Porn, Not Just a Guy Issue

By: Bethany Baird

I recently read a story about a girl who was strolling through a grocery store when she felt a sudden and overwhelming urge for a chocolate candy bar. The urge became so powerful that she forgot what she was doing and headed straight for the candy aisle.

She searched the options wondering which one she should choose.

She spotted one that she had never seen before. The label pulled at her desire with words like “Great new taste!” “Satisfaction guaranteed!” “No more hunger cravings!”

The girl grabbed the candy bar and started savoring her first bite. Her entire being was enraptured in the moment. She loved the way the candy made her feel. It was so gratifying that she was sure she would never need another candy bar again.

All of the sudden the girl noticed a strange and disgusting flavor in her mouth. Instead of eating smooth chocolate, she realized she was actually chewing on mud and gravel. The nasty taste made the girl’s stomach start to churn at the thought of what was inside of her mouth.

She ran to the water fountain, spit out the muddy mixture, and rinsed out her mouth.

After a long moment at the water fountain the girl looked down at the remainder of the candy bar in her hand. Her thoughts drifted back to how creamy and delicious that first bite of candy tasted, and suddenly she longed for more.

Although that story is only fictional, it gives us a very clear picture of how pornography works.

Pornography covers itself in a candy-coated package offering up promises like “Satisfaction guaranteed!” and “No more cravings!” At first (like the candy bar) it seems to deliver on those promises, but only for a short time. In the end you will find yourself feeling disgusted by what you did and, at the very same time, strangely craving for more.

Porn never satisfies.

According to Covenant Eyes, it’s estimated that 20% of Christian women are addicted to pornography. Sadly, that number seems to be growing greater by the year.

Girls of all ages are finding themselves enslaved to pornography with no power to escape.

If you are one of those girls struggling in this specific area, I have great news for you.

There is hope!

If you have trusted Christ as your personal Savior, you can have hope and lasting freedom in this area.

The truth is, in and of yourself you have no power to escape, but with the power of Christ dwelling inside, you can find freedom. Sin and death were overcome by Jesus at the cross. “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness” (Romans 6:18).

There is no sin in the world that is too big for God to conquer.

If you are struggling with pornography and desire to find lasting freedom in this area, let me encourage you to consider these thoughts and verses.

1. Confess your sin to God.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1st John 1:9).

“Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And You forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:5).

2. Renew your mind with God’s Word.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

3. Fill your mind with holiness and truth.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).

4. Put off sin and put on purity.

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Finally, do whatever it takes to get rid of pornography.

Throw away books, magazines, TVs and computers. Matthew 5:29 says, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.”

Be willing to take drastic measures. It’s worth it! If you are serious about destroying this sin in your life, then you need to prove that through your actions. Don’t let pride or embarrassment get in the way of gaining victory.

I want you to know that you do not have to continue in your secret struggles.

These verses are only the start of the power Christ has to offer for gaining victory in this area.

I highly, highly encourage you to talk to your parents or pastor’s wife about your struggle. Remember one of the best ways to gain lasting freedom in this area is through accountability (Gal. 6:12, Ecc. 4:9-12). Don’t try to overcome your struggle on your own. There truly is strength in numbers.

As much as we would love to help you further, we don’t have time in this blog post. Thankfully there is a  Biblical counseling center that offers free counseling! You can find a counselor in your very own city by going to this link.

There are also some extremely helpful ministries that can provide accountability and filtering services. You can check both of those out right here:

Start your journey to lasting freedom today.