| Find Freedom From the Porn Box |
April 19, 2008
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Why do people come out to Uturn? For some it’s the great music. For other’s it’s the dramas. For others, it’s a chance to hear about freedom in a way they’ve only hoped for. This past Uturn event launched into the freedom from porn that Jesus can bring to people who are trapped in the porn box.
The band got things rocking with familiar songs like One Way, Strong Tower, and Happy. They also played new songs like Ayesha Woods' riff-filled Beauty.
The dramas kept their promise to make 
us laugh and make us think. The first drama was hilarious for all the gum chewers out there: check it out on our main page. I can remember my cousin putting his gum on the back of his hand when he was eating his meal. Sometimes ABC gum just tastes great! The second drama continued where last Uturn’s drama left off. The main character had just been released from chains by Jesus. He was so happy about this new freedom that Jesus had given him! When he went back to his life, he found out that living for Jesus is difficult. While he was sitting on his bed, doing homework on his laptop, a picture of porn popped up on his screen. Freaked at the sight of it, he ran to Jesus and asked for forgiveness. “You are forgiven. Go and sin no more” was Jesus’ only response. The boy returned to his work, only to stumble onto porn again and again. Eventually, he stopped turning to Jesus. Sadly, he was put back into chains and placed into a cage before he even knew what was going on! And that’s where the drama left him, finally realizing what had happened and calling out for Jesus. Is that the end of the story? No way! Check out the rest on July 7th.
Every second 28, 250 Internet viewers are viewing pornography.
Every second $3, 075.64 is being spent on pornography.
The worldwide pornography revenue in 2006 was $97.06 billion.
79% of youth unwanted exposure to pornography occurs in the home.
47% of Christians say that pornography is a problem in the home.
50% of church-going men and 20% of church-going women say they are loosing the battle against pornography.
The statistics are staggering. Porn is obviously all around us. You probably know that better than you’d like. It’s on the Internet; it’s on TV, in movies, and in magazines. Plumbers and pastors, truck drivers and teachers, men and women, young and old – we’re all faced by it and by its consequences. Trevor shared some input from his life that hopefully pointed people to Jesus and the freedom that He can bring.
The presence of porn is not only undeniable, but the problem of porn is irrefutable. Porn separates families: husbands and wives, parents and children. When porn enters the relationship, it’s as though the viewer is actually cheating on his or her partner. Jesus said that “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” God designed the husband and wife for love and respect. Sadly, porn tears down this trust and leaves the wife without love and the husband without respect. In place of this trust, a wall is built. Another wall is built that separates the viewer from him or herself – a wall of shame. This wall is nearly impossible to breakdown. Porn is such a taboo issue that no one in his or her right mind wants to admit that he or she is loosing the battle. In silence and hopelessness, the viewer begins to hate his or her desires. 
Don’t believe me? Can you look into the mirror, looking into your eyes and tell yourself, “This is how I want my family to remember me”? Finally, porn also separates the viewer from God. In the drama, the main character initially turned to Jesus, but after he became caught up in watching porn, he stopped turning to Jesus because he would have to stop viewing porn.
There are many reasons that someone could start viewing porn. Most children are unintentionally exposed to porn through videos (2006 stats). It could start with a healthy curiosity around 13 or 14 years old, it could be a result of the family life that the child grew up in, and it could be connected with the over-sexualized society we find ourselves in. Not only is our entertainment over-sexualized, but even the way we often dress shows that we are more concerned about our sex appeal than our purity and modesty.
The presence of porn is undeniable, the problem of porn is irrefutable, but, no matter how trapped someone finds him or herself in a loosing battle against the desires of porn (or whatever battle you’re loosing), there is hope because the power of Jesus is incomparable! Trevor shared about victory in Jesus and the freedom he has found. While Jesus has not yet changed this world and removed temptation, He has given us “everything we need for a godly life” (2 Peter 1:3). Through Jesus, we are able to radically fight, breaking down the wall of shame, restoring relationships and building trust, by making ourselves accountable through friendships and computer accountability programs. Yes, these things will make us better fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, and children, but the great news is that Jesus has also made a way to break down the final wall and restore our broken relationship with God! This is real freedom from the porn box! Not only are we set free, but, because of Jesus, we can come to God without shame. He has forgiven us and loves us so much that He “gave himself up for her [a.k.a the Chruch: that’s you and me if we choose to believe and follow Jesus!] to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25-27)! Freedom from the porn box is available and it’s worth it! We are all left with a choice: where are you going to turn?
The night ended with an invitation for people to talk about this battle and the freedom available. If you are looking for any sources that might help your next step check out: