PORNOGRAPHY HURTS
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June 2001 (updated June 2006)
Often times the Body of Christ, those of a congregation, have a tendency to put an Elder, in who the gift of Pastor, upon a pedestal. Sometimes we can forget that first of all they are men of God. The fact being in and of itself that they are also people. They are now a being of wondrous powers. They put their trousers and shirts on the same way the rest of us do.
There is something happening in the churches today. Something has crept into the midst of the elders of our churches. Can you guess what it is? If you said pornography, your guess right.
Those who are elders and who have been blessed with the gift of being a pastor, to Shepherd God's people, are subject to sin just like his neighbor is. The pastor has a higher accountability, has to set an example, to love and be willing and attentive to the news of the flock. Does this mean the pastor will not stumble or fall? No, not at all.
Many have become hooked on pornography, not by the usual means of magazines, videos, or even a computer via the Internet. I'm not saying the Internet is a bad thing, but a lot of things of the world the world uses to exalt itself.
The porn industry is a booming billion dollar industry. How it uses the Internet should not be a surprise by any means.
Christianity Today magazine reported that 33% of clergy have visited these web sites. Out of that 33%, only 18% reported they have visited these sexually explicit web sites a couple of times a month to more than once a week.
The sin becomes cyclic in itself when the pastor has to fulfill the fleshy desire and need for the high the pornographic material delivers to the human mind. It begins to effect a person's walk after awhile. Even though they will hide the fact that they are hooked o pornography, their personalities will take on new perimeters.
Their sin will find them out. It will be exposed. Their attitude will produce the action. One such pastor worked in a youth camp. He ended up touching a high school girl inappropriately. Everything was exposed to the congregation. The elders asked him to leave the church because of his actions.
This is a serious matter in the church today. But let's remember all fall short of the glory of God. Less than 8% have sought professional help in dealing with this cyclic sin. It's a hard thing to see wonderful men of God fall before our eyes.
Pornography is addictive and has destroyed a lot of lives. Yet these men who are in a position of leadership are people too. They need to be prayed for and to have support. Does throwing them out in the cold solve the problem of the sin? No! They have to confess and get it right with God, whether they stay in that position of not. Through prayer to our Lord and Saviour, He lets the elders know if one should be removed or not, as it also says in the Word of God. This doesn't mean to destroy a person. Though they posses this gift of a pastor, it doesn't mean they are not human.
Being aware of what's going on is important. Pastors need accountability too. They have feelings, fears, doubts, and reservations in everyday life like everyone else. Pornography is an extremely ugly thing. It is a sin that can destroy a marriage, a job, and a person's life with no regrets. Like all sin, it is dark and consuming. Pornography is real and sits on the Internet waiting for a person to click on it. These companies who make this garbage do not care about who they target. It's all about money and greed.
The old saying, "sex sells" is true. I've known several pastors who've been caught up in pornography on the Internet. Some have lost everything, which others, by the grace of God, were able to work it out with their families and their church.
Psalm 32:3-5 tell us: "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah."
If one is a clergy member or even a layman don't hide your transgressing, confess it to God. If you are hooked on pornography my friends, get help immediately. Do BOT delay. Let God remove it from your life. 1 John 1:8-9 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." it is important that we confess our sins unto God and get it right with Him!
May God bless you and keep you strong. May the love of Christ abound in you. Don't be afraid to reach out for help. Our Lord has provided ministries that are out there to help people in dealing with pornography and sexual addictions (cyclic sin). May the Lord bless and guide you. Here are a couple of the many ministries that may be of help:
Fellowship of Christ International
934 S. Burlington Blvd., #625
Burlington, WA 98233
Web Site: http://www.christinternational.org
DA Church
P.O. Box 690
Kurtistown, HI 96760
Web Site: http://www.christinternational.org/da_church.htm
National Association for Christian Recovery
P.O. Box 215
Brea, CA 92822
Wed Site: http://www.christianrecovery.com
Stone Gate Resources
11509 Palmer Driver Road
Larkspur, CO 80118
Web Site: http://www.stonegateresources.com
These are not offered as advertisement, but out of love for those who are stuck or struggling with pornography.
(c) 2001 by Pastor Aaron D. Lint
