Porn Epidemic Written by David Maddox
It is so much worse than you think – and the epidemic races uncontrolled throughout the churches of our land among those who claim to be followers of Jesus. According to the Covenant Eyes Website there have been about 1.5 billion internet searches for porn since the start of the year. Porn in America is a $13 billion industry every single year. Nine out of 10 boys are exposed to pornography before they reach 18; and about 64 percent of Christian men and 15 percent of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month. How is that possible when Scripture warns again and again against sexual immorality – and Jesus specifically says that “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (the opposite is obviously true as well) (Matthew 5:28). If that was not enough – the final two chapters of Revelation warn that the unrepentant sexually immoral will not enter the New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15) – that “their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). This cannot be ignored. We must like Job make “a covenant with (our) eyes not to look lustfully at a girl (man)” (Job 31:1 NIV) – and we must do it now. If you are among that crowd repent and change now – your eternal destiny – and that of others may depend on it.
On the good news front – the Hilton hotel chain has just removed all pornography channels from its hotels in 85 countries. And you know what prompted this decision? Hilton’s executives were receiving as many as 1,000 emails a week asking them to take that step (Breakpoint 9/17/2005). Being aggressive against this evil helps rid us and others of this evil. When you travel and encounter the movies and TV channels in your hotel/motel room make a point of complaining verbally to local management and then confirm your complaint in writing to the national office if it is a chain. Never miss a chance. When you learn of a bother or sister involved in this sin rebuke and warn them. Don’t ignore it. Remember what James wrote – “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
About David Maddox – After a legal career in both Texas and Arizona that spanned over 40 years as a civil litigator, God called David to leave his law practice and work full time as Discipleship Director for Time to Revive. That call is really the fruit of decades of prayer for revival and teaching God’s Word, writing discipleship materials and seeking to make disciples. David married Janet Whitehead in 1976 and they minister together from their Phoenix home. God has blessed them with four children and thus far seven grandchildren.
