What God Says About Pornography
My name is John, and I was saved by God’s immeasurable grace at the age of 42. Before surrendering my life to Jesus, I was a self-righteous man living in denial of my sin — until one Sunday, when I found myself in my bedroom, on my knees, weeping, and praying, “Jesus, if you’re real, forgive me and take this sin from me.” As it turns out, He is real, and He saved me from a life of sexual shame and guilt.
For nearly three decades before my salvation, pornography and fantasizing about women (including those other than my wife) had been a constant vice. I had rationalized it to myself, thinking, “I’m not hurting anyone.” However, the burden of inner shame and guilt from my secret life was weighing me down.
I sought solace in heavy drinking, and I would consume alcohol and pornography almost every night after my wife and young daughters had gone to bed. My anxiety and stress levels skyrocketed, reaching a point where I ended up spending a night in the hospital, convinced I was having a heart attack. Little did I know, my hardened heart required healing — to rescue me from the path of destruction I was on. Though I failed to recognize it then, the Holy Spirit was faithfully fulfilling His role, convicting me of my sin (John 16:8).
By the grace of God, He intervened in my life, lifting the scales from my eyes and ushering me into a transformative experience that Sunday in 2012. Although my ongoing journey of sanctification in Christ hasn’t always been easy, His divine intervention marked the beginning of a new creation within me, through which the Lord has taught me much.
Let me be direct: pornography is a sinister and wicked industry. Amid the various epidemics plaguing our culture, pornography stands as a pervasive and destructive force that the Church must confront head-on. Our society is engulfed in a hyper-sexualized culture, resulting in disastrous outcomes.
Unfortunately, sometimes, Christians can be hesitant to address these issues. Following my salvation, when I needed discipleship most, I discovered that few people were equipped or willing to be a restorative ally in my ongoing struggle with lust. Early on, there were days I questioned my salvation. I felt alone. As a friend recently said to me, “Christians struggling with sexual immorality face both cultural and church-related taboos against addressing it [publicly]. Satan has us right where he wants us — isolated, silent, discouraged, and ultimately in failure.”
We can’t ignore the interconnected nature of loneliness, depression, STDs, divorce, abortion, gender confusion, and human trafficking — all of which share common threads with sexual immorality. Porneia, defined as any sexual intercourse between a man and a woman outside of marriage (including sensuality), ultimately results in the devastation of image-bearers everywhere.
We can no longer afford to evade this issue or make excuses. We need to equip ourselves with the armor of God (Ephesians 6), take a firm stand, and guide our brothers and sisters toward healing and restoration in Christ.
If You Know Someone Struggling with Lust
So, how do we walk alongside brothers and sisters who struggle with lust? 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 compels us to meet men and women where they are and seek to understand — not affirm — their struggles. We’re called to be allies, sharing their burdens and assisting in their healing with gentleness (Galatians 6:1–2). Additionally, we must embrace the practice of confessing our sins to one another while offering prayers for one another (James 5:16). This step is crucial in fostering a supportive and compassionate community.
If You Struggle with Lust
Overcoming temptation requires personal effort, unwavering commitment, and the loving support of people that we trust. Men, consider opening up to your pastor or finding a solid group of brothers. Women, seek out trusted sisters. If your church has a men’s or a women’s ministry, talk to the leaders there about your struggles. Many people feel isolated in their battles with lust, and your story could offer hope. Trust that God will be with you as you seek out avenues for healing.
It’s important that your journey begins with the daily prioritization of seeking the Lord in His Word. As you pursue restoration, make sure to engage unceasingly in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and seek the renewal of your mind so that “you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
In his epistle to the church in Philippi, Paul urges believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). He says this not to communicate that we can work for our salvation, but rather that we should work out the implications of our salvation in our daily lives. Our salvation is received solely through Christ, and we are called to respond to His grace by seeking Him earnestly and striving for holiness. Ultimately, it is in Christ that we discover the strength to persevere.
Written by John Irvine
Published by Woodside Bible Church, www.woodsidebible.org
