It's not easy to be content in America, where everything is screaming at us that we need MORE. But contentment is just one more key lesson on the road to freedom, because contentment creates a barrier of protection around our hearts and minds.

Spoiler alert: There are things inside of you AND outside of you that are TRYING to get you to stray off the narrow path and into sin. That's what makes the road to freedom so hard sometimes. In this episode, we'll talk about how to effectively deal with everyday temptations so that you can stay on the road to freedom.

Have you ever had to navigate at high speeds around an object that is lying in the middle of a busy highway? Relationship issues are a bit like that. You've got to learn how to navigate safely around them, otherwise you're going to experience some real damage to your heart and life. In today's episode, we'll talk about why cultivating a spirit of forgiveness is an absolutely critical part of staying on the road to freedom.

When Brian was growing up, he wholeheartedly pursued sex, drugs, a musical career, and whatever else he thought would bring him fulfillment. But then, God began to draw Brian—through a drumming gig at a church, through a girlfriend who was fed up with his porn addiction, and then through his time in the Residential Program at Pure Life Ministries. Little bit by little bit, God was calling Brian to become a dedicated follower of Jesus.

When professing Christians get sick of being addicted, they often turn to the internet, self-help gurus or psychology to find out where their real problem is. Unfortunately, a lot of what they'll find from these sources is nothing more than myth. In today's show, we'll look at some really common myths that many Christians believe about sexual addiction.

In our last episode, we took time to reflect on the wonder of Jesus—his lowliness, his love and his sacrifice. This week, we'll keep going. Welcome to Part 2 of our Purity for Life Christmas episode!

It takes quite an effort to fix our eyes on Jesus in this crazy world, and it is no different at Christmastime. In fact, the holidays often only amplify the pain and sorrow many people feel in their everyday lives. But we want to help you allow Jesus to take center stage during this holiday season. No matter what's going on in your life, please take some time to stop everything and focus on the greatest gift ever given.

"I’m struggling.” This is probably the most common way Christian men describe their continual attempts to break free from sexual sin. But for many, it would be much more accurate if they said, "I'm a slave to lust.” In today’s episode, we'll get to the heart of addiction and we'll talk about the first step men must take if they want real freedom.

Do you want to know how to effectively deal with temptation? Do you ever wonder if the apostle Paul believed that marriage was the cure for sexual addiction? In this episode, Steve Gallagher and the leadership of Pure Life Ministries offer biblical answers to really common questions about sexual sin.

Sometimes the goal we set for ourselves does not fully match God's goal for us. Here's a surprising example of this: when we make freedom from sexual sin our highest goal. In today’s show, we’ll talk about why God's goal for our lives is much deeper and more wonderful than that, and why pursuing His goal for our lives is a “Key Lesson on the Road to Freedom.”   Resources we mentioned: Living in Victory Through the Power of Mercy (Book) By Steve Gallagher

Real freedom isn't just about protecting our hearts from a lustful spirit, it's about yielding to a completely different kind of spirit—a loving, giving, spirit of mercy. In today’s show, we’ll talk about why learning to get in the flow of God’s mercy is absolutely critical for going all the way into a life of victory, and we’ll also give you some practical things that will help you foster that spirit of mercy.   Resources we mentioned: At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry (Book) by Steve Gallagher Living in Victory Through the Power of Mercy (Book) by Steve Gallagher

Part 2: As Greg drove on to the Pure Life Ministries' Residential campus, he experienced a hope that he hadn't felt in a very long time. And hope was exactly what he and Paloma needed, because sin and selfishness had ravaged their marriage. Over the next 9 months, he and Paloma would experience a transformation in their lives and in their marriage that can only be described as a miracle of God.    Resources: Why the Residential Program Must Be Nine Months (Article) By Steve Gallagher Exploring the Pain a Betrayed Wife Experiences (Article) By Kathy Gallagher

Part 1: In 2020, life had never been worse for Greg and Paloma. Greg had been addicted to porn for over two decades and had lost all hope of being free. One day, he decided to give himself over to his fantasies and pay for sex. When Greg’s sin came to light, Paloma was absolutely crushed. Their marriage…was over. At least, that’s what they both thought. 

Darlene Deibler went to Indonesia to preach the gospel to cannibalistic tribes. But when war broke out, she found herself plunged into the horrors of a WWII prisoner-of-war camp. And yet, Darlene would spend the rest of her life telling about a God whose comfort outshined her sufferings, whose presence was more precious than her losses, and whose loving provision was as faithful as the morning sun. Resources we mentioned: Evidence Not Seen: A Woman's Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II (Book) By Darlene Deibler Rose

Here's a paradox: If you want to enjoy tremendous freedom in Christ, then cultivate a disciplined lifestyle. In today’s episode, Steve Gallagher joins us to take a look at why discipline is part and parcel with growth as a Christian.

Austin Kropf and Josh Bergstrom had both tried numerous things in an attempt to find freedom from sexual sin. But instead of getting better, they had only grown worse. So when they came to Pure Life Ministries, they were exhausted, despairing and desperate for change. And then something happened that changed everything. They fell in love with Jesus.

We wouldn’t think twice about trying to live without air, water, or food. So why do we think we can live spiritually without a daily intake of God’s word and a daily life of prayer? In this episode of Purity for Life, we’re going to talk about establishing and maintaining a devotional life—because, let’s face it, we will never stay on the road to freedom without keeping first things first.

Imagine that for the first time in your life, you're leaving all the miserable consequences of sexual sin behind you and walking forward in real freedom. But then something devastating happens. You fail. Now what? In this episode, Steve and Kathy Gallagher join us to talk about what to do, and what not to do, when you fail so that you don't get fatally sidetracked on the road to freedom.

If you and your spouse are walking down the path laid out by Jesus in the Beatitudes, something wonderful is on the horizon. From the ashes of sexual sin's destruction will rise something new and beautiful. Where sin once reigned with terrible fury, God will rule over your hearts and home with a powerful sense of peace. This is the final episode of our series, Ashes to Beauty. You don't want to miss it!   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

Ashes to Beauty Episode 7: When a husband truly repents of sexual sin, most couples are ready to put all of that behind them and to enjoy a new life. But they soon find that there are other huge areas of their marriage that still need God's powerful touch. In today’s show, we'll talk about two of the biggest: healthy communication and intimacy in the marriage bed.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón  

We know that a marriage cannot survive when selfishness dominates the couple’s hearts and their home. But do we really believe that the opposite is also true–that a marriage will overflow with blessing when each spouse is giving their lives away for others? In episode 6 of Ashes to Beauty, Scott and Erin Wilson talk about why living "the mercy life" radically changed their marriage and became one of their greatest goals.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

If a couple who were in real trouble asked you what it would take to restore their lives and their marriage, what would you tell them? Would you tell them they both really need a desperate desire for righteousness? In episode five of our series Ashes to Beauty, Shawn and Susan Smith talk about why becoming hungry for righteousness made such a huge difference in their own lives and marriage.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

In the fourth episode of Ashes to Beauty: Scott and Erin Wilson’s world blew apart in one day when Erin found texts from another woman on Scott's phone. For the next couple of years, they tried to fix their marriage--in their own way and their own strength. Eventually, they both came to the place where they were willing to do the will of God. That’s when their marriage began to be restored.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

In the newest episode of Ashes to Beauty: When our hearts are torn open, we frantically reach for anything that will take away the pain. But what if God showed up in our suffering and told us that our pain was actually opening the door to tremendous blessing? Even though that makes no sense to our natural minds, that's exactly what He means when He says, "Blessed are those who mourn." Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

Sexual sin is like a hurricane of evil, and the overwhelming devastation can make it seem like there's no hope for the marriage. But in God's powerful hands, the sense of our total neediness actually becomes the first step on the road to redemption. That's what we'll talk about in episode two of our series Ashes to Beauty.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

For over 35 years, we have watched God do miracles in even the most hopeless of situations. If your marriage has been reduced to a pile of ashes, you won't want to miss our newest series. We'll talk to four different couples whose marriages were horribly damaged by sexual sin, but who walked God's pathway to restoration and found that He is truly able to transform marriages from ashes to beauty.   Resources we mentioned: From Ashes to Beauty (Book) by Jeff Colón

When God says, "Be holy, for I am holy," it's like He's saying, "Become like Me." Wait, seriously? God is telling fallen human beings to become like Him? Dr. John Oswalt is back with us for the second part of our discussion about holiness.   Resources we mentioned: Called to Be Holy by John Oswalt The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39 (Bible Commentary) by John Oswalt The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 (Bible Commentary) by John Oswalt 

After God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He said to them, “I am Yahweh your God. Sanctify yourselves, therefore, and be holy; for I am holy." These are solemn words applicable to every professing believer. But what exactly is holiness? And how do we, mere humans, become holy? In this episode of Purity for Life, Dr. John Oswalt joins us to answer these questions, and more!   Resources we mentioned: Called to Be Holy by John Oswalt The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 1-39 (Bible Commentary) by John Oswalt The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 (Bible Commentary) by John Oswalt 

Robens seemed to be exactly what Lousette wanted in a husband. But after they got married, she started feeling like something was really wrong. When she found out he was addicted to porn, she felt like their whole marriage was a lie. In today's episode we'll dive into the powerful story of Robens and Lousette Rodney, and how they went from utter hopelessness to seeing the Lord make all things new.   Helpful Resources: Pure Life Ministries Residential Program At Home Counseling for Women

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be filled with God's own life and glory? Well, the good news is that if we do our part, God will fill us! In the last episode of our series "A Firm Foundation" we'll talk about what we must do to experience the reality of God’s life and power.

Want to learn how to overcome temptation? Then check out this episode. We'll look at James 1:12-15, where the apostle left us priceless wisdom on the nature of temptation, so that we can learn how to handle temptation in a way that brings life.

If you’re a true believer, you know that Christianity is war. And the war can be incredibly fierce at times, but don’t lose heart, because God has shown us how to win. In Galatians 5, Paul says, “Walk by the spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” That’s the key to victory.   Download e-Sword here

Do you want to experience the freedom that Christ bought for you? Do you want to be free from legalism and purified from sinful lust? Do you want to be empowered by the Spirit to live a truly righteous life? Then you do NOT want to miss Part 1 of our discussion on the powerful book of Galatians.   Download e-Sword here  

Micah was about as dedicated to the gospel as you could imagine. So when a pastor confronted him, and told that he worshiped a false Jesus, he was speechless. Over the next few months, Micah desperately tried to prove that this pastor was wrong, but the exact opposite happened. In this episode we'll be discussing "Passport to Heaven: The True Story of a Zealous Mormon Missionary Who Discovers the Jesus He Never Knew," by Micah Wilder.   Biographies we mentioned: Passport to Heaven by Micah Wilder Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Joshua Rowand to discuss the methods and resources he uses to study the Bible. -- Methods we discussed: The daily office (01:20) Pray-read scripture to the Lord (04:15) Use a Bible without chapter or verse markings (08:27) Go through an annual Bible reading plan (11:46) --- Resources we mentioned: The Walk Series (Devotionals) by Steve Gallagher The Immerse Bible by Tyndale Psalms in 30 Days by Trevin Wax Live Dead Joy: 365 Days of Living and Dying with Jesus (Devotional) by Dick Brogden

The disciples of Jesus knew that He had big plans for them. They were called to stand for truth in a world that loved lies. They were called to preach the Word of God in a world that hated the Message and the messenger. How would they find the strength to fulfill their calling? There was only one way...by abiding in the Vine. 

