Porn - Looking Inward, And Upward To The War Christ Already Won…
“See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”
This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Pornography and unaddressed sexual lust have been one of the greatest and most popular roots of destroyed marriages, fallen pastors, and increased depression and anxiety within society…including Christian society. Odds are, you’ve read the staggering numbers and statistics of how many men, and women, are actively giving into sexual sin within the Church. These numbers need to break our hearts. Sexual identity and pleasure are at the core of who God created us to be and how He designed relationships and marriage to function. This is at the center of terms we pass down the theological isle like “holiness” or “righteousness.” I know it’s tough, but it needs to be discussed at least, and absolutely eradicated at best.
Behind the scientific facts regarding pornography consumption and stimulation, are the earth-shattering facts regarding what porn does to the heart and soul of someone who desires to know and love God. Giving something the likes of porn a foothold in our life and a seat at our table kills our relationship with Jesus. It’s time for us to stop selling ourselves short or downplaying the reality of sexual sin. It does not merely effect or negatively impact…friend, it destroys. It acts as a destructive cancer to the core of who God says you are and what God calls you to run after in this life. It does not serve as a uncomfortable debilitation, it promises to alter your life, your soul and your brain.
I am not a scientist, a doctor or a pastor. I have no way of understanding your unique story, past or present circumstances. So, I cannot help you quit or address sexual impurity in your life. Just like you can’t in mine. But I can urge you to take a stand and courageously go to war with something that will, will win massive battles in your life if you let this continue. If any of this describes you or the season of life you are journeying through, I encourage you to
1. Admit that you are powerless without the grace and work of Christ in your life.
2. Admit you have an addiction issue, and you need a plan for Christ-centered recovery.
3. Seek to study God’s work and come to understand that sexual sin at its root, is an issue of pride and discontentment in the Lord.
4. Commit right now, to finding a trusted friend of the same gender as you, to confess that this is a problem in your life, and that you want to start today with re-engaging with God and professionals about what the steps should be taken next to actively pursue recovery and lean into the story of God’s redemption and plan for your life.
Sexual immorality, like any sin, is the source of what hurts us, hurts those we love and causes the chaos and suffering we see today in our world. And although the effects and circumstances may be painful and incredibly messy, there is a God who has supplied you with a hope and a purpose, even still. Your story is never over in the light and capacity of grace. Giving our sexual sin and mess over to the Lord is not looking as much as the past and what you did wrong, as much as it is looking forward to Christ, and what He has already done for you.
So, take courage. Admit, and believe that Christ has already won this battle before you even take these next steps. Truly, the best is yet to come.
