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By Luke Gilkerson The Bible does not describe us merely as wayward, broken, or needing a moral boost but as those who are dead in sin (Eph. 2:1). Dead men and women do not just need recovery: they need resurrection. For the follower of Christ, the ultimate goal is not merely “quitting pornography,” but is something […]

In the last two videos we discussed the different stages within the cycle of temptation. At the top of this cycle is the state of desire. Now, in an earlier video we talked about how that really means over-desire—a strong craving for something, even a good thing. We talked about different over-desires that can compel us into the […]

In the last video we started to talk about the stages of temptation. The first stage discussed in the last video was Desire. At the top of this cycle is the state of desire. Now, in an earlier video we talked about how that really means over-desire—a strong craving for something, even a good thing. We talked about […]

In my first post, I discussed two underlying reasons why pornography has such a stronghold on many youth today. In this post, my goal is to offer six practical insights so we can best help students resist the lure of pornography. These are some of the points I will be sharing at the upcoming Set Free Global Summit on pornography.

Often the stage of this cycle that gets all the spotlight in your life is the bottom one: the moment of indulgence. We focus a lot of our energy there: “How do I stop looking at pornography?” But instead, we need to be asking about how we can repent of the whole cycle.

For the past two decades, I have been speaking, teaching, writing, and counseling students on a variety of issues. Yet in the past few years, no issue has become more critical to address with students than pornography. And yet, sadly, many parents, youth workers, teachers, and other adults simply ignore it.

Sociologist Mark Regnerus said it best: “Conversations about sex can be uncomfortable for both parent and child, but not having them—or handling them poorly—can cause long-term damage.”

In James 1:12-15, James says that temptations all starts in desire, leading to enticement, leading to the conception of sin, then the birth of sin, then the growth of sin, and finally death.

In smaller steps, we can really understand the experience of the person enslaved to porn: desire, triggers, tempting thoughts, rituals, indulgence, defeated thoughts, loss of control, guilt, shame, and self-atonement. The last part of the cycle is death.

What do the American Library Association, the Department of Justice, Snapchat, and HBO have in common?

All were named to the 2016 Dirty Dozen list by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation. Now in its fourth year, this annual list highlights 12 corporations or organizations which profit from or support obscenity and the sexual exploitation of women, men, and even children.

James says temptation starts in desire. Desire then leads to enticement. Enticement leads to conception—the conception of sin in the heart. Conception leads to birth—the birth of sin. Sin then grows stronger. And fully-grown sin brings forth death. This is the cycle of temptation and sin.

What’s interesting is, many counselors and pastors who work with men and women who struggle with porn, even for those who aren’t all that familiar with James’ letter, notice the same cycle.

The Bible holds the office of elder in high esteem. Whoever desires to be a pastor has set his heart on a noble task because it involves the oversight of God’s people through ruling and teaching. To do the job requires not only knowledge and wisdom, but also a well-guarded heart, for danger lurks in the elevated pedestal of recognition. It is here that sexual sin is most subtle and appears eminently reasonable.

Why is such a high office so prone to sexual sin and therefore so dangerous?