Well, I guess I can explain it a little better.
Girls can usually see this issue for what it is. We guys, on the other hand, rationalize, make excuses, or are just simply too addicted to our lust to admit what is staring at us from the computer screen.
Pornography is cheating on your family, cheating on your spouse, and ultimately cheating on yourself.
I really believe that pornography is the 'silent killer' of our generation, stripping men (and a growing population of women) of their vitality and potency to become the men they're called to be.
We are all the 'walking wounded,' having been exposed to pornography in one way or another.
Pornography is inherently shameful because we know deep down that something extremely personal has become entertainment.
We guyz don't hide or check our surroundings when we try to sneak a peak of Home & Garden in the magazine rack at the store, or clear our online browsing history because we spent too much time looking at websites of fishing equipment.
And we've all heard the excuses:
'Nobody gets hurt.'
Very few men truly believe in the 'nobody gets hurt' excuse of pornography. Many men want to believe this, but deep down they know otherwise. Just ask any sister/girlfriend/spouse.
'It's healthy for me!'
re-wires the pleasure sensors of your brain and has been proven to be as addictive as heroin. 'She isn't a real person.' Yes, she is.
It's not that pornography shows too much of a person, but that it truly shows too little, and we men, who are called to be protectors of the dignity of the women in our lives, forego our mission for fleeting moments of pleasure.
Shame and self-centeredness inevitably follows the repetition of viewing pornography, and for a rapidly growing population of youth addiction and acting out what has been viewed on screen.
There's a wealth of articles and information online regarding the evils of pornography and how to overcome its snares, but I want to offer three tips that will work for u.
1. GET OVER YOURSELF.
The temptation to view pornography usually finds us in moments of inactivity, boredom, or indulgence, and it breeds a cycle of self-centeredness and self-pity that just leads to further porn viewing. Breaking the cycle usually means getting over yourself and going outside of yourself.
It's not enough to say 'no' to pornography we have to channel that energy towards something positive, and eventually, when moments of temptation stir up again,
we can recognize the destructive force that pornography is and can make a more life-giving choice.
2. ACCOUNTABILITY.
'As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man' (Proverbs 27:17) and we men cannot be lone rangers on this Christian journey and expect to rise to each challenge.
We need community. We need brotherhood.
Even just having a guy you trust to whom you can say, 'Hey man, it's been a rough week,' and knowing he won't judge but will support you, makes all the difference.
We guys know that looking at porn is shameful, but by bringing it into the light we cancel so much of its power over us. And if we need some stronger remedy, we have to be humble enough to seek professional help.
3. PRAYER.
Pray for the healing of those involved in the porn industry, especially all the women addicted to drugs, alcohol, and whatever else may be numbing their senses or imprisoning their hearts.
Nothing sobers you up like realizing that the woman in front of you is someone else's daughter.
Meditating on her tender femininity is a great antidote for the poison that pornography pushes into our veins. Mary will lead you in purity and lead you to her Son, and kick your butt in the process.
We have been created for real love and for real greatness. We have been made for both sacrifice and responsibility.
Let's stop cheating ourselves.
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