Facing the Pornography Epidemic in the Church

Breaking Silence The

Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Ephesians 5:11

“The secret sin is an addictive disease that has existed since the beginning of time, yet for centuries it has been misnamed, mistreated, ignored, or completely undiagnosed. Even though it has killed, humiliated, and wounded countless people, some still believe it doesn’t exist. Those who suffer from sexual addiction have been laughed at, scorned, and persecuted. Too consumed by shame to ask for help, they have been confined to lives of loneliness and isolation. Only recently have we recognized the secret sin as a disease and offered treatment to its sufferers.” (Laaser, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction, 15)

How Extensive is the Problem? 2/3 of men view pornography 3 of 10 women view pornography 10% of Christian population is sexually addicted in some form. 40% of clergy surveyed confessed to viewing porn. 47% of families said porn was a problem in their home (Focus on the Family Poll, 2003) In 2 of 3 divorces, the internet was a significant factor (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2003)

How Extensive is the Problem? 9 of 10 children between 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the net (London School of Economics, 2002) First internet exposure to pornography: 11 years old (Internet Filter Review) Largest consumer of internet pornography: (2007) Youth with significant exposure to sexuality in the media were shown to be significantly more likely to have had intercourse at ages 14 to 16 (Report in Pediatrics, 2006)

PSYCHOSOCIAL WARNING SIGNS:  Isolation  Rejection  Anxiety “And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” -- Genesis 4:7

My Story

II Samuel 13 – Amnon and Tamar Amnon became physically ill thinking about her – Fantasy/Preoccupation He devised a plan – Ritualization He raped her – Acting Out He hated her and threw her out – Shame Tamar was denied the right to talk and grew bitter Absalom let it fester to the point of killing his own brother David became and enabler because he loved Amnon “too much to punish him”

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Love them where they are…. Love them too much to leave them there.

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