The Pains of Pornography (Part 7)

Pray Often

Paul wrote to, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). In giving an example of prayer, Christ said to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Matthew 6:13a). Prayer is a valuable tool. When one feels the temptation, go to God in prayer. Seek forgiveness from the Father when we fail. When one prays to God, name the problem by its name. It is not because God does not know what issues we face. When one prays, “God help me with my problem with pornography,” it becomes a bitter reminder of not only our problem but also the need for God’s help during this time. It also makes one long for the day he no longer has to say those words.

Change Your Habits

Human beings are creatures of habit. Be aware of the times of day you are most susceptible to the addiction. Find certain activities to replace this one. Many have found that exercise, finding new hobbies, and Bible study has helped in fighting the addiction. DO NOT swap this addiction out with another sin. One will find himself in the same situation. Addicted to sin and is no better off than he was in the beginning.

Kill the Addiction

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things 'sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Col. 3:5-6). With the focus on the physical nature of an addiction, it is also important to talk about the spiritual nature of this beast. Continuing in this act will lead to the wrath of God coming upon the one who is involved in it. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that one kills this addiction while they still have opportunity.

These are the pains of pornography. It affects individuals spiritually and physically. It destroys who we are and enslaves us. If you find yourself deep within this addiction, please come out of it.

The Pains of Pornography (Part 6)

What Can the Addict Do?

Remember, there is a way out. Sometimes it seems as if there is no escape when one is deep within an addiction. It may be like someone stuck deep within a pit. That person seeks a way out. He tries to climb out with no success. He cries out for help to no avail. After a series of unsuccessful attempts, he sits down and is ready die. Moments later, a rope drops into the pit and there is a friendly face ready to save him. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). One must remember these temptations we face are nothing new. While, men such as Joseph and David never had internet access, they faced the same manner of temptation as do all men. One also sees the punishments which came when David yielded to the temptation and blessings Joseph received from abstaining. God also has made a way of escape for us when we are faced with these trials. It is like one is stuck in a pit and there is a rope made available by God to help us escape. You can get free from this.

Remember, You Are Not Alone

One may feel as if there is no one around to who can understand. Remember the case of Elijah who thought that he was the only person faithful to God (1 Kings 19:10). God let him know that he was not alone. There are others who are feeling many of the things you feel. There are support groups who will encourage you along your journey. Some of them are found online. There is another group who will help encourage you during this time.

“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). The church is there to encourage you during your time of need. These individuals are there for you to help you because they want you to go to Heaven. Who knows? Someone there may be facing the same problem as you are and your example will help them in overcoming this problem. You may even find someone who dealt with the same issue and can help you. Just remember that you are not alone.

The Pains of Pornography (Part 5)

The question that should be asked is, “What Can Be Done?” What the Christian do about this situation? What can the addict do?

What Can Christians Do?

The Christian should be willing to talk about this and other subjects. Over the years, topics such as this have been treated as a “pink elephant in the room.” It is an apparent problem but the mindset seems to be, “If we ignore it, it will go away.” The problem with that mindset is that it will only get worse. No one waits until an infection has set before treating a wound. Why are many willing to wait until a spiritual problem is worse to discuss it? There is a great important on preaching and teaching on this subject (2 Tim. 4:2). Parents should be willing to discuss this matter with their children (Duet. 6:7; Eph. 6:4). Yes, it is an uncomfortable topic to discuss. Parents know this. If you are not willing to talk to your children concerning these matters someone else will. Those individuals may teach your children something completely unbiblical. We must be willing to discuss these matters.

Christians also need to be willing to educate themselves concerning these topics. Yes, this is an uncomfortable topic but what if a friend or loved one comes to you saying, “I have a problem and I need help”? Will you be able to help them?

The Pains of Pornography (Part 4)

Inability to Think With Purity

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2). Paul encourages Timothy to treat other members of the church as he would his own family. No one blasts their relatives for wrongdoings but takes the time to work with and help them through an issue. Notice how Timothy was to treat the younger females. “With all purity” indicates that that his thoughts about his “sisters” were to be clean. The idea is that of a stream with no impurities whatsoever. It is proven that pornography changes the way an individual thinks. The addiction causes one to be focused on impure things. Guess how that individual will view their family in Christ and others? Those will not be thinking with all purity but will be controlled by impure thoughts about the ones they love.

Interestingly enough, if one were to make a decision to quit today these problems were disappear within weeks to months. Sure, it takes time and effort but it is worth it in the end. While these will disappear with discontinued usage, there is one major problem which may never be resolved even if one quits.

Pornography Defiles the Marriage Bed

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:5). Pornography can and will destroy a marriage. Countless times it has caused one member of the union to begin making unreasonable demands of their spouse. That person will begin judging their significant other to those which are seen on a computer screen on a daily basis. Eventually the marriage is destroyed because of a loss of love.

Again, these are not all encompassing but just scratch the surface of the physical issues caused by continued use.

The Pains of Pornography (Part 3)

It Takes the Joy Out of Life

Prolonged usage leads to depression. “There is no motivation without dopamine. When mice have been stopped from generating dopamine, they won't walk over to their food dish, have sex, or take any action at all. They will chew and swallow food if it's placed in their mouths, but otherwise, they'll die of hunger. They literally die from apathy.”[i] “One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet” (Proverbs 27:7). Think of honey for a moment. There are medicinal properties behind it as well a slight pleasure we find in its sweet flavor. What happens if one gorges oneself on it? That person ends up sick, upset, and generally unpleasant to be around. Nothing will satisfy that individual. When one is addicted to this medium, he finds himself unable to find joy in even the simpler things in life. Why? His mind is fixated on one product and there is no joy to be found in his life. The one who practices self-control and abstains from such practices finds joy in even the smallest area of life.

It Kills Concentration

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). Paul encourages the brethren at Philippi to focus on pure, godly items and lists them one by one. The mind of the Christian should be focused on these areas of righteousness. Good luck focusing on those things when you are addicted to pornography. While it is not impossible, pornography pretty much destroys one’s ability to concentrate. Students who began using the product in high school or college saw a sharp drop in grades and many were unable to get said grades up until it was no longer being used.

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[i] McDougal, Brian (2012-11-10). Porned Out: erectile dysfunction, depression, and 7 more (selfish) reasons to quit porn (Kindle Locations 155-157).  . Kindle Edition.