Organizations like Fight The New Drug and Christian freedom ministries document that our society has more exposure to porn that any generation in history.

Three factors are often identified for this exponential increase in users, amount consumed, and younger ages of exposure.

• Availability
• Accessibility
• Anonymity

Each of these reasons is obvious from observation and research: availability (the rise of the internet and proliferation of porn sites and illicit online movies, accessibility (home computers, tablets and smart phones), and anonymity (private viewing).

Christian apologist, Tim Barnett, notes a fourth “A”: acceptability.[1] Here are some statistics about porn use in society:

“Despite the recognition of the negative effects of pornography. The number of people consuming pornography continues to rise.
61% of the general population report viewing pornography.
78% of men watch pornography.
44% of women watch pornography. [2]

Believers are free from sin’s authority (Rom. 6:6-23) and need to recognize God’s call to moral integrity and holiness (2 Cor. 6:16-18). Therefore, we need to be countercultural and not conformed to this fallen world system (Romans 12:2). So, consider four contrasting alternatives arising from a biblical worldview.

• The alternative to available -> accountable “Woe to the world for temptations to sin. For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes” (Matt. 18:7)
• The alternative to accessible -> avoidable “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13).
• The alternative to anonymous -> visible “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:13).
• The alternative to acceptable -> unacceptable “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9).

Recognizing the destructive prevalence of porn in our high-tech/low morals age, may we—with humility and God’s enabling grace—be equipped to offer help and hope. “So [as the result of the Messiah’s intervention] they shall [reverently] fear the name of the Lord from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives]. Isaiah 59:9 AMPC

---

[1] For a concise summary of the four factors, see
https://www.str.org/w/why-pornography-is-affecting-this-generation-more-than-any-other
Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (STR).
[2] https://www.covenanteyes.com/pornstats/

JBW