Pornography:
The Silent Suffering of the Triumphant Church
Submitted to Dr. Malcolm Hester
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
THEO 650-B02
Ethics and Christian Ministry
Anissa Chambers
July 3, 2019
Abstract
The church was created to change the world by being His witness to the lost and broken.
They are to represent Jesus in his love and holiness in a society that is gripped by sin. Yet, this
triumphant church is being hindered in greater numbers because of a secret sin that destroys
these believers from the inside out. This sin is known as pornography. Pornography destroys the
person by changing a beautifully designed act called sex, which was created to bind a husband
and wife making them one flesh, by perverting it. This sin brings guilt, shame, unfulfillment and
unrealistic expectations that destroys their relationships. It keeps believers from walking and
sharing what Jesus has done for them because of the guilt they carry from participating in
pornography. They can tell no one, so it remains a secret that destroys their marriages, kills their
reputation and destroys their witness. The very one who gave them salvation, can give them a
way out of this and restore them to the triumphant church that God created them to be.
ii
1
Contents
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... ii
Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2
Defining Pornography… ............................................................................................................. 2
Definition… .................................................................................................................... 3
Historical through Current Severity… ............................................................................. 3
Biblical Views ................................................................................................................ 5
Understanding the Addiction… .................................................................................................. 6
Forming the Addiction… ................................................................................................ 6
Consequences of the Addiction….................................................................................... 7
Recovery and Inward Healing… ................................................................................................. 8
Recognitions ................................................................................................................... 8
Counseling… ................................................................................................................. 9
Restoration… ................................................................................................................. 9
Conclusion… .......................................................................................................................... 10
Bibliography… ........................................................................................................................ 11
2
Introduction
God created mankind to be His image bearer and to proclaim the salvation of God to a
world that is full of sin and brokenness. The church was meant to be a light and bring hope, yet
many are held in bondage because of sin. Pornography is a sin and an addiction that is growing
by epidemic numbers even in our churches. This sin causes believers who should be walking in
hope to hide in a corner afraid that someone will find out and they will be destroyed. Time and
again in the eighties, nineties and even now in the two thousand pastors, evangelists and leaders
of the church have been caught in this sin and it has destroyed their lives. Men and women
struggle with this addiction on a daily basis all the while trying to maintain a mask of perfection
so that no will know. This silence keeps them in bondage rather than allowing the redeemer and
healer to come in and restore their lives. This paper will endeavor to define the addiction of
pornography, show the severity of it and explain the process of healing and recovery that is
available to those who will trust Jesus.
Defining Pornography
Pornography is described in many ways and can be multidimensional. What used to be a
magazine hidden under the bed of a pre-teen is now various forms of shocking and even perverse
behaviors on screens from a person’s telephone to living room TV’s and public theaters. It can
be embedded in video’s on YouTube that children can stumble upon with any effort. It used to be
a secret but now days in some circles it is discussed in the open and promoted. Musicians even
get involved with descriptive lyrics describing unspeakable acts involving both the willing and
unwilling used to draw in young people of all ages. Clinton and Hawkins explain that
pornography explains that sex comes with no consequences just self-gratification.0 In order to
0 Timothy E. Clinton and Ronald E. Hawkins, Biblical Counseling Quick Reference Guide: Personal &
Emotional Issues. (Forrest, VA: AACC Press, 2007). 190.
3
really understand pornography, we must define it. This will enable us to see how this sin,
becomes addiction and destroys lives daily.
Definition
Pornography is material that promotes sexual arousal and is viewed by both men and
women. It comes in all forms from books, magazines, videos, movies and many various internet
websites. Men and women are wired differently and so pornography is more than just a picture
in a magazine. Men are generally visual, and women are enticed through words and tenderness.
So, a movie or pictures can be considered pornography for a man, just as much as a romantic
novel for a woman. God designed sex for marriage between a husband and a wife, thus
pornography is anything that gives sexual gratification outside of a husband or wife in the bonds
of marriage. Pornography takes away the beauty that God designed in marriage and gives it
something that is an imitation for the real thing and usually causes unrealistic expectations that
could never be fulfilled by a real person.
