My co-teacher sat stunned at the results. 

I didn’t. 

I knew, even in the church, that this was a serious issue. 

It was a simple exercise for our Bible Study ladies- “If your husband has at anytime in your marriage struggled with p()rn, write YES on the tiny paper. If not, write NO. Fold your paper and put it in the bowl.” 

As I read the results aloud, you could hear a pin drop in the room. 

YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES

The total- of 26 women, (all with Christian husbands, many in church leadership), 24 papers read YES, 2 papers read NO.

I remember that Sunday like it was last week. The wind was sucked out of the class and there was an audible gasp. But the gasp wasn’t so much out of shock that the husbands had struggled. It was a gasp that the women no longer felt they were alone.

Suddenly, the walls of secrecy came down one-by-one as the women in the room found a safe place to talk about this struggle in their marriage.

And friend, before you think that this is an isolated issue in the church, you need to know that this survey took place when I taught a Bible Study EIGHT-TEEN YEARS AGO! 

These days as p()rn is so accessible in every facet of technology, it’s no longer just the men who are affected, but women as well. According to a study by the Barna group in 2024, an estimated 75% of men in the pews of most churches are regularly viewing p()rn, and an estimated 40% of women. And 2 out of 3 American pastors have admitted to struggling at some point with viewing p()rnograpy. 

“P()rn consumption is no longer confined to a specific demographic or subculture; it touches all segments of society (from young to old) with no regard to gender, social status or religious beliefs,” the Barna report stated.

The demonic spirits behind p()rnography addiction are vast- the spirits of addiction, perversion, idolatry, lust, seduction, and even death are entangling and entrapping masses of people. And the statistics tell us that this is just as much a problem inside the church as it is outside the church.

So what do we do about it?

Here are some practical ways you can combat this issue TODAY-

1. Pray against this demonic agenda. Pray for exposure for those in your sphere who are in the dark struggling with p()rn– exposure to bring healing, not condemnation. And pray for protection for your pastor and pastoral leadership. This is an area that is breaking down so many Christian families and pastors from the inside out.
2. If you are struggling personally with p()rn or your marriage is struggling, bring it to the light and find someone you trust to share your struggles. Get professional help if needed and know that speaking about it is only the beginning. The battle will be ongoing without Godly accountability because the demonic spirits behind p()rn are powerful.
3. Take ownership and know you are not alone. Many struggle and have struggled with this addition and there is FREEDOM in Jesus. Get radical about this issue and remove anything in your life that would cause you to stumble. This may be apps or even your computer. It may mean having a trusted friend check your phone or your computer regularly. And for the LOVE, check your teen’s phone and put up firewalls of protection for them. They are too young to decipher this on their own! P()rn is everywhere, especially for them!
4. TALK about this issue in the church! I know of a church in my town that yearly has a men’s gathering called “P()rn and Pancakes” where they bring up this issue and have real, meaningful conversations about how to deal with p()rn addition. Many have been set free and have found deep friendships, compassion, and accountability through that ministry. The church needs to do better, because p()rn in the church pews is more real than EVER and it is destroying Godly men and families from the inside out.
5. Cover your marriage, (or future marriage), in prayer. Pray against any demonic attack or dark agenda aimed at your family. Tell the devil HE CANNOT HAVE YOUR FAMILY, in Jesus’ Name. Anoint your home, pray for your spouse daily and have regular conversations about temptations and how you can use specific guard rails to protect yourself and your family from p()rn.

Friend, if you or your spouse have an issue with viewing p()rn, this isn’t the time to go lightly and tip-toe around it so that others will not view you as weak. This isn’t the time to “save face.” 

BE REAL, OWN IT, REPENT, AND GET HELP BEFORE IT DESTROYS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

Your decision to bring this to the light may be what helps others get FREE as well.

Bring what’s in the dark, to the light. There is help, forgiveness, compassion, and freedom in the Light of Jesus.