There is an ongoing and silent epidemic happening right now in America, and the statistics are saddening and heart-breaking at best. With ever-changing and evolving technology, continual social media platforms with minimal restrictions, and the emergence of smartphones, tablets, and laptops, pornography is now more accessible than ever and continues to grow at an exponential and alarming rate. Quite possibly, the most concerning phenomenon is that more than 50% of Christians view pornography on a regular basis, with some claiming there is no problem in doing so.
What are the Statistics?
While the statistics are still emerging and the data varies a bit, the consensus is the same - the use and addiction to pornography are extremely high! According to Pure Desire Ministries, 61% of Americans view pornography on a regular basis. 84% of those do not receive any support, help, or counsel because 44% believe porn isn’t affecting their daily lives.
The stats for Christians may be even more concerning. Mission Frontiers, who have partnered with Barna Group and Covenant Eyes, share that 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search for porn.
Furthermore, 47% of families in the United States reported that pornography is a problem in their home, causing marital infidelity to spike to more than 300%! If that isn’t already truly discouraging, the average age for a child to be exposed to porn or explicit images is at the age of 11, and by the age of 14, 94% of children or teens have been exposed to pornography in some way.
Is Pornography a Sin?
Simple answer: yes! We are told to place our thoughts on what is good, honorable, just, and right (Philippians 4:8). 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 also tells us to flee from all sexual immortality because our body is holy and sacred to God. We must be aware of what triggers us as we all have our own personal desires and ways our flesh is torn and pulled towards certain sinful behaviors (James 1:14-15).
Bending to the lie of pornography causes us to misrepresent our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), leading to devastating and lasting mental and emotional damage. God does not want this for us, as His plans are greater than the struggles of our flesh (Jeremiah 29:11).
Not only that but viewing porn has proven to cause dire consequences on our relationships, especially in the sacred union of marriage. In Matthew 19:6, Jesus shares how He values the sanctity of marriage and the importance of keeping it sexually pure.
Come Across Vs. Seek Out
If pornography is a sin, is there a difference between coming across it versus seeking it out? Yes, there is. It is all about motive. Sadly, more and more pop-up ads, commercials, search engines, texts, and careless images are infiltrating our screens, targeting even the youngest of viewers. This causes a ripple effect as it distorts their view of the human body while also programming ideologies about their sexuality and marriage that are not Biblical.
So, while children, or adults for that matter, come across these images, while this alone is not sinful, it can leave destruction in its wake. Yet, unfortunately, due to its addictive nature, many are now actively seeking out on a regular basis. This is where the motive changes and becomes sinful, and in some cases, such as with minors, is deemed unlawful.
“A continual stream of pornography has been shown to lead to excess dopamine consumption, which makes one crave more and more and more. Slowly, you will have to push your limits to get the same level of excitement. So, you will need to watch more porn or more extreme porn. This cycle affects your brain, as is seen in all types of addiction” (Biblword).
The Link to Human Sex-Trafficking
It’s clear that we are living in times where our sexuality has become the target of the enemy. Rather than viewing our gender and sexuality as a beautiful gift from God, aiming to keep our marriage bed pure and dressing modestly out of respect for ourselves, the escalating rates of porn consumption has led to a growing trend of lust and human trafficking.
“Often, pornography is produced and distributed at the expense of individuals, against their will. This is human trafficking. Both adults and children are victims here. When minors are involved in commercial sexual activity, this is always classified as human trafficking. With adults, it’s more difficult to differentiate consent versus coercion, but there is a lot of deception, pressure, and threats going on there as well.” (Biblword).
We Must Remain Hopeful
This news and these statistics can leave anyone feeling utterly helpless and hopeless, wondering how we protect our children, marriages, and churches. It may even have you asking, “Where do we go from here?”
Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. We must fight to protect the sanctity of our marriages and the innocence of our children. It starts with conversations about what is moral and what is immoral. What lines up with God’s Word, and what doesn’t?
We must start by speaking the truth over our families and placing boundaries on their use of technology to the best of our ability. That said, knowing that this can be overwhelming and all-consuming as technology continues to change and morph in unprecedented ways, we must also acknowledge our desperate need for a safety net when we, ourselves, or someone we deeply love, have fallen victim to this sinful pornography trap.
This is where our pastors and church leaders must stand up and answer the call to address this issue. We need to be in fervent prayer over our churches, all the leaders, and the body of believers as we all face the harsh realities and staggering statistics that are emerging from the pornography addiction crisis. May we be a mighty army that resists these schemes of the enemy and strive to live in accordance with God’s will.
Jesus is our hope!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Photo Credit: ©Philipp Katzenberger/Unsplash
Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.