Another repeated message of the college rally last weekend was that many college students are struggling with pornography addictions. In Randy Harris and Chris Seidman’s question and answer period many of the questions submitted were related to pornography. When fully grown pornography becomes an addiction that can be as powerful as crack cocaine. The behavioral reinforcements that come from the resulting neurotransmitters released upon viewing pornography largely mimic what is produced by drugs like crack.
The Danger of Addiction:
One of the best definitions of addiction I have ever heard is that non-addicts love people and use objects and addicts use people and love objects. Addiction is a distortion of reality and a reshuffling of priorities that results from feeding unhealthy patterns of behavior and the subsequent release of neurotransmitters that brings pleasure from the activity or substance. Like any other sin it is taking something God made for good, sex, and using it in a way it was not intended to be used. Sex is something to be shared in the context of marriage. When it is it is being used as it was intended good results. When it is used outside of marriage or when it is used inside of marriage in a way not intended (ie – with an image alone rather than with your spouse together) it produces deadly spiritual consequences. I believe it was James Dobson who gave the image of godly vs. ungodly sex and sexuality being like a fire in a house. When it is put in the fireplace in the living room, where it was intended to go, it brings light and warmth and goodness but when it is on the couch in the living room, it destroys the whole house. Sex inside the context of marriage is a beautiful thing but when it is abused it can be deadly.
Renewing a Healthy Sense of Sexuality:
We need to renew our sense of healthy sex and sexuality. Our young people have been surrounded by unhealthy images of what it means to be sexy and what the norms are of expressing that sexuality. Where has the voice of the church been on helping our young people get a healthy view of their sexuality? Many have been silent. Many have acted like it is yucky or a taboo subject that is “off limits.” So where do young people go for their information? They don’t have to look any further than the magazine rack at the checkout aisle or the television and movies that are readily accessible (not to mention the internet). We have to start talking about this with our young people in our homes AND churches from an early age. To keep silent is to passively allow a death sentence on our children. We have to renew in our families and churches a healthy sexuality and it needs to start with our men. We need to hear it in our Bible classes, small groups, and from the pulpit. But won’t someone get embarrassed? Of course they will but wouldn’t you rather someone get embarrassed than someone get addicted?
Shon Smith illustrated this situation being like a tourist who traveled to the Nile River. He saw all these people sunbathing on the shore and they were mangled, missing arms and legs. All of a sudden he saw how it had happened. A crocodile come out of the river and bit one of the sunbathers leaving them disfigured and mangled. But no one moved. No one seemed surprised. They just stayed right there and continued to be attacked by the crocodiles. He yelled, “Why don’t you move?!? Why do you just sit there and get devoured by the crocodiles…why doesn’t someone do something? Don’t you know this is killing you?” But they just sat there.
We need some people shouting about this. We need some people raising their voices about how devastating this can be. We need to be made aware of how prevalent this problem actually is – not over there somewhere but right there in your church, in your home, among your family and friends. And like I have said over and over again here, we need safe places to talk about these things where we can express who we really are and what we really struggle with and find accountability and love rather than judgment and wrath.
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Thanks for sharing that definition of addiction. I’m writing it down somewhere else so that I can remember it.
I grew up in West Virginia. As soon as the state legalized casino gambling, porn shops and strip clubs popped up everywhere. I was amazed at how silent the churches remained in the face of this onslaught. They did not act and have still not acted to be a force of redemption and kingdom-living in that area.
This may be one of the greatest dangers in the church and among Christians today. Yet, it’s the subject that the church is very silent about.
Let’s speak up!!!
Excellent thoughts Matt. Serendipity house has a series of small group discussion guides called PICKING UP THE PIECES. I used the “Stop the Madness” one for my addictions class. They also have one called The Silent Seductress – Pornography. I have it and it looks good. I am unsure about how to go about setting up a class / group … it is a sin that brings much shame and denial. Ideas?
THAT’S the stuff! š What a great illustration.
“Shawn” Smith? Are you talking about the Shon Smith we know that spoke at UCCC when we were back in Gainesville? If so, it’s S-h-o-n. FWIW, he’s the preaching minister now at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, AL. He’s a rising star in our fellowship, folks. Great communicator. And a good, strong leader, too.
What you are doing, Matthew, helps tackle the problem. Since a lot of us are ministers, speaking about this issue from our pulpits helps tackle this problem. Raising awareness is almost half the battle. People need to work through the initial taboo & shame of even broaching this subject. As leaders, we need to help move people through that threshold to a place where we can begin to heal wounds & strengthen people’s resistance against the Devil. The other key thing I think Matthew highlights is facilitating in creating safe places where people can process through this temptation, their past failings, & their upcoming struggles.
Folks, whether you realize it or not, this is a SCOURGE on our churches. Open your eyes to see the carnage, and then act accordingly.
Philip,
Thank you for your input on this. This is the challenge of the church in the coming years. Instrumental music is peanuts compared to how HUGE this issue is and the lives that are being wreaked by it. We need a plan on how we are going to deal with this. Let me mull that over for a while and maybe I will post something on that later. Thanks for the correction in spelling his name. I will change it in the post. God bless,
Matt
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I’m a member of church of Christ, I was baptized about a year ago and since the time of been born again, i have put my self into this ponographic condition. I want to come out of it so i need prayers.
Praying for you brother.