The Problem With Porn

“Everybody’s doing it.” Well, not exactly, but most people are doing it. Popular author and speaker Josh McDowell has said, “Pornography is the greatest threat to the cause of Christ in the history of the church.” Let’s unpack that by addressing three questions about pornography.

How Bad is the Problem?

With every new study, we learn that porn usage is growing exponentially. Virtually every church, family, and individual has been impacted by the clutch of porn. From numerous research projects, we know the following:

• 64% of American men look at porn each week.
• 62% of Christian men look at porn each week.
• 37% of pastors view porn regularly.
• The average age of first porn use is 11.
• 40% of porn addicts under 30 are women.
• Porn is a $12 billion annual industry in the U.S.
• Child porn is a $3 billion industry in the U.S.
• 90% of those ages 8-16 have viewed internet porn.
• There are 4.2 million porn websites.
• 95% of Christian men have viewed online porn.
• 78% of Christian men view porn multiple times each year.

What’s Wrong with Porn?

Modern American culture has embraced pornography as the new norm. But the Body of Christ is guided by a Higher Power and by God’s Word. Scripture clearly shows us that God has created expressions of sex to be fulfilled within the sacred bond of marriage. No one would argue that the Bible says anything less. Still, as a purely practical matter, what is wrong with pornography? The answers are numerous:

• Pornography feeds sex trafficking.
• Pornography normalizes violence against women and often portrays them as being desirous of these violent acts.
• Porn exploits children; many “adult” porn businesses also traffic in child pornography.
• Porn leads to unrealistic and unhealthy sexual expectations and dissatisfaction within otherwise normal relationships and marriages.
• Porn promotes selfish pleasure ahead of selfless expressions of love.
• The use of pornography objectifies people and reduces them to a collection of body parts for the purpose of personal gratification.
• Porn has become a hunting ground for sexual predators.
• Porn leads to shame, anxiety, and isolation.
• Porn is highly addictive and progressive.
• Frequent use of porn often causes erectile dysfunction.
• Porn rewires the brain and leads to impaired decision-making.

What’s the Way Out?

Young adults and students are especially susceptible to pornography for two reasons. First, they live on the internet and troll social media with alarming frequency. Second, they are still exploring and defining sexuality for themselves. For students, the prefrontal cortex of their brains is not fully developed; this is the part of the brain that facilitates reasoning and logic. When fully developed, it serves as a brake system to control impulses.

The psalmist prayed, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things” (Psalm 119:37). And Job committed, “I made a covenant with my eyes to not look lustfully at a woman” (Job 31:1). We overcome the allure of temptation by “taking captive every thought” (2 Corinthians 2:5). But you don’t have to fight this battle alone! When you recognize you have been lured in by this sin, look to God to give you strength and look to others to provide you support as you turn to the freedom and victory that Christ offers.

Next Steps to Find Freedom

1. Get honest and tell someone you trust.
2. Get in the Fellowship Church community.
3. Join a 12-step program or start Christian counseling.