So, maybe you’re a fairly new believer in Jesus. You know you've been called to live a noble life, full of wisdom and good fruit. But you just aren’t quite sure how to attain to that. And what’s worse, everyone around you seems to have an opinion about what it takes to get there. And now you're confused. If you can relate to some of these feelings, this episode is for you. -- Resources we mentioned: eSword  

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Ken Larkin to discuss some of the ways he studies the Bible, as well as some really helpful tools.  -- Methods we discussed: Reading scripture in various translations (00:28) Looking at words in their original language (01:55) Word Studies (03:34) Scripture Memorization (06:35) --- Resources we mentioned: Fighter Verses Verses Blue Letter Bible ESword Bible Gateway

There is no way we can live an overcoming Christian life without the (real) grace of God and love of God. So maybe that’s why the apostles gave really strong warnings about things that sounded like grace and love, but were nothing less than demonic counterfeits that destroyed people’s lives. 

Nabeel Qureshi grew up with a deep love for Allah, Mohammed and his family's heritage, and quickly became a confident and zealous proponent of his beloved faith. But when a Christian friend challenged him to closely examine the truth claims of Islam, his beloved faith could not bear the weight of honest scrutiny. In desperation, he cried to Allah for the truth, but what he found utterly shocked him.    Biographies we mentioned: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi

If you've been in sexual sin for a long time, it’s easy to feel like, “This is hopeless. I’ll never be free.” But believe it or not, this is self-pity—just another one of Satan’s schemes to keep people away from true repentance, faith and salvation. In this episode, we look at how to know if you’re in self-pity and how to get out of it.

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Austin Kropf to discuss the different methods he uses to study the Bible. -- Methods we discussed: Paraphrasing scripture (04:47) The Inductive Study Method (06:50) Finding Key Words (12:53) Reading Commentaries (19:23) --- Resources we mentioned:  eSword (Download eSword here) Blue Letter Bible Bible Hub Precept Upon Precept

When it comes to things that lead us into sin, Jesus' stance is strong, uncompromising, even seemingly extreme. But He has promised that if we will listen to Him, our lives will be built on an unshakable foundation. 

Have you ever felt like sin drug you into a spiritual desert or a land of captivity? If so, the prophetic words in Isaiah 55 will resonate deeply with you. This timeless passage calls out to every lost soul: "Return to God!" so that we might find in Him a place of spiritual peace, security and prosperity.  --- Resource we mentioned: The Book of Isaiah, Chapters 40-66 by John N. Oswalt

In Psalm 107, this refrain is repeated four times: “Then they cried to Yahweh in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distress.” Why the repetition? Because when we realize that we have sinned, and we know we are in deep trouble, we need to know without a doubt that God will answer us if we cry out to Him. 

For those who are being broken over their sin, and are turning to God in repentance, Psalm 51 is a treasure trove of spiritual knowledge. It is touching, brilliant, and artistic. But it’s not included in the Bible for us merely to appreciate it. It’s there like a blazing lighthouse, showing us how to return safely into the harbor of God’s redemption. 

If you aren’t in the habit of reading Christian biographies, we hope that this episode will inspire you to start. Aside from the Bible, Christian biographies can be some of the most helpful reading you’ll ever do. In this show, we’ll look at the remarkable life of Amy Carmichael, an Irish woman who gave herself entirely for the will of God in India.   Biographies we mentioned: A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur by Frank Houghton Bruchko by Bruce Olson Chasing the Dragon: One Woman's Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong's Drug Dens by Jackie Pullinger    

In this bonus segment, Nate sits down with biblical counselor Michael Wheaton to discuss some methods he uses to study the Bible.  -- Methods we discussed: Familiarizing yourself with the text: (00:56) Finding key words: (04:23) Studying verse by verse: (06:08) Identifying themes and overall purpose: (09:28) Reading commentaries: (12:25) Putting these methods into practice: (14:50)                        --- Resources we mentioned: e-Sword - Download eSword here

When God visits a person’s sin in judgment, their lives begin to unravel. Frustration builds to misery, then gives way to despair, and often, finally collapses into ruin. But in Hosea 2, an astonishing picture emerges. God's deepest desire is not to destroy sinners, but to use the pain of judgment to open a doorway into total restoration. 

When you know that you've sinned terribly against God, where do you find the confidence to go back to Him? How can you know that He will be willing to receive you? Today we'll look at two passages that shed light on one of the most precious truths about God: He is full of mercy toward anyone who will repent.

George Barna recently reported that over 75 percent of Americans read the Bible once a month or less. According to Jesus, that is a recipe for spiritual devastation. Join us for our newest series, where you will be inspired and equipped to begin a life of studying God's precious word!

In times of extreme need, people often claim that they have no one to help them. But how often is that actually true, and how often is that just a feeling? And what do you do if you really don’t have anyone who is willing to help you? If you’re feeling like you have no support in your current situation, this episode is for you. 

There is no doubt that sexual sin and betrayal brings men and women into long seasons of terrible darkness. But Jesus is the light of the world! In this episode, Stephen and Kelly Hauck share very openly about their past life of sin and suffering to show that in times of greatest darkness, the light of Christ shines with incredible brightness.

When the Apostle Peter urged Christians to stand fast in the true grace of God, he implied that there is a false grace that we must avoid. We are living in a culture that is saturated with sensuality and perversion. We don't need a grace that leaves us unforgiven, unsaved and unchanged. We need something real, something full of life and power. In this episode, we play a sermon by Steve Gallagher where he shows us what true grace is, and what it's not.

In this episode, we're going to ask the question, "Should Christians use the word addiction?" To help answer that question, Dr. Daniel Berger helps us understand what the culture means by addiction and whether or not the Bible gives credence to those ideas.

In this episode, we look at two strategies for winning the war against sexual sin. The first is that we have to seperate ourselves from the spirit of this world. The second is that, as we do this, we must begin to seek God with all our hearts.

There have been many testimonies told from those who've gone through our counseling programs. Some of those testimonies are so similar to each other that they can become almost predictable, but we never get tired of hearing them. There is something powerful about God's individual, intimate involvement with each person that He comes to. In this episode, we walk through the story of Danielle. She had a relationship with Jesus from a young age, but for a long time, there wasn't much depth to her walk with God. She wanted to follow Jesus, but there were things that were really hindering her. And then her husband’s sexual sin really brought things to a head, and God used that trial to really draw her to Himself.

We see it all too often. And we see it from both sides. There is the man who is struggling with sexual sin, with his addiction to pornography, but he thinks, “My problem will all go away when I get married.” Then there is the young woman who knows of her fiancé’s struggles, but she marries him anyway, thinking the same thing: “Marriage will fix him.” In this Purity for Life episode from 2019, we answer the question “Should I Marry a Man Struggling with Porn?” 

When you've ministered to Christian men in sexual sin for as long as we have, you start to get a pretty good idea about who you are dealing with and what they need. If you’re a pastor, if you’re discipling someone who is struggling with sexual sin, or if you recently found out that someone you love has been living a double life of hidden immorality, this episode is for you. Welcome to part one of A Leader's Guide to the Sexual Addict.

When Chris looked at Marissa, he saw a woman who would help him control his lust. He saw someone who would help him achieve a prosperous life. When Marissa looked at Chris, she saw a man who would help her pursue the Lord, someone who would help her cultivate the kind of spiritual life she dreamed of having. One day, both of their dreams came crashing down. But this did not result in the destruction of their marriage. Instead, it brought about the creation of something unexpected. Something beautiful. Something brand new.

Welcome to the fifth episode in our series, Key Lessons on the Road to Freedom. In this episode, we are going to look at yet another vital aspect of learning to walk in freedom from sexual sin - keeping a godly atmosphere in your home. It's a lesson we all have to learn. If we want to live godly lives, we have to keep a careful guard over our homes.

The world tells us that hope comes from an expectation that something good is going to happen. But if that’s true, how can a wife have hope when her marriage is failing? You see, we need a hope that anchors itself in something beyond this world of suffering. We need a living hope flowing to us despite the difficult circumstances of this life. In this Purity for Life replay, Kathy Gallagher joins us to talk about the true hope of all believers, and she helps us see how to anchor ourselves in it. 

As you continue on the road to real freedom over sexual sin, there's one key lesson that can take quite awhile to learn. And while learning it can be pretty painful, it's absolutely essential. Simply put, you have to learn to control yourself. But what makes it hard is that many of us have come to the painful realization that more self-effort in not the way to develop greater self-control. So join us as we look at how living a self-controlled life can only come by learning to live in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Freedom from sexual sin is absolutely possible. But it's a journey, and knowing how to stay on the path towards that freedom is crucial. There are obstacles that we will face along the way that can totally derail us, unless we learn how to deal with them well. One is how we navigate around our feelings. The second is how we choose to walk through the consequences of our own sin. That’s our subject today in episode two of our series, Key Lessons on the Road to Freedom.

Have you ever noticed that Americans are always looking for keys? We want someone to give us three keys to a better life, five keys to a happy marriage or seven keys to a secure future. This week we are starting a new miniseries about keys – sort of. Really, we are going to be talking about key lessons that you will need to learn as you journey out of sexual sin and into real freedom. The first key lesson is that you must have a fighting spirit.

God's warnings to those who indulge in sexual immorality should be enough to convince us that the only reasonable course of action is a wholehearted pursuit of purity. But where do you draw the line when it comes to purity? And actually the better question is this: where does God draw the line? In this "Ask the Counselor" episode of Purity for Life, we tackle the often-debated question: ‘Is masturbation a sin?’

A lot of times when someone gets sick of their addiction, they go to Google and search for help. And that's when they realize there are actually a ton of different options out there. Now that might seem good, except for one thing: the vast majority of those solutions are powerless to help them really change. So in this episode, we break down the problems with two very common remedies for addiction: secular accountability groups and the always-popular “resolution” to change.

Babylon began as an ancient city built by a rebel. It later emerged as a proud, idolatrous, God-opposing empire. The origins and history of Babylon are so entwined with defiance toward God that it came to symbolize everything that resists the rule of God in the world. Its king is Satan himself. Its goal is life without God. This is the final episode in our series, "Babylon: The Seat of Satan's Power." In today's show, there will be no history lessons, no discussions, no explanations. Just an exhortation to respond to the timeless words of God. Yes, His voice is still echoing in the prophet Jeremiah's ancient words: "Flee from the midst of Babylon!"

Satan's end goal is to create a global mindset of rebellion against God's authority. But how does he do it? What are his most effective strategies for shaping the minds of men and women? What are the cultural forces that we need to be most aware of and most on guard against? Our episode this week takes a look at one way he does this, a phenomenon that has gripped the hearts of over 4 billion people - social media.

Before they came to Pure Life Ministries, Gabriel, Michael and Chris lived their lives in a frenzy, running from place to place. They couldn’t slow down long enough to allow the Lord to speak to them. This left them in a bad place spiritually. In this discussion, they share what it took for the Lord to slow them down. They’ll talk about how God did that as they went through the Pure Life Ministries Residential Program. They’ll also testify to the peace of God which comes from taking the time to meditate on His Word and taking the time to wait patiently for His direction in life.

Many saints throughout the ages have spoken of the value of being still. They've told us about the great spiritual benefits awaiting anyone who will regularly quiet their minds and hearts so that they might contemplate God. They've urged us to think deeply about His works, wonders and promises. They've testified about growing in the reality of eternity. If that’s the impact that was made on those who chose to quiet themselves before God, it’s no wonder why Satan loves fostering stress, pressure, lights, noise, and endless activity and motion in our culture. After all, if we are constantly tyrannized by what is happening right now, we will never have time to think about eternity.

When the founding fathers gathered to sign the declaration of independence, they fully believed that the Christian God was behind their endeavor. They were, after all, championing noble causes such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Centuries later, multitudes of evangelical Americans have the same conviction - God is on our side. Today we're going to take a look at Christian nationalism, and full disclosure, we're going to stir the pot a little bit.

Here is the full discussion from Episode #502. In it, Nate, Patrick, and Jon discuss their church backgrounds prior to coming to the Pure Life Residential Program and how it shaped their way of thinking. They look at how their background led them to elevate talent and good works over devotion to God, and how various online preachers and music artists influenced their religion more than the truth of God’s Word. 

