Pornography is a serious problem, according to various studies. One study I read indicated that in the United States, $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography every second. Every second there are 28,258 Internet users viewing pornography as well as 372 Internet users typing adult search terms into search engines. Even more troubling is the fact that every thirty-nine minutes a new pornographic video is being created.

Let’s be clear. People who either consume or participate in pornography can totally be redeemed by the gospel. I think we need to be careful not to mention the above statistics in a way that makes it sound like those who are involved in pornography are unredeemable. That’s simply not true. Jesus loves people who are addicted to porn and Jesus loves people who are participating in the porn industry.

What many people think is “innocent fun” is actually extremely harmful. In fact, you do not need to be a Christian to see pornography as destructive.

Dr. Victor Cline suggests that there is a four step progression for people who continue to use pornography. It is as follows:

1. Addiction: Pornography provides a powerful sexual stimulant or aphrodisiac effect, followed by sexual release, most often through masturbation.
2. Escalation: Over time addicts require more explicit and deviant material to meet their sexual “needs.”
3. Desensitization: What was first perceived as gross, shocking and disturbing, in time becomes common and acceptable.
4. Acting out sexually: There is an increasing tendency to act out behaviors viewed in pornography.

I think what this indicates is that, like many other issues, pornography has a tendency to begin to control and consume the person who is involved in it. Or, as C. S. Lewis said,

“Idols always break the heart of their worshipers.”

As I’ve been reflecting on the program of pornography and thinking about the way that many churches seem to kind of ignore it, I’ve been asking myself just how I can serve and help the people I pastor to overcome this addiction. Many ideas going on in my head. I think I’ll blog on them later… for now I want to just kind of reflect on this four-step progression that is controlling soooooooo many people.

Luke Geraty

Luke is a pastor-theologian living in northern California, serving as a co-lead pastor with his life, Dawn, at the Red Bluff Vineyard. Father of five amazing kids, when Luke isn’t hanging with his family, reading or writing theology, he moonlights as a fly fishing guide for Confluence Outfitters. He blogs regularly at LukeGeraty.com and regularly contributes to his YouTube channel.

www.lukegeraty.com