Recently, we've received some questions of a sexual nature. With that said, the following series of blogs may be somewhat taboo. These topics can be uncomfortable for some to speak, ask or inquire about; therefore, we are providing this warning, there may be strong sexual content in the following series.
Now that you clicked this blog to read, I want you to write down the time to the second. (Trust me - you will be shocked)
Odd Title huh? Well, it seems to be there are a lot of people who "get saved" or "have been saved for a long time" who fall in to porn and sexual sin. Then their sin gets "justified" by saying - "I have needs" or "God sees us as married in His eyes anyways - besides God is not bound by time". Honestly, I have heard both of those arguments. It is always quite shocking - because it is just the mind that is darkened and doing theological gymnastics around the Bible so one can sin "righteously". Anyhow, I know this topic is "Taboo"; however, it needs to be discussed and tools needs to be provided.
Before we start I want this disclaimer to be known.
I understand no one likes to speak about pornography and I am sure some people probably think that people should not publicize nor speak about pornography, sexual sin or "sex" for that matter. However, I am truly convinced that "that" kind of mindset is exactly what Satan wants us to think. Why you may ask? Because the Bible is not silent on sex. In fact, the Bible has an entire book about sex. It is called the Song of Solomon or the Song of Songs. That book is all about having amazing Godly sex - in the covenant of marriage. Again, I will say "in the covenant of marriage".
Furthermore, this may be a shocking title for us to digest; yet, before anyone gets judgmental read some of these statistics.
- Every second - $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography
- Every second - 28,258 Internet users are viewing pornography
- Every second - 372 Internet users are typing adult search terms into search engines;
- Every 39 minutes - a new pornographic video is being created in the United States.
In the mean time, here are some more statistics for you to digest. My attempt is to show you the depth of the problem we (Humanity) have when it comes to sexual sin.
Here are the reported Revenue in Billions Spent on Pornography by country:
| China |
$27.40 |
|
Taiwan |
$1.00 |
| South Korea |
$25.73 |
|
Germany |
$.64 |
| Japan |
$19.98 |
|
Finland |
$.60 |
| US |
$13.33 |
|
Czech Republic |
$.46 |
| Australia |
$2.00 |
|
Russia |
$.25 |
| UK |
$1.97 |
|
Netherlands |
$.20 |
| Italy |
$1.40 |
|
Brazil |
$.10 |
| Canada |
$1.00 |
|
Other |
$212 |
| Philippines |
$1.00 |
|
Unavailable |
$97.06 |
Want some more shocking news? The pornography industry is larger than the revenues of the top technology companies combined: Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, Netflix and EarthLink! (SOURCE CLICK HERE)
Just think of the impact mankind can have on fighting AIDS, Cancer, poverty, the country’s deficit etc, if we just took all the money from porn and used it for good rather than evil? Let us just consider, we say we need to give here and we need to give there; but, what would happen - think of it - what would happen if we just stop spending money on porn and sexual sin? Seriously, what would happen? Better yet, how much good could be done? Worst yet - the stats provided are only the RECORDED numbers. These statistics do not count the "hidden" porn out in the world that is not "on the books".
Moreover, statistically, this just proves, people like to look at porn and people like to look at people who arouse and awaken the sexual spark within their hearts in mind. Meaning people like to sin in a sexual nature. We all know that men desire to look at porn and/or lust after women because most men are fallen and sinful. Society makes that clear. In fact, “More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month ” (SOURCE CLICK HERE). If that doesn’t prove my point here are some more statistics:
- March 20, 2007: At a men's summit in Oregon before 2,000 men, Shelley Lubben of Shelley Lubben ministries challenged those who were struggling with porn addiction to stand. 30% rose to their feet. She immediately challenged them a second time, with the result that some 70% were standing.
- March, 2007: At a small Christian conference in Austria, 75% of the 25 men in attendance admitted to being involved with porn; 50% within the past 6 months.
- April 6, 2007: 70% of Christians admitted to struggling with porn in their daily lives. From a non-scientific poll taken by XXXChurch, as reported by CNN.
- August 7,2006: 50% of all Christian men and 20% of all Christian women are addicted to pornography. 60% of the women who answered the survey admitted to having significant struggles with lust; 40% admitted to being involved in sexual sin in the past year; and 20% of the church-going female participants struggle with looking at pornography on an ongoing basis.
- *The porn industry employs an excess of 12,000 people in California. In California alone the porn industry pays over $36 million in taxes every year."
- Bill Lyon, a former lobbyist for the defense industry turned lobbyist for porn, as quoted by CBS News November 2003.
- In March 2005 Christianity Today published the results of a study called “Christians and Sex” in their Leadership Journal. 680 pastors and 1,972 laypersons were surveyed, with the following results:
- 44% of churchgoers want to hear more scriptural teaching from their pastors on the subject of sex.
- 22% of pastors feel they should spend more time on the topic.
- 85% of pastors say they speak about sexual issues once a year, while 63% of churchgoers say their pastors do so. Among those churchgoers who say they want their pastors to preach more about sexual issues, 47% say their pastor speaks about it once a year, an even bigger difference of opinion. A CTI analyst was quoted saying "Perhaps this desire for more biblical exposition on sexual issues exists because pastors are not speaking forcefully or clearly enough, while exposure to sexual images and messages in today's media is ever more heightened."
- 57% of pastors say that addiction to pornography is the most sexually damaging issue to their congregation.
- Almost 9 in 10 pastors reported counseling a layperson on sexual issues once a year or more.
- 87% of university students are having sex over webcams, instant messenger or the telephone.
- Reuters, Ontario Canada, February 16, 2006.
- 38 percent of adults believe it is ‘morally acceptable’ to look at pictures of nudity or explicit sexual behavior
- Morality Continues to Decay. Barna Research Group, 3 November, 2003.
- 47% percent of families said pornography is a problem in their home.
- Focus on the Family Poll, October 1, 2003.
Curious about what people consider is "Morally Acceptable"? CLICK HERE or CLICK HERE
What is my point? We as a humans are highly susceptible to being addicted to sex. As this series progresses I will be providing links to helpful resources. So here are a couple of good resources regarding Redeeming Sex:
Grace & Peace, You Are Loved,
Judson