Historical through Current Severity
Lust of the eyes has been a problem for mankind for a long time. We can see it
throughout the Bible where the lust of the eyes overcame the good sense of man and allowed sin
to grow. In the Old Testament we see David, who was know as a man after God’s own heart, get
caught up in the lust of his eyes over a woman named Bathsheba in 2 Samuel. Just as sin does it
went from watching her bathe to and adulterous affair to the murder of her husband. Today is no
different, when a man plays around with Victory Secret posters to watching “fun” tv shows that
glorify lust, or a woman who picks up a simple romantic novel that goes into explicit and
descriptive sexual contact lead their by sweet sounding words or an imaginary man is playing
with fire.
4
Television is one of the major players in this war on mankind’s moral decency. In the
1975 the average show of intimacy on prime-time TV was kissing, embracing, aggressive
touching and not-aggressive touching and virtually not shown were intercourse, rape and
homosexual activity.0 In just five years between the 1980 and 1985 the sexual content had gone
up 103% with the viewer being exposed to 1900 to 2400 sexual references on prime time TV.0 It
continues, in 1996 during what used to be considered the family hour talk about sex increased
by 59% and actual sexual behaviors increased by 61% and shows with no sexual content
decreased by 75%.0 1996 also spent more money by Americans in strip clubs than at Broadway
plays, off Broadway, regional and not-profit theaters, the opera, the ballet, and jazz and classical
musical performance combined and more than eight billion dollars on hard-core videos, peep
shows, live sex acts, adult cable programing, sexual devices, computer porn and sex magazines
which is larger than Hollywood’s box office receipts and proceeds that came from country and
rock recordings.0 In 2003 with the increased high-speed internet there are over 1.3 million
pornographic websites and since 1996 the revenue has gone up to well over 13.3 billion in the
United states and over 97 billion world wide while the Playboy website now averages around
five million hits a day, over 20% of pornography involves children and over one hundred
thousand sites of illegal child pornography.0 This is easy to see that the worldview is involved
more and more with pornography, sad to say so is the Christian world. Just in the last year over
half of evangelical pastors claim to have visited pornographic websites and 57% of pastors say
that pornography is the most damaging aspect in their churches and one out of six women admit
to be addicted to pornography.0
0 Barrie Gunter, Media Sex What are the Issues? In LEA’s communication series. (Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum,
2002), 22.
0 Ibid., 23
0 Ibid., 24-31.
0 Eric Schlosser, “The Business of Pornography,” US News and World Report, February 10, 1997.
0 Safe Families, “Statistics.” http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php (accessed on July 1, 2019).
0 Ibid.
5
Biblical View
In Genesis God created man and the Bible says in Genesis 2:7 says, “Then the
Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living being.”0 Everything God does, He does with purpose and everything
He made was good, however there was something missing at that moment which is explained in
Genesis 2:18 which says “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper
suitable for him.” Everything was perfect yet the enemy found a way to deceive mankind and it
started with the lust of the eyes and a desire to be like God, Genesis 3:6 says, “When the woman
saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was
desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with
her, and he ate.” The enemy was Satan, and he looks for our weaknesses so that temptation
looks good when it is presented. Satan did not question what God said, he just contradicted it
and with the temptation was able to bring death to mankind and sin was brought into the world.
The Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines sin as “Any want of conformity unto or
transgression of God (1 John 3:4; Romans 4:15), in the inward state of the soul, as well as in the
outward conduct of life, whether by omission or commission.”0 The Bible says in Exodus 20:14
and Deuteronomy 5:18 that no one should commit adultery. Proverbs 6:32 says that anyone who
commits adultery lacks sense and destroys himself. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 “but I say to ou
that everyone who loos at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in
his heart.” Solomon said in Proverbs 6:25 says, “Do not desire her beauty in your heart, nor let
her capture you with her eyelids.”
0 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the New American Standard Bible
(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2008).
