January 21, 2008
According to our stats, a lot of people accidently find Real Teen Faith because they plug in a few keywords on Google.com to find teens and sex. They weren’t looking for a ministry that talks frankly about God and faith and real life, but porn.
Those keywords lead them here because it’s a teen site and we do talk about sex, but from a Scriptural point-of-view and we’re upfront about that. But something (or Someone) draws them to visit RTF. We’re glad that they do.
Maybe you are one of those people. Maybe you’ve snagged by the lure of Internet pornography. You hate it, but you keep doing it because it’s easy, because it makes you feel a certain way, or because it’s part of your secret life.
The truth is that any type of addiction can be overwhelming. Where do you begin if you want that part of your life to change?
1. Get support. If online addiction is your thing, then visit this site to be a part of the XXX Church. Craig Gross and others get real about the world of porn, and how to get out of it. There are forums, prayer walls, podcasts, conference information, and articles.
2. Get real about the effect on your life. This is a story from the RTF book, Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life. Darrin Ballard talks about his addiction to porn, and his journey out. You know what porn gives you, but have you thought about what it has taken from you?
3. Get a porn filter and use it. The top 10 filters are less than 30 bucks; that’s six mochas plus tax.
4. Talk to someone who will help you be accountable. Your youth pastor. Your dad. Your best friend. Your Sunday school teacher. A counselor. If the first person doesn’t listen, go to the next one. Ask them to pray with you, to meet with you, to take a phone call when you are tempted, and to study Scripture with you so that you can grow in your faith. XXX Church offers an online accountability program called X3Watch that works with your computer to track sites.
5. Take the mask off. Call it what it is: addiction. Hold it out where you can see it clearly, and ask God for help. He sees it anyway. You’re not hiding it from Him. Invite Him into the process of getting free.
6. Get rid of temptation. If it’s just too big, then turn off the computer for 40 days. Make it a fast. Yeah, we know you’ll go through withdrawal (not just from the porn, but from e-mail, MySpace, music. . .), but it’s a powerful way to let yourself and others know that you’re serious about change.
7. Anticipate what God can do when we offer Him our lives, flawed and hungry and full of hope.
Cindi Hoppes says:
How sad. I never even thought about how that could happen with your site. At least, you address the problem in a frank and helpful way. I had a spending addiction and it almost cost me my family. Thankfully, I have been on the road to recovery and have followed a straight line! Cindi