Hooked on Internet Pornography
Mr. Timothy Snyder
He’s a respected member of the community, a successful businessman, a loving husband, and a devoted father. He’s a model citizen who hides a dark secret. In the dead of night, he goes to his den to work at the computer. There, behind closed doors, he feeds his addiction. This man is one of at least 200,000 Internet users who are hooked on Internet pornography.
The Bible warns about sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 6, verses 18 through 20:
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Internet pornography destroys careers, wrecks marriages, and ruins families. The most frightening aspect of all is it leads us away from our Savior. In fact, the object of the addiction, in this case, pornography, takes the place of God. It is a form of idolatry.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15,16)
Pornographic images trigger some very powerful neurochemicals in the brain, and a person can become addicted very quickly. No one is immune to it. Like any addiction, it takes away from other things in life and a person’s entire focus becomes sex.
Let’s look at Hebrews chapter 12, verses one and two, as a Scriptural one-two punch when it comes to fighting addiction:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
These five steps from Conquerors Through Christ can help with recovery and prevention:
- Get Real About the Wreckage
- Get Back to God’s Grace
- Get Rid of Porn
- Get Accountable to Others
- Get Ready for Battle
Internet pornography addiction is a matter of spiritual life and death. It’s a great comfort to know that Jesus paid for all sins, including sins of sexual immorality, when He sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s cross.
If you have a problem with pornography or know someone who does, get help by contacting Conquerors Through Christ.
