Overcoming Pornography

WARNING! – VOLATILE MATERIAL

“We need to talk.” Some of the most famous words in history and yet we hope we never have to hear them. I have heard them a few times in my life and even a few times here. Most of the time, it isn’t even a problem, just something to think about. However today, I would say “We need to talk” is a very appropriate title for today’s message. Some of you may be very opposed to speaking volatile subjects but we must because sin is winning in our world and we need to fight back. In this particular instance, of all the different ways mankind can mess up God’s creation, this one seems to have been swept under the rug and ignored. It hides in the shadows and the dark corners of the lives of so many people. Over 40 million indulge this desire every single day. That is one-sixth of America’s population. Considering the fact that 80% of Americans consider themselves “Christian” that means that there are a lot of Christians going where they shouldn’t, especially in the internet. This “problem” now holds a commanding 4.2 million websites and makes over 12 billion dollars a year in America and over 56 billion dollars world-wide.

We need to talk about it because there are many in the church that may have a problem with it and because we all have to deal with it on a daily basis. Of the men who attended a Promise Keepers event, 53 percent reported looking at it within one week. They had already broken their promise and fallen back into sin within seven days. Men are not alone in this situation. 17% of women struggle with an addiction to it and 35% of all traffic to the websites is from women. Considering most women hide their internet activities, those numbers may be much higher. Women are also much more likely to actually act out their behaviors in real life such as having an affair. I think we can safely say that America and the church have a problem.

Jesus denounced the activity I am referring to in Matthew 5:27 and 28. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The sin of lust and the addiction of pornography have terrorized homes, television sets, and destroyed marriages and even children. Be honest with me for a minute, would you ever want that material in the hands of your child? Would you want an 8 or 10 year old child to find a dirty magazine? I am almost pleading with you that your answer be no. Our children do not deserve to be hurt like that. They haven’t even fully developed and yet many are finding pornography in their parent’s houses. Don’t believe me; listen to the story of my friend.

A Friend’s Story

“My first taste was in the fifth grade when my best friend brought a dirty picture with him to the restaurant that our families were eating at. He told me he had something that he wanted me to look at. So we excused ourselves and went to the bathroom. Once we were in the restroom he took out this dirty picture of a woman and told me that I should have it. I took the picture from him, but later through it out in fear that I would get caught. After this every time I would spend the night at his house he would look for ways to find some stuff for us to look at. He once found a dirty movie in his parent’s room one day and from then on whenever I was there, we would try and find a way to watch this nasty movie. From this point I got hooked on the vile habit of self-gratification with or with out it. Parents, be warned; if you have it in your home your children will find it. It will not only poison your life and your marriage, it will also poison your children.”

He was at best 11 years old when he found this stuff. He hadn’t even gotten through puberty yet much less be old enough to fully grasp the content of this stuff. How many of you feel that this is horrible and should have never happened? I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think of a child finding some of this filth and getting hooked on it like a drug. Already, at such a young age, their view of intimacy with the opposite sex is being skewed. It doesn’t just stop for them once it starts unless they are caught and dealt with. No wonder Jesus told us not to have anything to do with lust. Not only can you destroy your marriage but also your children as well. God loves us enough to give us boundaries for a reason. He set up these boundaries to protect us. Yet, sometimes you don’t listen and not only you but many others are hurt in the process. It doesn’t end at just that age, the effects continue for years to come.