In the 1980s, due to the efforts of many Christian organizations, pornography in the United States was on the decline. On the internet today there are 7 million porn sites with 10,000 new sites starting WEEKLY! This does not include magazines, movies, videos, cable, clubs, etc., all of which
They have already made pornography so accessible.
Considering that there is nothing new under the sun, it should not surprise us that the enemy of our soul (mind, will and emotions) chose seduction as a tool with which to begin to dismantle the spiritual fiber of the Body of Christ. Nothing new? Remember Balaam, the prophet who spoke
donkey (Numbers 22)? When he was unable to curse the Israelites, his advice to the Moabites (the descendants of the sexual union of Lot and his daughters) was that Moabite women SEDUCE the Israelites out of their faith, thereby weakening them. as a nation (Numbers 25 and 31:16).
Using Israel as a “type” of the body of Christ, wouldn’t it make sense for 50% of all our ministers surveyed to answer anonymously that they do view pornography? This addiction affects 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 drawn into its deceptive clutches daily. It is addictive and, like any addiction, it promises satisfaction but leaves the victim empty-handed each time, needing more. The porn addict can’t wait until next time, often counting down the minutes until they can watch it 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 favor the body and what we see over the soul or spiritual things 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 pornography, deluding ourselves into believing that we can quit smoking at any time.
Scientists say that the visual stimulus from porn causes the nervous system to secrete a hormone into the bloodstream that enters the brain, “blocking” the pleasant image in the mind. Therefore, viewing pornographic images becomes like a drug causing the repeated need for a “solution.” This addiction is literally as hard to overcome as cocaine! Pornography is as far off as previously thought. We can’t run from our minds or
our bodies. It’s a thing of the mind, emotion, body, drug, and the devil knows it.
So what is the harm? For starters, it’s an obvious lie! We are beings of 3 parts, body, soul and spirit. Porn only shows us 1/3 of what the people they model are: the body. They are not sex 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 directors and all
who are associated, need our prayers, NOT our participation. These people are related to someone, a son or a daughter, perhaps with a prayerful grandmother who needs you to join her in prayer.
The largest consumers of pornography in the United States 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 we surround ourselves with. It’s a billion dollar dollar per
year of the industry offering unlimited access without liability. Not only that, but pornography opens the door to additional habits and addictions, such as watching strip shows, prostitution, immorality, infidelity, and sexual selfishness, which affect marriages. Plus? Since addictions generally attract other addictions, alcohol, smoking, drugs, theft, and crime generally
lurk nearby.
Porn addicts often find sexual partners to help them fulfill their fantasies. They can even marry with this intention. Although they may actually fall in love, the addict’s craving for pornography coupled with the desire to recreate the pornography they have seen, but with their reluctant partner, takes its toll on the
relationship. More than 80% of those who get out of porn say 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 their own image. And it is not just a male problem. Girls are equally vulnerable.
As with any addiction, the further you get into porn, the further you get away from God. Although He promises to never leave us or forsake us, unworthiness sets in, hindering our opportunities to grow in Him. Additional consequences include: hampered and destroyed relationships, the partner feels inadequate to
please, self-condemnation, emotional stress, depression, rejection, and even suicide.
There is hope? Yes! There is a way out. Don’t be embarrassed. If you need help, ask. Seek advice, prayer, responsibility. Follow these six steps:
1. Be honest with yourself right away. Acknowledge the problem
2. Take responsibility. Illuminate the problem with the light of truth.
“Confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16).
3. Discard the materials. Get a filtering service, move the computer to the living room (7 out of 10 Christian homes have Internet, but only 1 in 10 have filters).
4. Be patient. Resist defeat. Little by little inward, gradually outward.
5. Remember that GOD frees and gives grace to the humble.
6. Pray for the people whose images can captivate your mind. Ask God to break your heart to help anyone who is caught up in this industry or struggling with porn addiction.
From MTV to cable TV, from magazine covers to classified sections, throwing joints on the Internet, you DO NOT want this to become a dominant factor in your life. God is with us. Sex was His idea and Satan has perverted it. Let’s take ground today!
READ AND BLIND !!
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
Prov. 16: 2
If you like porn and want prayer or pastoral advice, please email or IM us here at YT4J today. You can get much more information and help from an expert on the “I’ve already done it” topic at http://www.shelleylubben.com. Perhaps your spouse or friend needs help and you recognize the effect of pornography 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.
Then you can help others. Recovering porn addicts say you can’t do it yourself. Satan is using all means to destroy Christians everywhere through pornography. If he can use the Internet, WE CAN TOO! This IS a war that can be won!