The Porn Storm

Porn is a problem. That's a FACT. In an article called The Porn Trap written by Wendy Maltz in this month's Therapy Today Journal, she sketches out a picture that is highly disturbing. This is no religious zealot from the George W. Bush School of Sex Education but "an internationally recognised psychotherapist, sex therapist and author of numerous books on sexuality." Ironically, her message is not dissimilar from the message taught and trumpeted by the Church: porn is wrong both morally, emotionally and mentally. Maltz makes some startling observations and I include a potted summary here...

-The US regards pornography addiction as "our newest and most challenging mental health problem".
-Worldwide annual porn and porn-related revenues are in excess of $100 billion.
-Porn is increasingly cited as a reason for divorce and relationship breakdown.
-"Over time, more of my clients experiencing the impact of porn in their lives began using words and phrases usually associated with hardcore drug addiction." (p.15)
-"I never wanted to be out beating the drum against pornography. In the beginning of my career [as a Sex Therapist], if anyone had suggested I'd be here now, I'd have laughed at them. But from my own clients, my research and my personal experience, I've come to the conclusion that pornography is moving from an individual and couples' problem to a public health problem, capable of deeply harming the emotional, sexual and relationship well being of millions of men, women and children." (p. 16 emphasis added)
-Research done in 2009 amongst 1000 13-16 year olds in the UK found they were spending an average of one hour and 40 minutes a week (87 hours a year) looking at porn.
-"Porn stimulates the reward and pleasure centres in the brain, instantly and dramatically increasing the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with both sexual arousal and drug highs." (p.17)
-Despite the legal and personal risks involved, 19% of all teenagers are 'sexting' one another i.e the act of sending and/or receiving sexually suggestive, nude or nearly nude photos through texts and/or emails.

Two years ago, we did a series of comprehensive teachings with our Young People called "The Sex Factor." Covering key topics relating to sex and sexuality we sought to give a biblical worldview of what God has to say on areas such as dating, pornography, being a virgin, Internet safety and so on. Theses sessions were recorded and placed on a special page on our website. It has had 874 hits since then and continue to be accessed by parents and teenagers alike.
http://www.bristolcommunitychurch.org/factor.asp

Porn is a real problem for Christians and non-Christians alike. It is poison to the soul and unless handled with firmness, zeal and wisdom it will consume you and displace Christ as the Lord of your life. There are some obvious practical strategies available to help people (mainly men) struggling in this area... for example Covenant Eyes Software, accountability partners, the Word of God and careful choices about what we look at and think about. Honest, caring and non-judgmental responses are needed from those who stand with people seeking to be free in this area. Personally, I do not have Internet access on my phone, nor do I have it at home. Although I have FreeSat, all the 'adult content' channels have been deleted. Internet access is through my Office computer ONLY which is monitored by Covenant Eyes with Pastor Neil as my Accountability Partner. Too many of us can compromise and 'flirt' with this sort of stuff. 1 Cor 6:18 says we should 'flee from sexual immorality'. Joseph simply RAN from Potiphar's wife when she tried to seduce him away from living the way God wanted him to; he did not stay and pray!

Today the world is finding out what God has already made clear through His Word for centuries. We have the answer to this problem: Jesus.