0 M.G. Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research System, Inc., 1996, c1897),
s.v. “sin.”
6
When a man or woman whose purpose is to be an image bearer to the world and have a
life that glorifies God gets involved in the bondage and addiction of pornography, this is called
sin and they are acting as a sinner and not an overcoming believer.
Understanding the Addiction
Dr. Laaser explains sexual addiction as a disease which also defines sin. He explains that
the cause of sin is man’s depravation and that sin also has symptoms including poor judgment
and not trusting God. Sin continues to cause the sinner to digress and deviate which causes more
sin that become a continuous transgression over and over.0 Laaser explains that by asking the
question, “What is the purpose of sexuality?” by knowing the answer to this question a person
can “have a greater understanding of the difference between sexual addiction and normal
sexuality.”0 Daley defines addiction as a relationship with anything that is excessive, causes
problems in one or more area’s of someone’s life, it causes distress when not engaged in the
addiction and controls one’s life.0
Forming the Addiction
Laaser explains that the behavioral building blocks of a sexual addiction are sexual
fantasies, which is thinking about sex, pornography which is available everywhere, and
masturbation tied to fantasies and pornography causes a vicious cycle. “This vicious cycle makes
sexual addiction a degenerative process. It gets progressively worse.”0 Proverbs 27:20 explains
that the lust of the eyes is never satisfied, it just continues to grow. The sad part of this addiction
is its ambiguity, sexual images are everywhere and its disappointment along with an
unquenchable desire that is never fulfilled.
24-25. 0 Mark R. Laaser, Healing the Sexual Wounds of Sexual Addiction. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004),
0 Ibil., 27
0 Dennis C. Daley. Kicking Addictive Habits Once and for All: A Relapse-Prevention Guide. (Lexington,
MA: Lexington Books 1991), 4-5.
0 Ibid.,35
7
Steve Gallagher in his book At The Altar of Sexual Idolatry gives seven steps in the
downward spiral of a sexual addiction. The first one is the fact that as with any sin it does not
glorify God but instead seeks to gratify themselves and is very selfish. Secondly, addicts are
unsatisfied with what God has given them. This allows the third step which allows their heart to
be darkened and they barely hear the voice of God. When they do, they ignore His calling them
to return to their first love. Fourth the ignore and suppress the truth so they can continue in their
sin and believe that everything is ok with their relationship with God, they just have one little
problem. Gallagher says, “No one is looking at pornography is walking with God! He is simply
flattering his own ego and deceiving himself.”0 Fifth is the fact that this sin tightens and keeps
the heart and mind in bondage and darkness with every time they look at and allow pornography
into their lives and hearts. The sixth and seventh steps are the consequences of the habitual sin
that they are now enslaved to. John 8:34 says, “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you,
everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.”
Consequences of the Addiction
Sin always has consequences and so does pornography. God created sex in marriage to
be a bond that makes them one flesh, pornography ruins the specialness and spoils God’s design
for men and women to be fully satisfied in their marriage in every way including sexually. Guilt
and shame as well as self-worth are unprecedented in the lives of those who are involved in
pornography. It destroys the spouse of the other person because not only is the person involved
in the addiction filled with shame, the person who is the spouse deals with feelings of sexually
undesirable and feelings of repulsive, worthless, weak and stupid fill their minds and hearts and
continues the divide between the spouses. Dr. Gardner says explains that unconditional
0 Steve Gallagher, At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry. (Dry Ridge, KY: Pure Life Ministries, 2000), 39.
8
acceptance with the absence of shame is what the sexual union should look like, feel like in a
true sexually healthy marriage.0
Recovering and Inward Healing
Recovering from an addiction there are a lot of steps that people write about, but the main
thing that is involved in understanding that it is the man’s heart that is where the root lies.
Matthew 15:19 says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, slanders.” Mark 7:21 says, “For from within, out of the heart of men,
proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries.” It is so important to start
from where the root is, if a person can allow God to restore the heart, healing and hope can flow
and addictions can be broken. It is an inward healing that is required first before the outward
manifestation can occur. If a person just tries to make an outward change without dealing with
the inward heart, they will not succeed because it is just rules.