Church plays a significant role in the lives of many professing Christians today. It provides a sense of community and belonging. Church is a place where people rally around us when we're in trouble. It's the place where we develop our closest relationships. Sometimes it can be the scene of our deepest hurts. Our churches have a major impact on the kind of people that we become. But there is also something else that happens when we attend church, something that you may not have thought about. Our church is shaping our view of what it really means to be a Christian. And we're either getting a true representation of Christianity, or a false one. In today's episode we're going to look at one of Satan's key strategies in the war to unite mankind in rebellion against God - infiltrating the church with false teachers.

We're taking a break from our series, Babylon: The Seat of Satan's Power, this week. In this replay from our "Exposed" series, we look at what allows pride to flourish and grow inside us. We’ll look at life in America and examine the ways it encourages us to be proud. We’ll also talk about trials in marriage and how they can foster our pride in unexpected ways. Both topics will help us see more clearly the way God deals with pride and the consequences of its unchecked influence.

For thousands of years, thick spiritual darkness covered the entire world. The prince of darkness, Satan, longed for the day when he would once again unite the globe in open rebellion to God's authority. But one day, 120 men and women left an upper room in Jerusalem with a fiery zeal and a white hot love for Jesus of Nazareth - the man who had changed everything about their lives. Their passion and their testimonies were infectious and began plundering the kingdom of darkness of its subjects daily.  When God's people are inflamed with love for Jesus and a zeal for His Kingdom, Satan's master plan for humanity is presented with a massive threat. But the enemy won't go down without a fight. In this show, we'll look at one of his most effective counterattacks - fostering a church culture that is full of apathy.

Last week, we began looking at some of the main tactics Satan uses to lead mankind into rebellion against God. In this episode, we’ll look at another example of how Satan does that. Join us, as we examine how our enemy works tirelessly to promote a lifestyle of selfishness and pride in us and how that leads us into rebellion against the Lord. We’ll also discuss how God earnestly and tirelessly works to tear those things down in every believer’s life. 

When we sin, we naturally don’t want to take responsibility for our actions. We want to blame others or even blame God. But Scripture clearly says that it’s our own desires which lead into sin. In this discussion, Brooks, Josh and Chris unpack how they went from a place of making excuses when they sinned, to a place of brokenness and contrition over their spiritual condition. They also discuss how the Lord brought them to a place where they were no longer controlled by their desires.

Up to this point in our series, we've been taking a bird’s eye view of the spiritual realm to expose how the world is being controlled by an ancient spirit bent on rebellion against God. Now it’s time to zoom in and start looking at some of the practical, every-day things that the spirit of Babylon uses to draw mankind into that rebellion. We'll expose some of our personal vulnerabilities, and some of the weaknesses in our religious system, which leave us exposed to this very powerful, very seductive and very evil spirit. Journey with us as we look at the massively important realm of desire.

If we are going to resist the enemy, we must learn to be fighters. That's what Josh, Kyle, and Trey found out early on in their walk with the Lord. The battle was hard, and they weren’t expecting it. In this discussion, they reflect on how worldliness will kill a fighting spirit, and how God has helped them to become willing to enter the battle. We hope you’ll be encouraged by their stories and by their growing passion to know Jesus!

There is a dark spirit at work in this world, seeking to destroy mankind by convincing them to unite in rebellion against God. That spirit is of course, Satan. But he isn't alone. All around us, there are demonic beings trying to exert their very powerful influence upon us. This week, we’re going to take a brief look at the demonic realm and how these dark spirits work to gain dominion over a person's heart. And we’ll follow that up with a conversation about a powerful strategy to effectively fight against their evil influence.

Sexual sin is an obvious manifestation of a worldly mindset. But there are many other, less obvious, and less wicked ways, in which Satan allures us into a godless lifestyle. This was definitely true for Gabriel, Chad and Vinny – three men on staff here at Pure Life Ministries who were once hopelessly caught up in the world system. In this special roundtable discussion, they sit down to discuss the details of what drew them away from God, and also the miraculous transformation that occurred during their time in our Residential Program.

Scripture reveals that Satan desires to seduce all mankind. By marshaling the entire demonic realm, he seeks to deceive us and lead us into the same lustful, corrupt and godless mindset which marks his kingdom. The truth is, that as we look at the vast majority of men and women, we realize that Satan has succeeded in this plot. Most of humanity has bought into his lies, wholeheartedly pursuing a self-centered life in this present world. And so, in the sixth episode of our series Babylon: The Seat of Satan’s Power, we discuss what the Bible calls Kosmos. As we explore what Kosmos really is, we’ll see why it’s such a serious threat to every believer and what our response to it should be.

If you’ve been listening to our Babylon series, then you know that it’s all about exposing the spirit that is working in this world to bring everyone into rebellion against God. So far, we’ve explored the historical origins of Babylon. Now we’re going to look at how Satan is crafting a worldwide rebellion against God. He will do it much more easily than we could imagine. He’ll do it by appealing to our desires.

To understand how the spirit of Babylon invades our way of thinking, we must understand how Satan uses men to help promote his goals. There have been many examples of such men and women throughout the ages, but the first was Nimrod, the founder of Babylon. The rebellion he began against Yahweh continues even today and can be found in the beliefs of many religions, cultures and organizations. And if we aren't careful, any of these ideas can influence us and steal our hearts away from the Lord. 

Just because we take extreme measures to prevent giving in to sexual temptation doesn’t mean anything has changed in our hearts. We can’t just put off sinful habits, we need God to give us a new heart – one in which He produces the true fruits of righteousness. In this roundtable discussion, Josh, Chris, and Luke sit down in the Pure Life studio to discuss the crazy things they did to overcome their sexual addiction and how it never worked. But their stories will also give hope to anyone in bondage as they share how God blessed them and freed them tremendously during their time in our Residential Program.

If Genesis 6-8 tell the story of a family that survived the great flood because of their devotion to God, why do Genesis 10-11 tell the story of a great insurrection against God's authority? How could mankind have fallen so far, so fast? Steve Gallagher joins us to look at where the Tower of Babel rebellion ultimately began - in the heart of one of Noah's own sons. We’ll see how a young man who grew up in a very godly home could become the grandfather of the very first Antichrist. And Ed Buch helps connect this story to each one of us, showing how it plays out for many in the church today. Plus, our staff roundtable guests will share personal testimonies of the outward things they tried to stop from giving over to sexual sin, how these never worked, and what ultimately changed their hearts.

Here’s the full roundtable discussion from Episode #493. Listen as three of our counselors walk through how the spiral of degradation unfolded in their own lives. They get brutally honest about where that took them, but also how wonderful it was when Jesus finally broke through and brought them out of that spiral and into life in Him.

In the next few episodes, we’re going to look at the origins of Babylon. But before we get there, we need to look back to a time before this city was founded, to a time when mankind was almost universally engrossed in spiritual darkness. In the time before the flood, mankind fell into a wicked state that was so offensive to God that He wiped all but a few from the face of the earth. As we investigate this history, we learn about the corrupt nature of the human heart and how we must guard ourselves so as not to go down the same deplorable paths that those ancient men and women fell into.

Here’s the full roundtable discussion from Episode #492. In it, three Pure Life staff members discuss the subtle ways the enemy lured them into sexual sin through the spirit of Babylon. They also discuss how God helped them separate themselves from that spirit during their time in our Residential Program.

Welcome to our summer series, Babylon: The Seat of Satan's Power. In this series, we are going to dive deep into this relevant subject, exploring what Babylon really is, what it's goals are and how it seeks to accomplish them. Babylon is famous for being the brutal empire that conquered God's people and carried them off into exile. But Babylon is much more than that. It was established soon after the flood and became a symbol in Scripture for everything that is in rebellion to God's authority. Babylon is a threat to every believer which God warns us to distance ourselves from because the entire world is engulfed in the spirit of Babylon and is headed towards outright insurrection against the Lordship of Jesus.  In this episode, we begin by looking at why separating ourselves from the world is the only way to truly walk with Christ and find freedom from sexual sin.

When we are injured physically, our body automatically respond by beginning to heal itself. Similarly, when we are injured emotionally or spiritually, we begin to try to heal ourselves. But here's the problem. When it comes to emotional pain, our natural reactions often end up doing even more damage to us in the long run. We can’t simply heal ourselves – we need God to do His work in us and as we know, His ways are not like our ways. Join us as we explore the danger of trying to find healing through boosting our self-esteem in another follow up to our Refined as Silver series.

Earlier this year we released a series called Refined as Silver, and we are back this week and next with some follow up episodes based on conversations we had during that series. This week we discuss the necessity of standing against a worldly atmosphere in the home. When a home is full of worldliness, it creates a wide-open door for all sorts of lustful temptations and for sexual sin. 

Three of our leaders joined Nate in the studio this week to reflect on Dave Leopold’s sermon series A Vision of Jesus. In their discussion, they reflect on the parts that stood out to them most, how the messages impacted them personally and also how it has affected our Residential Program students.

Anyone who takes a deep look at Jesus will realize that He was not an ordinary man. He was full of a love that was pure and otherworldly, and it inspired Him to do things that can be very hard for us to understand. But we must continue to look at Him until we see the motivations of His heart rightly. In this sermon, Reverend Dave Leopold unpacks the miracle at the Wedding in Cana and Jesus’ driving out the money changers in the temple. He shows us how both stories reveal the passionate and zealous love which God has for us.

We’ve all had experiences where someone did something or said something that initially hurt us that turned out in the end to be the best thing for us. We call that tough love, and it is love, even if it doesn’t feel like it. In this episode of our series A Vision of Jesus, Dave Leopold looks at two instances where Jesus treated someone in a way that initially seemed cruel but ultimately worked out for their good. Jesus will do whatever He knows is best for us, because He is full of grace and truth.

Who was this Jesus from the Bible? What was He really like? Reverend Dave Leopold continues to help answer these questions this week. One startling revelation about Christ’s character is that He was and is a consuming fire of love. And when this love came into contact with men and women in the Bible, it demanded a response. Dave looks at two such encounters in the stories of the Rich Young Ruler and Zacchaeus the tax collector. Each encounter with Jesus’ powerful presence brought them face to face with their true character, and it was then they were forced to decide how they would respond – a decision that would determine their eternal destiny.

Over the next four weeks, we’re going to play a series of messages by Reverend Dave Leopold from the Zion Faith Homes. These talks, delivered back in February to the men in our Residential Program, focused on helping us to see the character of Jesus Christ more clearly.   This week’s message comes from John 1, where the Apostle wrote that Jesus Christ came to us, “full of grace and truth.” These words are a profound revelation about Jesus’ ministry, but they also reveal to us what we truly need from God in this life. Grace enables us to do what we could never do on our own, while truth tells us exactly what we need to hear and shows us what we need to see. Together, they work to help us to find our way towards real freedom.

People who are sincerely seeking freedom from sexual sin usually have a vague idea that there is something under the surface that needs to be dealt with. This is true, but they are usually very surprised when they find out what it is. In a recent series of shows, we asked the question, “What does that have to do with my problem?” And all the issues we touched on in those episodes – self-righteousness, self-pity, obsession with success – all of them flow out of a thriving self-life. In this week’s show, we look at another key feature of the self-life: pride, and how it really is another hidden fuel of sexual sin.

Last week we looked at how vital confession is for someone to find freedom from sexual sin. This week we look at another aspect of confession: confessing adultery to a wife. Pastor Ed and Kathy Gallagher join us to look at some practical steps and considerations when confessing sexual sin, as well as some of the struggles that come with taking this difficult, but vital step.

One of the most common lies whispered into the ears of men in sexual sin is, "You can get free between you and God. No one needs to know." While many are willing to believe this deception, the truth is that confession is absolutely essential for anyone who desires genuine freedom. In this episode, Pastor Ed Buch helps us unpack the spiritual realities behind confession.

