Choose your master "God or Pornography"
"This post is specifically for parents with youth"OK, I think it is a safe bet to say that most men that read this christian or not have at one point or another viewed pornography. Unfortunately the truth in the world is that over 90% of males view pornography and one in three people that visit a pornographic site is a female. This means 40% of women also have done this. So as a parent what can you do to stop such things from happening, or fix it after it has happened? Well truth be told maybe it started out with your child at a young age, viewing something inappropriate and being curious and that curiosity develops into a real problem real fast. I can guarantee you that if you have three children in their teens with access to a computer there is a huge chance one of them has viewed pornography at least once. So whats the best thing to do? Well first off you need to explain to your children about the internet at a younger age. If they are under 10 make sure to be with them, there are so many pop ups and things that you can bump into online that can result in graphic images not just pornographic but violent. When they hit there teen years you should explain to them (not vividly) about the dangers of viewing pornography. Tell them that in the bible Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." This means as an married person it counts as adultery and as a non married person its fornication. I know its a scary thought but the bible urges us to be sexually pure. "Everyone lies, has stolen, has been angry, has dishonored their parents, has been violent and has done so many other things, we dont learn to do these things we just "do" them because its in our evil nature, but we choose to view pornography for the first time, we choose to cheat, or to fornicate, we have the opportunity and by then in our lives the maturity to make the decision of "staying pure or falling into sin"
If your child confesses to viewing pornography or if you have caught them viewing pornography the best way to handle it is to first of all, stay calm, if you get angry the child will only be defensive but if you calmly sit them down and have a gentle talk then they will open up and you can explain to them what they are doing wrong
1. DON'T YELL don't even raise your voice or look angry if you do it might make your child defensive and unwilling to communicate. If you stay calm this will make your child comfortable enough to ask your help in overcoming their problem and more open to correction.
2. Ask them why they did it, "The reason here is to get them to realize there isnt a logical reason for what they did and they will be less likely to argue with you about it". (If they argue at the bottom of the page there is a segment for what to say).
3. Tell them that you want to help them not to ever do it again, "Let them know you want to help them overcome the temptation and issue".
4. Tell them that they have not only sinned against God, but have damaged your trust with you (allowing them to be alone on the computer) and it will be a process of renewing your trust and asking God for forgiveness and help.
5 Ask them if they want to talk to a youth pastor or elder (if not dont push them just make sure you make the time to help them)
6. If your child does want help make sure to find someone who they are comfortable talking with.
7. Install a program on the computer to block such sites. One good one is K9 web protection and can be customized for your need (plus its free).
8. last but FAR from least pray with your child a few things you should tell your child that needs to be in the prayer of a person who is sorry and wants to change.
The first part of the prayer
A. Forgiveness (Even if your child is saved and baptized God wants to here specific forgiveness for this area of downfall.)
B. Changing of the heart (this will be hard for your child and you should help them as much as you can)
The second part of the prayer should be a sacrifice you will make to God or better yet...
Dedicate to God (what I mean by this is that all that time that was wasted on Pornography should be estimated lets say it was 1 hour a day then for the next 90 days the child has to spend 1 hour a day for God... Preferably memorizing scripture (you can read pages of the bible and not pay attention to it or let it go in one ear out out the other) but memorizing enables you to think about a passage over, and over, and over again, allowing you to learn. If your child already spends an hour a day then they still have to make this commitment. If they wine tell them that (Gods loves you and wants you to spend time with him more than you have ever wanted to view pornography, and you still chose it over him, so you need to make it up to him and show him that you love him and you want to change) Make sure to make this commitment with your child if you are able.
After all is said and done make a system for your child to follow for example
Every morning I do my daily bible reading.
Everyday at 3:00 I spend 1 hour memorizing scripture/devotional/youthgroup/etc (whatever your child needs to get over this problem.
Every morning, afternoon and night pray should consist of asking God for strength and power to overcome any temptations that the devil will throw at you.
After the end of the week sit down quietly with your child and check up on them (have they done there bible reading/dedication time have they fallen into the temptation again. (if so you may need to talk to a youth pastor or eliminate the computer for a large period of time until your child can have an opportunity to change overtime.) and if they have done everything and you see change embrace your child and compliment them. (believe me nothing to them will mean more than hearing their parents say they are proud of their good work and think they are doing a wonderful job.)
If your child argues...
If your child argues you still should remain calm but show them the seriousness of the situation....
1. if your child says "people have sexual need/everyone does it/its a biological need, explain to them that (God meant such things for marriage (not pornography but you see where I am going) and you dont have a "need" until the first time you commit the act (like a drug humans dont have sexual "needs" per say until the first time such a thing is done) after that the person develops a sexual appetite (its a beautiful thing the way God made it so people dont have a sexual desire until their after their marriage) but unfortunately we have twisted it and with sex outside of marriage and pornography we have these desires when they should not have developed yet.2. Ask your child if they want to get married "if they answer yes" then tell them that if this continues you are doing nothing but setting up for failure in your marriage, by viewing pornography you get a warped view of sex and when you get married the person who gets stuck with your problem is your spouse.
3. Tell your child that pornography is abusive "which it is" and destroys people lives and by watching it you are supporting and taking pleasure in seeing people being abused and doing horrible acts of sin for money and you are not only condoling it but enjoying it and supporting it. (Again Jesus says in Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. See you cant view pornography and serve God its impossible you cant grow in Christ and serve God while watching and enjoying pornography which gets me to my last point
4. Choose the path you want to take the live you want to live tell your child that right now they have to choose "God or porn" as bad as it sounds this is the ultimate choice either you choose God give up porn ask for forgivness and change your heart, or choose porn "it will seem like a lot of fun" but years from now if you want to get married, work in the ministry, have a family. You have a big problem which will lead to other sadness, destruction and lack of love for God.
Choose your master and choose it now.... And saying not now is the same as saying no God.
Once again leave any questions or a subject you think should be talked about next. Also what do you think is the best way to stop the problem before it happens??? Anyone that would like to debate in the comments go ahead "If you dont agree with me please let me know I love hearing other Christians ideas and their convictions."
24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.