It is no secret that quite a significant number of Christians are silently struggling with an addiction to porn. Many are afraid of opening up because it just doesn’t seem as though anybody out there has been – or is – going through a similar challenge.
Pornography is a multibillion-dollar industry most especially in countries where citizens can readily access to the internet. It has been suggested that because so many people are using porn today, the porn industry is making more money than all professional sports combined.
From popular porn sites putting up billboards to online news sources normalizing porn with viral videos, it seems porn is everywhere. Do Christians live elsewhere? No, we live in cities, villages and homes where these things are happening, hence victims if not equipped.
Youth and students’ minister at St.Francis Chapel Makerere – Kampala, Mr Denis Mugume has shared wisdom tips with worshipers on how to overcome the habit, a message already going viral across social media.
Mr Mugume says when it comes to the statistics, it is false preposition that pornography and masturbation has only affected the males, the number of females that are struggling with the same is too significant to be ignored.
“The trouble is that no one seems to be talking about it especially around Christian circles, probably due to the fear of what it will do to their well-cut and cropped out reputations that have been built over the years.” Mr Mugume says.
He reveals, no day comes to an end without sex being injected into our minds through any or all of the sources of information we have at our disposal, social media, print media, mass media all of them no sphere has been left untouched by this perversity.
“Dealing with an addiction can be the most dreadful thing about life. You know it’s wrong, but no one in your circles is talking about it, some act indifferent to it, but the guilt feelings after you have done it don’t seem to go away that easy. You look picture perfect to everyone around you; your fellowship mates, Bible Study Group mates, Work mates and the list goes on. In fact, in many instances some even believe that you have the right moral standing to give them counsel and advice about the same issue—pornography and masturbation!” He notes.
Mr Mugume says these addictions come as people seek to find joy in any other sources apart from God, quoting Jeremiah 2:13 which says “… for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that hold no water.”
He says the fact is that our hearts always long for more than what this world has to offer.
“God is the real joy giver the one who calls us. This is an invitation to find your inner most longing, joy and satisfaction in God and in no place else, why? Because pornography has a price to pay, masturbation has a price to pay, illicit sex has a price to pay. No need to go on explaining “the price” because by the time you are reading this blog you are probably paying one or you know someone who is paying one.” Mr Mugume says.
Adding: “The question is; how can I enjoy God? Well, worship is simply that. A firm commitment, a fight, and a stand to make Jesus your joy, happiness and satisfaction.”
Mr Mugume says worshipers need to make a firm commitment to deal with pornography.
“You know that pornography is a lie, it promises satisfaction and it only gives it momentarily, you know that having illicit sex always takes away more that it promises at the beginning, from a one night stand to guilt, bitterness and resentment.”, He says, quoting Matthew 11:28-29. ” This invitation to come is not just for the unconverted, but also for us who struggle with pornography, to daily come and find your rest in God. It is a burden and a yoke but that is exactly why it is first firm commitment.” He states.
“We must strive to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, protecting our new found love from the allurements of sin which seek to dissuade us from the joy we have found. Put that remote down, you know you can always watch that movie later, you do not have to respond to that WhatsApp message immediately, it’s prayer time; time to talk to the love of your life, its Bible Study time, time to admire and adore the works and wonders of God our love!
“Its fellowship time; time to make others glad in Him, testify, sing, dance, shout, it is the expression of our love for Him! Fight to find your joy in the Lord after all it is a good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). We are not fighting to make God our joy, He already is our joy, we are only affirming what we know is the truest truth of all. One God, our joy and satisfaction no other name under heaven by which man shall be saved (Acts 4:12).” He says.
“Pornography is not worth your time, it makes objects of the people God made in His own image, it lies to us about sex, no man or woman even in marriage can do even five percent of what is acted out in porn! The creation of false expectations in your heart has a biblical term; “idolatry” and God has a promise on that; ‘I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” He says.
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