“I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Aren’t daily devotions like this one supposed to be encouraging? Why would I bring up pornography in a devotional? Because it’s the number on problem in the church today. Consider these tragic statistics from the Conquer Series:
- 68% of church-going men view pornography on a regular basis.
- 50% of pastors view porn regularly.
- Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search online for porn.
- 87% of Christian women have watched porn.
- 57% of pastors say porn addiction is the most damaging issue in their congregation.
- 69% of pastors say porn has adversely impacted the church.
Pornography is not only a problem in the world, it’s a serious problem in the Christian church. And in the age of the Internet, the availability of porn has skyrocketed. The number one online industry in the world is pornography.
Do you feel trapped by porn? Chances are, for many with a porn problem, porn has adversely affected their marriage and view of their spouse. Many victims want a spouse like what they see in pornography. Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%. 56% of American divorces involve one party having an “obsessive interest” in pornographic websites.
There is good news. You can beat a porn addiction. The catch is, few can do it alone. You need your pastor or a counselor to help keep you accountable. And you need good teaching and strategies in scripture to help you beat it. And you need confession.
If you are porn addicted, or even just look at it once in a while, instead of looking for porn, look online for ministries that can help you beat it, like the Conquer Series. You don’t have to be a bad statistic.
Memory Verse
“If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away” (Matthew 5:29). This verse is not to be taken literally, rather, it is a picture that whatever we struggle with we must tear from our lives and leave no room for its return.
Application
If you struggle in this area, commit to God that you will take whatever steps are necessary, right now, at this moment, to defeat this problem in your life. Then seek help and see what God will do.