Many churches avoid discussing pornography although more than half of Americans admit they watch it. An estimated 91 percent of men and 60 percent of women nationwide consume porn at varying degrees of regularity, and countless studies have revealed just how damaging it can be. While the numbers are lower for those in involved regularly in their church, polls have found it remains a problem.
Not only can porn consumption significantly erode its consumers’ body confidence and self-esteem, it often leads to the normalization of accepting and perpetrating sexually abusive behaviors and perpetuates sex trafficking, because, among other reasons, it’s virtually impossible to verify age and consent in pornographic content. Various surveys have even noted how deeply the issue of pornography has permeated the church.
READ: How porn and trafficking are linked
“Let’s talk about your pornographic addiction,” Christian author Nick Vujicic says. “When was the last time you actually saw pornography? It’s scientifically proven that, when you’re pornographically addicted, it rewires your brain. We are getting rewired. We are supposed to be renewed in our mind. So what happens is we get comfortable and we get lazy and we just look for coping mechanisms to feel OK. Just because you feel OK this week doesn’t mean anything.”
He encouraged those living in sexual sin to flee from complacency in their disobedience to God’s word by instead actively repenting of it, seeking forgiveness from the Lord and changing their behavior.
“We need to get real,” Vujicic, who was born without limbs, said. “There’s healing and there’s power. If you’re addicted and you’re going through something and there’s something, you need to now confess that sin. The Holy Spirit’s now convicted you. Say, ‘Jesus, I’m a sinner. Forgive me. Change me. Give me courage to talk to somebody. I can’t do this on my own. Devil, get behind me in Jesus’ name. I am the Lord’s. Help me to walk away from sin and help me, God, to push into you, abide in you, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.’”
Vujicic was recently interviewed on Israeli media during a visit in May.
Follow Nick on Facebook HERE.
