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Pursuing Purity
Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit
Michael Shafer
4.7
Based on 35 ratings
Michael Shafer
“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.”
Try as we might, we still stumble and fall, and the struggle against pornography is about as difficult of a battle as a man will face.
Bro, I WISH I could say that taking an online course will remove that struggle… But I can’t. If the Apostle Paul, who was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit continued to struggle against sin, we will too.
But here’s what I can promise you.
God wants you to pursue Him in spite of your battle with pornography.
Read more
“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.”
Try as we might, we still stumble and fall, and the struggle against pornography is about as difficult of a battle as a man will face.
Bro, I WISH I could say that taking an online course will remove that struggle… But I can’t. If the Apostle Paul, who was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit continued to struggle against sin, we will too.
But here’s what I can promise you.
God wants you to pursue Him in spite of your battle with pornography.
Read more
“It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.”
Try as we might, we still stumble and fall, and the struggle against pornography is about as difficult of a battle as a man will face.
Bro, I WISH I could say that taking an online course will remove that struggle… But I can’t. If the Apostle Paul, who was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit continued to struggle against sin, we will too.
But here’s what I can promise you.
God wants you to pursue Him in spite of your battle with pornography.
Just because we are going to struggle, doesn’t mean we can give up. Paul also says in Romans, that because of God’s Spirit in us
“you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do.”
He wants us to band together as Christian brothers, making a commitment to fight along side one another. That’s exactly what this course is designed to do – To give you a platform for fighting against the struggle with pornography. I believe you will benefit from this course. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have created it. Opting in to a community of men who are as tired as you are of drowning in their addiction is a great place to start.
So I invite you to join us.
Whether pornography is an addiction or just a temptation, you are welcome here. We keep everything confidential. So take that first step and give yourself a fighting chance to break the chains of sin that are holding you back.
Enroll in the course today.
I’ll see you there.Michael
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/jutg2f/pursuing
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Have tools and resources to help you replace your porn habit with god-honoring behaviors.
- Learn the most effective ways to develop an accountability partner relationship.
- Learn insights from 5 great books on the subject.
- Have tools and resources to help you replace your porn habit with god-honoring behaviors.
- Learn the most effective ways to develop an accountability partner relationship.
- Learn insights from 5 great books on the subject.
Syllabus
Welcome to the Course
Introduction
What to Expect From the Course
Course Ground Rules
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Syllabus
Welcome to the Course
Introduction
What to Expect From the Course
Course Ground Rules
Read more
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Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit.
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Career center
Learners who complete Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Addiction Counselor
Addiction Counselor
An Addiction Counselor supports individuals in overcoming substance abuse and behavioral addictions. This role requires profound empathy and a deep understanding of the addiction cycle, relapse prevention, and recovery strategies. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course offers invaluable insights into the specific struggle with pornography, treating it as a challenging habit. Its curriculum on "How Porn Affects Human Biology," "Porn's Influence on Our Brains," and "Cognitive Traps of Pornography" provides a foundational understanding of the biological and psychological dimensions. Moreover, the course's detailed exploration of "How Habits are Created and Changed," including the "Golden Rule of Habit Change," directly equips future counselors with actionable frameworks for guiding clients. Emphasizing community and accountability, which are critical in recovery, this course helps build a comprehensive perspective on supporting individuals through their journey, particularly for those pursuing roles that typically require an advanced degree and licensure.
Pastoral Counselor
Pastoral Counselor
A Pastoral Counselor integrates theological knowledge with psychological insights to provide guidance and support to individuals facing personal, relational, or spiritual challenges. This specialized role often helps people navigate moral dilemmas and addiction through a faith-based lens. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course is exceptionally well-suited for this career path, as it deeply explores addressing struggles with pornography through "Spiritual Principles" and the pursuit of "God-honoring behaviors." Its modules on "It Begins with Grace," "How Humility Helps," and "It's All About Jesus" directly inform a counselor's approach to spiritual healing and repentance. The emphasis on "banding together as Christian brothers" and the importance of an "accountability partner relationship" are critical components of supportive community care. Those aspiring to be a Pastoral Counselor, a role that typically requires an advanced degree, will find this course prepares them to offer compassionate, faith-informed guidance.
