THE PRIVATE SIN
Posted by Boe | August 3, 2009
The private and hidden sin that is causing America to erode from the inside out, and growing at an alarming rate, in spite of the economic times we live in, is pornography. As a corporate chaplain to many companies in Oklahoma City and beyond, I am witnessing one of the most devastating and damaging acts to marriages, self-esteem, finances and family relationships.
The onslaught of pornography in the lives of our families, businesses, entertainment, and yes even in our churches is causing my spirit to grieve with heaviness. I have realized for quite some time that pornography was an evil and growing menace in our society, but until I recently began doing some research on the topic, I was not aware of the size and scope of the issue.
It is time for the people in America to wake up and take action on this very damaging evil in our nation. The statistics are telling me that $3075.64 is being spent on porn in America every SECOND! Every 39 minutes another pornographic video is created in the United States. World wide revenues from pornography have topped over $100 billion dollars annually. In the United States alone, Americans are spending in excess of $13.3 billion dollars in the midst of the worst recession most of us have ever seen. My own city, Oklahoma City, now ranks in the TOP 10 cities for “adult search requests” over the internet, right in the buckle of the Bible belt. This single statistic is probably what saddens me the most.
In the offices of corporate America, 20% of men and 13% of business women confess to using porn at work, placing their careers, reputations, finances and families at risk because of their addictive behavior. There are over 40 million adults who regularly (multiple times weekly) visit porn sites. 47% of Christians who were polled, say that pornography is a major problem inside of their families. Promise Keepers were polled and 53% of men polled, had visited a porn site within one week of the survey.
The numbers are staggering the deeper I looked into the statistics. The average age of the first exposure to pornography is age eleven. ELEVEN YEARS OLD! The seeds of lust, selfishness and desire are planted in the hearts of our youngest children. For many, it began as they found one the magazines their fathers were hiding in their bedroom or closet. The seed began to grow and take root in the hearts of our teenage boys.
Their warped sense of love and desire begins to produce evil fruit before they graduate from middle and high school. They have no right perspective for treating young ladies with dignity and respect as they enter the dating years. Their obsession has progressed beyond the magazines and pictures, now they are into videos and live strip clubs to satisfy the unquenchable lust for more erotica. They naturally compare what they have been feeding their minds and spirits for years, with the young ladies who now desires some level of relationship with them.
These young men grow up into adults and carry their hidden sin with them as they begin their family. By now it is out of control and they have no idea how to stop this monster that rages within them. They have probably discovered by now that the addiction has control over them, and most are at a loss as to what to do or where to go, so they are copping the best they know how. Eventually, they will be found out…but at what cost? Will the addiction cost them their job, marriage, family, friends, or even their lives?
Romans 12:2-3 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We must renew our minds with the word of God. Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” More than anything, remember that James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Seek the help of your pastor, friend, or counselor—but seek help, and overcome this powerful addiction. Luke 1:37 states, “Nothing is impossible with God.” We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and we too can overcome the evil one, because, “Greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4) Seek help today! You may contact me privately if you desire at boeparrish.1@gmail.com and I will be happy to help you and pray for you!!
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3 Responses to “THE PRIVATE SIN”
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This is SOOOO true! I have prayed and hoped for years that there could be developed and required a .XXX domain law. I’m a huge believer in free speech but there is such a wave of pornography targeted innocently at all age groups through casual searches on the net that many simply cannot avoid them fully. A ‘porn.XXX’ domain would so help in the blocking of illicit sites but still uphold the coveted free speech.
Freedom from sexual addiction is there if it’s wanted. The BEST book available for real practical help to both individuals and Churches is “Pure Desire” by Ted Roberts printed in 2008. Also, if the nouse is becoming too, too tight any Celebrate Recovery.com chapter can help you put down and walk away from any number of hurts, hang-ups, habits or even full blown addictions out there. We are not designed to endure recovery, real recovery, alone. Find a group. It’ll be the best thing you ever did!
My favorite verse on Freedom is Galatians 5:1….”For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand Just therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
This is the single most powerful blog I have ever read.
Boe - I can personally attest to the devastation of porn on a family. After 5 years of struggling and all types of counseling (Christian and secular), this addiction ended my marriage. My husband would not make himself accountable and in the end, chose his addiction over me and our children. I am thankful that there are Godly men that are recognizing this powerful addiction and speaking out!!! I understand firsthand the guilt and shame that accompanies this behavior and I pray that he, as well as others, will seek the help they need to overcome this addiction. Bless you and your ministry to others! Sincerely, Michele Blackwell