Recognition
Laaser says that the healing process stars with recognition of where the addict is
spiritually. They must decide if they are truly interested in getting well.0 Joshua 24:15 says, “If
it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will
serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
An addict must decide who they are going to serve the master of the sin or the creator who
created them perfectly and with purpose and dignity. Matthew 6:22-23 says, “The eye is the
lamp of the body; so, then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your
0 Allen Tim Gardener, Sacred Sex. (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2002), 77.
0 Laaser, 2004, 222.
9
eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness,
how great is the darkness!”
Counseling
Laaser explains that healing requires intervention and treatment, however it is not just for
the addict but the spouse and family so that all can be healed from all the hurt that has been
caused.0 It is important to understand that counseling is a part of the healing process, but one of
the main things is getting involved with Jesus and developing a relationship that reaches into the
very soul. A Christin counselor can and will help with getting through the healing process. It is
also important to have accountability people that can hold them accountable to relearning the
what God says about the person, who they are, their purpose and what God designed them for.
Restoration
God established marriage and marital sex; it was good because everything God does was
created to be good. We also know that God is a God of purpose and so He made it important.
Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be
undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” The restoration process requires the
person involved in the addiction to reconstruct their core values of marriage and sex from God’s
perspective. Ephesians 2:2 tells us to walk in the Spirit and not according to the flesh. It is the
choice of the person whether they are going to allow God to restore who they were intended to
be, if they choose to follow Christ and walk in the Spirit, God can and will restore all that God
had intended them to be. This restoration can occur in their marriages, in their churches and jobs
that God can and will bring restoration. This person who was the attack must build spiritual walls
in his life to keep the enemy out. Like Joseph when tempted, one must run away and not even
dwell on it or meditate on it. Find websites and other things that can help protect from the
0 Laaser, 2004, 222.
10
outside influences that could cause a stumble. Maintain an intimate relationship with Jesus and
always ask for prayer.
Conclusion
Freedom from the addiction of pornography can be achieved through a true and intimate
relationship with Jesus Christ. They need to accept the power of His atoning work on the cross
which can give them freedom and restoration. It is difficult to walk in purity, but it can be done
with the help of Christ. The Bible says in James 1:5, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him
ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” One
must talk to the Father and ask for wisdom, He can and will help someone seeking Him. He will
not let you drown.
Bibliography
Arterburn, Stephen, and Fred Stoeker. Every Man’s Battle: Winning the War on Sexual
Temptation One Victory at A Time. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2009,
Kindle.
Arterburn, Stephen. The Secrets Men Keep. Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers, 2006.
11
Backas, William D., and Marie Chaplian. Telling Yourself the Truth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany
Fellowship, 1980.
Benner, David G. Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-Term Structured Model. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Book House, 1992.
Clinton, T.E., and R.E. Hawkins. Biblical Counseling: The Quick Reference Guide to 40 Topics,
Spiritual Insights, & Easy-to-Use Action Steps. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2009.
Daley, Dennis C. Kicking Addictive Habits Once and for All: A Relapse-Prevention Guide.
Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1991.
Easton, M.G. Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996.
Fradd, Matt. The Porn Myth Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography. San
Francisco, CA: Ignatius Press, 2017.
Gardener, Allan Tim. Sacred Sex. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2002.
Gunter, Barrie. Media Sex What are the Issues? In LEA’s communication series. Mahwah, NJ:
Erlbaum, 2002.
Isom, Mo. Sex, Jesus, And the Conversations the Church Forgot. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker
Publishing Group, 2018, Kindle.
Laaser, M.R. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004.
McDowell, Josh and Barna Group, The Impact of Pornography in the Digital Age. Plano, TX:
Josh McDowell Ministries, 2016, barna.org.
Safe Families. http://www.safefamilies.org/sfStats.php (Accessed July 1, 2019).
Schlosser, Eric. “The Business of Pornography” US News and World Report, February 1997.
