God allows us to sink into sexual addictions in order to get our attention.  It is the out-working of the law of diminishing returns: We need to have more and more stimulation to get less and less satisfaction!  This can only end up in one place: in a spiritual and moral rut.  Some-one has defined “a rut” as a grave with both ends kicked out!

[The immoral woman] gives no thought to the way of life; her paths [lit. wagon wheel ruts] are crooked, but she knows it not. . . .  For [an immoral] man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and He examines all his paths [lit. wagon wheel ruts].  The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast.  He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own folly (Prov. 5:6, 21-23).

When we finally realize that we are hooked and lying face down in our sexual rut (i.e., the wagon wheel rut), all we have to do is turn over and call out to God.  That is the first step toward recovery.

Second, if God’s judgment is expressed in turning us over to sexual addictions, then the good news is that He will also provide grace to work our way out of the rut.  But it will not always be an easy way out.  It will require a committed and determined assault on the addictive enemy itself.

 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Rom. 8:12-13).

You have it heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.”  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell (Matt. 5:27-30).

Sexual addictions will not retreat in the face of a half-hearted commitment and effort on our part.  Rather, we must take nothing less than a cut-throat offensive against all sexual addictions.  It is kill or be killed!  That’s why Jesus used hyperbole or extravagant exaggeration in telling us how to deal with adultery in thought or deed.  “Pluck out the eye” that commits adultery in mind!  “Cut off the hand” that commits adultery in deed!  That is strong language for a strong enemy.  Nothing else will suffice.