Porn.
In American culture, this four letter word elicits wildly diverse reactions – from sheepish looks and smirks and comments like “it’s a victimless crime,” to ideological arguments that pornography is actually body-positive and empowering for females, to sober warnings about the effects of consuming pornography (and there are all kinds of studies that show that porn is highly addictive, decreases sexual satisfaction with actual humans, harms relationships and leads to depression and anxiety). About these warnings, medical professionals are increasingly in accord. Dr. Mary Anne Layden, Director of Education at the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania:
“I have seen in my clinical experience that pornography damages the sexual performance of the viewers . . . Having spent so much time in unnatural sexual experiences with cyberspace, they seem to find it difficult to have sex with a real human being . . .”
In the church, the word is about as seldom-used as other off-color four letter words (at least while we’re in church). It is universally recognized as bad, but rarely discussed and often hidden. Clearly the teachings of Scripture forbid the practice of consuming pornography. But it is also clear that in secret, many churchgoers consume porn (a recent Barna poll stated that 65% of men and 15% of women within the church admitted to consuming porn once a month). They hide it. They feel terrible about it. They may be addicted to it. But it is an increasingly pernicious and gripping struggle.
The Christian life is messy because we are messy and need constant help. The world is a dark place where evil and wickedness still hold sway over many corners of the world.
I read an article this week that sickened me. It detailed the connection between the “product” and the trafficking and abuse of women. It is increasingly apparent that in many situations, women are raped and abused in front of the camera, the contents of which are then uploaded for public consumption. This week, a story broke about Pornhub, the most prolific porn site in the world (42 billion visits, 6 million videos uploaded per year!). A 15-year-old girl was abducted, raped and abused, and 58 videos of her were uploaded to the site (which ironically led to her being found). Laila Mickelwait, director of Exodus Cry, is fighting the pornographers by exposing these unjust and heartbreaking realities. She initiated a petition that has now gathered over 300,000 signatures calling for the shut-down of Pornhub. Pray that it is successful.
There are few more important matters in our church than the ongoing support of healthy Christian marriages and safe family environments where Christian discipleship is taught and modeled. Mountains of evidence suggest that pornography undermines all of this. But there is grace for those who struggle. Lust and addiction are terrible foes, but the cross of Jesus Christ has overcome our sin and can overcome any addiction we fight against. There is no one who is beyond grace, forgiveness and help. If you are struggling with pornography, the worst thing you can do is hide it. Sin and shame grow in silence and secrecy. It is only by bringing your struggle to light that the Holy Spirit and gracious Christian accountability can overcome it.
The Christian life is messy because we are messy and need constant help. The world is a dark place where evil and wickedness still hold sway over many corners of the world. Let us be vigilant where we are called to fight against injustices like the ones described above, courageous in confronting our own sin knowing that God is gracious, and prayerful that our great God will rescue vulnerable girls and women who are victims of sex trafficking.
Pastor David