In today’s world, many feel that society is shifting in alarming and unsettling ways. What began as a movement to address injustices has spiraled into what many call “woke madness”—a culture that prioritizes ideology over truth, silences dissent, and disregards the concerns of the majority. This challenge is not exclusive to Christians; it affects everyone who values fairness, safety, and freedom of speech. For Christians, these cultural shifts demand a thoughtful response rooted in biblical truth, love, and courage. By standing firm in faith and addressing these issues with clarity, we can offer hope to a world increasingly confused by competing ideologies and suppressed truths.
Pandering to the Minority
One of the most glaring issues in today’s cultural climate is the way society often bends over backward to affirm the demands of a vocal minority, frequently at the expense of the majority of the people, disregarding their needs, feelings, thoughts, identity, values and inherent dignity, bullying them into submission. While Christians are called to care for the marginalized (Micah 6:8), this does not mean affirming every belief or action, especially when it conflicts with truth or violates others’ rights. Take, for example, the growing insistence that women accept biological men in their private spaces, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams. This compromises women’s safety, privacy, and dignity, while dismissing their legitimate concerns. Adding insult to injury, women are now being rebranded as “cisgender,” a term many find demeaning and erasing. This kind of pandering ignores the rights, feelings, and safety of the majority, forcing them to affirm ideologies they may deeply disagree with. The audacity of such demands is not only unfair but a direct attack on freedom of thought and conscience. As Christians, we affirm that all people are equal in the eyes of God, deserving of dignity and respect, but equality must not come at the cost of truth or the violation of others’ rights.
A Smokescreen of Control
A significant issue behind this movement is the deliberate way media, education, and political systems amplify the voices of a vocal minority while silencing, marginalizing, or demonizing the majority. The media frequently serves as a controlled and biased outlet, crafting narratives that gaslight the public into believing the minority’s views represent universal consensus. This deliberate distortion functions as a smokescreen, suppressing genuine dissent and coercing society into submission under the guise of progress or inclusivity. The consequences are far-reaching: a creeping erosion of fundamental freedoms—free speech, free thought, religious expression, and even parental rights. These alarming trends bear a striking resemblance to tactics employed by authoritarian regimes like China and North Korea, where the state dictates morality, controls speech, and punishes dissent. Practices such as cancel culture, thought policing, and the dismantling of basic liberties are not just isolated events but steps toward a society where fear and compliance replace freedom and truth.
The Illusion of Affirmation and Truth
The woke movement demands that society affirm subjective ideologies, such as fluid definitions of gender and morality. While this may appear compassionate on the surface, it ultimately fosters confusion, division, and harm. Romans 1:25 speaks to this reality: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator.” When society elevates individual feelings over objective reality, the result is chaos and instability. For Christians, affirming falsehoods is not an option. True compassion does not reinforce illusions; it seeks to uphold truth. Only the truth—rooted in God’s Word—has the power to bring genuine freedom and healing, as Jesus said: “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The Impact on Families and Children
One of the most troubling aspects of woke culture is its profound impact on children and families. Schools, which should focus on teaching essential subjects like math, science, and reading, are increasingly being used as platforms for ideological indoctrination. Children are encouraged to question their gender, prioritize feelings over biological reality, and even view their parents as barriers to self-expression. Parental rights are being systematically undermined, as schools and governments make critical decisions about children’s identities without consulting their families.
This trend poses a grave danger not only to the stability of families but to society as a whole. The sexualization of children in schools—often justified under the banner of inclusivity—opens the door to harm, exploitation, and confusion. Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6 offers a sobering perspective: “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Protecting children is not just a Christian duty but a universal moral imperative. Safeguarding their innocence, well-being, and safety is essential for the health of families and the future of society.
Cancel Culture and the Death of Free Speech
Cancel culture has created an environment where expressing disagreement or holding differing beliefs can result in public shaming, job loss, or even legal consequences. This suppression of dissent is a direct attack on free speech, a foundational principle of any truly free society. For Christians, this challenge is especially pronounced. Biblical views on marriage, gender, and morality are increasingly labeled as offensive or even hateful by some if it opposes their views.
