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by Rev. Steven L.
Showalter
June 8, 2005
(An edited version of this
article was published in the Summer 2005 issue of The Apostolic Christian's Library Builder,
published by Rev. J. R. Ensey.)
Pornography has rapidly become one of the greatest
moral issues facing society today. From easy internet access, sexually
suggestive advertising, to blatant immorality from Hollywood, porn has
become mainstream. It can be found nearly anywhere, and it is often excused
and even praised by the world.
Just how prevalent is it? Consider these statistics. The average age for
first time internet exposure to pornography is 11 years of age. The largest
consumer of internet pornography is the 12-17 age group. Twenty-five percent
of all search engine requests are pornography related. It is estimated that
over $12 billion is spent on the pornography industry in the United States
each year. And the list goes on and on. (Internet Filter Review,
www.internetfilterreview.com)
Now a new market has become available: porn on cell phones, personal digital
assistants, and other mobile devices. Juniper Research Inc. estimates that
worldwide revenue will jump from $500 million in 2004 to $2.5 billion in
2009 as pornography becomes more available in this market. (Paul
Korzeniowski, "Adult Entertainment on a Cell Phone Near You,"
www.TechNewsWorld.com, March 23,
2005).
Pornography, unfortunately, is here to stay. That is a concern. But, there
is a greater concern. People view this stuff! Who are they? Your neighbors,
your kids’ math teacher, the police officer, your banker, the kid sitting
across the aisle from your “Little Suzie” in school. You get the picture.
Clearly, people in the world view porn. However, we fail to realize just how
far reaching this problem is.
The truth is, pornography is not just a problem with “lost sinners” in the
world. There are individuals in our churches who struggle with porn
everyday. They may be the piano player, the Sunday School teacher, the youth
pastor, and maybe even the pastor. Pornography is much like carbon monoxide.
Both are virtually undetectable, and both kill. Pornography is the silent
killer in your church.
Morality in Media interviewed Roger Young, a former lead obscenity
investigator with the FBI, about his career investigating obscenity and how
citizens can support such work. One of the questions asked was this:
MIM: “Pornography is not just a criminal problem, but also a spiritual
problem. Why do you think most pastors have been silent about the growing
menace of pornography?”
RY: “In many cases, it's a lack of understanding and education and
awareness. Awareness and education are the greatest weapons against
pornography. Where does a pastor go to get training in this area? Certainly
they don't spend time on it in seminary.......Then you have clergy who
believe this is something they should not talk about. This is something to
pray about, but not something to be involved with. They don't want to give
the appearance they're carrying the flag, charging forward, fighting this
type of thing in our society. But with the Internet, more of these
clergy-and their families-are being hit right in the face with it. And that
is going to wake up people.” ("Interview With a Former FBI Agent,"
Morality in Media, Inc.,
www.moralityinmedia.org, 2003).
This is a sad statement for the church that believes in Divine deliverance
from all manner of sin. Discussing pornography should be done with
discretion, but it absolutely must be discussed. Are you aware of any man or
teenage boy who struggles with porn? You may say, “I don’t know of anyone.”
Mark it down, someone in your church struggles with this. Even women
struggle with pornography. Recent statistics indicate that 34% of
“Christian” women intentionally seek out pornography. According to Nielsen
NetRatings, nearly one in three visitors to adult websites are female. Could
these women be in your church? (Jason Collum, "Porngraphy: A Woman's
Struggle, Too," March 9, 2004).
Staggering? Yes. Eye opening? I pray that it is. Can pornography be
defeated? Absolutely!
The desire for sex is natural and is given to us by God. The sex drive is a
physical part of our being. Through pornography, this drive is perverted and
distorted from what God intended. Because of this, pornography and sexual
imagery are two of the biggest weapons the enemy has in his arsenal. Were
you born with a God-given desire for drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol?
