Sunday, March 15, 2009

A Call To Arms - Part Two

This is a somewhat lengthy read ~ please, please hang with me though.

Don’t you just love to have recipes right at your finger tips when you can’t find your paper copy? I don’t know how many times I’ve misplaced a recipe and merely had to plug it into recipes.com and there "she" sat ~ I push the ‘print button’ and I have another copy in moments. What about when you hear a word for the first time ~ you can’t spell it much less know its definition ~ it’s so easy to just check out Webster’s Dictionary online and "bam" you’ve got the info. And I couldn’t even begin to list the benefits of email. It is so much faster than a phone call. If you have to call several folk with the same message it is an even better use of your time. And my favorite of all ~ blogging right here with all of you ~ my lifeline to many wonderful Christian ladies who bless me with their devotions, who guide me with their kind words, who love me and they don’t even know me. By far it is my favorite use of the internet ~ and there are several other enjoyable ways I use the world wide web ~ from using map quest to get driving directions to listening to Billy Graham, Charles Stanely, J. Vernon MeGee and a host of others preach across the cyber air waves. The internet has many admirable qualities.

And yet I wonder ~ is "easier" all it is cracked up to be? Today I was once again made aware of another good man falling into the devastation of pornography. Right now all I can think is "Oh how can it be?" The ease of viewing pornography on the internet seems to be one of satan’s most effective tools in destroying Christians and their families. One in two Christian men and one in four Christian women are addicted to porn. Those statistics are nothing less than shocking and staggering ~ and they don’t even include the many men, women, and children that view it off and on and are not addicted.....yet. It is hard to fathom that we are sitting in our church congregations with this secret sin having overtaken so many lives.

A friend of mine talked with me this week about her pastor who confessed that he had had an addiction with porn some ten years ago and now he has an accountability system set up to help keep him on track - everything that he writes and views on the computer is automatically copied into an email each day and sent to his wife and one of the deacons of the church. At some point and time he realized that in order to heal he would have to be held accountable. And this was a preacher. I’ve talked with my pastor lately and he is aware of other pastors who have left the pulpit because they couldn’t break the habit ~ and yet others who are still preaching and continue with this battle. Indeed the statistics do not limit themselves to just the church congregation ~ they reflect the church pastors and other leadership like deacons and trustees as well. This is all so overwhelming indeed.

I’m not convinced that folk realize just how serious this is. It is such a powerful and addictive vice ~ and the ramifications can be likened to the rippling effect left by a concrete block rather than that of a pebble or stone thrown into the water. Indeed, the affect is paramount and the tremendous harm that is done is mind boggling. I have watched more than one family affected by pornography in the home. Minds are altered forever. Families are broken. Healing is difficult to attain "in part" much less "in whole." It is simply devastating.

We must have a call to arms ~ for this is a spiritual battle of great magnitude. I am weary of hearing about the fall of one good soldier after another. Satan is picking Christians off one by one ~ and we must fight back. May we pray as if everything counts on our prayers alone. KNOW what your children are watching on TV. KNOW what your spouse is watching on TV. KNOW what everyone is viewing on the computer. Install filters on your computers that cannot be altered except by the computer administrator. Have an accountability system in place with your spouse. Don’t expect that they can have the strength to move freely within the internet without falling. Many a good man and woman has already fallen. And those images that they have placed in their minds will be with them for the rest of their lives short of a miracle.

Oh dear friends, take some precautions and insure that all is right in your home. In a world of ipods, cell phones, computers, and tv’s ~ the temptation is overwhelming. And no one - no one - is above falling. Lord bless you today as you take up arms to protect yourself and your own.

14 Thoughts On The Matter:

GraceFromHim said...

Great Post and must I say....must needed post! We have put an accountability system in our home as well. I am the only one who can log on, our computer is right off the main room......in open sight.

