Many valiant men and women struggle with this affliction and do their very best to fight it but just can’t seem to overcome it. Often they are invited to pray more diligently, study their scriptures more, and put locks and limits on electronic devices. While these are wonderful things, there is more help available through the power and priesthood of Jesus Christ, but in order to access it a little more knowledge is needed.

In the Book of Mormon Nephi records that he saw “multitudes of people who were sick, and who were afflicted with all manner of diseases, and with devils and unclean spirits. . . And they were healed by the power of the Lamb of God; and the devils and the unclean spirits were cast out.“ (1Nephi 11:31)

There is a distinction between devils and unclean spirits made for a reason—they are not the same thing. A devil is a member of the third part of the hosts of Heaven cast down to earth who are bodiless. An unclean spirit is the disembodied spirit of a wicked man or woman who has died. These unclean spirits still possesses the same tendencies, thought patterns, desires, and addictions they had while in the flesh; yet without a body they have no way to satisfy those desires. Thus they seek to possess or attach to the physical bodies of those who are living in order to take part in the experiences and sensations of the flesh. Devils also have an astounding desire to possess the bodies of the children of men, for they have never had one.

Devils and unclean spirits can tempt, torment, afflict, project thoughts and emotions, distract, depress, throw people into fits, trouble them with nightmares; they can cause addictions, panic and anxiety attacks, sickness and disease, mental illness, homosexuality, etc. If permitted by God, they can even cause death.

When a devil or unclean spirit is attached to a person their emotions, desires, and thoughts are felt by their victims as if they’re their own. They begin to have a very profound influence on how the person feels inside, and what they think. Sometimes it is subtle, other times it is outright obvious. Devils and unclean spirits afflict everyone, and it in no way demeans someone’s worth to recognize or find out they are afflicted. In fact, it may help eliminate shame and increase someone’s worth to realize the impure emotions and thoughts are not their own.

When the temptation comes to someone with an addiction to view pornography, much of what they are experiencing are the emotions, thoughts, and sexual desires of the unclean spirits that have attached to them. These unclean spirits delight to take part in the sexual experience of pornographic indulgence at any level. As these are cast out, the powerful urge to view pornography and engage in immoral behaviors leaves.

The apostle Paul acknowledged the reality of spiritual evil: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)

Joseph Smith taught that “one great evil is that men are ignorant of the nature of [evil] spirits; their power, laws, government, and intelligence. . . And it is very evident that they [devils and unclean spirits] possess a power that none but those who have the priesthood can control.” (Times and Seasons, 1 April 1842, p. 744-745)

The message of this post is one of hope. If you or a loved one are suffering from this affliction, you can overcome it through the atonement, power, and priesthood of Jesus Christ. You do not have to suffer, you can be freed.

To read of one man’s success story in overcoming pornography and more information on devils and unclean spirits click the link below:
https://thatzionmaygoforth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/devils_unclean-spirits.pdf

(He had struggled for years and years, it had ruined marriages for him, and after having the devils and unclean spirits cast out he was able to overcome the addiction in less than a month. The addiction was gone.)

To read more about afflictions by devils and unclean spirits click this link:
https://thatzionmaygoforth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/01-possession-by-devils-demons-and-unclean-spirits.pdf

Suggestion if you are currently afflicted with this addiction or have someone you care about that is: Find a worthy Melchizedek priesthood holder and ask them to give you a blessing and cast out all the unclean spirits that are afflicting you. It will need to be someone who has a soft heart, an open mind, and priesthood power flowing within them.
Invite them to anoint with olive oil that has been consecrated for the healing of the sick and delivering of the afflicted and then speak these words in the blessing:

“In the name of Jesus Christ and by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood I rebuke any devils, demons, evil or unclean spirits, sexually immoral or abusive spirits, observers, watchers, tormentors, ancestral or familial spirits, and any entities of any kind; as well as any other devil, unclean spirit, or entity of any kind that has not been directly named or identified but is working for the adversary in any way or is evil, dark, or has wicked intent that is afflicting _ (insert name of person receiving blessing) in any way. I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to be bound with cords of light and I cast you out to spirit prison and send you away never to return again throughout all eternity. I command you to refrain from transferring to any friend, neighbor, or acquaintance, and command you to destroy all records kept concerning ____ (insert name of person receiving blessing) including central records that Satan has ever kept. I wipe your memories clean through the light of Christ and say unto you, depart. I also destroy and negate through the light of Christ any dark portals, shunts, marks, or entrances of any kind these entities were using, as well as any record keeping devices, spells, viruses, connections, cords, contracts, negotiations of any kind. I clear any false patterns or thought processes and invite new neuropathways to form through the light of Christ. I bless you (insert name of person receiving blessing) in the name of Jesus Christ to be healed physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally of any effects from these afflictions and dispel any leftover energy or emotions from them.” [Then give a blessing as the spirit directs]

This outline or suggestion does not need to be followed exactly, however, using it as a general pattern has brought great success in my own priesthood ministrations. God bless you!