How Ministers Can Help the Porn Addict
Overcome has been around for a while now and in that time we’ve come to realize that we primarily have two main audiences: the addicts and those wanting to help addicts. This article is for the latter, specifically ministers.
By now it should be obvious that pornography is a huge problem, not just here in the States but across the globe. Even the world is beginning to see its negative side effects and is doing things to educate people about pornography and sex addiction. So besides preaching from the pulpit that pornography is a sin what else can ministers do to help? Here are four things a minister can do to help the porn addict:
1) Educate Yourself
It should go without saying, but if you want to help people, then you need to know what you’re up against. There are many resources out there. Besides us, there is Covenant Eyes, XXX Church, and Fight the New Drug all of which are all great resources. Understand how addiction works and what is going on inside the head of the addict.
2) Make Yourself Available
This might be the most important for the minister. Because we ministers wear this title and get paid to study the Bible and prepare lessons, in some people’s minds that excludes us from sinning. They think that there is no way that we would be able to relate to the struggles they are going through. When I say make yourself available it’s far more than just reiterating your office hours. It involves getting into people’s lives and allowing them to see that you are no different than anyone else. We struggle with sin just like everybody. Make yourself available to those who struggle by allowing them into your everyday life.
3) Don’t Judge
The worst thing you could do when someone comes to you for help is make them feel worse by talking down to them and telling them things that they already know. It is our natural inclination to rank sin, but the sin of lust is no different than the sin of lying or stealing. The porn addict didn’t come to you to be told they’re bad; they came to get help. Give them help and listen to their struggle.
4) Reach Out
Maybe you don’t have any experience with this problem. That’s okay. That’s why we exist. Want to know more about the porn addiction? Want to know the best way to get your church some help? Want to know who to start an accountability group? Let us help you! Reach out to us. Reach out to a professional counselor. Do something to help the people you are ministering to.
The job of the minister is an interesting one. The minister’s job is to help people, to serve them. The problem of pornography is a major one today and ministers need to be ready to help. Conservative numbers say that half of the men in every congregation are visiting porn sites regularly. That’s a lot of people, and we know that almost all of them aren’t getting the help they need. Get educated and start helping people overcome their porn addiction.
Let us know if we can help by contacting us at either chris@wheniamweak.org.
