I spent part of my morning looking at pornography with the President of the Baptist Union of Australia.
Umm … maybe I should re-word that and say that I spent part of my morning discussing the issue of pornography.
My regular Wednesday morning guest on 98.5 Sonshine FM is Ross Clifford who is the Principal of Morling College in New South Wales and current President of the Baptist Union of Australia. Each week we chat about a range of issues relating to spirituality and belief.
Today’s topic was pornography and the hold it has over so many people. Ross says that it’s the most common issue that people raise with him when he is counselling them.
You can left click here to listen to our discussion or right click here and save the mp3 to listen later.
It seems that we can’t escape porn. It’s everywhere and is more available than ever before. It’s on our computers, our televisions, our mobile phones and it’s in our faces when we scan the magazine rack at our local shopping centre. Our society is becoming more and more sexualised and so what used to be considered inappropriate is now thought to be tame and acceptable. Whether we like to admit it or not it’s a struggle for most men and many are paralysed by their addictions to pornography.
Run a Google search on ‘effects of pornography’ and you’ll find page after page of research and information about how damaging porn is for everyone involved. Sadly, the effects don’t stop with those that produce or consume pornography. Porn changes our attitudes to others and breaks down relationships so the effects are felt by so many more than those directly linked to pornography.
The sad truth is that with this issue touching more and more people, there will be some people reading this post who right now feel hopelessly trapped by pornography. One of the main things that the porn industry relies on is the fact that it’s a dirty little secret. Those who consume porn don’t usually tell others about it so they find it difficult to get good help.
If you find yourself being compelled to view images that aren’t helpful, can I encourage you to do something about it today? Reach out to someone you can trust and get help to be free from the grasp of pornography. Let’s together decide that today is the day that where we draw a line in the sand and say ‘no more’.
Something I’ve found very helpful in many areas of my life is being part of an accountability group with three other guys. We get together once a fortnight and give each other permission to ask the tough questions about where our lives are headed, about our relationships, about faith, about our use of finances and about the kind of stuff we let past our eyes and into our minds. I know that if I ever found myself struggling with porn I could talk honestly about it with the other guys and they’d help me deal with the issue. In the meantime, it’s a case of prevention being better than cure.
I know that this can be a very sensitive issue and so if you want to discuss the matter further and you’d rather not leave a comment for all to see, feel free to email me by clicking on my Gmail address under the Let’s Talk heading in the left hand sidebar.
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: Pornography – Porn – Radio
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Posting a link here, sir 🙂 – let me throw this out as one of my thoughts in this area. As a male, I’ve had experience here, too – anyone who says they’ve never gone here is probably lying. But do you think it is self-perpetuating in some regard? I find that even accountability groups as you’ve described fall short of eliminating the problem, and only a healthy growing love for my wife really ever put any dent into it.
I am glad to see you talking about it. So many want to avoid this topic.
I am a highschool teacher, and I have had numerous boys that I have counseled with who have really struggled in this area. I am also a Biblical Counselor, and more importantly, I am also a man… and I have to say that Biblically, and also from experience, loving your wife, or loving your family is not a lasting cure. The cure is the person of Jesus Christ. He has set us free from the laws of sin and death.
What I just added is way too abbreviated, but it is just supposed to be a comment.
Thanks for talking about this Rodney, I will be listening to this program.
But the accountability and all feels like it’s a will-powered thing instead of the power of Christ. I agree whole-heartedly – for me, it’s Jesus working to re-focus, to heal, to remove those desires. Not just masking them or hiding them – it’s like the Sermon on the Mount. Pop an eye out to keep from sinning, but in reality, the blind man still lusts if it hasn’t been dealt with in the heart, right?
Interesting thoughts, Rick.
Yes, we do need to deal with issues at a heart level but we sometimes need help to do that. Our intention might be good but we lack ability to follow through.
Paul talks about wanting to do the right thing but finding himself doing the wrong thing. Having friends to give support can make a huge difference.
We were created to live in relationship and I think a big part our problem today is this ‘I don’t need anyone else’ kind of thinking.
The Scriptures talk a lot about living in community, holding each other accountable, rebuking, encouraging and helping one another. That’s all we’re attempting to do.
I applaud you for talking about this issue Rodney. It is something that must be dealt with, and the only way to deal with these things is to start talking about them.
xxxchurch.com has been a great help to many people dealing with addiction to pornography
A heart change is always good, and also the accountability factor as well, it helps the heart change along.
I know some homes though where the wife has the password to the net and TV isn’t even in the house. It’s like you said, it’s so pronounced in our culture, that it comes down to that.