Download Pornographic Deaddiction

PORNOGRAPHIC DE-ADDICTION – A Pastoral
Approach
by Rev. Varughese Philip
Pastor involved in pastoral counseling and church planting in Bangalore, currently doing
Ph.D. research.
Introduction
Pornography is like a virus that can permanently damage the minds and lives of people. To give
a perspective, some 4.2 million or 12 percent of websites are said to be devoted to pornography.
This translates to 420 million pages of porn, according to Jerry Ropelato, an associate at Top
TEN REVIEWS website who has conducted an extensive research on pornography and the
world’s ´consumption´ of pornographic goods. Ropelato reported that today’s porn business has
surpassed the earnings of top technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay,
Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink, combined. He said US porn revenue exceeds the
combined revenues of ABC, CBS, and NBC - the big three media companies in US. To date,
pornography is a US$57 billion global industry – larger than the combined GDP of Sri Lanka &
Nepal put together. (Source: American Chronicle, May 30, 2009).
Watching pornography affects the person physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. No
one is immune to its corrupting effects. It debases sexuality, corrodes human relationships,
exploits women, young people and even children, undermines marriage and family life, destroys
ministries, fosters antisocial behaviour, and weakens the moral fibre of the society. It opens the
way for demonic intrusions from one generation to another generation. Church as a healing
community and pastor as a soul-carer has a great responsibility to address the issue of
pornography. Biblical conviction, spiritual development, moral development, and environmental
transformation play vital roles in overcoming pornographic tendencies.
1. Biblical Conviction
Pornography attacks the dignity of men and women, who were created in the image of God. God
created both men and women in His image and sexuality was integral to their individuality (Gen.
1:27). Biblical perspective of human sexuality recognizes sexual relationship which is
exclusively reserved within marriage (Gen. 2:24-25). Love and intimacy are embedded in the
image of God. Marriage reflects the image of God through expression of love. Intimacy suggests
a strong personal relationship, affectionate bond, mutual caring, responsibility and trust.
Pornographic tendency is non-intimate activity and a distortion of God’s intended pleasure. It
degrades human beings into a depersonalized object for one’s selfish sexual gratification.
Moreover, it shatters the image of God in a person and reduces another person into a mere sexual
object.
Pornography misuses the good gift of sex and severs the relationship. The Bible warns against
the misuse of sex and condemns the practices that result from pornography such as sexual
exposure (Gen. 9:21-23), adultery (Lev. 18:20), bestiality (Lev. 18:23), homosexuality (Lev.
18:22, 20:13), incest (Lev. 18:6-18), and prostitution (Deut. 23:17- 18). God sees the material
things as good and wants man to use it in a manner that pleases God. The Jewish prophets like
Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea used the language and imagery of sexual relationship and intimacy
to describe the powerful relationship with God. It becomes bad, irreligious, and unethical when
people misuse, perverts, or distort from its proper functions.
Pornography violates truth and leads people into a fantasy world that isolates them from other
people and commitment. Jesus warns that sin in the mind is as culpable as the act itself and
condemns the thoughts of sexual immorality (Matt.5:28). It is essential to flee from immorality
(1 Cor. 6:18), abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11), and think on those things that are pure
(Phil. 4:8). God has a purpose for believers’ mind. God wants His children to keep their minds
preserved for His glory (Phil 4:8).Satan also has a concern about the mind (2 Cor 10:5). When
lust is allowed to dominate a Christian’s mind, unclean, immoral, and degrading acts soon
follow. Mental pictures remain etched on the mind indefinitely and resist attempts to dislodge
them. Spiritual power from God helps to cast down and capture the anti-God thought life.
Pornography desecrates God’s standard of modesty. God’s immediate response to the fall in the
Garden of Eden was covering the nakedness (Gen.3:21). Nakedness is a special blessing God has
given to human beings. Animals are never regarded as naked. Man can fully celebrate the beauty
of woman’s body within marriage (Song of Songs). The embarrassment is when an outsider is
exposed to the beauty and modesty that is to be enjoyed with the sanctity of a marriage. The
Bible upholds certain basic modesty standards as regards the body of a man or woman. Causing
others to sin is wrong (Matt. 18:6-7). To deliberately dress (or undress) so as to entice others or
induce lust in other person is sinful.
Pornography opens up the person to possible demonization. The Gerasene demoniac had gone
without clothes due to demonization (Lk 8:27). Satan and his demons encourage pornography,
which is a form of rebellion against God. Satan encourages pornography worldwide through
nudity on beaches, films, television, and in print. Many rituals of witchcraft and Satanism are
carried out in the nude, and sexual acts and perversions are part of initiation ceremonies. A
number of medieval mythological and legendary traditions talk about ‘incubus and succubus’
demons, both male and female that sexually prey on human beings. There are frequent references
to these activities in the church history and secular history. God does not remain on the throne of
relationship which is ungodly. Wherever ungodly sex is taking place, Satan will be there to curse
the participants. Poor sexual relationship can be in itself a demonic entry point for pornographic
spirits of lust. Many people enter into a promiscuous life style demonized through viewing
pornographic pictures.
