I was recently reading a lengthy online conversation between some brothers and sisters. The subject? Porn use amongst Christians.
I think it was one of the most transparent, open discussions I've ever seen. A number of young men - and women- were openly sharing about their personal experiences.
One of the brothers (who's now happily married) spilled his story. He had wanted to be married for a long time, but carried around much shame from his past use and dreaded having to tell a girl about his involvement.
And then, after he'd concluded this story, he dropped the bombshell:
"I honestly think it's the 'elephant in the room'
when it comes to why so many young Christians are putting off marriage.
People talk about lack of maturity, high expectations, lack of
leadership, too many options, not enough options, etc.
I think one of the main reasons is that so many Christian guys have used porn to some degree and are too ashamed about it to pursue a girl. End of story."
I think one of the main reasons is that so many Christian guys have used porn to some degree and are too ashamed about it to pursue a girl. End of story."
Wow.
And then, wow again, because I really can't speak much to this issue. It affects me - when one member of the Body suffers, all suffer - but I'm certainly very little qualified to offer much of constructive value in this area.
But - I do have one thing to ask: what are we being silent for?! The continued silence is deafening. And it allows the devil to continue wreaking havoc in this area. Does anyone really think that keeping silent and pretending we are "good" Christians is going to help anybody?
My mom always said,"Telling on the devil is half the battle."
And she was always right, too. Sometimes, I've had to go thru a long mental battle to get to a place where I would verbally acknowledge wrong-doing, whether it was against another or against God. It takes a lot of humility to tell someone that you've sinned.
And yet, with the admittance of sin, we stop giving the devil a foothold. The power that we had erroneously given to sin is broken. We are again opened to Lord's Spirit, that He may continue to work His perfecting in us.
And I want to say, porn isn't just a "guy problem." As I've heard it said, lust, porn, sexual addiction - these are all people problems. People - yes, even God's people, men and women alike, in this age of rampant sensuality worship - engage in these things and then remain quiet and aloof and sink further and further into destruction and devastation. Why do we give Satan this power? Jesus shed His blood and conquered death! He has overcome the world, and we are to be free - slaves no longer to sin but to righteousness! (Romans 6.) Yet our silence allows us to continue the stronghold. Our silence slowly kills as death overtakes us. O that we would speak up, that we would no longer continue in shame and condemnation. O that we would allow His light would to expose the deeds of darkness! O that we would allow His freedom to overtake us, and the bonds of sin shattered!
But - I do have one thing to ask: what are we being silent for?! The continued silence is deafening. And it allows the devil to continue wreaking havoc in this area. Does anyone really think that keeping silent and pretending we are "good" Christians is going to help anybody?
My mom always said,"Telling on the devil is half the battle."
And she was always right, too. Sometimes, I've had to go thru a long mental battle to get to a place where I would verbally acknowledge wrong-doing, whether it was against another or against God. It takes a lot of humility to tell someone that you've sinned.
And yet, with the admittance of sin, we stop giving the devil a foothold. The power that we had erroneously given to sin is broken. We are again opened to Lord's Spirit, that He may continue to work His perfecting in us.
And I want to say, porn isn't just a "guy problem." As I've heard it said, lust, porn, sexual addiction - these are all people problems. People - yes, even God's people, men and women alike, in this age of rampant sensuality worship - engage in these things and then remain quiet and aloof and sink further and further into destruction and devastation. Why do we give Satan this power? Jesus shed His blood and conquered death! He has overcome the world, and we are to be free - slaves no longer to sin but to righteousness! (Romans 6.) Yet our silence allows us to continue the stronghold. Our silence slowly kills as death overtakes us. O that we would speak up, that we would no longer continue in shame and condemnation. O that we would allow His light would to expose the deeds of darkness! O that we would allow His freedom to overtake us, and the bonds of sin shattered!
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed."
-James 5:16
