Part 1: It’s Not That Big of a Deal
Porn is almost always shrouded in lies and secrecy. As followers of Jesus, this should not be a surprise. Nevertheless, the darkness that shrouds this epidemic leads to lie after lie. And all too often, Christians buy into at least one of them. Though there are numerous deceptions deployed by the enemy and reinforced by our own flesh, a few seem to consistently trip up believers, keeping them from true freedom.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll unpack four lies many Christians believe about pornography. Many people who struggle with the desire to quit porn addiction often view relapse as a sudden event that just happens out of nowhere. But the reality is, a relapse is a process that becomes predictable as you grow in your emotional awareness.
The Lie: It’s Not Really Such a Big Deal
This lie is incredibly common, and it’s no wonder why: if the enemy can convince us that our struggle isn’t really that big of a deal, then there’s nothing to address or “quit” in the first place. This lie is attractive because it helps us rationalize the double life we have been living.
How simple. How crafty.
But, this notion that downplays the significance of porn addiction is a farce. Though many believers buy into this lie for a while, a significant portion discover the fallacy sooner or later. The enemy’s promise of clarity ends in confusion. Thoughts like, “if this isn’t such a big deal, why do I still feel so guilty or ashamed?” come to the surface.
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11)
Lust and Porn Wage War
Of all the metaphors God could use in his word about how fleshly lust, like pornography, impacts a person, He uses warfare imagery. And in this verse He says it ‘wages war’ against the deepest part of who we are. Dr. Samuel Perry, an award-winning scholar and teacher, authored Addicted to Lust (Oxford, 2019). His research is an illustration of the truth of the verse. It revealed that pornography shapes the lives of Christians in ways that are uniquely damaging to their mental health, spiritual lives, and intimate relationships.
Porn Use and Religious Doubt Go Hand in Hand
His work demonstrates how those who use pornography are often overwhelmed with shame and discouragement, sometimes to the point of depression or withdrawal from faith altogether. Perry’s research concluded, “any porn use… is associated with declines in religious commitment and behavior (ie. attending services, prayer, etc.) and an increase in religious doubts.” If you ever wanted an example of how porn wages war against the soul, here it is.
Porn is pulling followers of Christ away from God all the time. We can repeat the lie, “it’s not a big deal,” but this lie keeps us stuck and it is costing us much more than we know.
The Lie Keeps You Stuck
Maybe you admit, “OK, porn is bad.” But realize this: the lie can morph into “…but I don’t have a problem with it.” This lie is keeping you stuck from the life and walk God has for you. Think about how porn undercuts the goal of the apostle Paul’s teaching.
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.(1 Timothy 1:5)
Porn wages war against a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith undermining a person’s love for God and others.
The Freedom Fight is Here For You
Do you find yourself questioning whether porn is, in fact, a problem? Are you confused and don’t know where to go for a safe space? If you’re at the end of your rope, and you just need support, The Freedom Fight is here for you. Take advantage of the many free resources available on our website.
Remember, you’re not alone. You’re in good company. Many believers are finding freedom from porn and other sexual sin here. They are learning to walk in the light and in the process they begin to notice how they have been held back from the life God has for them by this simple lie: It’s not a big deal. Walk in the truth and it will set you free.