Pornography affects the spirituality of the people. Spirituality is the movement of spirit in a
person. Sex was intended by God to be a spiritual act of total unity of mind, emotion, will, and
body in a covenantal relationship. The Hebrew word used in the Bible for knowing God and
sexual relationship are the same, which confirms the spirituality God intends for sexual bonding.
Sharing in God’s creativity is worship of the creator. Perversion destroys the relationship with
God. With the advent of satellite television, 24 hour television broadcasts and internet, sexual
images can be seen almost throughout the night in total secrecy. It has a negative impact and
destroys the power and spiritual authority of life. It affects sexual purity and blocks the
movement of the Holy Spirit.
Watching pornography is deliberate sin. Evil desires drag away and physically entice towards
committing sin (Jas 1:15). We live in a world, where nudity bombards men and women daily.
When man does not fear God, he will no longer fear sin. It breaks families and introduces
children to self stimulation and sexual experimentation. The maxim says, "Sow a thought and
reap an act. Sow an act and reap a habit, sow a habit and reap a destiny." When lust is allowed to
dominate Christian mind, unclean, immoral, and degrading acts follow. Deliberate sin brings a
believer back into into slavery to sin and limits effectiveness and witness for Jesus Christ.
Repentance will bring forgiveness and cleansing and provides a legal basis for release.
2. Spiritual Development
Educate men and women in basic Christian faith. Overcoming pornographic tendency has
primarily a spiritual or faith dimension. Psychologist David G. Benner says, "Religious faith has
the potential to integrate and transform all parts of the psychic structure and at its best operates in
a manner that is deeply restorative, recuperative, and maturing." It includes an educational
process that inculcates fundamental doctrines, core beliefs, and practices of the Christian
tradition.
Commit to spiritual discipline such as prayer, Bible study, and fasting. Christian spirituality
involves deep relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling presence of
the Holy Spirit. Prayer and meditation are devotional disciplines to enrich spirituality and discern
the will of God. The Word of God changes wrong belief systems and renews the mind. Fasting
helps to walk with God closely and breaks bondages and conquers mental and emotional
problems that control lives. Christian music speaks directly to the soul and changes the
spirituality of young people. Energize people to practice faith in a tempting urban cultural
context.
Confront unhealthy behaviours through spiritual counseling. "Counseling is the process by which
a person confronts the pain and distortions so that his thoughts, perceptions, emotions, values
and behaviours are altered and he acquires skills for living healthily." Who do we give credit for
this quote or is this the author’s personal opinion?
Pastoral counseling fosters self insight, value awareness, and conscience formation. It provides a
place for discussion of real problems and gives emotional and social support to build self-esteem.
Further, it enhances spiritual life which is absolutely essential for psychological health. An
unhealthy spirituality produces an unhealthy state of psychological functioning.
Transform personality through pastoral psychotherapy. Watching pornography has psychological
effect that changes personality. "Pastoral psycho therapy is a long term helping process aimed at
effecting fundamental changes in the counselee’s personality by uncovering and dealing with
hidden feelings, intra-psychic conflicts and repressed early life memories." Who do we give
credit for this quote or is this the author’s personal opinion?
Although there is no comprehensive theory of psychotherapy in the scripture, biblical themes
such as the unity of personality, creation in the image of God, and the reality of sin are relevant
themes to provide Christian therapy. It recognizes the spiritual significance of matters and
approaches them from a Christian perspective. It aids people to assimilate new data and helps
people grow spiritually and morally.
3. Moral Development
Give moral education for ethical choice and moral reasoning. In scripture, education has been
focused primarily on religious and moral education. It is to get the right perspective to respond to
alluring situations. The major task of moral education is to teach the values in an effective way.
Moral education teaches moral decision making skills and accurate information and guidance
about sexuality. It develops social consciousness that is grounded in Scripture. Lack of moral
education affects moral thoughts and decision makings. Under the impact of science, the
biological values get an upper hand over intellectual and spiritual values. It affects the ethical
choices and goes against moral and ethical values.
Character formation controls moral development. Character formation involves self-regulating
psychological process. Will power, integrity, and moral desire develop moral character. Will
power involves strategies and skills that involve analyzing problems, setting goals, focussing
attention, delaying gratification, and avoiding distractions and obstacles. Integrity consists of a
sense of responsibility that is present when individuals hold themselves accountable for the
consequences of their actions. Moral motivation involves prioritizing moral values over other
personal values. Further, moral character comes from modelling. Modelling influences values
and behaviours.
A healthy conscience helps to take mature moral decisions in view of eternity.
Global culture alters the consciousness of the people. Information Technology brings great
revolution in culture and shapes a different form of consciousness. Film and television shape a
very different form of consciousness. There will be temptation to focus on the immediate, to be
controlled by the senses; and guilt, shame and regret follow. Yielding to temptation results in
habits, isolation, deception, and immediacy and reinforces stress. Teach people how to judge the
circumstances of their lives and the world in the light of the coming kingdom.