We’re taking a break from producing a new episode this week as we get settled, following a wonderful time at our Annual Conference this past weekend. This replay is one of our favorites from our 20 Truths series, and we hope it’s a blessing to you. In it, we’ll define hedonism, and look at its close connection with sexual sin. Much of today's church lives more to please self than to honor Jesus, and it’s this kind of lifestyle which opens the door for sexual sin. If you haven't listened through the whole 20 Truths series before, we’d also encourage you to go back and listen to that series. Just look for episodes 363-364 and 366-381. 

In this new Ask the Counselor episode, we continue looking at sins which are closely tied to sexual addiction. Today we’ll look at self-pity, covetousness, self-righteousness and living by our feelings. While on the surface these issues may seem unrelated, they are still sins that must be dealt with if a person is ever to experience genuine freedom over their sexual addiction.  

Have you ever sought counsel for something and the person giving you counsel starts touching on something that you think is totally unrelated to your problem? For example, you want help with your addiction to sexual sin and they start talking to you about your relationship with God, your ingratitude, fear, worry, or even your perfectionism. In this episode we discuss some of the spiritual issues that a person must deal with if he or she is looking to find freedom from sexual sin.

The 22nd Annual Pure Life Ministries Conference is coming up April 22nd & 23rd and will be hosted in the Answers Center at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY. In this episode, we want to give you a taste for the kinds of powerful teachings you can expect at this event by playing a sermon preached by Steve Gallagher at our 2019 conference. We hope it will bless you, and that you will consider joining us this April.

One of the worst aspects of sexual sin is that it breeds deception in the heart and in the soul. The many lies that come with sexual sin slowly corrupt a person until they are completely blind to the spiritual realities of life. Therefore, the sexual addict must learn to live in truth if he or she is ever to find freedom from their sin.

In the final episode of our series, Refined as Silver, we look at what it means for a wife to forgive her husband truly, completely and radically, even after the devastation of sexual sin. Biblical Counselor Rose Colón joins Nate to talk about the challenges that arise as a wife seeks to live in forgiveness, and the incredible freedom that comes through it.

When Susan was a young wife, she didn't give the idea of submission much weight. But when she and her husband got serious about following Jesus, she took another look at the subject. In part four of our series, Refined as Silver, Susan talks with us about this very touchy topic. 

In part three of our series, Refined as Silver, we look at the crucial role a wife plays as her husband walks in repentance from sexual sin. Kathy Gallagher helps us see that when a wife selflessly puts her husband first, she is learning to embody the love of Jesus Christ.

How can a wife trust her husband when he has proven himself to be unfaithful? How can she know that he has truly repented of his sin or if he will betray her again? In part two of our series, Refined as Silver, we discuss how a wife can learn to rest in the Lord as she entrusts her marriage to Him. And she must also learn to have faith that God will hold her husband fast as he walks out His repentance.

When a woman finds out that her husband is in sexual sin, she passes through a fire of deep pain and suffering. For many, this experience creates long-terms wounds that never quite heal. But others have a surprisingly different story to tell. In our new five-part series for wives, Refined as Silver, we will talk to women who found an unexpected liberty as they allowed the Lord to use the fiery trials they endured to refine them and produce His character in them. 

When a person believes that freedom from sexual sin is impossible for them, it often leads to feelings of despair and hopelessness. We looked at common things inside us that lead to these feelings in our last episode and showed how they prevent us from gaining freedom. This week, we’ll identify five crucial steps that a person must take if they want to walk in true liberty from sin and what it looks like to put those into practice.

How is it that many find themselves hopelessly bound in their sin when there is a God of tremendous hope offering them the keys to genuine freedom? We’ll help answer that in our next two episodes. Today’s focus is on the common barriers to overcoming sexual sin and the ways these often produce hopelessness in a sex addict’s life. This interview is part of our new and ongoing “Ask the Counselor” series, where we interview various members of our counseling staff about some of the common questions asked by those in sexual sin.

When Jesus came in the first century, what He found caused Him to fashion a whip to cleanse the temple and led Him to pronounce woe on the religious leaders. We know that He is coming again—perhaps soon—but the question remains, “What will He find?” What will it take to be part of the faithful remnant who continue pressing on, clinging to God’s Word, and living in daily anticipation of His coming? We must prepare our hearts now!

For anyone who has truly found a new life in Christ, there will be a severe fight against their old nature. But it’s easy to overlook some of the enemies that one will face in that battle. One of those often-unnoticed opponents is pride, and yet overcoming it is closely linked with living a pure life. In this episode we talk about the struggle for humility and why it is so important to never give up in that fight.

Pastor Steve preached a sermon to the men in our residential program in 2019 titled "Consider Jesus". In it, he challenged them to consider all that Jesus has done, and the radiance of His glory and how great a salvation He has bestowed upon us. In this episode, we play that sermon. We hope that it richly blesses you and points you to the tremendous hope you have in Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we play an interview conducted by the Clarity Podcast featuring Pure Life’s Pastor Ed Buch and our Director of Intake, Ken Larkin. The Clarity Podcast is geared towards missionaries. So the host wanted us to weigh in on some of the issues overseas Christian workers face regarding sexual temptation. Ed and Ken tackle these issues from a biblical perspective, centering their answers in the Word of God and how we’ve seen it impact men in our programs for over 35 years.

A life overflowing in sincere worship greatly pleases God. But it’s also clear in Scripture that the Lord is displeased by the worship of those whose lives contradict their profession of love to Him. Today we look at the difference between true and vain worship and the implications of each upon our lives. We’ll find that a life overflowing with worship is really the normal Christian life and it is one that has abundant peace and joy in Christ.

Many Americans are focused on themselves rather than others. It's this culture of self-centeredness that has created a lot of chaos in many marriages. Men go into marriage looking at it as a way to meet their needs. But if instead a husband seeks to know Christ, and makes this the central focus of his life and his marriage, the Lord will set him and his wife on the Narrow Way which leads to a unity with God's will and with each other.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ this Christmas, we look at how He is our Emmanuel. In our sorrow, in our suffering, in our joy, and even in our daily lives, He is there; God with us. Join us as we sit down with Steve and Kathy Gallagher and other staff members from our program to discuss what it meant for God to be with them in different aspects of their lives. God is there for all of us, and we hope that through hearing these testimonies you can look back at your own life and see how He has always been and will always be your Emmanuel.

Married men who come to our residential program often tell us that they love their wives. But these words contradict their actions, which have been permeated with viewing pornography, committing adultery, and engaging in  other forms of illicit sex. Once a man begins to see this and to repent, putting the words “I love you” into action will be one of his greatest undertakings. When the father loved us, it meant that he gave us his son; when Christ loved us it involved laying down his life. This is the standard for all of us, and especially for husbands: love that gives all and holds nothing back.

Join us as we continue our series for husbands with Dustin and Brittany Renz. They share the importance of honesty, transparency, and vulnerability in rebuilding a marriage. This is something many men in sexual sin need to hear, because many are well versed in the art of lying. Dustin shares how his own secret life built up for years, and what it looked like when it all finally came out. Brittany shares the devastating affects this had on her, a young mother on the mission field. And they help us see what it takes to work through the aftermath of all this in a way that anchors a marriage in the Lord.

When a man begins to deal with his sexual sin, he is going to find that there are deeper issues beneath the surface. The Lord will deal with these issues as he walks out his repentance. However, it’s going to take some time, because it took a long time for those things to get ingrained into him. Some sinful heart attitudes may not be apparent for years, but even if we don’t see them, they still will have negative effects on those around us. So, for husbands who want to love and serve their wives well, it is vital to cultivate a life of self-examination before God. If he doesn’t, he risks failing in his Biblical role as a husband. In this episode, Steve Gallagher shares about an area he was blind to for years: selfishness.

If you’re really beginning to live in victory, you might think that from here on out everything will be easy. But in your marriage, you will still see that old man rising up. You may find your temper surfacing occasionally. Complaining and criticism may still come naturally. There’s even thoughts of lust still grabbing at you when you least expect it. Is this what God has for your marriage? I think the answer is yes, and no. It’s not God’s will that you continue in sin. However, he does desire to use these struggles to mold both of your characters. It takes time to unlearn years of sinful habits and to learn the values that God has designed and called you to live out in your marriage. For husbands, it starts by learning to love and serve your wife in the way that Christ loves us.

In Luke 15, we see a picture of God as a father, longing and waiting for His lost son to return home. We can picture many wives in a similar place, having spent months, or years, or decades with a similar longing and desire for their husbands to repent of their sexual sin and return to Jesus. But unlike the Lord, who does not grow weary or anxious in the waiting and suffering, we can quickly respond in wrong ways. And maybe that’s where some of you are at today. You've been praying for your husband to change for a long time, but he’s still in the far country, and you don’t see any signs of repentance. It can be tempting to listen to the voice that’s telling you to give up. And though today's episode can't give you the answers for your exact situation, we do believe that it will give you hope.

When a wildfire burns a forest to the ground, it seems as if its life and beauty has been forever destroyed. But this is not the end of the story. In time, a lush new forest will replace the devastation. When the fire of lust is let loose in a marriage, all that is beautiful seems to turn to ash and death. But this too, is not the end of the story. When a husband truly repents and turns to God, and when a wife learns to forgive and trust, the seeds of a wonderful marriage are there waiting. It’s only a matter of time until all that was destroyed will be swallowed up in new life.

Maybe you’ve tried everything to break free of porn addiction or some other form of sexual sin. You’ve tried reading books, listening to podcasts and sermons, going to support groups and therapy sessions. You really do desire freedom, but nothing has worked. However, there is one more option: the Pure Life Ministries Residential Program. Now some people have asked us, “Why is that any different than all the other options out there?” Our hope is that today’s episode will answer that question and show you that real, deep and lasting change is possible.

Anyone who earnestly wants to follow Christ must be wary of a common trap waiting to hinder their walk. That trap is the wisdom of this world. This counterfeit wisdom is seductive, because it caters to our fallen nature. In this episode, we’ll explore some of the dangers of worldly wisdom as it expresses itself in our western context. Then we’ll point you to the only One who is truly wise and the only One who is worthy of our trust.

The person seeking to overcome sexual addiction will likely find that Satan and his demons have contributed to the establishment of his sinful habits. In this episode, we look at the role that deliverance from these evil spiritual forces plays in gaining freedom from porn. We discuss various aspects of our war against the Enemy, and his various strategies to defeat us. We see that God wants to deliver us, but He is after so much more than just our sexual sin. He wants our whole lives.

In this final episode of our Victory series, we’re going to look at some of the fruits that come out of a life lived in the Spirit of God’s mercy. We’ll look at purity, gratitude, humility, and what it truly means to know God. We’ll then look at the importance of persevering in this godly life by examining the story of King Solomon and some of the pitfalls that can beset even the most sincere saint.

In Scripture, we never see the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to preach, or how to heal the sick or cast out demons. What we do see is them asking Him to teach them how to pray. Scripture reveals that a strong prayer life is central to life of the Christian, and in this episode, we look at how it is vital to the victorious life. There’s encouragement in the promise that if we would pray for God to mercy others by meeting their needs, then He will gladly come and meet our own needs.

We pick up where we left off in last week’s episode by exploring some ways to live out a life surrendered to God’s will. But to live out God’s will is simply a willingness to give to others the mercy He has given to us. And this requires that we see our circumstances and those around us with very different eyes. We are joined by a variety of Pure Life counselors this week to look at this topic, because it is one of the most vital components of our ministry to men in sexual sin.

Consider how different your life would look if Jesus were to take over your body and live His will perfectly through you. One thing is certain, sexual sin wouldn’t be anywhere in the picture. His deep love for other people would make selfishness and lust an utter impossibility. God has clearly revealed that His will is mercy, but as fallen human beings, there’s so much in us that opposes that will. That means, we really need to surrender. In this episode, we discuss what it means for us to be consecrated to God, so that He may do His will of mercy through us.

