Hannah Harrison
AFA Journal staff writer
Editor’s Note: This commentary is adapted/condensed from a blog first posted on The Stand (afa.net/thestand) on July 24.
October 2020 – “It’s the greatest cancer in the church – it’s too late to say, ‘Well, give it time, and let’s pray about it,’” says Chuck Swindoll, pastor and director of Insight for Living Ministries. He isn’t referring to physical sickness but rather a hidden evil within the church – pornography.
When it comes to porn, churches are suffering. Instead of looking into its horror and fighting to defeat strongholds, most churches lack the planning or fortitude to combat the sickness of pornography. For some reason, this dangerous issue isn’t at the forefront of discussion, even though the industry is more lucrative than the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball combined.
Many porn addicts see pornography as harmless when that’s not the case. It is destructive to the brain, body, and soul (consumers and performers). Meanwhile, it’s also stealing the innocence of our children.
Currently, the average age at which children are exposed to porn is 11. According to research, a tenth of those 12 to 13 are already obsessed with pornography. Yet, some church parents are inclined to say, “I don’t have to worry about that!” But little do they know how accessible porn is in today’s culture. Any child with access to the internet is a click away from violent, pornographic content displaying abuse and graphic rape.
A sexual assault examiner testified she had seen countless young children suffering from sexual abuse, and the link is almost always pornography. The most terrifying story I’ve heard was of a mother who walked in on her young son raping his 3-year-old sister. He saw it online.
Hurting the church
Many sitting on the sanctuary pews are inwardly struggling with their secret sin, and unsure of what to do next. The Conquer Series, a biblically-based anti-porn ministry, has recorded shocking statistics regarding porn use in the church:
• 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn regularly.
• 76% of Christians 18-24 years old actively search for porn.
• 59% of pastors said married men seek their help to battle porn use.
• 87% of Christian women have watched porn.
• 33% of women 25 and under search for porn at least once per month.
• 57% of pastors say porn addiction is the most damaging issue in their congregation.
• 69% of pastors say porn has adversely impacted the church.
And perhaps one of the saddest statistics: Only 7% of pastors say their church has a program to help people struggling with pornography. Porn destroys innocence, marriages, and lives.
Where is the church? Where are the classes, accountability partners, and sermons regarding this plague among us? It’s time to get boots on the ground and start fighting the battle:
• Recognize the magnitude of the problem.
• Create a culture of redemption – not judgment.
• Have a ministry leader trained to deal with addiction.
• Start sex-specific accountability groups.
There must not be a spirit of judgment or condemnation, but hope and patience. It’s one thing to look at the world and judge sinners for their sins. It’s another to reach out and help them find healing. This is a $97 billion industry. For our churches, congregants, and children, we must have the hard talks. Wake up, Church, for we are losing a dangerous battle. We’re losing our own. 
Resources for fighting pornography
Personal Resources
▶ The Conquer Series
conquerseries.com/whats-the-conquer-series/
561.681.9990
▶ Covenant Eyes
covenanteyes.com/services
877.479.1119
On-Campus, At-Home Recovery
▶ Pure Life Ministries
purelifeministries.org/blog
859.824.4444
Ministry Resources
▶ National Center of Sexual Exploitation
endsexualexploitation.org
202.393.7245
