by: Jim Schlottman
2/1/2006

A few years back, I was asked to make a presentation about the problem of pornography to a group of denominational leaders. In preparation for this presentation, I read the book, “The Pornography Trap” by Ralph Earle Jr. and Mark Laaser. I was doing this reading while on vacation with some friends. My wife was not pleased that I chose to carry this book with me everywhere we went during our vacation. So I tried to cover up the title that was in very large print on the cover.

Many of you are also trying to hide pornography from your friends. But based on a recent poll, you are not just hiding a book title, you are hiding your online activities with pornography. That recent poll revealed that 55% of subscribers to Rick Warren’s pastors.com admit to participating with porn online. Could we apply the results of that survey to the readers of this online newsletter?

Although that is a lower percentage than the 65% of Evangelical men and the 45% of Evangelical women who admit to struggling with pornography, it is still a staggering percentage.

Sharing the podium last month with Dr. Gary Allen, Executive Editor, Enrichment Journal, I learned a great deal more about this problem that is destroying pastors.

One thing I learned was that as a pastor you’re vulnerability to pornography is the greatest when you have not spent enough time with God, when you have not had enough rest, when life is difficult, and during times of change. Those might seem obvious, but did you know you are also very vulnerable after a significant victory and when life is going smoothly. One pastor stated that he deserved the opportunity to view pornography because of all the hard work he had recently done for the church.

Are you vulnerable right now? Be on your guard and never say, “it couldn’t happen to me.” It is easier than one might expect to slide into an addiction to pornography. Dr. Allen shared what he calls, “The Path Toward Addiction to Pornography.” It shows how you can slide very quickly from the least severe to most severe. In that order the path looks like this.

1. Curious: “A desire to learn about things that do not properly concern one.”

2. Experimenting: “Acting to find out whether something is effective or workable.”

3. Regular: “Recurring at set times.”

4. Habitual: “Acquired by continual use”

5. Addicted: “Given oneself up to some strong habit.”

So how can you avoid entering and going down this path? Let me make a few suggestions.

First and foremost, spend enough time with God! Add to that an accountability partner. One way to do that is to use the “Covenant Eyes” software that can be found on our website www.qwaters.org.

Next get enough rest. The role of a pastor does not have rest or Sabbath built in. Sunday is seldom a pastor’s Sabbath. I suggest that you create your own Sabbath.

When life is difficult, is when you need more time with God and more support from friends. Make a conscious effort to do both.

Are you taking these precautions? Or are you at the curious stage or further down the path. Don’t ignore these steps on the path to addiction.

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus ….” Hebrews 12:1 – 2 (NIV)