Porn Addiction in the Pews

Porn Addiction in the Pews
by Lorie Newman
All For His Glory Ministries

Not too long ago I did an informal survey with the women's Bible study class that I teach on Sundays. The lesson was on addiction.

I gave each woman a blank index card and asked them to answer a question with simply 'yes' or 'no' and not to let anyone see their answer. They were instructed not to write their names on the card.

This is the question I asked: During your marriage has your husband ever used pornography?

My co-teacher was visibly shocked by the results. As I read each card out loud and she tallied the results on the board, her mouth dropped open as we all sat in silence. It took a few seconds for the magnitude of the results to set into our spirits.

Out of a classroom full of 24 Christian women, who regularly attend church with their husbands and children, there were only four "no" responses. I was not surprised at all.

Some studies I've seen estimate that 50% of men in a given Christian church congregation are addicted to pornography. How many more are not addicted, but have haunting images in their minds from past exposure?

With porn so available through the internet, this is fast becoming a silent epidemic in our churches. Satan would love nothing more than to destroy marriages as he wreaks havoc in the minds of Godly men.

But there is hope! I have seen God restore marriages where porn addiction had all but killed any hope of restoration. Good news! God is in the Resurrection Business! If He can raise the dead—the rank, rigor mortis, "in the tomb four days"-dead body—He can raise dead marriages! He can resurrect the dead hearts of Godly men who are trapped by porn addiction! No heart is beyond His resurrection power! And no marriage is too far gone to be healed and completely restored!

God not only can bring restoration and healing, but in the book of Joel, God tells us that He will give us back what the "locusts have eaten!" Glory! He is the Healer, He is the Restorer, and He is the Redeemer!

He’s Here! He’s Here! He’s Finally Here!

by Lorie Newman
All For His Glory Ministries






My 11-year-old son, Marc, has been blessed to not only have one very close friend as he has grown through childhood, but two! His best friends since the nursery at church are identical twin boys who are now also 11 years old.

These three boys have spent countless hours playing together over the past many years, but they especially enjoy Friday-night sleepovers when their play can go late into the night with no interruptions. It was on one of these recent Friday sleepover dates that I had to laugh as I drove my son, Marc, to the twins’ house for a night of fun.

Marc had been so excited that entire week knowing Friday was coming when he could have this sleepover with the twins. The three boys had talked on the phone each weeknight planning just what games they would play and just what “supplies” Marc would need to take. Marc had even drawn a treasure map for the pirate game they all intended to play!

When Friday finally rolled around, the three boys could hardly contain their excitement! Marc checked his packing list twice and made one final call to the twins to tell them he was getting in the car with me and heading to their house!

As we turned the corner to the cul-de-sac where the twins live, I could see them sitting on the edge of their front porch. I had to smile! The moment the twins saw Marc in the car, they jumped up and down, and I could hear their excited screams from inside my car. At the top of their lungs, they cried out, “He’s here! He’s here! He’s finally here!”

It has been a long hard wait, but their sleepover night was finally happening!

As I kissed Marc good-bye to enjoy his night of fun, I couldn’t help but be reminded of how we, as Christians, are eagerly awaiting the return of Christ.

We plan, we daydream, we ponder, “what will Heaven be like?” A sinless and perfectly formed new heaven and new earth is one of the most exhilarating promises I have found in God’s Word.

One day soon Christ will return. Are you looking forward to it? Or have the cares and troubles of this sin-filled world robbed you of the joy of a promised eternal sinless home? When I see the beauty of the ocean waves and the majesty of the mist-covered mountains, I have to remind myself that God created this world in six days. John 14:2 tells us He’s been preparing a place for us with Him for over 2000 years!

Look forward to it, friend! He’s coming soon! Are you watching from the “porch”? Soon we’ll all exclaim, “He’s here! He’s here! He’s finally here!” And what a day that will be!