Part 4: Why Share

Why is it important that I share my story with you? Sexual addiction is rapidly becoming the number one struggle among men in the church. Yes, in the church. If any of you were able to attend this year’s men’ roundup you heard Dr. Roberts speak of this very problem. 66% of men between the ages of 18-34 view online pornography at least once a day. 55% of pastors admit to being sexual addicts. In a startling trend 40% of women are admitting to addiction to pornography. There is nothing more destructive to the family than pornography. If Satan can use it to destroy the family, then he can use it to destroy the church, and if he can destroy the church then he can destroy the nation! Do you know what those statistics tell me?! They tell me that at least half of you here today could be struggling with pornography! I know this pain you are going through and I know the shame you feel about coming forward about it. I am not a counselor nor am I a pastor; I am just someone who has suffered through this and wants to help.
You may be sitting here, thinking that it’s no big deal. Maybe you’re thinking that I’m just weak and that you aren’t going to fall like me. If this is you, I would direct you to
1 Cor. 10:12 - Wherefore let him that thinks he stand take heed, lest he fall.
The greatest lie Satan can tell you is that you’ve got it under control. If you are allowing sin to take hold of your life, you are like a ship taking on water. It may start with a small leak, but even what seems to be a small leak over time, will sink you. In reference to sexual sin Solomon said in:
Prov. 6:27 – Can a man take fire into his bosom and not be burned?
You cannot hold this struggle inside you without it burning you and everything around you. I would then direct you to:
1 Cor. 10:13 – There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way for you to escape that ye may be able to bear it.
No temptation has taken you but such as is common to man! You are not alone in this fight! God has provided you with a way to escape and it is in the forgiveness and grace of His Son Jesus Christ. It is in the counsel of Godly men that can help you bear this burden! Sure you can seek counseling from the secular world, but it will not save you. In Mark 3:24 Christ said that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. He was making this statement in reference to an accusation made by the Pharisees that He was casting out demons by the power of Satan. What Christ was saying is that Satan would not cast out his own demon, for that would be counter-productive to his goals. Satan is the ruler of this world, so what makes you think that he would provide you with counseling that could purge you from a sin he has placed in your life to destroy you! Sex is a gift from God to be enjoyed by us as He designed it, within the marriage bed! Nothing can bring two people together like this gift, but when it is used improperly, when it is twisted and distorted by the lies of the devil, nothing can destroy you more quickly. I have sat in secular counseling and do you know what they tell you to help you? They tell you that you need to adjust your fantasy life. They tell you to imagine healthy sexual relationships with other women, and to seek personal gratification to appease your urges! That is the counsel of this world! To lust after another woman in your heart, the very thing that Christ calls adultery. Replace one sin with another that is Satan’s best advice. Sure, some people find a measure of success through counseling, but more than half of prison inmates are confined for sex-based crimes and of those more than half are repeat offenders. You cannot win this battle without Christ!
Elders, deacons, pastors, the sin of sexual addiction have caused too many members of the body of Christ to be ostracized from the church. As leaders I implore you to create an open door environment for men to come to you without fear of exposure. If this battle is not taken seriously we will lose our families and our churches.
Ephesians 6:12 – For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
This is a serious spiritual battle we face today and the only way to win it is to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Those of you that are struggling today cast your cares at the feet of the Savior and come to the cross for help! You may feel like no one can forgive you or that those who love you and are closest to you will shun you, but I’m here to tell you that God can and will forgive you! You come to Him and He will guide you through every step of the way! The last thing I will tell you is that you must find someone of like faith to tell. Make them your accountability partner, because if you are accountable to only yourself, you will fail.
Eccl. 4:9-10 – Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth: for he hath not another to help him up.
You don’t know me and I don’t know you, but if you’re afraid to tell someone you know, tell me! I will give you my name and phone number. I will give you my email address, and you can contact me any time day or night. If I can spare you from the burden of carrying this alone I will! I pray that you are willing to make today the day you fight for your soul, your family, and your church.