Way of Purity Testimony: Larry Gournal

I have been in love with myself from as early as I can remember. I have always thought I was an extremely good-looking man, and have always thought women would think that about me, as well. I had myself convinced that most women I came in contact with wanted me, lusted after me, and would do anything to have me.

That was in the days of my selfish life. One of the things that God did to break me of my love affair with myself is to convince me of sin, and to show me the solid death-grip it had on my life. I could not overcome pornography and self-gratification for the life of me. That is, until I came to The Way of Purity course. I remember learning one truth that sank home to my heart, somewhere around day 50, and that was that it was the poor in spirit who were blessed by God. You could have knocked me over with a feather, as God turned the search light of His Word on my heart right then and there. I began to see how grossly disgusting my love affair with me was. I began seeing how spiritually "rich" I thought I was, and how I felt that I had so much to offer God and everyone else. This sight of myself made me sick of myself, and I repented to God for my disgusting "wealth" that I thought I had in myself. I came to God as a beggar; desperate and needy, without resources and helpless. Oh, I can't begin to describe to you the joy that has come from my own crucifixion in Christ.

Since Jesus has eradicated the sins of pornography and self-gratification from my life, I want to praise God all day long. I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live. Oh how good it is to be dead to sin and alive to God! Blessed are the poor in spirit! Happy are the helpless!