This is the second article in the series The Fight Against Porn series.
It’s quite possible this is your first time committing to purity. I’ll be the first to say, great job. It’s an overwhelming task to tackle the issue head on, but I want you to know that it’s worth it for you, your family, your spiritual life, and your missional effectiveness. But is porn really just about sex, or is it merely a physical manifestation of deeper issues? I think it’s something to be considered.
A classic example of a physical manifestation of a deeper issue is found in a hotly debated passage:
And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit (Eph 5:18 HCSB)
I’m not going to even touch the subject of drinking alcohol, but rather the subject of the heart. Deeper desires, if you will. The passage is talking less about alcohol and more about control. Don’t let wine control you, but rather let the Spirit control your actions. A similar evaluation of pornography can lead to a similar finding.
In January of last year, Hannah and I received some professional marriage counseling, and it was the best thing ever. During our sessions we really learned a ton about each other and about why we tend to do what we do in our relationship. Making the deeper connections was key to us changing and growing closer to one another.
The Deeper Issues
Some of the “deeper issues” listed below may seem like they have nothing to do with porn at all, but I’d encourage you to evaluate the circumstances around when you interact with porn, and see if anything in this list resonates with you personally.
Porn as a reward– Some use porn as a reward for a life accomplishment. It can be anything, big or small. Promotion at work, a great workout at the gym, or even just the feeling of paying a bill could incite in you a feeling that you deserve something. For some, it could be comfort food, for others (many?) it could be porn.
Porn as a way to relieve stress– It’s no secret that viewing porn is for an end goal of pleasure and satisfaction. Stressful situations can trigger a drive toward porn use as a negative outlet for your stress.
Porn as validation– Porn can also make you feel good when you’re feeling inadequate. Failing a test, missing a payment, or financial limitations preventing you from a higher standard of living could make you feel down. A large part of porn is fantasy. The actors don’t know your shortcomings, and they’re there to serve you.
Porn as a time-filler– Sometimes simply having nothing to do could be enough to drive you toward pornography. Rather than find a constructive way to serve the kingdom, you’ll find a sinful way to serve yourself.
This is just the beginning of the conversation. All year we will be blogging on pornography in the church, and I think a vital part of your recovery hinges on the identification of the deeper issues that drive you toward porn.
Will you commit some time to determine what triggers you to look at porn? Did you find any of these suggestions helpful? Can you think of any other factors that would drive someone to look at pornography?
[image via plastAnka modified by Jesse Gruber under Creative Commons]
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