Life Coach
Life Coach
A Life Coach empowers individuals to identify and achieve personal and professional goals, often focusing on habit formation, behavioral change, and accountability. This career involves helping clients clarify their vision, overcome obstacles, and develop strategies for success. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course provides a highly relevant framework for this profession, particularly through its detailed exploration of "How Habits are Created and Changed" and "How to Create New Habits." The course’s emphasis on "Two Important Pieces of Habit Change," "How to Understand Behavioral Changes," and "How to Address Behavioral Change" offers practical tools for guiding clients towards desired outcomes. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "Why You Need a Coach" and insights into "Creating the Right Structures" directly align with the core functions of a Life Coach. This course helps one to understand the dynamics of personal struggle and the power of structured support to foster positive, lasting transformation.
Pastor
Pastor
A Pastor serves as a spiritual leader and guide for a congregation, delivering sermons, administering sacraments, and offering pastoral care and counseling to community members. This role involves nurturing faith, fostering community, and providing support through life's challenges. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course offers comprehensive preparation for a Pastor, addressing a common and deeply personal struggle from a distinctly Christian perspective. The course’s foundation in Romans 7, emphasizing reliance on "God's Spirit," and its detailed discussion of "How to Approach the Struggle Spiritually," including "It's Time to Confess," "How Humility Helps," and "It's All About Jesus," directly inform pastoral responsibilities. Furthermore, the emphasis on "banding together as Christian brothers" and "Selecting Your Teammates in the Battle With Porn" equips future pastors to build supportive, faith-based communities within their ministries.
Chaplain
Chaplain
A Chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to individuals in diverse institutional settings, such as hospitals, the military, prisons, or universities, often serving people of various faiths. This compassionate role involves active listening, offering comfort, and facilitating spiritual practices. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course is highly relevant for a Chaplain, as it delves into deeply personal struggles and the profound need for spiritual resilience and community support. The course's teachings on "It Begins with Grace," "You Can't Go It Alone," and "How Humility Helps" provide a framework for understanding and responding to human vulnerability. Its emphasis on "God Offers More Than Porn Does" and fostering a "Confident Child of God" worldview can inform how a Chaplain helps individuals find hope and purpose amidst their challenges, allowing them to provide empathetic and faith-informed care in sensitive situations.
Spiritual Director
Spiritual Director
A Spiritual Director guides individuals in deepening their relationship with God and discerning His presence and action in their lives. This contemplative role involves accompanying a directee on their spiritual journey, encouraging reflection, and fostering spiritual growth. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course offers profound insights for a Spiritual Director, as it is centered on pursuing "God-honoring behaviors" and relying on "God's Spirit." The course's discussions on "Wired for Sanctification," "Knowing Godly Sorrow," and "How to Use Spiritual Principles in the Fight Against Porn" provide direct guidance on navigating internal spiritual battles. Its emphasis on "It's All About Jesus" and understanding "God Offers More Than Porn Does" are central to helping individuals cultivate a richer spiritual life. The course helps one to compassionately guide others toward a vision of "Life Lived for the Glory of God," fostering a deeper, more intimate connection with the divine.
Peer Support Specialist
Peer Support Specialist
A Peer Support Specialist draws upon their own lived experience to offer guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance to others navigating similar challenges, often in mental health or addiction recovery settings. This role emphasizes empathy and mutual support within a community context. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course strongly aligns with the tenets of a Peer Support Specialist. The course explicitly highlights "banding together as Christian brothers" and creating a "community of men who are as tired as you are of drowning in their addiction." This foundation in shared struggle and collective commitment to change, alongside learning "the most effective ways to develop an accountability partner relationship," is precisely what empowers a specialist to connect authentically with and support others. The course fosters an understanding of how to be a "teammate" in someone's battle, providing practical tools for offering genuine, experienced-based aid.
