Is it porn you are struggling with, or is it yourself?
Legendary Pornstar Ron Jeremy provides the quote that inspired the above question. “You cannot blame porn.” Ron asserts, “When I was young, I used to masturbate to Gilligan’s Island.”
I must admit I discovered masturbation before I discovered porn. I did not need erotic images to teach me I had this thing between my legs, and it felt pretty awesome when I pulled on it. It is a natural occurrence for heterosexual males; when you see an attractive lady you become aroused in some way. We quickly connect this arousal with our body and realize we can satisfy the desire we experience in our mind through certain actions, and we do not need porn to do this.
Ron used to masturbate to Gilligan’s Island. Friends, was my television show of choice. Can you blame me? Monica was so hot!
The point is if it’s not porn we are getting it up to we will be getting it up to something else.
I enjoy listening to a lot of hardcore music. You know, the real heavy stuff with more screaming than singing. There is a line in a song by The Devil Wears Prada: “If I can’t change this I’ll change myself.”
I cannot currently change the porn industry. The industry is backed by organizations and people with a lot of money and power who believe porn is an expression of love protected by freedom of speech. These people need to study up on the context of the First Amendment.
So I cannot change the industry. I cannot wipe porn from the internet and neither can you.
I can however choose to be transformed.
When I was really struggling with addiction to porn, people used to quote me this verse, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
Sweet thanks, I feel all good inside now, but what should I actually do?
God transforms us by the renewing of our minds, but we have to allow space for him to do so. I agree with Ron and say we cannot blame porn for our desires to satisfy ourselves at the expense of others. However, we need to allow for the cleansing and renewing of our minds by God, and this begins with blocking out porn.
Do not get me wrong you are useful and valuable to God whether you are currently looking at porn or not. It is my opinion that God cannot be fully effective in transforming us until we let Him, by purifying ourselves and giving God space and time to do his work.
Go and get accountability software. Go and get counseling. Go and talk with someone about your struggle. Make a sacrifice that will force porn out of your life and allow God room to move in.
We cannot blame porn as Ron says, but it is time to accept responsibility and take a big step towards becoming porn free.
If you want to stop struggling with porn you have to change yourself.
@BrettWSheppard