I once spoke with a young man who was hurting. He was not hurting because a girl broke his heart, he was cut from the team, or because a job fell apart. He was hurting because has been hooked on pornography, and he knew it was sinful before God. He desperately wants to be free, so he reached out, looking for some answers.
For brevity’s sake, I will not post statistics and attempt long explanations. Let’s get to the heart of the matter.
To every Christian reading this post: If pornography is in your life, Jesus Christ can set you free!
When I call out to Christians, understand that I am asking if you have repented of your sin and received Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as your Savior. Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ? If you are a Christian, then you already know that pornography is evil. It must be destroyed from your life because it will destroy your life!
Hear me on this point: Jesus Christ brings us from death unto life. When He saves a person, that person is given everlasting life, and the Holy Spirit indwells that believer. When a believer sins, the Holy Spirit brings conviction and chastisement. He produces good fruit in your life. He changes you. If you can live in sin with no conviction, no chastisement, and no regard to God, the reason is because you have not been born again (Hebrews 12:6-8). Jesus Christ came to save us from our sins. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead that we might be saved. Would you repent and receive Christ by faith as your Savior?
Pornography poisons minds and hearts, and it thrives upon exploitation. It is a fantasy world created by corrupt people. The pornographic industry has trafficked, exploited, and even enslaved countless victims, while other performers willingly offer themselves to it like ancient people once placed living humans upon pagan altars.
This sin often grows in darkness, shrouded in the secrecy of your private moments and browser histories. Yet its shame will not stay secret. Pornography will twist your mind, destroy your walk with God, and deliver the black widow’s bite to your marriage and family.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
So I say to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with pornography, you are not alone. You are not unloved. You matter to God. You matter to the local church. God bless you. God encourage you, and God remind you that you can, indeed, by the power of Jesus Christ, be set free!
Jesus Christ can set you free! You do not have to live with this bondage and hidden shame!
To you who know that the Holy Spirit has been convicting you of this sinful habit in your life, let me offer some guidelines:
Confess your sin to God, and be thoroughly right with Him
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
There is more mercy in God than there is sin in you. Please recognize that the Lord wants you to walk in sweet fellowship with Him! Confess it to the Lord! Ask His forgiveness!
Confess this sin to your spouse, and be right with that person
If you are a married person, then you need to bring this sinful habit into the light. Tell your spouse. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, there may be tears. However, honesty is not the best policy; honesty is the only policy. You made a covenant with God for the person you married. You must ask his/her forgiveness. You must ask for their prayers and support. Humble yourself.
If you are in a relationship with a person but not yet married, then, again, bring this sin into the light. Ask that person’s forgiveness. Commit that you will save yourself for that person in marriage.
Also, to be clear, God commands that we avoid fornication. Do not engage in sex with someone to whom you are not married. Be pure before God and with one another.
Cut off the source of temptation
This next step may sound radical, but I stand by it. If it is your iPhone that you use to view pornography, then get rid of it – TODAY! Sell it. Smash it. Run over it. Put it into the garbage can. Do not make excuses, and do not overthink this step. You may say, “I spent $1,000 on this phone; I can’t lose that!” It is better to lose $1,000 than to lose your own soul!
If it is cable television, movies, a PC, a phone, or a tablet that is the doorway by which you go to pornography, then today is the day when that door is not only closed but bolted, sealed, and cemented. CUT OFF THE SOURCE OF THE TEMPTATION.
Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Matthew 18:8-9)
Cleanse your mind
How do you clean your mind? Wash it with the water of the Word of God!
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8)
You need the Word of God! God can use His Word to renew your mind. Take time each day to read Scripture. Listen to it preached. Read it often. Write down thoughts that come to your mind from Scripture. God speaks through His Word.
Commit to a Bible-preaching church
You need brothers and sisters in the Lord to encourage you! Be there! Be part of the church! Satan will tell you that you do not belong, but you do!
Dear Christian brother or sister: God has so much for your life! God can use your life! Like any sin, pornography will ruin you and rob you of the blessings of God upon your life! Let us not wait for one day to be free from this addiction. Today is DAY ONE!
Again, to my brothers and sisters who struggle with pornography, you are not alone. You are not unloved. You matter to God. You matter to the local church. God bless you. God encourage you, and God remind you that you can, indeed, by the power of Jesus Christ, be set free!
If you would like to reach out privately, please do so. I would be happy to pray with you. Send me an email at church@fbcstanfield.com