What Can Be Done?
Navigating these challenges requires courage, wisdom, and faith. Here are practical steps for Christians (and others) to stand firm and promote truth:
1. Stay Rooted in Scripture
God’s Word is the ultimate authority. When cultural ideologies conflict with biblical truth, we must remain faithful to God.
2. Expose the Smokescreen
Help others see through the media’s biased narrative. Encourage critical thinking and honest conversations to reveal the truth.
3. Defend Freedom for All
Advocate for free speech, parental rights, and the protection of children. This is not just a Christian issue; it affects everyone who values liberty.
4. Model True Justice
Biblical justice seeks restoration and healing, not division and retribution. Work toward fairness without compromising truth.
5. Pray and Trust God
Cultural battles are spiritual battles. Pray for leaders, teachers, and those caught in confusion, and trust God’s sovereignty in all circumstances.
Conclusion: Standing Firm in Truth and Grace
The rise of woke madness is a challenge for all people, not just Christians. When society panders to a vocal minority, silences the majority, and replaces truth with ideology, the result is division, confusion, and fear. As Christians, we are called to stand as salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). By speaking truth in love, defending the vulnerable, and remaining steadfast in faith, we can offer a better way—a way rooted in the hope and freedom found in Jesus Christ. The cultural storm may rage, but God’s truth is unshakable. Let us courageously shine His light, knowing that in Christ, we have the ultimate answer to every cultural and spiritual crisis.
CitizenGO – started this petition to The UK Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP, and UN Ambassador Dame Barbara Janet Woodward DCMG OBE – 2024/09/05
The UN (United Nations) is on the brink of legalising something unimaginable that will effect children around the world.
Right now, it’s pushing a horrifying treaty that could make it acceptable to create and possess explicit materials involving children—as long as it’s deemed “private” or “consensual”.
The UN’s latest treaty on cybercrime could allow predators to exploit children under the guise of “consensual” or “private” use of sexual content – child rape material.
Imagine AI-generated images of children in disturbing scenarios or real minors (children) being manipulated and / or coerced into creating their own exploitation—all potentially decriminalised. This is beyond comprehension—it’s a direct threat to the safety of every child.
If this treaty is signed, it could pave the way for the normalisation of the most horrific forms of child exploitation and even elements of paedophilia around the world.
And the UN isn’t just allowing this—they’re endorsing it.
By decriminalising “consensual” child pornography i.e child rape material, they’re opening the floodgates for paedophiles and predators. And make no mistake—if we let this happen, it’s only a matter of time before they push for even more: lowering the age of consent and defending the “rights” of those who prey on our children.
This is a nightmare in the making, and we cannot afford to wake up too late. We are standing at the edge of a cliff, and if we don’t act now, the protections that keep our children safe will be eroded.
What will be left? A world where the law protects predators, and our ability to safeguard our children will be stripped away.
We must rise up and make our voices heard. Add your name today to demand that the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and UN Ambassador Dame Barbara Janet Woodward block this outrageous treaty.
The time to protect our children from this madness is now—before it’s too late.
Urgent: Opposition to Proposed UN Cybercrime Treaty
Dear The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP and Dame Barbara Janet Woodward DCMG OBE,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the new UN treaty on cybercrime. What should be a positive step toward global safety has instead raised significant alarm.
Among the most distressing aspects of this proposed treaty is the inclusion of language that would decriminalize certain forms of child pornography.
According to Article 14 of the treaty, countries may choose to decriminalize the production, distribution, and possession of content depicting children that are sexually exposed so long as the material does not represent an “existing person” or does not visually depict actual “child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation.”
This proposal is not only deeply unethical but also poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society—our children.
It opens the door to depictions of paedophilia and legalizes some forms of child pornography, long considered illegal.
It is deeply troubling that the UN, which should prioritize the protection of all citizens, especially children, is considering provisions that could improve the social perception of paedophiles and protect those who possess and consume such vile material.
