When you read in the bible, you realize that sexual issues and strongholds are nothing new. It is an area that will always be satan's battleground this side of heaven. He horrifically takes what God created for good and twists it and darkens it only to bring destruction. That is why as Christians, we need to hold on to the GOOD and expose the bad by speaking TRUTH about such things.
For the most part, the church has been silent with regard to sexual sins for too long and now the generations coming after us are paying the price. Last I read was that 52% of the men sitting in our congregations are struggling with porn. What? WHY are we NOT addressing this? 52 % is HUGE especially when you think of all of the wives, families and homes that are affected. These men are our spiritual leaders! Yes, satan knows just what he is doing. It's the secret sin in our churches today! You can dress your Sunday best, speak your christianeese, attend every service, give a great sermon, all without anyone ever knowing about the bondage that holds you captive. Sadly, even though the stats say at least half of the men in our churches are struggling, it seems that the church doesn't want to believe nor address it. The truth is, our men are being bombarded with sexual junk everyday! Are they being equipped to handle the enemy's seduction or are they just being patted on the back and sent on their way as open targets? What about our children? Porn is becoming the norm in their world. Just step foot onto any high school campus!! It is talked about freely and without shame. Young girls are becoming comfortable sending pictures of their nude bodies or "selfies" to their boyfriends. Sexting is now the "popular" way to communicate. They are being trained by the world that sexiness is what's important and makes you significant and our young boys are believing it, as well! UGH! The pathway to destruction started with lust..with ONE look...with ONE selfish thought. Why aren't we talking about these things? Where is the light that the church is called to be?
Consider this; when is the last time you heard a Pastor preach from the pulpit about lust, pornography, sexuality, purity, or modesty? How about a sermon from Proverbs that warns about seduction and lust? Maybe once last year at a special conference? Really? Yet the world is throwing it at us via sitcoms, movies, magazines, billboards, commercials AND on the information highway day in and day out!!! Instead of more sermons about faith, love, peace, etc. (which are good)...how about getting in our world and addressing the everyday, nitty-gritty stuff that is destroying the church from the inside out? Purity is NOT just something to be talked about at a youth rally once a year. Our men need to hear it!!! If the body of Christ addressed issues like lust, sexuality, and pornography as boldly as the world portrays them, we would see significant change for GOOD in the world around us.
Recently, a ministry that I am involved with began talking about the possibility of doing some sort of women's conference/seminar for women who have been wounded by their husband's struggle with porn. We know they are out there....MANY are out there. Broken, deeply wounded, hopeless, numb, hiding behind masks of busyness or seclusion to keep from being exposed. However, we had to ask the question, will they come? Will these broken sisters be brave enough to show up at such an event? The answer we came up with was NO....which breaks my heart. It is too risky, too shameful, and too difficult. I hurt for them because I KNOW what it is like to be bound by such shame and secrecy. AND that is where satan wants to keep them, to keep us. Ugh! These precious women are believing his lies and are just as much in bondage to secrecy and shame as their husband who is struggling with porn.
I believe, with my whole heart that freedom and healing from sexual addictions WILL come to the body of Christ as more and more people choose to be a voice for righteousness. However, I am not so sure it is going to start with our husbands or even our Pastors. I believe it may start with you and with me. Please hear me out.
What if YOU choosing to be BRAVE and taking a risk to be transparent is what influences someone else to take that same risk and find healing? Could it be that there is a wife who needs to KNOW that they are NOT the only wife who's husband is struggling? What about a sister who needs to see that she is NOT the only wife who portrays a blissful marriage yet underneath is being destroyed from this inside out? She needs to know that She is NOT ALONE! As you courageously choose to be real you might just find other sisters to lock shields with in prayer as you support one another on your journey towards wholeness. How cool is that? That my friend, is finding purpose in the midst of your pain!
Maybe you have not told anyone about the pain you are experiencing....and telling a counselor, pastor or friend would be a HUGE step for you. Can I encourage you to PLEASE take that step.....life will not change for you or your husband as long as you continue to hide what is really going on behind closed doors.What if YOU choosing to take off the garment of shame and fear is what it takes to save your marriage and see your husband delivered? I understand that there are no guarantees that your husband will choose to seek recovery. Nevertheless, YOU can make the choice to seek healing so that you do not have to continue on your journey in bondage to your husband's betrayal.
Maybe you are a woman whose heart has been restored from this kind of betrayal. Praise God!! By all means, share your story! Others need to hear it! Your transparency can by the very catalyst God uses to help someone else find hope, healing and deliverance! Sweet sister, if you want to be a women who brings glory and honor to her King, than TELL others what God has done in your own life. Proclaim HIS goodness!! Please, do not allow the shame of your past to silence YOU. Our sisters need HOPE! These broken women need TRUTH spoken over them. They need to be told that their husband's addiction to porn has NOTHING to do with them, with their looks, their build, or their sexual performance! These lies have to be exposed with TRUTH! You and I both know that having a husband who struggles with porn cuts to the very core of a women, attempting to destroy her God given life and purpose. Sweet friend, your voice needs to be heard!
We must speak up, we must expose the lies so that TRUTH can be revealed. Without TRUTH, we will continue to lose this battle and the body of Christ will continue to lose it's power and influence. TRUTH is what will bring freedom, hope, restoration, deliverance, healing, and even revival. Silence is our enemy when it comes to this epidemic that our nation, including the body of Christ is facing today. The TRUTH of God's commands for sexual purity goes against the norm of today. I understand that, but that does not make it any less relevant. God's values do not change because the culture changes! However, as the church, are we allowing ourselves to be sucked in? Does what grieves the heart of God grieve our hearts? By not addressing these things, are we condoning them?
We CAN make a difference in the world we live in. We CAN be a light in the darkness. We CAN bring Glory to God by sharing our story and exposing the lies that the world is shouting to our men, women, and children.
As more women step up and speak TRUTH about the consequences of porn, not only will our sisters in Christ find hope and healing but, I believe the TRUTH will set our men FREE, as well. It will encourage them to step up and be accountable for the choices they are making. Darkness will be brought to light! Lies will be exposed. There will be less casualties. Our families, churches, and generations to come will KNOW the TRUTH and be equipped to handle this war, strategically and intentionally.
Sisters, it is time to FIGHT...to let your light shine in this present darkness and to be a voice for righteousness. No matter where you are at on this journey, you can make a difference NOW! Revelations 12:11 says they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony!! Let's be over-comers and pave the way for others to be also! Will you join me?
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