When your mind has been saturated with filthy images for years, it’s hard to imagine ever being able to have a pure thought life. But the Word of God is powerful! Last week we emphasized our need to seek the lord, and in this episode we want to help you live that out practically. We’re going to look at how scripture restructures a pornographic mindset, why a healthy relationship with God’s word is so important. Then we’ll give you some examples of how saturating your mind in God’s word translates into a changed life.

Jesus told us to relentlessly ask, persistently seek and unashamedly knock until we receive what we need from God. So in this week’s show, we look at how a relentless pursuit of God is vital to live in victory. We're looking for more outward changes. We're talking about more than half-hearted prayers. We must begin to lay hold of God’s promises and to believe that those who seek Him will find Him.

It’s time to apply everything we've learned so far in our Victory series. But to do that, we must go to the source of sin in our lives and deal with it there. God’s Word is clear, if we've been living in sexual sin, we don’t just need a change in our behaviors, we need a transformation at the deepest level. We need a change in our hearts, of our wills and of our desires.

Scripture warns that in the last days there will be antichrists who will lead many astray. And so without a clear understanding of who Jesus Christ is, we can easily be deceived, and fail to become the disciples we were meant to be. This week we take a short break from our victory series to speak with Glenn Meldrum, evangelist and author of The Radical Jesus. He’ll challenge us to abandon false conceptions of a tame Jesus and to know Him as He truly is - radical in every way!

In this week’s episode, we look at one of the most shocking moments in King David’s reign, when he became a liar, an adulterer, and a murderer. We’ll look at it through the eyes of Nathan, the prophet who confronted David in his sin. We’ll also examine Psalm 51, the song that David wrote to express his brokenness, repentance, and need for mercy. This is a story that hits close to home for anyone in sexual sin, and we think what it teaches about God is essential for living a life of victory.

In chapter 15 of Luke’s gospel, we find three amazing stories that all paint a unified picture of God. We see the picture of a shepherd pursuing his lost sheep. We see a woman, diligently searching for her lost coin. And we see a father, eagerly ready to welcome home his lost son. These parables were meant to reveal the heart of a God who pursues those who are lost, who overflows with joy when they are found. This week, three Pure Life Ministries staff sit down with Nate to discuss how this picture of God’s mercy is very evident as they reflect on their own journeys to Christ.

In our current series we’re looking at how to live a victorious Christian life. We’ve shown that this can only be done through the power of mercy, but God’s mercy is often radical, going far beyond what our human ideas would imagine. Take the example of Hosea, a man called to embody God’s mercy in the most unlikely way possible. He was called by God to marry a prostitute. This picture is shocking, but it exemplifies God’s faithfulness to us, even when we go astray. So join us as we dive in to this picture of mercy as we learn what it reveals about God, and how we can appropriate that into our own walk with Him.

When we become a vessel for the mercy of God to flow through to others, that’s when we begin to live in victory. But as humans we have a hard time really understanding what God’s mercy is. So, we’d like to spend a few weeks looking into God’s word for specific pictures that will help us understand what is in God’s heart. This week we’ll look at the bronze serpent, an Old Testament story that reveals the judgment that comes because of our sin as well as the wonderful healing that is available to us when we look to Christ by faith.

In this series we’ve been talking about why receiving God’s mercy and then giving it away to others is central to coming out of sexual sin. Maybe some of you have been saying to yourselves, “Well, that sounds good in theory, but does mercy really work? We think that one of the most convincing ways to show you the power of mercy is to share the story of Frank Leonetti—a man whom God saved from the depths of sin and despair and who has been giving his life away for the last ten years so that people might know Jesus—the one who gave him newness of life. We hope and pray after by the end of it you’ll believe that mercy works.

Last week we discussed how God is good and trustworthy, even when our circumstances challenge us to think otherwise. But what about when it isn’t our lives, but God’s own Word about Himself, that makes us question his character? Because the Bible is full of pictures of a God of wrath and a God of anger and many people can become uncomfortable or even untrusting of God, because of these revelations about Himself. But a right understanding of this aspect of God is vital to knowing and loving Him – it’s vital to living a life of victory. In this episode, we have both Steve and Kathy Gallagher in the studio. Each of them help shed some light on this often misunderstood aspect of God.

One of the most important aspects of living in victory is having a vibrant relationship with God. A relationship where you come to know Him personally, experientially and where you've surrendered all to Him. But the truth is, we will never surrender ourselves to someone unless we trust them, and we won’t trust someone unless we know that they are good. In this episode, we look at one of the most attacked attributes of God: His goodness. As the psalmist says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

There is a real pathway into the victorious Christian life. The foundation of such a life is total dependence on the God who is willing to live his powerful life through us. Now it’s time to build on this foundation. What kind of life is He looking to live out in me? In this episode we look at one of His most essential characteristics: mercy. What is needed for each of us is for God to give a revelation of His heart of mercy, and that by it He may establish us in a life of victory.

When we realize just how high God’s expectations are for us, and when we see how weak we are, there can be a strong temptation to just give up. We think, maybe overcoming sexual sin is impossible. But this isn’t true! God knows that we can’t be free from sin by our own strength, that we can’t live a holy live without his power. But He’s not asking us to do it on our own. He has promised a marvelous gift that empowers us to live in victory. On this episode we’ll talk about the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit. One vital aspect of being filled with the Holy Spirit that we’ll discuss is what it means to crucify our flesh nature.

If you want to live in victory over sin, you must see that you are helpless to save yourself. However, the culture and prosperity of our day has made it possible to ignore our helplessness and allow us to live life without acknowledging God. But this self-dependence leaves us blind to our true spiritual condition, and separated from the God who yearns to meet our every need. In this week’s show, we discuss this relationship between seeing our need and gaining victory over sexual sin with three counselors from the Pure Life Ministries Residential Program.

Understanding the heart of God is critical for a life of victory. And the revelation of His will for us in Scripture is a love that calls us out of the world and out of sin and bondage to live in fellowship with Him. When we see this desire, this jealous love for us, it should compel us to reach out for a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. And that, is the beginning of really living in victory.

If sexual sin has ruined your life, then “living in victory” might sound like a fairy tale, or even a cruel joke. But living in victory is not only possible, it's God’s will for you. He has made a way for you to lay hold of it. In our latest series, we want to help you understand how you truly can live that victorious life, but the first thing we need to do is to make sure we’re all on the same page. So this week, we're going to make sure that we have a right understanding of true Christian victory.

Nearly every Christian can name half a dozen ministry leaders of evangelical churches who have fallen due to sexual sin. How does this happen to men of God who are leaders in the church? In this final installment in our series The Church Addicted, we'll look at the role of the leader, and ask what happens when a leader is compromised by sexual sin.

This week we examine why so many in the church are plagued by addiction by looking at Scripture's command for the believer in Jesus to forsake the world. The Apostle John wrote that “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Yet this truth is often ignored, disobeyed and even sometimes renounced by the Evangelical Church as out of step with reality. So in this replay from our series, The Church Addicted, we look at how to obey Scripture's command to be "in the world, but not of it."

Do not be afraid. We find this command over one hundred times in God’s word to us for a reason. Life can easily become full of fear. For wives, there can be the overwhelming opportunity to live in fear when a husband has been in sexual sin. She fears that he’ll betray her again, re-opening the wound and bringing deeper pain to her and her family. In this episode, both Kathy Gallagher and Pastor Ed Buch will share about the topic of fear, so that we understand how to face it head on, as well as come out of life’s trials with a deeper faith and a greater love for Jesus.

Many wives of men in sexual sin have said to us, “He told me he would stop, why won’t he just stop?” These women are exasperated and confused as to how their husbands could commit sexual sin, knowing that his actions would hurt them. Pure Life co-founder, Kathy Gallagher, joins us in this episode to offer her insight into this subject. And for couples beginning the process of reconciliation, we’ll also take time to offer some thoughts as to how a husband can begin to take his rightful place as a spiritual leader in the home once he has truly repented.

Jesus Christ is coming soon. For those of us who profess to follow Him, the question remains: are we ready for Him to return? Many of us are caught up in the distractions of living in a prosperous nation. Whether it’s our family, career, entertainment or possessions, we tend to give our affections to these and they can become dangerous idols. But if we abide in Jesus, seeking Him passionately through His word and in prayer, He can change our hearts. Just as a bride is excited for her husband to return to her, so we can learn to not be in dread of, but to love and even to hunger for His appearing.

Since the year 2000, Pure Life Ministries has been holding an annual conference in northern Kentucky. Hundreds of people join us every year to hear powerful messages, to share in wonderful times of corporate worship and fellowship, and to seek hard after God. In this episode, we’ll talk about the origins of the conference, we’ll give a little background about our conference theme this year and let you know what you can expect if you join us on April 23rd and 24th in northern Kentucky.

An essential component of overthrowing the reign of self is living in the flow of God’s love. Jesus said that if we loved God with all of our hearts and our neighbors as ourselves, we would actually be fulfilling all of His commandments. Pride and selfishness cannot flourish when a person is defined by a desire to meet the needs of others. A life lived in the service of others brings about the death of the self-life.

Another vital heart attitude that enables us to overthrow sin’s rule in our lives is humility. Pride brought about the fall of Satan and pride put man at odds with God, resulting in the destruction of man. But humility undoes the damage of the fall, because when a man becomes humble, God becomes his protector and his friend. The role of humility in a Christian’s life can hardly be overestimated.

We all know that Jesus longs to redeem us from pride and sin. However, we also need to be convinced that He alone knows how to save the human soul, and to bring it out of bondage and into freedom. For the last six weeks we’ve been exploring how all our struggles with sin can be traced back to the “self-life,” and the pride that comes out of it. Now it’s time to look to the great Savior and Physician of our souls to see what His remedy really is. In this show we look at the wonder of poverty of spirit, brokenness, and surrender, and their important roles in the process of salvation in Jesus Christ.

We’re taking a break this week from our current series. We know that the Lord is actively sanctifying and preparing His church to spend eternity with Him as His bride. But there is also a frightening reality that many people who claim to be Christians are false professors. Satan uses the currents of our culture to entice Christians to live for themselves rather than God, to pursue pleasure rather than Jesus in self-denial, and to pursue worldly philosophies rather than the pure Word of God. These truly are perilous times, and we all need to know how to go through in the power of Jesus Christ.

Do you ever find yourself bragging to others about your spiritual life or telling others about how you gave financially, or how you spent extra time in your devotions? These can often point to a dangerous sickness called spiritual pride. Pastor Steve Gallagher joins us this week to help us understand this deceptive piety. We also talk about how easy it is for other sins to creep in with spiritual pride.

“Work hard.” “Do your best.” What do you think of when you hear things like that? Now, there is obviously nothing wrong with putting your heart into something and seeking to do your best. But as with any good thing, our human nature has a knack for corrupting it into something wicked. Enter perfectionism. The perfectionist takes these things to an unhealthy, and prideful level. They hear words like “do your best” as “you must be perfect.” But what is so sinful about perfectionism and why is it prideful? We discuss that and more on this week’s episode of Purity for Life.

Pride can spring up in many ways depending on our temperament. Last week, we talked about pride that loves the spotlight. But maybe you’re not like that; maybe you want to be in the background. Maybe you’re sensitive, quiet, or even shy. In this episode, we’ll look at the expressions of the self-life and pride that are revealed in those who want to keep themselves safe – safe from embarrassment, safe from being exposed, safe from being hurt.

Every single person is vulnerable to the sin of pride. You might be the kind of person who loves being in the background or maybe you’re a people person. It makes no difference; our self-lives will find a way to express themselves. And It will do that in many ways, leaving us blind to the way pride takes root in our hearts. This week we’ll start with the type of pride found in those who want to be at the ‘top and in the center.’

