| Pornography Addiction
Widespread
October 16, 2005
by Larry Ray Hafley
Did you see this in the paper recently
(Associated Press, 2/13/04)? A company has been set
"that aims to help Christians confront the 'secret
sin' of pornography." The article went on to
say,
"NetAccountability co-founders
Brandon Cotter and Scott Covington say their target
audience isn't those who see nothing wrong with perusing
X-rated Web sites. Rather, it's Christians caught
up in a behavior their faith views as immoral....
"If national surveys are
any indication, it's a personal battle waged by millions
of Christians. Almost 18 percent of people who call
themselves born again Christians admitted visiting
Internet porn sites, according to a 2000 survey of
1,031 adults by the evangelical group, Focus on the
Family. In a 2002 Pastors.com survey, more than 50
percent of responding pastors reported viewing pornography
in the previous year."
The Catholic Church is not the only
denomination that has problems with sexual sins. Protestants
and others have the same challenges. The Lord's people
are not immune, either. Over and over again we hear
of the devastating effects of pornography in the lives
of Christians. Marriages and families have been torn
and ripped asunder by the devious depravity and sinister
sin of pornography.
Like drunkenness and alcoholism, it
is easier to prevent than it is to cure. Of course,
repentance and forgiveness are available through the
grace of God and the blood of Christ, but one must
“go and sin no more” if he is to be saved.
Again, as with addiction to alcohol, enslavement to
pornography, especially Internet porn, is difficult
to break and beat.
Parents, watch your own selves! Then,
keep a watch out for the souls of your children. As
you would not allow them to be around a molester or
sexual predator, so you must not allow them to have
unrestrained, undisciplined use of a computer. It
can be an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Be alert to the danger signs of a
computer, pornography addict. Extraordinary use of
a computer at odd hours of the day and night, changes
in behavior, nervousness, lack of personal hygiene,
not taking time to eat regular meals, plus, furtive,
closed door, use of a computer, and a noticeable startling
or discomfort of one who is angered when his computer
privacy is violated – these are all danger signs.
“Turn my eyes away from worthless
things; preserve my life according to your word”
(Psa. 119:37). “I have made a covenant with
my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman”
(Job 31:1)? “Can a man take fire to his bosom,
and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot
coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes
in to his neighbor's wife; whoever touches her shall
not be innocent” (Prov. 6:27?29). “But
I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust
for her has already committed adultery with her in
his heart” (Matt.5:28).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because
your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring
lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8).
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