Why am I so sure? As a third-generation Pentecostal, I struggled with
pornography for many years. I was born into the home of a minister. I have
attended church my whole life. I received the Holy Ghost at the age of 11. I
attended Bible college. And, I successfully hid my struggle from everyone I
knew. I saw my first pornographic photo around age eight. I saw my first
fully explicit video around 14. Both times my exposure was accidental. Over
time, and after repeated exposures, I became bound by the desire to view
porn. Why am I saying all of this? Because I want to open your eyes to the
reality of just how prevalent this problem is. If I, a “P.K.,” can struggle
with this, ANYONE can.
I heard this subject discussed on several occasions, but it was only
mentioned as something that should be avoided or as a problem of the world.
“Don’t look at pornography, it isn’t good for you.” Pornography was rarely
discussed as a real problem that could find its way into the body of Christ.
It was always “out there.” It seemed as if the subject was glossed over
because no one really wanted to talk about it. I did everything I knew to do
to defeat my desire for porn. Sadly, it was not enough. I did not know where
to turn, who to ask for help, or what to do.
Finally, after many years of struggle, God gave me victory. It was not easy,
but it was well worth the fight. When He delivered me, He placed an immense
burden on me to share my testimony with others in order to offer hope. If
you have never struggled with this then you cannot imagine the hopelessness
and immense fear that is felt. When I saw and felt hope, I knew I could
defeat this through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Somehow the church has turned a blind eye towards pornography. Porn has, for
too long, been overlooked as a real problem with men in church. We need to
wake up and smell the coffee. If we do not confront this issue and make
sources available to those who struggle, we are failing in our mission to
have a church that is pure, spotless, and without wrinkle. Who will be lost
in our congregations because we did not deem it necessary to discuss this?
Paul gave direction and a word of warning. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of
meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). Let
us be quick to forgive and restore instead of being quick to judge and
scoff. If we put this to practice, people will be more willing to open up
about their problems. Victory will spring up throughout the church body like
it has never been seen before. We must be compassionate and willing to help
those who are struggling and wounded. Jesus was quick to forgive and
restore, even while on the cross.
Bill Perkins said, “If you think you cannot fall into sexual sin, then
you’re godlier than David, stronger than Samson, and wiser than Solomon.”
("Why Filtered Internet," American Family Online,
www.afo.net).
I am not the only Holy Ghost filled man to face this battle. Maybe you
struggle with porn and have asked, “How do I get out of this?” Maybe you
have experienced the pangs of guilt after failing one more time. You must
overcome your embarrassment and seek help.
If you are bound by porn, here are the basics for being set free. First, the
issue with any sexual sin is self-control. We must unlearn bad habits and
create good habits.
Do not use the word “addiction” as an excuse to continue to sin. Sin is a
choice every time you fall to temptation. The word “addiction” implies that
sin is committed without choice, and it implies that the one who sinned is
not responsible for his/her actions. God gave our sex drive to us to
control. Either we control it, or it controls us. There is no other
possibility. No one accidentally sins. Temptation may come out of nowhere,
but you must make a choice. To steal a line from Shakespeare, “To sin or not
to sin? That is the question.”
Next, you must admit you have a problem and repent. Get an accountability
partner. This is a person you must be willing to confess your struggle to.
The power of any sexual sin resides in its secrecy. This is because of the
tremendous fear that overtakes you. That is the fear of being found out and
losing everything. Fear does not come from God. Fear is the padlock keeping
you bound by pornography. When that fear is broken by speaking to a trusted
friend, you can begin to break the chains of pornography that have held you
in their grasp.
Romans 13:14 says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” This leads to the
next several steps. Memorize scriptures that deal specifically with sexual
sins. When tempted, quote them. Remove temptations and anything ungodly from
your home and life. You may have to give up access to the internet. If you
absolutely must have internet access, use a filter, and let your spouse or
accountability partner set the password.
Pornography can be defeated. It is time for us to take a stand, shake off
the embarrassment of this
subject, and unleash a full assault on the enemy. He has already launched
his attack on us. Let’s put him to flight. For those who struggle, do not
give up. There is hope. I overcame it, and so can you.
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