In the 1980s, due to the efforts of many Christian organizations, pornography in the US was on the decline. Today on the internet there are 7 million porn sites with 10,000 new sites starting up WEEKLY! This does not include magazines, movies, videos, cable, clubs, etc., all of which
they have already made porn so easily accessible.
Considering that there is nothing new under the sun, it should come as no surprise that the enemy of our souls (mind, will, and emotions) choose seduction as the tool with which to begin dismantling the spiritual fabric of the Body of Christ. Nothing new? Remember Balaam, the prophet with whom he speaks
donkey (Numbers 22)? When he could not curse the Israelites, his advice to the Moabites (the descendants of Lot’s sexual union and his daughters), was that the Moabite women seduce the Israelites and lead them away from their faith by weakening them. as a nation (Numbers 25 and 31:16).
Using Israel as a “type” of the body of Christ, wouldn’t it stand to reason that 50% of all our ministers surveyed anonymously would say they DO look at porn? This addiction impacts their marriages, their ministries, and their flocks. When the pillars fall, people get hurt. Smite the shepherd, scatter
the sheep (Mark 14:27).
Nothing new.
Pornography is idolatry (Romans 1:24-25) and multitudes are being drawn daily into its deceitful clutches. It is addictive and, like all addictions, it promises satisfaction but leaves the victim increasingly empty, needing more. The porn addict simply cannot wait until the next time, often counting down the minutes until he can see her again.
The devil knew what he was doing. We are sexual beings, designed for reproduction, to “be fruitful and multiply.” As sinful creatures, we are inclined to prefer the body and what we see, over the soul, or things that are spiritual and what we cannot see. Once we are involved in idolatry, worshiping the creature (the body) instead of the Creator,
we are a prime candidate for becoming addicted to porn, deluding ourselves into thinking we can quit at any time.
Scientists say that the visual stimulus of porn causes the nervous system to secrete a hormone into the bloodstream that goes to the brain, “blocking” the pleasant image in the mind. Therefore, viewing pornographic images becomes like a drug causing the repeated need for a “fix”. This addiction is literally as hard to break as cocaine! Porn is as far away as the next thought. We can’t run from our minds or
our bodies. It’s a mind-emotion-body-drug thing and the devil knows it.
So what is the harm? To begin with, it is an obvious lie! We are beings of 3 parts, Body, Soul and Spirit. Porn only shows us 1/3 of what they are modeling: the body. They are not sexual objects…they are people made in the image of God and He loves them. Jesus died for them. They, along with the photographers, editors, designers, club managers and all
that are associated, need our prayers, NOT our participation. These people are someone’s relatives, a son or daughter, perhaps with a praying grandmother who needs you to join her in prayer.
The largest consumers of porn in the US are between the ages of 12 and 17. Interestingly, eighty percent of sexual assault victims are under the age of 18. Do you see any connection? We become what surrounds us. It’s a billion dollars for
year of the industry offering unlimited access without liability. Not only that, but porn opens the door for additional habits and addictions, such as watching strip shows, prostitution, immorality, infidelity, and sexual selfishness, which affects marriages. Plus? Since addictions often attract other addictions, alcohol, smoking, drugs, theft, and crime often
lurk nearby.
Porn addicts often find sexual partners to help fulfill their fantasies. They can even marry with this intention. Although they may actually fall in love, the addict’s longing for porn, coupled with the desire to recreate the porn they’ve seen, but with their reluctant partner, takes its toll on the
relationship. More than 80% of those who leave porn say that it distorted their sexuality. They admit their deception, making them believe that they would be fine once they had a sexual partner through marriage. Some say that the porn they viewed out of curiosity made them question their sexual preferences by exposing themselves to every act imaginable, so
damaging his own image. And it’s not just a male problem. Girls are equally vulnerable.
As with any addiction, the deeper you get into porn, the further you get from God. Although He promises never to leave or forsake us, unworthiness sets in and hinders our opportunities to grow in Him. Additional consequences include: hindered and destroyed relationships, partners who feel inadequate to
please, self-condemnation, emotional stress, depression, rejection, and even suicide.
There is hope? Yes! There is a way out. Do not be ashamed. If you need help, ask. Seek counsel, prayer, accountability. Follow these six steps:
1. Be honest with yourself right away. recognize the problem
2. Hold yourself accountable. Shine the light of truth on the problem.
“Confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16).
3. Dispose of materials. Get a filtering service, move the computer to the family room (7 in 10 Christian homes have Internet but only 1 in 10 have filters).
4. Be patient. Resist defeat. Little by little in, gradually out.
5. Remember that GOD frees and gives grace to the humble.
6. Pray for people whose images may captivate your mind. Ask God to break your heart to help anyone trapped in this industry or struggling with porn addiction.
From MTV to cable, magazine covers to classifieds, strip clubs and the Internet, you do NOT want this to become a dominating factor in your life. God is with us. Sex was his idea and satan has perverted it. Let’s land today!
READ AND HARVEST!!
Romans 1:24-25
Ephesians 5:3
1 Corinthians 10:13
John 3:19-21
James 4:7
Matthew 5:28
Ps. 51:3-4
Isaiah 1:18-19
Numbers 32:23
province 16:2
If you like porn and want prayer or pastoral advice, email or IM us here on YT4J today. You can get a lot more information and some expert “been there” help at http://www.shelleylubben.com. Perhaps your spouse or a friend needs help and recognizes the effect of porn on your relationship. Both can become wounded healers. This is not the time for embarrassment or embarrassment. God loves you and wants to use his people to guide you out of the slimy pit of pornography.
So you can help others. Recovering porn addicts say you can’t do it yourself. Satan is using every means to destroy Christians everywhere through pornography. If he can use the internet, SO CAN WE! This IS a war that can be won!