Youth Minister
Youth Minister
A Youth Minister fosters the spiritual growth and well-being of young people within a faith community, guiding them through life's challenges, teaching biblical principles, and organizing engaging activities. This role often involves mentorship and addressing difficult topics from a faith perspective. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course provides highly relevant content for a Youth Minister, offering critical insights into a prevalent struggle among young men. The course's focus on "Learning Healthy Masculinity," "How Habits are Created and Changed," and replacing habits with "God-honoring behaviors" directly equips ministers to proactively guide youth. Its emphasis on "Spiritual Principles," "Confess," and "It's All About Jesus" enables a minister to address sensitive issues with compassion and biblical wisdom, helping young people navigate temptations and build resilient faith and strong accountability relationships.
Community Organizer
Community Organizer
A Community Organizer works to empower local residents to identify common challenges and mobilize collective action to create positive social change. This role involves building relationships, facilitating discussions, and developing strategies to address community needs. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Community Organizer, particularly in faith-based settings or groups focused on personal and community well-being. The course's explicit call to "band together as Christian brothers," its design to "give you a platform for fighting against the struggle," and its emphasis on "Selecting Your Teammates" provides a model for fostering collective action and mutual support. Understanding how to create supportive "environments" and "structures" from the course can inform strategies for building cohesive groups dedicated to overcoming shared struggles and promoting positive change within a community.
Nonprofit Program Manager
Nonprofit Program Manager
A Nonprofit Program Manager oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs designed to achieve the organization's mission, often focusing on social good, education, or community support. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Nonprofit Program Manager, particularly within faith-based organizations or those addressing addiction and personal development. The course's structure for creating a supportive "platform for fighting against the struggle," its emphasis on "accountability partner relationships," and its insights into "creating the Right Structures" can inform the design of effective programs. Understanding behavioral change, community-building, and resource identification ("Finding Your Weapons," "Selecting Your Teammates") may help a manager develop impactful initiatives that support individuals in achieving "God-honoring behaviors" and fostering positive community engagement.
Health Educator
Health Educator
A Health Educator assesses the needs of communities and individuals, then plans, implements, and evaluates strategies to promote wellness and prevent disease. This role often involves teaching about health risks and empowering people to make informed decisions. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Health Educator, particularly when addressing topics related to sexual health, addiction, and mental well-being from a holistic perspective. The course's modules on "How Porn Affects Human Biology," "Porn Corrupts Intimacy," "Cognitive Traps of Pornography," and "Porn's Influence on Our Brains" provide specific physiological and psychological insights. Combined with its teachings on "How Habits are Created and Changed" and "How to Create New Habits," this course may help educators develop programs that address complex behavioral challenges and encourage healthier choices within a community.
Author/Writer
Author/Writer
An Author Writer crafts compelling narratives, articles, or books across various genres, communicating ideas, experiences, or knowledge to an audience. This role demands creativity, disciplined research, and the ability to articulate complex themes clearly and engagingly. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for an Author Writer, especially one specializing in spirituality, self-help, or Christian living. The course's deeply personal subject matter, its structured approach to a difficult struggle, and its synthesis of "insights from 5 great books on the subject" provide a rich source of material for original works. The detailed exploration of "How Habits are Created and Changed," "How to Understand Behavioral Changes," and the spiritual journey of "Life Lived for the Glory of God" offers profound themes that can be explored in books or articles aimed at inspiring personal transformation and spiritual growth in others.
