I had the opportunity and blessing to share my testimony for our youth about a month ago. I talked about my life, the sin that so easily entangles, and redeemed life that I found in Christ. It was a honor to share with our youth and hopefully to encourage them to live Christ filled lives.
In my testimony I talked about my transformed life but I also spoke on some of my struggles. I want to be honest, this is hard stuff to talk about. When I spoke with our youth I talked about my embarrassment in talking to them, I repeat that sentiment now. It is certainly not for my glory that I share my story. Rather, it is to throw cold, reality awakening water on the zombie dance of disillusionment that so many of us walk in.
I remember my first dabbling in the world of pornography. A youth leader was actually warning me to be careful because of the widespread presence of porn that was on the internet. I honestly had never thought about it but those words planted a seed that itched the back shed corners of my brain. This quickly led to an addiction that left me empty, embarrassed, and unfulfilled.
The statistics are staggering. It is estimated that 70% of 18-24 year old men visit pornography sites in a typical month. 72% of pornography viewers are men. 43% of internet users view pornographic material. Women are not left out in the statistics. 1 out of 3 viewers are female, 28% of porn viewing is from women, and 17% of women admit to struggling with a porn addiction. The pornography industry is larger than the revenues of the top technology companies combined: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink. Craig Gross, the founder of XXXChurch calls porn "the elephant in the pews." It is not only in the world outside of the church but it has invaded the Body as well. One of the most sad statistics that I came across in my research is that 53% of Promise Keeper men viewed pornography in the past week (when these statistics were taken).
One of the most famous kings ever, David, was obviously
browsing other things than his home page when he googled Bathsheba.
This is the reality that we are living in and it is nothing new. One of the most famous kings ever, David, was obviously browsing other things than his home page when he googled Bathsheba. Tamar surprised Judah when she became pregnant and was found to have his staff, a promise of payment for prostitution. Proverbs and Psalms are full of admonitions for God's people to stay away from lust and adultery.
Proverbs 7:25-27
Do not let your heart turn to her ways
or stray into her paths.
Many are the victims she has brought down;
her slain are a mighty throng.
Her house is a highway to the grave,
leading down to the chambers of death.
I remember the day the bomb fell. I remember trembling as a 17 year old boy when I walked into that same youth worker's home to confess my sin to her and her husband. I didn't know what was going to happen when I shared my sin. I expected disgust and being swiftly escorted from their house, a scarlet label given, and utter rejection. What I received instead was love, forgiveness, and a freedom that I hadn't felt for years. Light came into my dark places and the Light overcame. The yoke of slavery was lifted and sin had no desire to be in that place of light. That youth leader has remained one of my best friends, our bond was so close that she was my best "man" in my wedding. She and her husband have counseled me, rebuked me, battled with me, and consistently shown me Christ's love.
We have got to address this sin to our youth today. To walk beside them, share truth, and release captives to the sin that so easily entangles. This secret sin is eating away at the hearts and souls of youth and adults alike. So often it is never talked about, quietly accepted, or judged when exposed. Let's bring light and bring redemption from this sin. May all who struggle with this sin get up and get out of the sin-induced fog that clouds the mind and mindlessly leads us to the slaughter. Let's live as the redeemed and help rescue others from sin and its deceit. Be the door that opens up to a life free from this secret sin.
