens iron.

Chris Grainger: 10:54

All right, now, guys, let's talk about accountability and brotherhood. Ok, it tells us in Ecclesiastes two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Right, and I've had lots of friends life, but I've had very few brothers. Let's be real about that. And here's the crazy part Every brother can be a friend, but not every friend is a brother. That's just real.

Chris Grainger: 11:23

So we need to define what friends are. Friends are the yes man. Let's just lay that out. Friends avoid friction. They stick around when it's easy, when it's convenient. They show up during banking hours, you know, when they like that small talk, man, and they really want to keep stuff surface level Right, discussing the weather or just you know, a casual lunch and how they house the family, all that stuff.

Chris Grainger: 11:48

But when a storm hits, you ain't going to find a friend around, brother, you just ain't. They ain't going to be there. Brothers are different. Okay, these are the guys that tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. They ain't going to sit around and entertain my version of the truth. No, they're going to stand firm with his truth. These are the boys at 2, 3, 4 o'clock in the morning and something goes down. That's who you call. They're not offering advice, they're showing up. You can hear the keys jingling as they head out to dole. They don't hide their battles from me. They're not afraid to cry with me because their love is real. That accountability is super high and the expectations we have of each other through the roof. See, this level of brotherhood and accountability is so essential in the fight against sin, particularly with pornography guys, because isolation is the enemy's greatest weapon here, and too many brothers walk through life without accountability and wonder why they keep losing this battle. And I'm telling you we must prioritize real brotherhood here.

Chris Grainger: 13:04

But finding these types of guys, here's the deal. I've talked to guys about this in length. To find a guy like this, you talked to guys about this in length To find a guy like this, you got to be a guy like this. It takes some initiative on your end. It takes effort. It's more than just checking in an easy box. It's about forging real relationships built on truth and trust. It takes some time and if you don't have this, you're missing a great opportunity for growth and until you take it serious, the enemy is just going to keep kicking your butt.

Chris Grainger: 13:41

So I'm telling you this is one of the primary reasons I'm not plugging a line right here, but it's just a natural place to take. This is why the line within us is doing well. It's because guys recognize they can't do this alone. They need others. They need others to stay accountable. They need others to share their struggles with. They need others to lean in on when life is throwing them just a bunch of hate makers. They need others to help stay in the fight, and pornography is a fight.

Chris Grainger: 14:12

So I don't know. Just think about it. Who's your brother out there? Who's your friend? Can you differentiate between the two? I think you probably can. And when's the last time? Consider this as you ponder when's the last time you had a hard but needed conversation? They're rare these days. Everybody wants to just be so gentle, and I get kindness, gentleness, faithfulness. I get all the fruit. But sometimes it takes as a man. We have to be willing to speak the hard truths to others and recognize if they're not, if they don't receive that well, that may be what the Holy Spirit needs. Just need you to see how much time and attention and credit are you giving them. So be careful here. All right, guys, let's take a quick break, we'll be right back. We're making a big change that I think you're really going to enjoy.

Chris Grainger: 15:17

I spent a lot of time thinking about our spiritual kickoffs and, honestly, I love doing them each week, so much so we started doing them live every Monday through Friday inside our exclusive platform. And here's the best part We've decided to give full access, completely free, so now you can join our daily spiritual kickoff space at no cost. Every day we go live to read the word to encourage each other and find simple and powerful ways to apply God's truth to our lives. You'll even have the chance to engage with me directly, and if you missed a live stream, don't worry, the videos are posted the same day so you can catch up whenever it works for you. This is exclusive behind-the-scenes content that is not available anywhere else, and now we've removed every excuse. So if you're ready to get started, head over to thelionwithinus and grab your free access today. Let's grow together. All right, fellas. So now we're going to come up with this idea of breaking free.

Chris Grainger: 16:25

Okay, so it says in Psalms 51, create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. All right, and then you also get. Therefore, now there is no condemnation in those in Christ Jesus. That's Romans 8.1. So in the mornings here you know, we live on a farm. When I step out and go out on a farm before the sun rises, I pretty much know the layout. I've walked the same ground, I've handled the same chores over and, over and over. But I'm telling you, it doesn't matter.

Chris Grainger: 16:55

In the dark things are just different. If I go out there in the dark without a flashlight or something like that, I just trip up, very often I'll misjudge distance and before you know it, I've just made a complete mess of stuff because I couldn't see clearly. And I tell you this because when we try to fight sin, especially pornography, alone in the dark, the same thing happens. It just does we lie to ourselves and say we got it under control, we start rationalizing that that it's not that bad or I can stop whenever I want to stop. But then one day we wake up and we look up and we say, holy crap, where am I and how do I get out of here? And I'm telling you, scripture tells us, guys, that the best way to fight that darkness is with light, because they can't coexist. And we have to utilize this as Christian men If we want to actually be victorious. We have to utilize this.

Chris Grainger: 17:59

And when it comes to pornography, the most powerful step you can take hands down, is confessing and sharing your struggle with it to another brother in Christ, not your spouse or your girlfriend, not first at least. There's lots of emotions tied to that conversation. I want to tell you to start to take it to a trusted brother first who's going to walk with you shoulder to shoulder, because that's the moment when you speak out and you bring it to life, the enemy is going to lose a lot of power right there. And you may be thinking, bro, there ain't no flipping way, I'm going to do that. You don't know what I've done. Hey, you're misinterpreting the God we serve, because the way you're talking is like you got way more sin in you than grace in Christ. And I'm telling you, bro, that's a lot, that's a lot.

