Facing the
Pornography
Epidemic
in the Church
Breaking
The
Silence
Do not participate in
the unfruitful deeds of
darkness, but instead
even expose them; for
it is disgraceful even
to speak of the things
which are done by
them in secret.
Ephesians 5:11
“The secret sin is an addictive disease that has
existed since the beginning of time, yet for
centuries it has been misnamed, mistreated,
ignored, or completely undiagnosed. Even though
it has killed, humiliated, and wounded countless
people, some still believe it doesn’t exist. Those
who suffer from sexual addiction have been
laughed at, scorned, and persecuted. Too
consumed by shame to ask for help, they have
been confined to lives of loneliness and isolation.
Only recently have we recognized the secret sin
as a disease and offered treatment to its
sufferers.”
(Laaser, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction, 15)
How Extensive is the Problem?
• 2/3 of men view pornography
• 3 of 10 women view pornography
• 10% of Christian population is sexually addicted
in some form.
• 40% of clergy surveyed confessed to viewing
porn.
• 47% of families said porn was a problem in their
home (Focus on the Family Poll, 2003)
• In 2 of 3 divorces, the internet was a significant
factor (American Academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers, 2003)
How Extensive is the Problem?
• 9 of 10 children between 8 and 16 have viewed
pornography on the net (London School of
Economics, 2002)
• First internet exposure to pornography: 11 years
old (Internet Filter Review)
• Largest consumer of internet pornography: 1217 (2007)
• Youth with significant exposure to sexuality in
the media were shown to be significantly more
likely to have had intercourse at ages 14 to 16
(Report in Pediatrics, 2006)
PSYCHOSOCIAL
WARNING SIGNS:
Isolation
Rejection
Anxiety
“And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at
the door; and its desire is for you, but you must
master it.” -- Genesis 4:7
My
Story
II Samuel 13 – Amnon and Tamar
• Amnon became physically ill thinking about her
– Fantasy/Preoccupation
• He devised a plan – Ritualization
• He raped her – Acting Out
• He hated her and threw her out – Shame
• Tamar was denied the right to talk and grew
bitter
• Absalom let it fester to the point of killing his own
brother
• David became and enabler because he loved
Amnon “too much to punish him”
Or do you not know that the unrighteous
will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do
not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate,
nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the
covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
Such were some of you; but you were
washed, but you were sanctified, but you
were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Love them
where they are….
Love them too much
to leave them there.
Treatment Facilities
Support Groups
Personal Therapy
Couples Therapy
Spiritual Discipline
Killen Church of Christ
6:30pm
Every Thursday
Large and Small Group
Formats