Let me tell you about the most hardcore guy I know. My buddy Thomas is a Navy Seal and he’s a little nuts (in an awesome Rambo sort of way).
If bullets started flying at me, my first response would be to run away flinging old ladies out of my way in the process. But when Thomas is shot at, something in his brain tells him to charge after the bad guy.
A few years back, Thomas and I were starving so to get the most for our money, we headed to KFC to indulge on their ‘snacker menu.’
Not one to do anything halfway, Thomas ordered 20 snacker sandwiches for us.
I thought 20 was a bit excessive but he said “It’s cool. They’re small, so we’ll be able to eat the whole thing in one bite.”
It only took me one bite before I was done. Remember, I don’t like sauces (CLICK HERE)!
However, it took Thomas a few more greasy sandwiches before he realized there was a problem.
It sounded so good when he ordered but after 5 or 6, he was sick.
We, literally, tossed 10+ sandwiches in the garbage and headed to Walmart for a bottle of Tums.
So how did a guy so hardcore get taken down by a small ‘snacker sandwich?’
There are two simple reasons.
1. Snackers are horrible. This is not up for debate!
2. Looks can be deceiving.
Porn is kinda like KFC snackers. When you are starving it sounds great but it leaves you feeling nauseous.
What porn offers is pseudo-intimacy.
On some level we all desire sexual intimacy. We desire to know others in an intensely personal way and to also be known/accepted/loved. However, porn takes our naturally created, God given desires and fills us up with the cheap imitation (aka the snacker).
We want someone else to see us for who we really are, deep down inside. But porn does the opposite. It is available all the time so we don’t get rejected but we never truly find acceptance. We trick ourselves into believing in a fantasy. And the worst part….it affects everyone close to us.
Don’t think so? Then tell everyone about your stash. If it’s not a problem then you should be able to tell your parents, wife, and/or kids, right?
Make no mistake, porn weaves itself into your life, takes control, destroys families and lives, and steals your soul.
Here are the facts about porn (from xxxchurch.com):
-11 is the avg. age a person first views porn
– 40 million adults visit pornographic websites daily
– Nearly ½ of all divorces list porn as a contributing factor
– 28% of those who access porn online are women
– The U.S. spends $13.6 billion a year on porn
– $3,000,000,000 (that’s billion folks) is generated annually by child porn
– 53% of Promise Keeper men (Christian dads and young men) admitted they viewed porn in the past week
– Daily pornographic search engine requests – 68 million (25% of total search engine requests)
Why isn’t anyone discussing this topic? Perhaps, I missed the memo but is this one of those subjects that makes us uncomfortable, we just ignore it and hope it goes away.
If you or someone you know is struggling with porn, Jesus wants to break that chain.
Each situation is different. Christian counseling may be the answer for some and tossing your laptop away may be the answer for other (too extreme? hmmm… 700 bucks or the price of my soul?)
Here are some general keys to finding freedom from porn.
1. Talk to God. Tell him that you are sorry and that you His power to make your heart pure and overcome. (1 John 1:9)
2. Ask God to change your thoughts. What “void” is porn filling in your life? (Romans 12:2).
3. Tell someone you trust. In isolation you will lose. There is power in confessing your sins TO ONE ANOTHER. (James 5:16)
4. Set boundaries. Don’t put yourself in tempting situations. Establish an accountability partner who you can be 100% honest with. Get accountability software free on your laptop and Smartphone at: www.x3watch.com (1 Corinthians 10:12)
5. Educate yourself. What does the Bible say about looking at porn? (Matthew 5:28) Check out the ministries of xxxchurch.com.
What jumped out at you from this post and why?
Also, from first exposure to now, (victories, failures etc.), what has been your experience with porn?
Don’t let your identity be an excuse from coming out of the dark. You can leave anonymous comments and find community support.
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