Let's talk - Porn

Porn is one of those topics that people’s beliefs differ from one end of the spectrum to the other… On one side – everybody uses it, it’s a natural need, if you want your partner to abstain from it you’re being completely ridiculous and unfair… On the other side – It’s destructive, it’s an addiction, it’s cheating. Porn use is normal in secular society, and is sin in Christian society. Something to remember as Christians is that when we call 'sin' sin and are absolutely repulsed by something we isolate and discriminate against someone who is an addict of whatever it is especially someone who is a Christian. Stand your ground, be unmovable, but always and only be motivated by GRACE. Sin is sin. Your whitest sin is equal to the blackest of sins… There’s no differentiation between any sins, they’re all equally deadly.  

A common misconception made is that only a few people are addicted to porn. I wouldn’t hesitate to guess that 97%(or higher) of EVERYONE I know is effected by porn one way or another, either addicted themselves or someone very close to them is addicted.  And yet it’s rarely discussed, understandably so, it is an embarrassing topic, but an undeniably important one -  

If you are affected by porn (you’re addicted, someone close to you is addicted)-

You’re not alone.

It IS destructive. If you are a young single person using porn, know this – you won’t be able to simply stop once in a relationship or married. Single or married, you are in the process of killing your ability to have a real sexual experience with your future or current mate. A recent study shows that porn use is one of the leading causes for E.D. Your porn use is not only affecting one aspect of your life but the ENTIRE thing… You won’t be able to know how much it is affecting you until you accept the challenge to abstain from it.    

You need to find someone to talk to, remember the truth will set you free… this is the most difficult step to be sure -it’s painful and embarrassing to talk about… who can you trust…  Don’t let this stop you, more than likely ANYONE you talk to has had a similar experience and wouldn’t mind a confidant themselves. Be careful though, if the person you confide in tells you pornography doesn’t hurt anything or anyone… run, RUN from their counsel, they are severely mistaking. If you are addicted to porn you CAN NOT SKIP this step^, the empowerment you will receive by confiding in someone is not only helpful, but your ONLY way out.  

If you use porn, you are an addict, and should treat this ‘need’ as an addiction. You will not be able to avoid pornography on your own EVER. There will never be a time you are ‘cured’ from this addiction, you will ALWAYS be tempted.  If you would like to stop your use, you will ALWAYS need the support of a confidant. You need to be accountable to your confidant daily. When you’ve gone a few days without struggle beware, this is your most vulnerable time…  you may think you’ve gotten stronger, but in actuality it has only gotten 1000 times more difficult to tell someone the next time you are struggling. Know your limitations as an addict. An alcoholic cannot go into a bar and be expected not to struggle. Unfortunately, porn is EVERYWHERE, but you can make it easier on yourself by avoiding movies, websites, stores, books… with erotic images. Avoid the friends who by what they wear and/or do make you struggle as well.

Don’t beat yourself up, simply MOVE FORWARD. Don’t allow Satan the satisfaction of keeping you down. You are in Christ, Christ is in you, you are one with Christ - nonnegotiable - everything else is Satan’s lies. MOVE FORWARD.   

Porn – it’s everywhere, hurting everyone, killing relationships and marriages, and weakening the souls of those affected – let’s talk about it.