In November 2015 the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a formal statement titled, Create in Me a Clean Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography. This is a major statement on behalf of Catholic leaders in the United States about how widespread the problem of pornography has spread and…
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Day 3: The Shame Cycle
Today, Brandon reflected on the moment when he realized that viewing porn and masturbating were sinful. He wanted to be free of that guilt. As a Catholic, he went to Confession, which he thought would end his porn usage, but he quickly learned he was wrong. Instead of finding freedom…
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Heath Lambert on the Power of Thanksgiving Over Porn
“Porn is only consumed by thankless people.” Dr. Heath Lambert isn’t coddling readers in his book Finally Free: Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace. While the quote from his book might sound like a tough rebuke, this counselor and professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary firmly roots his…
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The Two Most Important Questions to Ask If You Have a Setback
Recently, a married man from a support group I lead had two setbacks (or relapses) with porn on the same day. But rather than quitting, he sheepishly retorted, “It was just what the doctor ordered!” One of the hardest things to understand or accept is that setbacks may be a part…
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Day 10: The Science of Craving
Neuroscience knows that willpower is a function of the prefrontal regions of the brain. But our willpower can be thwarted by other parts of the brain that crave rewards and hold memories of how to get rewarding neurochemistry. Scientific studies confirm that using porn over and over actually reshapes these areas of the brain,…
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How a Little “Harmless” Entertainment Can Affect Your Husband
Numerous Christian men I’ve counseled have shared how their Christian wives read romance novels and watch movies and shows that contain nudity in front of them, even asking them to watch with them. Ironically, these men are trying their hardest to remain sexually pure for their wives, while their wives…
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Why do I feel shame from watching porn?
After helping people quit porn for more than 20 years, we know there’s a strong connection between porn and shame. Most research psychologists and sociologists recognize this connection. However, many still debate which comes first. Does feeling shame about porn cause people to consider it an addiction? Or does porn…
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Girls Like Porn Too: A Timely Message for Parents
Do girls like porn? It was just another normal day, doing homework after school. While doing research, 13-year-old Jessica Harris was intrigued by a particular video she found online. The thumbnail image was dark and blurry, but it grabbed her attention. After pressing the play button, Jessica found herself watching…
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Fighting the Dragon of Porn: Brandon’s Story
John Eldredge in his book Wild at Heart writes: “In the heart of every man is a desperate desire for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue.” I first read these words as a college student, thrusting my fist into the air, exclaiming, “Yes! Exactly!” Continuing…
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Longing For Acceptance: Cole’s Story
My exposure to pornography began when I was very young. At 13, I remember sitting in the cafeteria and hearing about these images and videos. I was a pastor’s kid, raised to value the truth given by the Word of God. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but…