Chris Grainger: 19:04

The finishing work that Jesus did on a cross covers all the sin in your life, right From the smallest of the small ones to the most highly toxic ones that you've done. Right, he's got a whole lot more grace than you'll ever have sin. And you are not condemned, right, what's condemned Not fit for use, that ain't you. You're also not beyond hope. But I'm going to tell you what sitting in the dark is not an option. It's not an option because the heart of repentance leads us to move, and that movement is going to be one of two ways, boys. We'll either move further into the dark or we're going to step into the light. And I'm telling you, when you start stepping into the light, you start breaking free and you recognize that you don't have to do this fight alone.

Chris Grainger: 19:49

And I'm going to tell you, isolation is the enemy of excellence. So if you're thinking you're going to have an excellent marriage and you're sitting around looking at porn and jerking off, it's not going to happen, god and you're sitting around looking at porn and jerking off, it's not going to happen. God ain't going to bless that. You can't just keep walking down this path, this sinful path, and expecting God to bless. It's like folks that come to me all the time talking about their relationship's not that good and they want God to bless something. They're living together, playing married, a couple kids. I'm like you're asking me for advice, but you're asking God to bless something that he didn't design. You're doing it your way, you're not doing it God's way. So if you want to do marriage God's way, then he'll bless it. And pornography is no place in God's way.

Chris Grainger: 20:38

And I'm telling you this is a daily victory, guys. This is a daily that you have to fight. A daily victory, guys. This is a daily that you have to fight. And as we kind of wrap up this idea of fighting again, it says in ephesians 6 you got to put on that full armor, guys, so that you can take your stand against the devil schemes and that fighting. Uh, there's never an off day, right, go back to our farm, man. I know I'll bring it up a lot, but there's intentional effort. Off day, right, go back to our farm man. I know I bring it up a lot, but there's intentional effort every day. I got to check the fences, I got to feed animals, I got to prepare for the weather. It's nonstop. If I let up for a minute, those ramifications are real and then catching up will just wear me out.

Chris Grainger: 21:22

Daily focus, intensity is required, and that applies to so many areas of life, doesn't it? So the fight against pornography requires the same level of discipline every day, and this is next level discipleship stuff, fellas. And I'm telling you what I've talked to guys who physically go through the motion of putting on the armor of God every morning as a reminder that the battle lies ahead. And from you know some, like my mentor, the first hour a day he commits to prayer and scripture. The methods are different, but the theme is clear God comes first, period. And God's not some cosmic vending machine where we just go hey, throw out a prayer when we need something and expect an immediate result. That kind of theology leads to frustration, and we need God every single moment, every day, period, and when it comes to battle and pornography.

Chris Grainger: 22:28

Thinking that you can overcome this alone it's just wrong, because you're not going to be able to willpower your way through it. You may for a season, but we're talking about true victory and the fight against it may never fully disappear. But I guarantee you one thing the more reps you put in against it, the more you train your mind, the more you get to right habits, the more you align your heart, the stronger you'll become. So I'm telling you right now, guys, just by going through this, if you're in the pits and you're going through this, you are not alone. This struggle does not define you. The enemy wants you to think it does. He wants you to think that you're stuck, but that's a lie.

Chris Grainger: 23:23

Victory starts at the foot of the cross. Every day, every morning, commit to stepping into the fight, not with your own strength, but with the power of Christ, because victory is not in a single moment, but in those little daily steps of obedience. So I'm telling you the question and we've talked about it several times this week is if you were to eat one and you want to take you out. How would you do it? That is worth sitting underneath a tree and thinking about. And then, once you've got the answer to that, all right then what are you going to do to go into the offense, to start protecting that and to put the right boundaries in place? And I can't answer that one for you. I can just encourage you to go do the work and I can also at least offer up a conversation to help you.

Chris Grainger: 24:20

So I don't normally do this, but look, if you're interested, if you're struggling in this area of your life and you want help, send me an email. Chris at the lion withinus. Okay, put whatever you want to the email, I don't care. I will send you back a little, a little, a personal scheduling link and we'll find a time We'll talk.

Chris Grainger: 24:41

You're not going to fight this battle alone. I'm not going to try to push anything on a lion or what we do. I care less about that. It's all about serving you and just listening and encouraging. If there's resources I can just give you, I'm just going to give them to you. I don't want another brother out there to go fight this battle of pornography by themselves and keep getting their butt kicked. When I have ways we can help. So again, chris, that's lionwithanus. Shoot me a note. Guys, come back on Friday. I highly encourage you to.

Chris Grainger: 25:14

Again, we do these solo episodes usually about once a month is what we target to do, because we want to equip you, we want to encourage you, we want to help you out. Uh, we just want to just bring you some fun as well. Uh, and, and quite frankly, I spent a ton of time writing these devos and these studies for the Bible app and we want to just get the message out to you. So again, if this is something pornography is a struggle area for you, you're not condemned and we love to support and connect and just walk alongside with you in this battle.

Chris Grainger: 25:48

Alright, guys? So thelionwithinus is where you find all the information on ways we try to serve, ways we try to help Connect with us over there on the Bible app directly. We have our Christian Leader Assess. We have a weekly roar, we have all the different ways. You have our daily spiritual kickoff, our community and the leadership mastermind. All that is found at the lion within dot us. So have a great day, keep getting after it. I'll see you back here for our fun Friday and remember to keep unleashing the lion within.