Last week we began to explore how our prideful self-life is the root of all sin. Today we dig a little deeper, looking at what allows pride to flourish and grow. We’ll look at life in America and examine the ways it encourages us to be proud. We’ll also be talking about trials in marriage, and how they can nurture the growth of pride in unexpected ways. Both topics will help us see more clearly the way God deals with pride, and the consequences of its unchecked influence.

One truth has forever shaped our work at Pure Life Ministries. And that is, that a man’s sexual addiction is merely the symptom of a much deeper problem; pride and self-centeredness are the ruling force in his life. If transformation is ever to occur, then these must be dealt a death-blow. Over the next nine weeks, we will be exposing the root of all sin: the self-life, and its many insidious fruits.

The apostle Paul said, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” The path into a life filled with Christ is the crucified life, a life marked by profound brokenness and dependency. But those in sexual sin cannot live the crucified life, because their lives are marked by self-will and hardness of heart. But it is our testimony, again and again, here at Pure Life that God is able to transform anyone’s life that will earnestly seek Him and surrender to the truth that true life is when Christ lives in us.

The world tells us that hope comes from an expectation that something good is going to happen. But if that’s true, how can a wife have hope when her marriage is failing? You see, we need a hope that anchors itself in something beyond this world of suffering. We need a living hope flowing to us despite the difficult circumstances of this life. Kathy Gallagher joins us again to talk about the true hope of all believers, and she helps us see how to anchor ourselves in it.

We were made for love. To give it. To receive it. And no wonder, because the God who made us in his image—is love. Maybe this is why a husband’s betrayal is so painful; because first and foremost, it is a sin and an offense against love. Kathy Gallagher joins us to talk about the love of God, and why the knowledge of His love is crucial if a wife is going to find her way through the devastation of a husband’s sin. Plus, Stephanie Ehrenberg testifies to the grace of the Lord even in the midst of difficult trials.

Hey everyone, welcome to ANOTHER Christmas episode of Purity for Life! In our last episode, we took time to reflect on the wonder of Jesus—his lowliness, his love and his sacrifice. This week, we'll do it all over again!

There are a lot of things that are trying to keep us from fixing our eyes on Jesus this year. People are stressed out about the pandemic, no one knows what Christmas will look like, and many people's lives are broken. But we want to help you allow Jesus to take center stage during this holiday season. No matter what's going on in your life, please take some time to stop everything and focus with us on the greatest gift ever given.

Kathy Gallagher has spent decades ministering to wives who have seen their marriages and their lives ripped apart by their husband’s sexual sin. And she can do this because she experienced this in her own life. Her marriage to Steve was far from the fairy tale she had hoped for, but God turned the worst thing that happened to her into something very precious to her. In the first of three episodes for wives, we talk with her about the spiritual lessons she learned during that time in her life, and we learn how a woman’s faith is tested by the internal and external trials brought on by a broken marriage.

Raising kids takes a tremendous amount of time and energy. And to do it well, and to foster spiritual growth in a child's life, requires the right mindset. So we have Mark Shaw back with us to discuss what the components of a good parenting mindset are that will help to plant the seeds for a good spiritual harvest in your child's life.

The portrayal of fathers in the media today differs vastly from how God’s Word speaks of a father. Rather than a compassionate, self-sacrificing man, we often see pictures of clueless idiots who cause strife and pain in their families. So this week, we look at the biblical role of a father through the lives of two men who once let ungodliness and selfishness rule them, but are now learning to raise children God’s way.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today's episode focuses around the importance of gratitude in our lives. Nate sits down with Pastor Ed Buch and Jordan Yoshimine to discuss topics centered around the theme of gratitude from the Bible. You'll also hear from a number of men and women who have seen God's goodness firsthand through His mercy in their own lives.

It's vital to safeguard a child from the virus of sexual sin infecting our culture. So this week, we focus on how the atmosphere of our homes plays a significant part in protecting our kids spiritually. We speak with one Pure Life graduate and his wife about how they are creating a sanctuary to the Lord in their home and what the impact has been in their children’s lives.

We’ve had many parents ask us, “What can I do to help my child overcome sexual sin?” But this question begs a deeper one: what is the role of a parent? To help us answer this, we sit down with biblical counselor Mark Shaw who reflects on two decades of counseling and raising four children of his own. Resources for Parents Biblical Principles of Sex by Robert Smith  Finally Free by Heith Lambert Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp The Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp Resources from Mark Shaw Addiction Proof Parenting Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart Hope and Help for Sexual Temptation Also visit Mark's ministry website, theaddictionconnection.org.

Raising children in today’s culture brings parents face to face with unprecedented challenges. Sexually suggestive content is nearly everywhere we look, making it almost impossible to perfectly preserve the innocence of young children. Over the next five weeks we want to, as best we can, offer help for anyone who has seen their child fall victim to the snares of sexual sin. We’ll look at the biblical role of a parent and how to respond the right way if your child has been in sin and how to walk with them through the process of repentance. Our first episode begins by looking at the reality of the world our children are growing up in and what the effects are of growing up in a lust-driven culture.

This week's episode finishes up the story of Lyndell Holtz and focuses in on how poverty of spirit is critical to the pathway of repentance. It wasn’t easy, but God faithfully taught her where she went wrong, and showed her that He can make all things work for the good of those who love Him. If you haven’t listened to part one of her story already, first check out episode #407. Resources for women battling sexual sin Lyndell’s book: Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman Pure Life Ministries Overcomers-At-Home Program Create in me a Pure Heart by Kathy Gallagher

Lyndell Holtz grew up surrounded by godly examples. She had a powerful experience with the Lord as a young girl and developed strong convictions about what was right and what was wrong. In college she married a man named David and they entered into a life of full-time ministry. She thought this was the blueprint for happiness. But fast forward 20 years later and she would be depressed and doubting, still aching for happiness. It was these things that allowed the enemy to lead her to a place she swore she would never go – an adulterous relationship. But you’ll also hear how God took what the devil meant for evil and turned it for great good – in her own life, and in the lives of others. You can purchase a copy of Lyndell’s book by visiting amazon.com. Just look for Confessions of an Adulterous Christian Woman. Purity for Life is a production of Pure Life Ministries. If you are a woman who is struggling with sexual sin in any form, we would encourage you to check out our Overcomers-At-Home Program where you can receive counseling to help you break free from the bonds of sexual addiction. Just go to purelifeministries.org to find out more information. You’ll also find all our teaching materials there, including Create in Me a Pure Heart by Kathy Gallagher.

Even the spirit of this world can sense the destructive path mankind is on and that it cannot continue this way forever, that there must come an end to the horrors we see growing every day. Yet, it is deluded as to the true nature of the problem, that 6000 years ago we declared war against a Holy God. The world is trying to evade the inevitable end to this battle by seeking solutions to save itself apart from the gospel God has laid before us. But the end will come for the Children of Adam, and when it does, it will catch many by surprise. Then, we will all be brought before the judgment seat of God and the question presented to us shall be: Are we standing in The Truth?   This is the final episode of our special series, World of Lies, based on the latest book by Steve Gallagher: Walking in Truth in a World of Lies. We would encourage you to get a copy and immerse yourself in its biblically based truth. Just visit aworldoflies.org to find out more information. Purity for Life is a production of Pure Life Ministries. You can find all of our teaching materials, by visiting purelifeministries.org. You can also find out about our residential and phone-counseling programs if you or someone you care about is trapped in the deception of sexual sin.

There is a spiritual war being waged against your soul. Whether you are aware of it or not, the enemy has many weapons and strategies aimed at breaking through the walls of our heart and bringing in the vilest pollutions that will destroy us from within. He is ruthless and will assail us with a barrage of lies through culture and media until we cannot resist his temptations. But something else puts our souls in eternal danger. There is a traitor in our very midst: our own flesh. Our hearts are desperately wicked, and every day, as we seek to stand against the tides of deception raging against us, we must also restrain this traitor from his constant attempts to open the gate and surrender to our enemy. We must be willing to root out the traitor and put him to death or risk our hearts being overthrown. Purity for Life is a production of Pure Life Ministries. You can find all of our teaching materials, including Walking in Truth in a World of Lies, by visiting purelifeministries.org. You can also find out about our residential and phone-counseling programs if you or someone you care about is trapped in the deception of sexual sin.

We’ve come to a critical point in our series, World of Lies. So far, we’ve discussed how deception works and why it’s so dangerous to the Christian. We’ve looked at how our culture is constantly feeding us ungodly messages and seen that even the church is filled with proponents of these same lies. Now we turn and begin examining how to really Walk in Truth in a World of Lies. Today we look at the first part of that process. It begins with a choice that every one of us must make at some point in our lives. This choice is much like the one God asked Abraham to make. He had to choose to forsake his life in a pagan nation, leave everything he had ever known, and to go to a land God would show him. God is asking each one of us to make that same choice, trusting Him, like Abraham, to bring us to a better land. So, will you heed the call, and once and for all Forsake the Land of Deception? To learn about Dustin Renz and Make Way Ministries, visit makewayministries.com. There you’ll find out about his online ministry, speaking ministry, and published materials. Purity for Life is a production of Pure Life Ministries. You can find all of our teaching materials, including Walking in Truth in a World of Lies, by visiting purelifeministries.org. You can also find out about our residential and phone-counseling programs if you or someone you care about is trapped in the deception of sexual sin.

Jesus said that the devil has been a, “murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” When you consider that the devil once shared in the riches of God’s goodness and love, this statement reveals the depths to which he fell. He knew first-hand the spiritual riches and beauty that even the sincerest believers have only tasted. Yet, he abandoned the truth and was cast down from heaven. Since that rebellion, Satan has spent 6,000 years reveling in lies. Everywhere he goes, he brings with him a powerful spiritual atmosphere of deception. And in order to disentangle ourselves from this atmosphere, we must see why deception is the prevailing characteristic of our day. Today we expose the strategies and character of the father of lies. To learn about Dustin Renz and Make Way Ministries, visit makewayministries.com. There you’ll find out about his online ministry, speaking ministry, and published materials. Purity for Life is a production of Pure Life Ministries. You can find all of our teaching materials, including Walking in Truth in a World of Lies, by visiting purelifeministries.org. You can also find out about our residential and phone-counseling programs if you or someone you care about is trapped in the deception of sexual sin.

This question from our interview with Glenn and Jessie Meldrum didn't quite fit the rest of our theme for episode #402 World of Lies: A Gospel of Lies. But in this short discussion, they offer keen insights on prayer and Bible reading that will help anyone seeking to Walk in the Truth, especially new believers.

Scripture tells us that the last days are characterized by deception on a global scale. But Jesus and the apostles didn’t primarily warn us about deception that would come from the world. The main thing they were concerned about was the deception that would assault Christians from inside the church.  And any serious student of Scripture will quickly conclude that our modern church is filled with messages that match the description of these lies which the apostles spoke of. Part six of our current series, World of Lies, discusses why Christians must have discernment in order to overcome the deception seeking to cripple their faith.   If you would like more information about Steve Gallagher’s book, Walking in Truth in a World of Lies, visit www.aworldoflies.org .   And, if you’d like to learn more about Glenn and Jessie Meldrum’s ministry, In His Presence Ministries, visit www.ihpministry.com . You can also check out Glenn’s podcast, The Radical Truth Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.

Our desires shape us and dictate our decisions, and one of the strongest desires inside every human is the desire for knowledge. The 21st century has given us an unprecedented ability to indulge this hunger, to the point that we have access to an almost limitless amount of information. On the surface, this abundance of information seems to make limitless progress attainable for us. But it also comes with a price, especially since most of it comes from a world of lies. Today we tackle three areas that cater to this deception: mass media, the internet, and pornography.

America has often been called the greatest nation on earth, founded on the belief that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are God-given rights for all. But what has been the outcome and the fruit of such noble-sounding ideals? Today many believe things like, "I deserve everything I want;" "my version of the truth is obviously right;" "the government exists to serve me;" "no one can judge me." How could the ideals of our founding devolve into such selfishness and pride? In this episode, we discuss how the lies of the academic, business, and political realms have helped form us into The United States of Deception.

