Obsession
Our culture is obsessed with sex. This statement is not shocking, as anyone can see through the media and advertising we consume every day. Humans are all inherently sexual beings, which is not a bad thing! We are all created in the image of God and God created our sexuality for good. On the other hand, since our sexuality is closely tied to our entire personhood, it can cause harm if we neglect to care for and protect it.
Most Christians would claim that they think that viewing pornography is morally wrong, but that does not seem to change the statistics. In the United States, approximately 70% of men and 40% of women viewed pornography this year. Pornography use spans all races, ages, and backgrounds. Beyond moral concerns, many other reasons exist to stop.
One strong reason to stop viewing pornography is because it negatively impacts the brain. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation reports that pornography exposure can physically damage the brain. The visual stimulus floods the brain with prolonged dopamine, hijacking its natural reward system. Prolonged use of pornography can result in the brain physically deteriorating in shape, size, and chemical balance. When your brain changes, it changes you—for better or worse. Addiction is often defined by the withdrawal that follows. Like other addictions, you may dislike the urge to view pornography but still feel drawn to it for the high or perceived reward.
But God
Thankfully, in His wisdom, God designed our brains to create new neural pathways and, as a result, heal themselves. Furthermore, even if you’ve been viewing pornography for years, with intentional effort and support, it is still possible to experience healing and ultimately find freedom from it. Recovery from addiction requires honesty and humility. A mental health counselor can guide you in understanding how pornography has impacted your life, why it became a coping skill, and how to replace it with healthier, more connecting behaviors. Although it takes effort, there is always hope for change! With patience and persistence, transformation is possible.
But God
There are many other negative side effects and ethical issues with the pornography industry that I did not have time to cover in this blog. I encourage readers to look into Exodus Cry’s docuseries on YouTube entitled “Beyond Fantasy” and “Raised on Porn” for more information.
Statistics found at:
https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/pornography-use-among-young-adults-in-the-united-states
https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/brain-heart-world-1/
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