Joshua Inman
I just watched the film, “Sound Of Freedom” It was a powerful must-see film about recovering kids from sex trafficking.
After watching such a movie, the great need can seem overwhelming and hopeless. What can I as one person do to make a difference? We can support ministries and organizations that are fighting this great evil. But there is also something we can each personally do in our effort to kill the sex industry.
Sex is a powerful force that is not easily tamed or controlled. Not only do we have our own hormones and desires ragging through us but we are constantly bombarded by the message, “If it feels good, do it.” For decades society has been trying to take away restrictions on every kind of sexual expression imaginable. Pornography is rampant and more accessible than ever. Sadly this is true even in the church.
Half of my life, I was caught in the trap of pornography. It was my dirty little secret. I didn’t realize that my excessive masturbation and fantasies were creating a stronghold but before I knew it, I was controlled by it. Each time I watched porn, I became more and more enslaved. I learned sexual appetites grow when they are fed and left unchecked. Things that were once undesirable became desirable as I found myself slipping into darker and harder things. It wasn’t child pornography but in God’s eyes it’s all the same. As much as I hated it and wanted to stop, I equally loved it.
I was too ashamed to admit I needed help so I was bound for far too long. Praying, worshiping and vowing to stop couldn’t break my chains. For me it took fasting and accountability from safe friends who loved me and spoke truth even when I didn’t want to hear it. Especially when deception was tickling my ears with promises of satisfaction. I began the difficult journey of putting an end to porn in my life but I quickly realized I wanted accountability in thought but not in reality.
I’d try and fall and try and fall again. There were times it felt hopeless and I never thought I’d be free from it but as I started to gain victory I realized, porn and the gratifying of my flesh were just a distraction from what God had for me.
But hope remains if we want to be free. Here is God’s promise:
2 Corinthians 6: 17-18 (NLT):
17
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.[f]
18
And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.[g]”
It took time but God broke the power my sexual addiction had over me. Today I am 2 years clean from porn and at times the allure to watch it again can be strong but I’m learning to daily crucify my flesh and make right choices. It hasn’t been an effortless battle. Many times I’ve crawled away feeling chewed up and spit out but I’m free. I now have the power to choose where not long ago I didn’t.
I detail my own story of overcoming in my upcoming book that I hope will be out this fall. I hope it inspires and gives hope to others.
Are you caught in sexual sin? There is help and hope for those who want it at the foot of the cross. It can be shameful to admit our weakness to someone but doing so begins to break its hold over us. Jesus can bring restoration to anyone brave enough to stand up and take it. It’ll probably require facing and walking through some difficult things but you are worth it and don’t let anyone ever tell you different. The freedom on the other side could never compare to the temporary satisfaction porn has to offer. Find a Celebrate Recovery meeting or a support group if you have to. As long as we have breath in your lungs, it’s not too late.
The best thing we can do to help stop this pandemic of evil is daily kill the evil in ourselves as we daily crucify our flesh in Jesus’ name.
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