We must know what the truth is if we are going to be able to avoid drowning in deception. A great portion of our culture believes that there there is no such thing as absolute truth--so we can't turn there. But could it be that turning to the American Church to find the truth is potentially just as dangerous as turning to the world? In part three of our series, World of Lies, we ask the tough question, “Is what much of the church culture sees as truth actually just more deception?”

The biblical writers characterized the last days as deception on a massive scale, a global assault on truth that would deceive not only the unbelieving world, but multitudes inside the four walls of the Church. And it seems clear that we are now living in the very last of those days they spoke of. If that’s true, then there is one thing we know for sure. We are being lied to every day, all day, in many different ways. Today we look at the truth about deception: what it is, how it works, and why people are deceived.

Our newest series, World of Lies, will examine the growing deception of these last days and the threat this is to the body of Christ. Today we tackle the unexpected danger that threatens a person who is constantly bombarded with lies, which often grows quietly to slowly erode our lives in God. We look at how our culture is sewing this into us. And, our director of counseling, Ed Buch, joins us as well, to talk about how this concealed threat is a common problem for the man stuck in sexual sin.

Shawn grew up in a decent Christian home. But his teenage life was marked by rebellion, pride, and sexual sin. In college, he had dropped the Christian façade completely—unless it got him something he wanted. So when he met Susan, he used that Christian mask to win her heart. They got married, and things went alright for a while, until his double life was exposed. But God was faithful. Through Pure Life, God worked in their hearts during the most difficult period of their lives. Today they not only have a joyful marriage, but a passionate love for Jesus.

Anyone who has been in sexual sin for a long time, has had to keep their private lives covered with a lot of lies. They have lied to their families and friends. They have lied to their churches, pretending that everything is okay with them spiritually. They also lie to themselves, saying that God understands, that the rules don’t apply to them. But the worst lie they have told is to Jesus. They say they love him and are following him, but they refuse to follow His commands. In this episode, we discuss the false religion that tempts all of us.

It’s easy to get discouraged if you’ve been stuck in sexual sin a long time. You may really want to stop, but you’ve tried everything you can think of to get free and yet, nothing works. Maybe you’re thinking, “This is hopeless. I’ll never be free.” If you’ve been thinking along these lines, you’ve fallen prey to self-pity, just another one of Satan’s schemes to keep people away from true repentance, faith and salvation. It’s an easy trap to fall into. In this episode, we look at how to know if you’re in self-pity, how to avoid it, and how to get out of it.

Dating in America is almost exclusively driven by an obsession with personal happiness and getting what we want. It’s clear that these ideas do not line up with Scripture. As Christians, we must be radically different from the world when we approach romantic relationships. Obviously, we must abstain from sex before marriage, but it goes much deeper than that. Today we look at how Christians should seek, not only to find a good spouse, but to please God in this whole process, so that their relationships honor God and reveal that He is trustworthy in all things.

Being betrayed by someone you love brings indescribable pain. When David was betrayed, he cried out, “Fear and trembling grip me. Horror has overwhelmed me.” The betrayed wife knows these emotions well and Kathy Gallagher has been there herself. She has used that experience to minister to thousands of wives, so that rather than being destroyed by pain, they are drawn closer to the Savior and Lover of their souls. In this week’s episode, Kathy helps us understand how to deal with painful emotions biblically, and how to allow God to have His rightful place in our hearts.

When a Christian parent finds out that their child has been looking at pornography, they are often thrown into a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Where did we go wrong? Why would my child do such a thing? How will we ever recover from this? If the Lord has allowed you as a parent to discover your child viewing porn, don’t despair. There are clear answers to your questions, and there is a path forward. There are basic spiritual principles that will help you find the right mindset to guide your child into victory in the battle for sexual purity.

Jesus taught that anyone who would save his life must first lose it, and He demonstrated this by laying His own life down at Calvary. But today, the gospel being preached looks very different, promising life to everyone without requiring them to follow Jesus’ example. This false gospel wants the resurrection, but no Cross. So, many in the church are unaware of what it really means to follow Jesus example. They are still the master of their own lives and bear no resemblance to Christ.

The Bible says, “The Message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” Could it be that multitudes of professing Christians are trapped in sexual sin because they have rejected The Message of the Cross, and thus have been denied its power? Today we continue to discuss The Message of the Cross, and why it is so important to realize the depth of our sinful condition before a holy God. Without it, we are devoid of strength to turn from our sins, strangers to the true power of God.

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” This is The Message of the Cross, and it stands against the message of our culture which teaches us to pursue what we want, when we want it, how we want it. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus must be willing to die to this self-centered mindset. But amazingly, as we surrender to the way of the Cross, we are deeply transformed. Today we look at how The Message of the Cross demands the death of our self-lives.

Most church leaders today would condemn pornography use as wrong, but are they also warning their churches about entertainment? And they would show great concern if a church member spent their time and money pursuing drugs and sex, but what if they were just obsessed with being happy? In this episode we look at the spiritual danger of spending your life pursuing pleasure. Our 30 plus years of ministry, have revealed that the pursuit of pleasure, comfort and happiness leads many men into sexual sin. But we’ve also seen that when the lust for pleasure is overcome, sexual sin’s hold will be broken.

The Apostle Paul said that the mind set on The Spirit is life and peace, but the mind set on the flesh is death. Sexual sin is not a disease - it is the fruit of a mind set on the flesh. But there is hope, because Paul gave us a solution: If by The Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. But how do we actually do this? In this episode we'll look at what it really means to set our minds on The Spirit so that our heart and lives will change.

Being needy is not a popular idea today. Our culture values self-confidence, self-reliance and self-satisfaction. Unfortunately, these values often put on a religious mask and sneak into the church in the form of religious pride. This pride deceives many people into believing the best about themselves, even those who are enslaved to sexual sin. Today we’re going to look at how important it is to grasp our true condition before God. We’ll also explore why our attempts to be good in our own strength often prevent us from experiencing the abundant life promised to us in Jesus.

The Bible is full of people that were called to be holy and to separate from the world around them. The author of Hebrews even declares that without holiness no one will see the Lord. Clearly God is calling us to leave our love for this world to draw near to Him. In this episode, preacher, author, and Pure Life graduate Dustin Renz looks at this vital subject and asks this question: what is hindering us from a deeper walk with God?

In difficult and uncertain times it’s natural to run to something or someone for security—to try to avoid uncomfortable circumstances. But the Bible tells us that trials are a gift from God and that they will bring about good in our lives if we learn to put our hope in something unshakable. In this episode of Purity for Life, Kathy Gallagher challenges us to let go of earthly distractions and to gain an eternal perspective.

The Word of God has been under attack for millennia. Many godly men went so far as to spill their own blood so that we could hear God’s Word for ourselves. But in modern times the attack against the Word of God is far more subtle and insidious. The opponents of God’s Word aren’t burning Bibles here in America, but they are discrediting it, obstructing it, minimizing it and perverting it. This is leaving millions of people wide open to every kind of deception. In this episode, pastor David Ravenhill exhorts us to develop a deeper relationship with the Word of God so that we will be able to discern what is true and what is dangerous to our souls.

We all know the physical principle of cause and effect. Our natural actions on earth always have a natural result. But we often forget that this applies to spiritual things as well. We think of obedience to God in terms of a list of rules…do’s and don’t’s, failing to remember that when God tells us to obey Him, He’s inviting us into a life where we reap a wonderful spiritual harvest. In this episode we are going to talk about "A Lifestyle of Obedience is a Lifestyle of Blessing."

Faith is such an integral part of Christianity that it is often referred to as "The Christian Faith." Faith is the subject of sermons, songs and movies and is featured on artwork, decorations and even clothing. But for the Christian who has been bound by sexual sin for years, it can be difficult to really have faith in what the Bible says about freedom. Why? Because their experience seems to contrary to faith. Today, we are going to look at why faith is the Victory over Sexual addiction.

The fight for freedom from sexual sin is often a long, drawn out battle. Failures along the way are so common that nearly every one has asked themselves, "Why does it have to be this way? Why doesn’t God snap his fingers and make me holy? Why do I have to go through the pain of trying and failing numerous times before I finally start to achieve victory? How do I respond if I fall back into sin?" These are all common questions, and ones we will address on this episode of Purity for Life!

One of the greatest dangers to Christians in modern America is worldliness. And yet, in this day and age, if a sincere pastor declares that God requires His people to live holy and separated lives, his words are often dismissed as legalistic, or worse, as an attack on the grace of God. But the Word of God tells us that if we are a friend of the world, we make ourselves enemies of God. The biblical call to holiness must not be dismissed, but properly understood and then lived out.

How many times have you promised yourself, “I will never do that again!” but soon found that you were doing it all over again? If that cycle continues long enough, you may start believing that you cannot possibly stand against these powerful temptations. That’s what Steve Gallagher used to think, until he learned how to win the battle against temptation. In this episode we continue to share with you the truths found in our YouTube Series, “20 Truths that Helped Me in My Battle with Porn Addiction.” Today’s topic? “Temptation is a Winnable Battle.”

For the man struggling to be free from sexual sin, the world around us is a difficult place to be. Billboards, television, magazines and the internet barrage us with images that draw the eye and entice the heart. If a man is used to caving into these temptations, how can he find the strength to resist the allure and keep a pure heart and mind? As we talked about in our last episode, Scripture plays a huge part in this, but there is another vital part to living in freedom. This week, we will look at how time spent in prayer transforms us into the image of Christ and gives us the strength we need—his strength—to resist temptation. To win the Battle of Temptation, You Must Have a Prayer Life.

When a man determines to be free from pornography, one of the things he is immediately confronted with is how much his mind has been polluted by porn’s filthiness. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active and full of power...” We here at Pure Life Ministries place a huge emphasis on having a daily, vibrant relationship with the Bible because we have experienced its effect in our own lives and have watched it work wonders in the lives of the men we counsel. Today we are looking at how Scripture will restructure a pornographic mindset.

Hedonism is the mindset of one who only wants to pursue pleasure and avoid discipline, hard work and pain. We see this in the American culture that wants to escape into drugs, alcohol, porn, entertainment, and sports. Much of today's church is more about entertainment than enlightenment, more about pleasing me than honoring Jesus.

For all that the Bible has to say about repentance, you would think that most Christians would understand it, that preachers would preach about it, and that we would all practice it. Yet repenance remains a forgotten theme in much of the church. Yet the Bible remains clear that repentance must continually be a part of every Christian's walk with God.

There are many so-called Christians who have an outward display of piety but no real inward relationship with God. Like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, they were keepers of the religious rules, but had no power to overcome inward sin. As we continue through "The 20 Truths Series," Steve Gallagher shows us that a form of godliness does not have the power to deliver from sin.

Many people are surprised to learn that there is an issue behind the behavior of sexual sin that is far more serious than the sin itself. It is a huge problem. We examine the issue of the self-life, because the root of sexual addiction probably isn't what you think it is.

The "Fear of the Lord" is widely misunderstood and all but ignored in much of the Church today, and yet the fear of the Lord was a driving force in Steve Gallagher's life as he came out of addiction to pornography. This is a pertinent and powerful message for the Church today.

In this episode we examine the Biblical teaching about the heart, which Scripture regards as the core of the human soul. While we have a heart that is fallen and evil, the salvation that is ours in Christ can give us a new heart. In his segment from the 20 Truths series, Steve Gallagher discusses the truth that Lust Begins in the Heart.

There is a physiological aspect to all addiction. We get addicted to things that at first are very pleasurable. The hormone released in the brain that causes us to feel pleasure can be quite intense, but diminishes in intensity over time. So we keep repeating the behavior, seeking the high, but with diminishing return. This is the nature of addiction. Steve Gallagher teaches us that Behind Sexual Addiction Lies the Pleasure Hormone.

