Sexual Addiction: Freedom from Compulsive Behavior

CCEF Minibooks

by David A. Powlison

If you're struggling with a sexual addiction of any sort, you understand that feeling of being trapped, out of control, and afraid of being found out. No matter what you try, it seems impossible to break free from the lure of illicit sexual thoughts and practices. In CCEFs Sexual Freedom from Compulsive Behavior, biblical counselor David Powlison encourages those who want to overcome their compulsive sexual behavior to remember that lasting change comes in degrees and is often a slow progressive process. Addiction sufferers will discover powerful action steps to take and introspective heart questions to ask as they seek to conquer this harmful sin issue. Even though sexual temptation is everywhere, God's power and resource is closer still because the Holy Spirit resides within us to meet our every need.  All the minibooks in our Christian bookstore offer gospel-centered hope for everyday issues like parenting, marriage, and personal change. These easy-to-read discipleship and biblical counseling resources tackle lifes toughest issues in 30 minutes or less. Minibooks are frequently used by pastors and ministry leaders to help others apply biblical wisdom to specific life issues. Churches, biblical counseling ministries, and missional organizations make the minibooks available in their acrylic display cases to further discipleship and gospel-centered living.

Genres: Counselling

24 pages, Paperback

First published July 2, 1905

About the author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Reviews

[Dominic Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m delighted every time I read Powlison. His diagnosis and cures for human problems are rooted in Scripture which leads to real change.

James 1:13-15 teaches us that our desires give birth to sin and sin gives birth to death. Therefore, the fight for sexual purity doesn’t begin with behavior—“It begins with what you want, what you live for.” “Antoine de Saint-Exupery, a French writer, said, “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” Part of the good fight is to replace the evil and dark imagination with light, truth, and beauty found in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Oh that God would continue to use this booklet to help men and women become free from sexual addiction.

[Mike E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

These mini-books (or pamphlets) are outstanding.

I am in the process of reading all of them. Concise. Biblical. Practical.

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The modern world has made crossing God’s boundaries the norm.

Knowing you are wrong and looking for help are actually the first steps to becoming a different kind of person.

You won't fight well unless you are able to say, "My own desires are my enemy. When I do this, I sin. The pleasures I pursue will kill me.”

Repenting more quickly is progress.

An increase in honesty and accountability is progress.

A change in the battleground is progress.

A decrease in the frequency of the sin is a true good.


The other way you fight sin is to flood your heart with light. When the room of your heart is filled with light, the shadows, the darkness, and the evil will be pushed out.


If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

[Joseph Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly biblical and practical. Very helpful to those who are disappointed with themselves and see no hope to change. The author will let you see that God is able and His resources are plentiful, and go to Him to solve your problem deep down is the only solution to your addiction. A must-read for believers struggling with sexual sins.

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powlison helps expose the heart behind sexual addictions and offers gospel, church-based hope for change.

I wish he talked a little more about how addictions differ from sin patterns to fill out some of the struggle faced. But as always he gives a lot of practical guidance saturated in grace.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality resource. No where near exhaustive but a high quality little book.

[Peter Sontag · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource to your mind around the issue and get to know root of the issue.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good small book to use in counseling and encourage those struggling.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful Resource.