About a year ago, I had stopped at a minute mart to run in to get a drink, To my horror....right next to the candy isle a whole section of "porn" from movies to magazines. Needless to say I was furious, so I came home and reserched what the laws were in the state of Washington for displaying it. I also called the local police department and asked if there was anything they could do. The police went to that store to see if the covers were showing....The officer called me back and he had let the owner know to keep 'most' of the cover covered. Well, they did not comply but they wil not do anything about it!
We live in a small town and when we first moved here, I had fun checking out all the little stores. I entered a place called "Candies and More" As I browsed the store i came across a room with a warning sign on the side. Ugggg. I went to the desk and asked if the manager was available. I spoke to her and asked her if she knew how many lives are devestated by pornography. I gave her the statistics and all lol. About 3 weeks later they completely removed it from their store! Praise The Lord!

Cindy said...

Cathryn, these posts are great. We all need to know what is going on in our homes. What is being read, listened to and watched on TV and the computer. You are so right, no one is above falling.

Satan has waged war on us and there have been far too many casualties.

susansspace said...

One in two men, & one in four women? That is mind boggling! I had no idea!
A very eye-opening post, Cathryn!

Abounding Treasures said...

A very eye-opening post ... I knew it was bad but didn't realize how widespread it really was!

As you say, it seems to be Satan's tool of choice in this day as he is the *prince of the power of the air* and is always on his toes with ways to *catch* Christians unawares :o(

Blessings Cathryn, to you and your family :o)

~~Deby said...

Wow ....this too is just so sad....
yes, we must put a hedge about our homes, our minds, our marriages, our families.
good post.
Deby

Marsha said...

Cathyrn, these are two wonderful heart felt posts. As I told you yesterday, I will be continuing with my focus word of purity this week. I'd like permission to link to these to posts and send ladies over to read these.

Blessings,
Marsha

Jessica said...

Great posts. I know a young lady whose life has been devistated by this. My heart breaks for her. This is something that has grabbed hold of our young people and will not let go. Just pray....

IF said...

Hi, I was just reading my Dad's bible and in the front was a prayer by James Kennedy using that verse from 2nd Chronicles. It was called "A Nation in Need of Prayer"... it was such a good write up but I couldn't find a copy online. Only a link to something else (I think it is the complimentary booklet)... http://store.coralridge.org/ProductDetails.aspx?pc=102064

Anyways, It reminded me of your blog and I am so happy that you write all that you do! :)

Grace on the Narrow Path said...

Cathryn,
Thank you for reminding us that we live in a sin stained world. I have two teenage boys under my roof. My husband and I monitor everything in the house. My husband has seen so much because of his job. Being a young man today is tough, so thank God for parents who are willing to take a stand. Thank you sister friend for sharing this.
Your sister in Christ,
Bren

Pilar said...

"One in two Christian men and one in four Christian women are addicted to porn. Those statistics are nothing less than shocking and staggering". That part pop out the most to me. We are not talking about world people any more, we are talking about Christians!!!. Can it get any crazier down here?

tascha said...

Thank you for this post. Our Pastor has mentioned similar statistics many times recently. It is appalling, and it is true-- this is not a game, and so many people treat this sin as though it were a game ...

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Cathryn,
You have addressed a much needed topic in your last two posts! We all need to be accountable for what we put into our minds and what is available for our children to put into their minds! I personally know several families who have been broken up because of online porn. So very sad!

Thanks for having the boldness to put out the facts.

God bless you!

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Have you heard of accountability software options like Covenant Eyes? They can be a part of a great network of accountability, especially when someone has a problem with Internet pornography?

http://www.covenanteyes.com/blog/2009/03/16/bristol-community-church-equips-others-to-be-pure-online/

Sharon said...

Cathryn,
This is a great post and I was shocked at the statistics! Yes, much prayer is needed for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We have one computer in an open and central location facing out where anyone in the house can see the screen. We've always been careful of what we allow into our home and minds. A lot of people thought we were too strict on our daughter, but today at 23 she is still a wonderful blessing to us. I thank God for this!