In this episode we look that the psychology of sexual addiction, what the experts say, and that the Bible says about sexual sin. There is a surprising agreement, that sexual sin is the epitome of insanity. We also talk to a counselor about how he deals with men who have been heavily psychologized.

In Proverbs 7 King Solomon warned his sons to beware of going near the house of the prostitute. He was telling them to stay away from the place where foolish boys wander into temporary pleasure and eventual destruction. Steve Gallagher teaches this valuable truth to today's sex addicts.

In this Christmas episode, the staff at Pure Life tell the Christmas story from Scripture, and give testimony of the work of Christ in their lives. Host Jim Lewis shares a Christmas devotion from John chapter 1.

Sexual Sin comes with a price. Steve Gallagher continues to teach us the 20 Truths that Helped Me In My Battle With Porn Addiction. We deal not only with the high cost of sin in relationships, finances and separation from God, but we also share the hope for restoration that is found in the Cross.

Sexual Sin is a Liar. That’s the plain truth of it. It makes promises it cannot keep and will let you down and disappoint every time. Today we are beginning a new series based on a series of teachings by Steve Gallagher called 20 Truths that Helped Me In My Battle With Porn Addiction. One of these insightful, biblical teachings will be featured as a segment in each new episode. This first segment is about the lies and deception that are all a part of sexual sin.

In today's episode we interview April Cassidy, a Christian and author of The Peaceful Wife. She describes for us her journey from being a very disappointed and unhappy wife to being someone who is joyful, peaceful and fulfilled. She discovered that the source of her discontent was her own disobedience to God, and that when she began to repent and put into practice the teaching of Scripture concerning her own life in Christ, that made all the difference in her marriage as well.

As we conclude our current series, we ask the question, "What Role Does Grace Play in Freedom from Porn? Here is a message from PLM founder Steve Gallagher as he explores the power of God's grace, not just to provide forgiveness for our sins when we repent, but to enables to Christian to say no to sin and live upright and godly lives.

In this episode we look at the biblical teaching about the mercy of God. We see that God bestows great mercy on the repentant sinner, but it is also the responsibility of the recipient of mercy to be merciful towards others. Our Biblical Counselors discuss the transforming work God does in men's lives are they learn to be givers of mercy, and how that sets a man free from his sin.

In this installment in our current series, we look at the role of consecration in men gaining freedom from habitual sexual sin. Glenn Meldrum defines the term, describes where it appears in Scripture, and then makes application for men who need help. He shows how a life of surrender and dedication makes all the difference in a man getting free.

As we continue our current series,we discuss the two sides of the work of sanctification: the part only God can do, and our part in cooperating with His work in our lives. We hear an impassioned plea for men to transition from living a life dedicated to pleasure to living a life dedicated to God, and a graduate shares his testimony of God's sanctifying work in his life.

In part 5 of our current series, we example the biblical foundation for worship and the Lord's desire that we worship Him. We explain how we do worship at Pure Life Ministries, and discuss how God uses worship to transform men's lives and set them free from sin.

In part 4 of our current series, we look at the role deliverance plays in gaining freedom from porn. We discuss various aspects of our war against the Enemy, and his various strategies to defeat us. We see that God wants to deliver us, but He is after so much more than just our sexual sin. He wants our whole lives.

In part 3 of our current series, we look at the role repentance plays in gaining freedom from porn. Here we examine the biblical teaching on repentance, and discuss how deep real repentance must go in order for a person to gain real victory. We see that repentance is not a one-time event, but an ongoing life-long process.

In part 2 of our current series, we answer the question, "What Role Does Brokenness Play in Freedom from Porn?" We look at brokenness from a biblical perspective, understand how God uses it, and hear testimony of how brokenness is on the path that leads to freedom and life.

Beginning this week and for several more to come, we will examine the key elements that lead to victorious Christian living and freedom from sexual sin. We will be asking questions like “what role does repentance play in freedom from pornography?” What part does deliverance play? What about worship? Where does obedience fit in? Today we ask the question, “What Role Does Faith Play in Freedom from Porn?”

We see it all too often. And we see it from both sides. There is the man who is struggling with sexual sin, with his addiction to pornography, but he thinks, “My problem will all go away when I get married.” Then there is the young woman who knows of her fiancé’s struggles, but she marries him anyway, thinking the same thing: “Marriage will fix him.” Today we answer the question “Should I Marry a Man Struggling with Porn?”

When a Christian woman discovers that her husband is addicted to pornography, and has been lying to her for years, the word devastated doesn’t come close to describing how she feels. We want to suggest that there is good cause for her to get on her knees and begin to fight for her husband’s soul. Today we’re asking the question, “Why Should a Wife Fight for Her Marriage?”

Nearly every Christian can name half a dozen ministry leaders of evangelical churches who have fallen due to sexual sin. How does this happen to men of God who are leaders in the church? In this final installment in our series The Church Addicted, we'll look at the role of the leader, and ask what happens when a leader is compromised by sexual sin.

The psalmist David declared of the wicked that "there is no fear of God before their eyes." The apostle Paul echoed this claim in his letter to the Romans. What about today? Well, one thing is for sure: Christians today are addicted to sexual sin in record numbers. In this episode of The Church Addicted we explore how a lack of the fear of God has contributed to an epidemic of sin in the Church.

Take a look around and you will quickly see that addiction has found just as much room inside the Church as it has outside its four walls. We’ve been asking the question, how did we get here? In the fourth episode of The Church Addicted, we look at obedience to God. We will explore how a minimization of its importance leads to a perversion of the grace of God, which in turn results in spiritual apathy, lawlessness and licentiousness.

As we continue our examination of why the Church is addicted, we look at Scripture's command for the believer in Jesus to forsake the world. The Apostle John wrote that “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Yet this truth is often ignored, disobeyed and even sometimes renounced by the Evangelical Church as out of step with reality. But love for this world is a chief reason why the church is addicted. So in this third episode in our series The Church Addicted, we look at how to obey Scripture's command to be "in the world, but not of it."

At Pure Life we help men get free from life-dominating habits of sin. But what are the disciplines that makes all the difference between a man walking in victory or falling back into his sin? Welcome to Episode 2 in our current series: The Church Addicted, in which we’re asking the question, how did we get this way? How is it that when it comes to sexual sin in the lives of Christians, today’s Evangelical Church is no different than the world around them? This week we look at the all-important but oft-neglected disciplines that bring faithfulness and growth in the Christian life.

The latest statistics concerning men addicted to pornography and other illicit sexual sins are staggering. 64% viewing porn at least monthly. 36% of young men watching it at least daily. 35% of men admitting that they are having an affair. The worst part? These statistics are not from unbelievers—but from people professing to be followers of Jesus. Welcome to the first episode in The Church Addicted—a series of shows where we look at how these statistics became the Church's reality.

People who are sincerely seeking freedom from sexual sin usually have a vague idea that there is something under the surface that needs to be dealt with--a kind of root sin that lies underneath all of their other sins. And they are right. But they are usually very surprised when they find out what it is. In this show we’re going to look at how pride relates to a man’s struggle with sin, give you an inside look at how we help men in our Residential Program identify and deal with pride, and then offer hope that there really is freedom from the root…and the fruit.

Homosexuality— this is THE issue that most churches are facing today. In today's show, we discuss with Steve Gallagher how pastors can show loving concern for those dealing with homosexuality without compromising biblical truth. Then, Pastor Ed Buch shares how he counsels the married man who struggles with Same-Sex Attraction. We'll wrap it up with a wonderful testimony of a man who found freedom in Jesus after decades of bondage.

Men in sexual sin desperately need the discipline of the Lord. He has to reprove us, to correct us, and even, at times, sorely chastise us. In today’s program, members of the Pure Life Staff discuss their insights into this often overlooked, but clearly biblical truth: God disciplines His children whom He loves for our own good.

The Bible encourages us to "imitate the faith" of our spiritual leaders. But what happens when a leader falls? In part two of our series on moral failure in the ministry, we look at the process of restoration for a leader. Former pastor Jim Lewis discusses the fear and shame that kept him from seeking help for his sexual sin. Counselor Jordan Yoshimine talks about how he counsels pastors and ministry leaders, and Pastor Ed Buch outlines from Scripture and practical experience a biblical foundation and plan for restoring a fallen leader to ministry.

A Christian leader's sexual sin affects many other lives, but the fallen leader also needs to find the hope and grace God gives. This first of two podcasts addressing moral failure in ministry tackles the reasons why sexual sin ensnares so many. Joe Doppe, a former leader and Pure Life Ministries graduate, shares his story of a long struggle with sin, and Steve Gallagher offers insights about the unique temptations that confront those in ministry.

Although we might wish for one, there's no quick fix for sexual sin. But when someone decides to fight for real victory, there are some steps they can take to address common problem areas. Ken Larkin debunks the common mindset that sexual sin is just a small problem, Jim Lewis diagnoses the dangers of pride, and Jeremiah Eakin provides encouragement about responding to failure.

The same contemporary influences that market casual sex to men also put pressure on single women to compromise. Offering hope to those who wonder whether godly relationships are still possible, biblical counselor Jessie Meldrum shares her vision for women who will fight for purity. Also in this episode: the cure for a "heart plague" and encouragement for hurting wives who feel unworthy of God's love.

Pornography use is exploding in our smartphone culture, and it's fueled by porn's alluring but deceptive nature. To fight the cultural trend, we will have to dismantle the lies that surround pornography. First, a PLM audio article explores the untold history of the adult entertainment industry, and then Nate Danser debunks the myth that porn only affects the person using it.

Check out the trailer for our exciting new resource, The Overcomers Series—available now!

Homosexuality increasingly touches all our lives. More and more Christians know a friend, coworker or family member who identifies as gay...and many others are struggling with same-sex attraction themselves. Steve Gallagher draws on his knowledge of the issues involved and explores five reasons why people could feel drawn toward homosexuality. Also in this episode: Jim Lewis breaks down the basics of biblical counseling and Jeff and Rose Colón give couples advice on effective communication.

This roundtable discussion offers sound advice to Christian singles about following Jesus and living in purity. Leaders from Madison Place Community Church offer biblical insight into how and why singleness can be a blessing for Christians. Plus, PLM Director of Ministry Outreach Nate Danser offers an inside look at the brand-new resource The Overcomers Series.

When someone is pursuing purity, they can count on facing a tidal wave of temptation. But just feeling tempted isn't wrong...so how can you tell the difference between temptation and actual sin? Ed Buch, the pastor of Pure Life Ministries' Residential Program, offers his own answer to this internal struggle. Plus, Steve Gallagher shares a preview of the 2019 Annual Conference, and Jeff and Rose Colón encourage struggling couples to pursue God's true path of blessing for their marriage.

Headlines abound with stories of sexual sin's devastating impact on women, and among those affected are countless wives who must face the devastation of their husbands' betrayal. Following up on the last episode, biblical counselor Carol Bourque and Pure Life Ministries co-founder Kathy Gallagher return to offer hope and the answers that can help wives navigate this painful trial, and Karla Buch shares her own story of tragedy, faith, and restoration.

No wife expects to make the painful discovery that her husband has a secret life of sexual sin. This episode explores how unfaithfulness impacts a wife through the eyes of two of the PLM wives' counselors. Pure Life’s co-founder, Kathy Gallagher, reveals the most painful effects of a husband's sin and speaks honestly about the struggle against unforgiveness and bitterness, and Carol Bourque describes unhealthy reactions wives often experience.

Being a sexual addict and being a self-righteous Pharisee might not seem very similar on the surface. But often, these two spiritual problems overlap. Pastor Steve Gallagher explores the spiritual dynamics of why this happens, and pastor and evangelist Glenn Meldrum explains the antidote to powerless religiosity: a life that's truly "set apart" to God.