Nearly 30,000 web users are viewing porn each second.
ChristiaNet survey came back with results suggesting that just over 50 percent of Christian men are addicted to pornography. And it’s not just a “guy-thing;” over 20 percent of Christian women are addicted to pornography as well. Coupled with that 37 percent of pastors admit that they struggle with Internet pornography, and 51 percent say it’s a source of temptation. (Source: http://www.christianpost.com/news/pornography-in-the-pew-a-hidden-sin-part-one-59666/)
Pornography is the #1 unspoken sin that is ravaging our churches throughout the world today. This may seem like a strong statement but the effects of such a blight in our congregations and in marriages is staggering. I believe Satan doesn’t have to go far to trap Christian, we are inundated with sexual images every day from commercials to network television…not all images are pornographic but can churn up lusts in our hearts if we allow them to. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” We must guard our hearts by limiting or eliminating the things we allow our eyes to see. You know the phrase “garbage in garbage out”? It evokes this notion that whatever we think on becomes who we are. For example if I wanted to run a marathon I couldn’t just sit on the couch and eat twinkies all day…well I could but I wouldn’t be able to run that marathon that I have set my sights on. I would become out of shape, my muscle mass would be lost and I would have not gained anything because I didn’t exercise discipline.
In the same way if we don’t train our minds and discipline ourselves in what we see with our eyes we will fall prey to the lusts of the flesh. If we don’t guard our hearts against such damaging images and other damaging content out in our world we will fall prey to these sin issues and never grow in our faith. The unspoken prison is more than just porn. What are you reading? What are you listening to? Even these seemingly innocuous things can cause us to consume damaging content that can blur those lines of moral living in our lives today. Be careful what you feast on with your eyes and your ears. Guard your hearts!
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Questions:
How can we fight something so damaiging when no one wants to talk about it?
Is there hope in the Church for porn addicts?
How do we address such an issue?
The effects of pornography is not only detrimental to a person’s marriage and other relationships but it can be debilitating to the personal spiritual growth.
If this sin of lust continues to be allowed to fester without getting to the core of the issue, repentance and forgiveness can never be met.
More Statistics:
Did you know that 1.2 million children are being trafficked every year; this is in addition to the millions already held captive by trafficking (UNICEF)
Why would I include this statistic? Because the dark(er) underbelly of the porn industry is that it supports human trafficking and human slavery. Pornography and its use drives up demands for trafficked humans. Did you know that? This is certainly a disturbing conversation, yet this topic needs to be discussed in our churches.
Christians who are addicted to pornography need to know the dangers of this hidden sin! This unspoken prison to many needs to be brought out into the light! Many are struggling today within our churches with this enslaving addiction. The porn-again Christian can find help. We shouldn’t want to pass judgement on anyone, that isn’t our place, but we as Christ-followers need to be a source of hope and encouragement to help live lives accountable and live holiness. I do not have all of the answers but there are many sources out there that can help someone who is struggling with this unspoken prison today. Let me speak directly to anyone who is addicted to porn today: You can be free of this burden! You can find hope and deliverance from your addiction! I have included below a few weblinks that anyone can check out that might help anyone get free from these bonds of your unspoken prison.
Additional Articles & Resources to check out:
http://www.todayschristianwoman.com/articles/2001/may/my-husband-was-addicted-to-porn.html
http://www.feedtherightwolf.org/
http://www.xxxchurch.com/
http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/25714#.U8_gQBRtyEk.facebook
Something more to ponder within our churches today!
Pastor's Ponderings 
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