“And they came to Jesus, and saw the man who had been possessed by demons sitting there, clothed and in his right mind.” (Mk 5:15)
Consider: A poor man who, through a catastrophic accident, cancer, or neurological illness, suffers serious brain damage that destroys his ability to experience life with clarity and fullness.
A growing body of research reveals that habitual pornography usage can seriously alter and deform a man’s brain; the greater the pornography usage and the younger the man, the more significant the potential long-term damage.
Realize: Porn floods the brain with unnaturally intense brain chemicals (e.g., dopamine, norepinephrine, endorphins) that rewire the reward system to crave extreme stimulation, novelty, and immediacy, while dulling the brain’s ability to feel pleasure from normal life, relationships, and achievement. Chronic porn viewing can also weaken and shrink the brain regions responsible for self-control, judgment, emotional stability, and long-term thinking, while strengthening brain structures that drive compulsive behavior. Long-term, brain changes can become deeply embedded, making porn cravings feel automatic and difficult to resist.
Resolution: Today, I practice Heroic Sexual Self-discipline by striving to keep my brain healthy, so I may experience the joy of Chastity.
Jesus, I accept my responsibility to be a good steward of the brain You have given me, remembering that my body and mind are temples of the Holy Spirit and belong to You, not me (1 Cor 6:19–20; Rom 12:1). I firmly reject the damage pornography can inflict on my brain’s structure and natural processes, damage that undermines clarity, joy, intimacy, and meaning in life. I commit to taking drastic action to avoid pornography and the near occasions of sin, heeding Your warning that decisive sacrifice is necessary to preserve what truly matters (Mt 5:29–30). I rely not on willpower alone but on Your grace, trusting that as I cooperate with You, my mind can be renewed and restored (Phil 4:13; 2 Cor 3:18). My Savior, I believe and trust that with Your help and my steady resolve, my brain can heal, regain strength, and function as it was designed to do for holiness, joy, and freedom. I am so glad that You love me!
Examine: How will my life change if pornography damages my brain?
Pray: Jesus, help me build the Virtue of Magnificence (a part of Fortitude), so I remember that protecting my brain and maintaining my right mind are great works of faith that I am moved to offer to You. Amen.