I can see how it could definitely be a good thing to read up on the subject. I read “When Good Men are Tempted,” and like you, not having a particular issue with the subject, I found myself overwhelmingly thankful that I don’t struggle with it. But I find it easy sometimes to get judgmental about it with regard to others who do struggle with it. I think staying informed about such things is healthy if it does the former (makes us thankful for our deliverance) rather than the latter (“what’s wrong with these guys?”).

good point seth.

my thinking on the harm of it is that even something helpful can cause temptation. someone who doesn’t struggle with porn, reading about porn. i could see how it might tempt them instead of simply strengthening them.

Can it cause as much harm as good? Yes, definately. I think it’s a modern day application of the passage on restoring other’s gently so you don’t fall to temptation yourself.
So be careful. You might even get some weird searches linking to your site. I’ve seen some gnarly stuff on my sitemeter after blogging about masturbation.
Glad you’ve recommended this book, I agree it’s great.
Much better than “Pornified” in terms of that issue

Yeah I thought long and hard about the bad part of this kind of post. I’m sure it will have its own negatives, which stinks.

ok Tyler…you like to cover a vast number of subjects in your blogging…well here is my two or three cents…I have dated guys who have had problems with porn, but in their minds they didnt have a problem as much as it was just a once in a while motivation tool. I think that each of us has to do a little soul searchng when it comes to sex in general. I for one have not struggled with Porn, but I do struggle with the need for sex and that is because I gave into myself…I was weak and I was not prepared to say no. Many people dont want to address the issue with themselves at all…because porn, sex etc… are scary. But if we DONT address it, then it sneaks up on us and we arent prepared. For better clearification…I had a friend who was never really interested in the opposite sex, strong christian, focused on work, never thought about sex. Once this person began getting attention from the opposite gender instead of thinking about what was going on they jumped into a relationship…and because they didnt think out their feelings on sex or intimacy…they jumped into bed with the person. This relationship ended and this person was crushed. They werent prepared to say no, to make the decision to stop. It is the same thing with Porn I beleive. It is scary to many people but you have to know where you stand in order to fight against it. you need to know you can say no when those lonely, dark, internet filled nights come around. Turn on a light and call a friend haha It s like preparing fo battle, you have to beready to stand up to yourself and fight for what you know is the right decision.

ok sorry this is long and I didnt answer your question haha, I think it is good to read it…more good than bad, it just depends on your motivation…

well, I have not read it but I think it might rip a few masks off. I have a VERY good friend who had to leave ministry after struggling with a porn addiction for 37 years – it started when he was 8. (hard to believe and one of the saddest things I’ve ever heard) He is now back in ministry and his story is TERRIFYING. I brought him in to teach a retreat and it allowed my men the permission to talk about many different issues that they certainly are not going to tell me. I’ve kept my finger on the pulse of what’s happening but have encouraged my guys to meet, pray and keep one another accountable and yes, to confess. So I think that is good. Hidden is bad, confession is freedom, but messy. So I think addressing it is best.

As a woman, this topic terrifies me. I have a husband and two boys (21 and 17). God help us all. I want my children to grow up untainted by this and to have a healthy, joyous sexual relationship with their spouse. I want my daughter to not compare herself. I want my husband to appreciate me for who I am. But porn is insiduous and readily available.

I think it’s good to be more open…….shine some light on a dark subject.

another thing is that it is a REALITY in our culture and even in the church so that’s good to address reality and not deny it…….and as a man in ministry, it’s good for you to stay informed perhaps.

I tried to read “Every Man’s Battle” for this purpose but got mad at all men. My husband took the book away from me because it upset me so much. However, it did open my eyes to some things I was very naive about.

Great post Brenna.

It’s similar to talking to people about suicide and suicidal thoughts.
Overall, it’s a good thing to talk about these things. Even better to listen.

On one hand, if somebody “slips up” because you post a blog that’s anti-porn and about a book that’s about recovering from porn then that’s their problem, not yours, and a pretty poor excuse. There are many many other ways to fall to temptation on the Internet, if they hadn’t by now.

On the other, I have heard several start into or back into porn because of seemingly innocuous conversation or click of the mouse – curiosity killed the cat because on the other side of that curiosity is some serious crack.

As many porn sites as there are out there, another blog on something helpful is worth the risk.

Re: reading books about stuff that isn’t necessarily your “issue”. It may not be porn but we all deal with broken/imperfect intimacy, sin, temptation and questions/uncertainties about sex, if it’s not what you need, someone else may benefit from it or the cautionary tale may come in handy 10-30 years in the future.

so far 2 people have searched for “porn” and come here to read this. AWESOME!

I actually googled ‘metro worship leader’ and was directed to this

(sorry couldn’t resist )

Hey man,

First, congrats for walking in freedom for 3+ years. That’s awesome. Second, congratulations again for reading up and being ready – ’cause I promise you, you are SURROUNDED with people who are suffering from it, whether they are ready to “say so” or not.

Totally agree Fred. I went to public school growing up. I know this issue is wide and rampant across all believers.

It’s great that you are blogging about this (I share my own story of porn addiction on my blog) and are trying to be sensitive to those struggling with the issue. Whether or not a book like this confronts the addict with temptation is really beside the point. It is what he chooses to do with that temptation that is the issue. Addicts are tempted every day in hundreds of ways – movies, TV, magazines, billboards, etc. Tempting images bombard us everywhere – in line at the grocery store, driving to work, going to the beach, walking down the street….you get the idea. Triggers are all around us. So, for me, reading a book on the subject was the least of my worries – if I wanted to act out there were lots of other reasons to do so.

BTW, through submission to God and a program called Celebrate Recovery, I now have 110 days of freedom from the chains of porn.

Awesome awesome!