What Is Pornography? Related Scriptures Pornography is visual images, writing, or God’s Faithfulness Pornography speech that is used to arouse lustful sexual 1 Corinthians 10:13 desires. Viewing or interacting with pornogra- A Covenant with Your Eyes phy can become an addiction when it begins Job 31:1 to regularly interfere with everyday life and/ or negatively impact relationships with others. Clothing Yourself with Christ Pornography can also become a compulsion Romans 13:14 when it causes irrational or impulsive Desire and Sin responses. James 1:13-15 Like all addictions, pornography can be What to Flee and Pursue difficult to overcome, but being aware of its 2 Timothy 2:22 influence, learning how to prevent exposure to it, and being held accountable by close friends Becoming a Living Sacrifice are healthy steps to recovery. Romans 12:1-2 Maintaining a Pure Lifestyle WARNING SIGNS Psalm 119:9-11 Answer the following questions honestly to find out if pornography may be an issue for you. • Do your family or friends say you spend too much time on the internet? • Do you find your greatest source of emotion- A Quick al intimacy in internet chat rooms or through romance novels? Reference Guide • Do you stare at or fantasize about actors or actresses, lingerie models, joggers on the Provided by the beach, etc.? Office of Student Life • Do you regularly look at pornographic magazines, movies, or websites? • Do your sexual fantasies and activities draw you away from your friends, family, and God? • Do you lie about your activities or hide them from your friends and/or family? • Do your sexual fantasies and activities cause you shame or 12% of internet web- depression? sites are pornographic, • Have you vowed and some 40 million to stop accessing Americans visit these pornography only 3900 Bethel Drive sites on a regular basis. to give in to the St. Paul, MN 55112 next temptation? 651.638.6300 —United Families [email protected] International cas.bethel.edu/student-development How Can I Defeat Pornography? Additional Resources • Acknowledge the truth of compulsion and/or www.covenanteyes.com addiction to pornography use—without denial, www.porn-free.org rationalization, or minimizing. • Stop feeding the addiction. Destroy all porno- www.xxxchurch.com graphic material and immediately stop visits to Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks places of temptation—pornographic movies, the Male Brain websites, or adult bookstores. By William Struthers • Determine boundaries of acceptable internet use. • Change any relationships that have encouraged In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of the compulsion and/or addiction to pornography. Compulsive Online Sexual Behavior • Join a support group. Attend a group facilitated by By Patrick Carnes, David Delmonico, and a professional where you can receive support and Elizabeth Griffin discuss the compulsion and/or addiction. Bonds That Make Us Free: Healing Our • Tell someone you trust! Patrick Carnes writes, On- and Off-Campus Support Relationships, Coming to Ourselves “The enemy of sexual health is silence.” Telling By C. Terry Warner on your problem will help take away its power. On Campus • Establish an accountability relationship with a Office of Student Life: available to talk and pray with False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of friend of the same sex to talk with and contact you as well as suggest options for further care; stop Sexual Addiction when you have an urge to access pornography. by or call for an appointment (BC252; ext. 6300) By Harry W. Schaumburg This will help alleviate the pressure and isolation An Affair of the Mind: One Woman’s Courageous you are experiencing. Counseling Services: offers free support for students Battle to Salvage Her Family from the • Install an internet filter such as CyberPatrol or Net struggling with a pornography addiction Devastation of Pornography Nanny to block adult content. (Townhouse H1; ext. 8540) By Laurie Hall • Pray and enlist God’s help in release from this Office of Campus Ministries: provides spiritual compulsion and/or addiction. support and mentoring (HC325; ext. 6372) Every Young Man’s Battle By Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker How to Help a Friend Health Services: provides medical assistance as well as referrals for information and care (Townhouse Dirty Girls Come Clean • Commend your friend for seeking help in matters H1; ext. 6215) By Crystal Renaud beyond his or her control. Express your willing- L.I.F.E Guide for Men ness to encourage and help where you can. Off Campus By Mark Laaser • Assure him or her of your concern and validate Arden Woods Psychological Services her or his value and worth to you despite the (New Brighton): 651.482.9361 behavior. Shame is both a cause and result of pornography use. Faithful and True Ministries • Encourage your friend to take immediate action. (Eden Prairie): 952.746.3880 • Encourage your friend to arrange for account- Minnesota Renewal Center ability on an individual basis or with a group of (Arden Hills): 651.486.4828 Christians with whom he or she can meet on a regular basis. • Recommend that he or she seek the help of a pastor, Christian counselor, or psychologist. • Offer to pray with your friend, in addition to praying for your friend. .