As we walk to work, do our shopping, or jog through a park, we can’t help but notice people from all walks of life. Some suffer in a visible way while others suffer silently, their suffering unnoticed by passersby.

Pornography addiction has frequently been called a man’s problem, but recent studies show that women are also being sucked into this demonic vacuum of bondage and deception.

Statistics show one in every six women, including Christians, are addicted to pornography. They succumb to the lie that they can find love and sexual fulfillment through the Internet via chat rooms and other ungodly sites.

Statistics also show that approximately 80 percent of women take their addiction offline. Their Internet extravaganza eventually becomes a reality which only leads to heartache and sin.

One does not have to travel very far in order to see images of all types whether on the Internet, looking through a magazine, browsing the literature rack at a store or driving down a street. The images are everywhere.

I was looking through a popular retailers catalog to view their clothing section the other day and it was almost X-rated. There is absolutely no need to show a seductive picture of a half dressed women in order to sell a pair of jeans. The enemy is using every subtle attack he can think of to arouse our soul realm to sinful pleasures. The spirit of lust runs rampant through the USA as well as overseas. What was once labeled as “unheard of” is now being heard very loud and clear.

More Statistics:
70% of porn sites on the Internet offer free pictures.
25 million people visit porn sites on the Internet every week
74% of all revenue collected online comes from porn sites
31% of all online users have visited porn sites
60% of all website visits are sexual in nature

What happens to the images that we see with our human eyes? Psychologists believe that the sexual images we see can actually be burned into our minds. The hormone epinephrine is released in the brain when a person is emotionally aroused. This causes a chemical reaction that actually burns the picture permanently into your memory.

People try to get free from the addiction through various means, but the only way to get truly free is through the blood of Jesus. Once addicted, there is no way out. Many are too ashamed to talk about it to friends or church leaders. Many church leaders themselves have the same problem.

Pornography causes women to be looked upon and treated as nothing but sex objects instead of human beings. The greater the torture, the greater the enjoyment for the porn addict. I believe this is an abomination in the eyes of Almighty God.

How is it that people can actually do things? Why do they do it when they know it’s wrong?

There are many questions and many different answers. I believe the bottom line is this, pornography is a cheap substitute for what people are really seeking, intimacy. Many have never received love from their parents. They’ve been rejected by their mother or father, rejected by their friends, rejected by their teachers, etc. Every person in this world desires to be loved and be able to show love in return. The mistake we make is confusing love with lust. Love is not lust and lust is not love.

Many people are getting married today because of lust, not love. As a result, their marriages end up in divorce. The vow taken in the presence of God is taken too lightly. To "love" and to cherish - not lust and cherish.

Pornography is like a drug. You start with a little and then desire more. You start out with soft-core and then work your way up to hard-core because nothing satisfies. Pornography cannot fill the void. You must turn to the Lord for help. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Do it now. You might think you've got it made because no one can see you cruising the Internet. God sees it all my friend. You can fool people, but you can't fool God.

How can we get out of the cycle? Is there hope for those who are addicted to pornography?

There is hope in God.

Here are some suggested steps to freedom:
1) Confess your sin to God. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all sin. (1 John 1:9).
2) Make yourself accountable to someone – expose the sin. Find someone that you can share your heart with, someone you can trust.
3) Use porn filter Internet Providers such as Via Family (www.viafamily.com), Family Connect (www.familyconnect.com) or Integrity Online (www.integrity.com).
4) Professional counseling – if nothing else is working, you need to get professional help. Focus on the Family provides a one time counseling service at no cost by calling (719) 531-3400 weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Ask for the counselor's assistant. They can also direct you to more long term professional help if needed.
5) Renew your mind by the word of God. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

You can also receive professional help through:
New Hope Educational Foundation
Ralph H. Earle
7530 E. Angus Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (602) 947-5739
Fax: (602) 946-7795
E-mail: pcs@pcsearle.com
Web: www.pcsearle.com  

Stone Gate Resources
Harry W. Schaumburg
11615 Dallas Road
Peyton, CO 80831
Phone: (888) 575-3030, (719) 495-0300
Fax: (719) 495-3956
E-mail: stonegate@compuserve.com
Web: www.stonegateresources.com