Let’s take an honest look at how the church (that would be me and you) responds to those in the wasteland produced by pornography. The usual response is to offer two things (neither of them are gifts):
- A deafening silence on the subject.
- Judgment and/or some form of shame.
Both of these responses are a form of spiritual abuse. It is heartbreaking.
I don’t know your name, where you live, or your socio-economic status. I am not privy to the details of your hurts and wounds in life. However, I do know there is a God who calls you His beloved. Let that sink in for a moment. He calls you His own. It is a rare and matchless love that takes the time to pick up the shattered pieces of life, and then carefully put them back together again to create a masterpiece. It is our calling as His beloved children to reach out to those who need our help.
Terri and James Craft have written a moving autobiographical account of their comeback from the devastation of marital betrayal into a life free from the bondage of sexual compulsivity. The book is called Exposed: A Journey of Renewal and Hope, and I highly recommend it. Terri quotes a post from one of the social media. The young woman of God comments:
If we disregard the homeless, the strippers, the drug addicts, the alcoholics…the homosexuals, those addicted to pornography, the adulterers, the victims AND the offenders…we are disregarding the entire message God called us to give. Let’s get out of our comfort zones and spread His LOVE..to EVERYONE.
I am aware that those reading this will have varied responses, from provocation to anger or sadness to great compassion. The issue of pornography and sexual sin is a real and present danger to the precious people around you. It is a deadly web that sucks the life out of people—many who are innocent bystanders. I know it’s hard to hear, but we must put aside the judgment and shame surrounding these issues in the church. We are to encourage people that freedom is possible and not to give up hope!
Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be helping individuals and couples deeply wounded by pornography. There is so much brokenness that comes from the effects of abuse, addiction, deception, and betrayal. We must never lose sight that it is our calling to represent the life-changing power and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Sadly, if we do not combat this issue (by loving people like Jesus did), what is to come of the next generation? We cannot be naïve and think this issue is just going to go away. Technology is increasing exponentially around us. There are very few families that have not been impacted by this epidemic.
As the body of Christ, we have an opportunity to live out the kind of love and relationship for which Jesus died.
Can we be honest about the problem? More importantly, can we love people enough to provide a safe place for them to learn to walk in freedom? The harsh reality is that our silence on this issue and our shaming judgment make the youth—especially Christian youth—of our country very susceptible to this problem.
It’s time for us to wake up before more souls are destroyed. John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”