Thanks for posting these stats about the porn industry. It is such a growing problem, even in the church.

I work for a ministry called Covenant Eyes (based on Job 31:1). We help people overcome the temptations and addictions surrounding Internet pornography. We do so with our “accountability software” we’ve developed. Tens of thousands of people use our software: it helps them find accountability for their Internet use and helps people bring their sins into the light.

We really want to help Christians who struggle in this area. If you’re interested in hearing more about Covenant Eyes and how you can use your widely read blog to help change people’s lives in this area, pleas let me know.

Thanks again for writing about this important subject. Keep blogging!

Luke Gilkerson
Internet Community Manager
luke.gilkerson@covenanteyes.com
http://www.CovenantEyes.com

I hope you check back here and read this. Hang in there. Seek help from a friend, elder or counselor. Someone that can hold you accountable. I know how hard it is to be a preacher’s kid… so much is expected of you.

Please visit the links on the post. And stop by http://www.xxxchurch.com

Sexuality is a healthy part of who we are and not something shameful. On the other extreme from severe prudishness is pornography and I think everyone has commented a lot on how it can destroy people’s lives. Both extremes seem to me to be rooted outside of truth and God.

Both involve shame and shame is far from grace. I think if people really had a healthy view of themselves and the sexual part of themselves that neither a fear of sexuality or pornography could find a place to perch.

I know a lot of damage can be done to kids when sexuality is treated as if it is dirty – perhaps not as great of a damage as the other extreme – but still not God’s best.

The question seems to be: How do we as Christians find that gray area of neither extreme, where ones sexuality is not feared or shunned or is something shameful to have but it neither is it something to flaunt in a manner that would damage yourself or someone else.

What do you think?

Sexuality is a healthy part of who we are and not something shameful. On the other extreme from severe prudishness is pornography and I think everyone has commented a lot on how it can destroy people’s lives. Both extremes seem to me to be rooted outside of truth and God.

Both involve shame and shame is far from grace. I think if people really had a healthy view of themselves and the sexual part of themselves that neither a fear of sexuality or pornography could find a place to perch.

I know a lot of damage can be done to kids when sexuality is treated as if it is dirty – perhaps not as great of a damage as the other extreme – but still not God’s best.

The question seems to be: How do we as Christians find that gray area of neither extreme, where ones sexuality is not feared or shunned or is something shameful to have but it neither is it something to flaunt in a manner that would damage yourself or someone else.

What do you think?

We don’t get the magazines either … We don’t need them in the house with me or with 4 boys. We don’t watch rated R movies, but we still have our struggles. It’s everywhere. You can find sexuality at every corner, every store, and every channel.

As I’ve said before, I think it goes back to accountability. Finding someone that will hold us accountable. Someone that will ask the tough questions.

And, yes, it is a matter of life and death.

Blessings … brother

another part of the problem is our definitions of “grace” and “legalism”. Some think that sanctification should be easy, and getting rid of cable, or getting an internet filter is extreme and unnecessary, and legalistic. It’s not in many cases, if we would be honest.

I always say a pray when I pass those isolated porn stores on the interstate, for me and those who are inside.

For many, it is not legalism, but life or death.

thanks for the great post

Blessings

http://www.ultimateescape.org/home.htm

Paula & John … thanks for the links and the added information on the subject. I think we’ve all found that it touches a need that MUST be addressed.

Great Job,
Bobby

http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=242

Sadly, Satan will stop at nothing.

I almost sound like a broken record at times mentioning the negative messages coming from the tv, movies, radio etc. in sermons and classes. I was raised in a different time. Girls did not swim with boys and shorts were long etc. But then came the revolution. I remember my great aunt talking about swimming pools and talking against mixed bathing. It was a time of legalism in many courts.

We moved from legalism to freedom and gace as churches. I think we took in too much culture into the church, or our faith in the process. How do we stress holiness?

Accountability is a good thing but there are several parts to that. I have taught Kathy how to erase temporary files to free up memory space. You can erase the history the same way. There are software to help with that.

But let’s talk about where the rubber meets the road in small town america. Wade is right. If I share an experience (such as the site that came up when I was looking for a black and Decker part number … saw)with a member of my congregation what will they say. The two that I shared that with remarked in different ways but neither was supportive. One smarted off and the other was curious. Like I said, sometimes I feel like a broken record. Nobody wants to hear me talk about blushing.

That is really part of the problem. We have lost the ability to blush. That was the problem in Jeremiah’s day and looked what happened.

May we blush, may we be genuine Chrisitans, and may we grow in grace & in His image.

James

“pray for me and I’ll pray for you”

Thanks so much for this post. It is so needed. I believe that the only way to really resist temptation is to be held accountable by a fellow believer.

It has to be someone you trust. While pornography is a huge problem in the church it remains, in many circles, the unforgiveable sin. I think this holds some guys back from getting the help they need.

Messianic Gentile, I salute you. I appreciate your candor and you summarized everything so well.

I salute you too John, for what you said.

Recently I was working on a “lesson in pictures” for some kids at church. I going to tell the story of the sower sowing his seed among the weed, rocks and good soil. I thought the pictures would be helpful. So I sat down one afternoon to look for pictures on Yahoo. Myy wife and my 10 year old son and one of his friends were going to help me. We typed in the word “garden” and got a good picture of soil and then looking a picture of weeding your garden I typed in the word “hoe.” I didn’t get what I was looking for. As we were all huddled around the computer I got something I WASN’T looking for.

May I just say that the word “hoe” has changed since I was a kid. I’m obviously getting old because last time I checked a hoe was a wooden handled instrument that you weeded your garden with.

I guess we all learn to be careful one way or another.

Messianic Gentile…thank you for your powerful testimony, your startling vulnerability, and your gentle willingness to serve others in this way. I admire you.

Everyone who has owned a computer for any time at all has been tempted, has fallen, has been forcefed images they did not want, or has cried after looking at things that they looked for and that brought shame.

Our world is full of broken people, and so are our churches … hanging on to Jesus is the answer. Important subject.