Awareness - Lust A Hidden Pandemic
By the time a person reaches 21 years of age, Barna's research estimates they will have viewed more than 2,000 hours, on average, of pornographic images that reduce the dignity and value of human life. (Barna, 2010, Media Exposure, Addiction). There is no distinction between Christian and non-Christian, except that it is something Christians are loath to admit.
Unlike drug or alcohol addictions, which have obvious physical evidence and consequences, a person addicted to lust can appear to be 'all together'. What makes lust much more powerful and insidious than other addictions is that lust is consumed through the eyes and creates a 'hit' through the thoughts. Like other addictive agents, lust causes a drunk-like state resulting in disconnection from self, God and others.
In 2003, Charles R. Swindoll, a notable church leader, wrote 'Our church is in significant trouble...This trouble concerns a severe disease that is eating away at our congregations, perhaps even some of our own leadership, from the inside out...The problem is pornography.'
It is difficult to identify any response to Swindoll's observation because very few talk about the issue of lust, and it is this lack of openness that enables the problem to persist.
Lust is like a plague that has broken out around the world. It affects men and women, young and old, both Christian and non-Christian alike. The church is not immune.
All forms of technology promote sexual images. It is everywhere: T.V., magazines, internet, billboards, mobile phones, iPads, and in people's thoughts. It is unavoidable and relentless. While technology brings positive change in the way we communicate, it has a downside: anonymity and easy access to an endless supply of pornography. This makes everyone, particularly young people, extremely vulnerable.
Yesterday's lust does not satisfy today's appetite. A person struggling with lust will at some point find they need more of it and different kinds, in order to achieve the same effect. It is not uncommon for a person to feel disgusted at the sight of certain kinds of pornography and say 'I will never look at that or do that' but then find they engage in it at some later stage.
In order for a person to maintain the illusion that they are still in control of their lust, they try to create a new invisible line they vow never to cross, only to find themselves pulled across this line. Crossing 'the line' often contradicts a person's values, morals and spiritual beliefs, causing intense shame and guilt that pulls them further into themselves, and leaves them further exposed and vulnerable to lust temptation.
Because the male brain, in particular, is wired 'visually', pornography is very powerful. Some find themselves hooked from the very first pornographic image they see.
Persons addicted to lust lose the power to say no. They become powerless over what the image does to their thinking, emotions, and self-esteem. Left to their own devices, they continue to progress into more destructive forms of lust and 'acting out', leading to ever worsening consequences. They may be able to stop for a period of time in their own strength; however, the mental obsession to lust will eventually win. Once a person opens themselves to that 'one' lust image, it sets off an unstoppable craving for more that has to be satisfied, sometimes leading to hours and hours in front of the computer looking for the perfect image.
Unfortunately, some Christian teaching adds to the problem. Scriptures like 'we are more than conquerors through him who loved us' (Rom 8:37) and 'forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead' (Phil 3:13), are used as 'faith' statements to cover up or deny the behaviour and guilt, as though it did not exist. This results in the underlying issues of the addiction remaining unresolved, and leaving the person a target for the next image that eventually comes along with further destruction.
It is not uncommon for people trying to overcome lust temptation to try and 'fight' lust. However if a person has lost power over lust, no amount of fighting will prove successful. Lust will always win.
If there is no human means to overcome lust successfully, then ultimately God's power is the only source of progressive victory. Yet these people earnestly pray and seek God's help, seemingly with no effect.
The problem is 'how' to make a connection with God, so that His power is available to overcome the compulsion to view and, then act on the lust images. A key is to admit the powerlessness over lust to one's self and others (James 5:16), and start surrendering the addiction, and self, to God who has the power to overcome the spirit of lust. God's 'power is made perfect in weakness' (2 Cor 12:9). God promises hope and a future (Jer 29: 11-13). Those who 'seek' Him with all their heart find him (Jer 29: 13-14).
Acknowledging the truth is the first step toward recovery. Jesus says, 'you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free' (Jn 8:32). Acknowledging that truth and being honest with God and a trusted friend, mentor, pastor, or counsellor, is the first step.
Charles Swindoll suggests that this 'severe disease' is eating the body from the inside out. Facing it from the inside out is paramount.
By surrendering to God's goodness, and journeying with Him in the area of lust, we can move into true freedom and intimacy with Him, others, and ourselves.
Scott has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counselling through Tabor College Victoria with a background in disability care and administration. He is a Graduate Member of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA) and a Level 2 Member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). As well as Scott's work with the whole range of issues brought to counselling, his areas of special interest are helping people struggling with addictions, their spouses and family members, and those with co-dependency and co-addiction issues.
http://www.elijahcounselling.com.au/
http://www.lifebuilders.org.au/
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