Behaviour change releases a person from pornographic addiction. Viewing pornography leads to
addiction. Research shows that epinephrine is released into the bloodstream during watching
sexually arousing materials. It goes to the brain and one cannot get rid of them. There is an
escalation effect and the user wants more explicit, rougher, and more deviant kinds of sexual
materials. It makes the viewer morally numb and personally insensitive to the rights and dignity
of others. Pornographic images viewed are imbedded into the memory, affect brain function and
never completely leave the memory where they are stored. It is addictive and mind-altering.
Rein-forcement, punishment, self control, altruism, and forgiveness play a vital role in moulding
behaviour.
Develop moral personality by the renewing of the mind. The Holy Spirit plays an important role
in personality development. The Holy Spirit works to give a new nature (Jn 3:1-8), renews mind
(Rom.12.2) and exhibits personalities and characters that are more God-like. The Sermon on the
Mount, Paul’s exhortation on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22) as well as a personal experience
of Jesus Christ are valuable templates for the journey towards moral growth. Regeneration is a
theological word that refers to the spiritual change effected in human personality by the
supernatural activity of Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:4-7). Leading a Spirit controlled life helps to develop
a moral personality.
4. Environmental Transformation
A healthy family environment provides the nurturing context for moral development. Collins
says, "When parents can be taught to grow spiritually, there is greater love, stability, acceptance,
and forgiveness in homes. It creates a firm foundation on which children can build their lives,
formulate values, solve problems, and plan for the future." Parental discipline, relationship, and
power assertion changes the moral behaviour. Researches reveal that, "Higher level moral
reasoning in adolescence is linked with parenting that is supportive and encourages adolescents
to question and expand on their moral reasoning." Power assertion using physical force,
deprivation of material objects and privileges, love withdrawal and induction are techniques in
which the parents give explanation or reason for requiring children to change their moral
behaviour.
Strengthen the community to become an agent of change. Peer interaction is a critical part of
social stimulation that challenges individuals to change their moral orientation. Peer groups
provide a setting for reinforcing common values, beliefs, attitudes and activities. Psychologist
John Cogner says, "Friendships aid the adolescent’s self understanding". Friends offer an avenue
to sort out feelings, developing self insight, and becoming more aware of personal behaviours
and attitudes. The community needs individuals who are genuine, authentic, compassionate,
forgiving and understanding, characterised by true and unconditional love. Form a healing
community consisting of fellow sufferers who are committed to help one another. Schools are
the context for value clarification, moral reasoning, and developing moral character. Character
education is a direct approach that involves teaching students basic moral literacy to prevent
them from engaging in immoral behaviour.
Use media and internet to communicate Christian values and transform distorted values.
Apostles communicated the Gospel with boldness (Acts 2:14-42) and corrected distorted values.
Media in democracy is a powerful instrument and plays a prophetic role in confronting and
transforming distorted values. Shelton observes, "Adolescents today are bombarded by the media
with messages about sex." They have easy access to pornographic literature and movies through
internet. Socio-cultural pressures and the increasing complexity of everyday life continue to
influence adolescents’ sexual behaviour. Analyse critically the missing values communicated by
various media including cinema and internet, and communicate right values, ethics, and morality
through modern media. Take preventive measures through service provider selection,
accountability, filter/blocking software, and education.
Strengthen the church to become an agent of transformation. Churches have a responsibility to
remove the sexual perversion of pornography from society. Spiritual experience influences
children’s attitude and moral choices. Children who have negative and unhappy spiritual
experience may reject their religious beliefs and practices as a part of their adolescent rebellion.
Make church a therapeutic community where people find love, acceptance, forgiveness, support,
hope, and encouragement, burden-bearing, caring, meaning, and opportunities for service,
challenge and help in time of need. Effective preaching has both preventive and therapeutic
potentialities.
Use prayer as an important tool to defeat the strongholds and powers of darkness. Provide sex
education to the young people and families. Address the mis- education through television by
using biblical principles.
Transform the culture that influences moral development. The mission of the church is, by its
very nature, an agent of cultural change. In anthropological terms, the kingdom of God is for
culture change. A moral cultural environment moulds the moral behaviour. The urban culture
promotes entertainment, art, and fashion to heighten the sensual and erotic feelings and the
media bombards information that transmits values and moral choices contrary to Christian ethics
and faith. Entertainment, worldviews, superstition and occult practices arouses erotic feelings.
Alcoholism, promiscuity, heavy metal music and pornographic literature are temptations young
people face in urban culture. Culture with moral and spiritual qualities enhances morality.
"The magnetism of a magnet is not based on physical appearance of the magnet, but on what is
deep inside the magnet that pulls the opposite poles together." Biblical conviction, spiritual
development, moral development and environmental trans-formation help to strengthen the self
to overcome porno-graphic tendencies.