73. The Company You Keep: Why It Matters

Welcome to episode #73!
This week, Matt and Braden talk about how the company we keep could help or hinder our journey towards freedom from porn and other bad relational/sexual patterns.

Are you being influenced negatively by others?
When we are battling to get porn out of our lives, one of the challenges that can keep us stuck may be the people and social structures in our lives. We tend to adopt the mindsets of those people closest to us, whether negative and positive, which can either help or hinder us in getting free. If those around us don't see porn as a bad thing and encourage watching it, we will eventually begin to reflect that mindset as well. We need people that will be in our corner, encouraging us in our journey to live porn-free!

A healthier life maintains healthy relationship boundaries
We have relationships with many different kinds of people. An effective approach to getting porn and other unhealthy sexual behaviours out of our lives is to have an inner circle of support that helps us and encourages us. We may also have others in our life that we can be friends with, but they don't necessarily understand or help in our battle. And then we may have toxic people in our lives pulling us down who we need boundaries with. Sometimes having boundaries means letting them go and sometimes it means taking time away from them until we are in a better state of mind to be a good influence.

Getting and keeping better company in our lives requires us to be proactive
Having a better community around us takes effort and requires us to make proactive choices. Prayer is a great starting point because God is for you and will help you in this. But then we need to take steps, such as engaging with a church family, getting involved with a small group, or even volunteering with like-minded people. Get out of your comfort zone and take a next step!

Share With Your Friends
Who do you know that can benefit from this podcast and other episodes coming in the future? Share it with them so they can subscribe as well.

Stay Tuned
Next week, Matt and Braden discuss the difference between lust and attraction - and why that distinction matters!

Resources
Book: "Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Book: "When to walk away: Finding freedom from toxic people" by Gary Thomas
Pure Freedom Community for men 18+

Pure Freedom Journey for men and women

Book a FREE call (men)

Course for marriages

FamilyLife Canada: Resources and events to strengthen your marriage

Online marriage resources (FamilyLife Canada)

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software - use promo code RM30 for 30 days free

Podcast Hosts
BRADEN HAFNER

Braden is the Regional Director in Alberta for FamilyLife Canada. He has been married for 12 years to his wife Kristen, and they live in Edmonton, Alberta. He is passionate about seeing marriages grow and thrive, and helping couples move to a deeper oneness with one another and with God. FamilyLife Canada has a variety of resources and events to help you and your spouse take your marriage to the next level. See what would benefit you at www.familylifecanada.com

MATT CLINE

Matt and his wife Louise raise their little guys, David and Oliver, in Edmonton, Alberta. He is honored to do what he can to tackle the epidemic of pornography and sexual perversion in every way possible. Seeing lives and marriages get free and experience the love of God in profound ways is what drives him every day. He leads Restored Ministries, is a certified speaker and coach for the John Maxwell Team, and formerly played hockey in the WHL and for Hockey Canada. You can visit www.restoredministries.ca.