Social Worker
Social Worker
A Social Worker advocates for and provides support to individuals, families, and communities facing various social, emotional, and economic challenges, connecting them with resources and promoting well-being. This demanding role often involves crisis intervention and long-term case management. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Social Worker due to its emphasis on understanding human struggle, behavioral change, and the importance of supportive relationships. The course's insights into "How Habits are Created and Changed," "How to Address Behavioral Change," and the role of "environment" and "structures" in personal transformation can inform a social worker's approach to complex client issues. While the course is rooted in faith, its focus on accountability and building community to overcome deeply ingrained problems may help one develop empathetic strategies for helping clients navigate their own difficult circumstances. An advanced degree is typically required for many roles in this field.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer designs and delivers educational programs to employees, focusing on skills development, compliance, or personal growth to improve individual and organizational performance. This role requires strong communication and instructional design abilities. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Corporate Trainer, particularly in modules related to personal development, discipline, and habit formation. The course's detailed sections on "How Habits are Created and Changed," "How to Create New Habits," "The Golden Rule of Habit Change," and "Two Important Pieces of Habit Change" offer transferable pedagogical frameworks. Understanding "How to Understand Behavioral Changes" and "How to Address Behavioral Change" can help a trainer design effective strategies for employees to develop positive work habits, enhance self-regulation, and foster a more productive and values-aligned professional environment.
Psychology Researcher
Psychology Researcher
A Psychology Researcher designs and conducts studies to investigate human behavior, cognition, and emotion, contributing to scientific understanding and informing evidence-based practices. This role typically involves hypothesis testing, data analysis, and publishing findings. The "Pursuing Purity: Breaking Free From Your Pornography Habit" course may be useful for a Psychology Researcher, particularly one interested in the psychology of addiction, habit formation, or spiritual coping mechanisms. While spiritually framed, the course explicitly covers topics like "How Porn Affects Human Biology," "Porn's Influence on Our Brains," and "Cognitive Traps of Pornography," which provide qualitative insights into a specific behavioral challenge. Its exploration of "How Habits are Created and Changed" and "How to Understand Behavioral Changes" offers practical models of intervention and internal processes that could inspire or complement empirical studies, especially for those pursuing advanced degrees in psychology.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/jutg2f/pursuing
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
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A research-based guide to creating new habits that are easy to stick to.
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A guide to understanding your own habits and creating a plan for change.
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A practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones.
A memoir and guide to creating a happy and fulfilling life.
A faith-based guide to developing good habits and achieving success.
A classic guide to self-improvement and habit formation.
Save
A New York Times bestseller that explores the science of habit formation.
A research-based guide to understanding and overcoming willpower challenges.
A practical guide to creating new habits and breaking bad ones.
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A guide to developing a growth mindset and learning new skills.
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A classic guide to finding happiness and creativity in your work.
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A guide to understanding and motivating others.
A classic guide to developing a positive attitude and achieving success.
A research-based guide to understanding the link between happiness and success.
A motivational guide to developing good habits and achieving success.
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Explores the power of mindset. Dweck argues that our mindset can have a profound impact on our success in life. She outlines two types of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. People with a fixed mindset believe that their intelligence and abilities are fixed, while people with a growth mindset believe that they can improve their intelligence and abilities through effort.
Classic in the field of personal development. Covey outlines seven habits that he believes are essential for success in all areas of life. The book is full of practical advice and examples, and it has helped millions of people to improve their lives.
Save
Provides a practical guide to building good habits and breaking bad ones. Clear draws on research from a variety of fields, including psychology, biology, and neuroscience, to explain how habits work and how we can change them. The book is full of practical tips and exercises, and it is written in a clear and engaging style.
Save
Explores the science of habit formation and provides practical tips for changing our habits. Duhigg draws on research from a variety of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, and sociology, to explain how habits work and how we can change them. The book is written in a clear and engaging style, and it is full of fascinating stories and examples.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of behavior change. Prochaska and Norcross outline the different stages of behavior change, and they provide a variety of strategies for helping people to change their behavior.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/jutg2f/pursuing
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