We must keep these dangerous individuals far away from our children and ensure that their abhorrent behaviour is not legitimised through international treaties.
In light of this, I urge you to take a stand against this treaty when it comes before the United Nations General Assembly this month. Please abstain from endorsing any agreement that would undermine the protection of our children and compromise the safety of our society.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.
[Your Name]
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It’s important. Will you sign it too? Here’s the link:
One of the most common and important questions that every Christian hears is, “can I be gay and a Christian?” I believe this is a question that our generation so desperately wants to know the truth about. BUT…
Many people answer this question from a judgmental place void of love. In this video I answer this question full of love but full of the truth. Why? It is time for Christians to engage the questions of our culture and world to provide answers that nobody else fully understands or knows.
Whether you identify as a member of the LGBTQ community, a Christian or somewhere in between this video will challenge, encourage and bless you.
My desire is that you would encounter the real Jesus as you watch this video and that the truth set you free. – Sincerely, Ross Johnston. The transcript from the video can be found below…
Ross Johnston was born via artificial insemination and brought up in a LGBTQ household, Ross’s personal testimony can be found here: Testimony.
The below transcript is from Ross Johnston’s video, can I be gay and Christian:
I’m gay, and I’m a Christian—or I’m a Christian, but I’m struggling with same-sex attraction, and I don’t know how to get free. You see, here’s the truth: these are the top two questions that I get on all of my social media platforms every single day, and I truly believe these are questions of a generation—questions that are desperate for answers that are full of the truth and full of love.
So, in today’s video, we’re going to dive right into these. Now, please, before you keep watching this video, I want to say a few things to really explain and express my heart, because here’s the truth: so many times, when people talk about this topic, it comes from a place of hate and a place of judgment, and I want my heart posture to be so clear to every single person watching, whether you call yourself a Christian or you don’t.
Here are the few things that I want to lay as a foundation before we talk about and answer these questions.
Number one: I was born by artificial insemination. I grew up in a lesbian household. My mom is still currently living in that community. Why do I bring this up? So many people will say, when I share what I’m going to share today (and this will come from Christians and non-Christians), that what I’m saying is hateful, it’s not loving, etc., etc.
Here is the reality: my entire life, even up until this point, I have lived among, and all of my mom’s friends are a part of, the LGBTQ community. So many people in that community are kind, are loving, forgiving, and are amazing people. So, I want you to know that my heart posture—whatever side, wherever your beliefs are right now—I just want you to know one thing: my heart is to share the truth through the lens of love. Because here’s the second thing I want to say: I am simply asking for the next 10 to 15 minutes of your attention, whatever you call yourself, whatever you identify as, whatever your spiritual beliefs are. Because here’s what I’m believing for: that if we can actually engage these hard and challenging questions of our generation, could it actually lead to breakthrough? Could it actually lead to salvation? Could it actually lead to healing? Could it actually lead to people living the life that they are designed for?
And here’s my other desire: I am not here to Bible-bash you and just throw scripture verses at you. No. Do I believe in the Bible? 100%. Do I believe it’s the Word of God? 100%. But even if you don’t believe that, I’m going to share things today that I believe actually have the power for you to receive destiny, for you to receive hope, joy, and a purpose—maybe for the first time in your life.
And here’s the third thing—and I think this is funny, but it’s the truth—so many times, people forget that sex was not our idea. It was not man’s idea; it was God’s idea. He created it from the beginning of time, before sin, before almost anything else besides creation. And here’s why this is important: God created sex for procreation and for pleasure. So, I think we have to redefine sex in our minds as Christians and as people of the world. The truth is, sex is God’s design so that His purposes would become reality on the earth.
Because what is the first thing that He told man to do? ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and govern it.’ And you can’t do that without sex. And here’s the last thing I want to say before we dive into this video. Thank you for listening to these. What I want you to know is, at the end of this video, I’m going to share something called the Good News. Now, you might have heard it, you might not have heard it, but here’s why I want you to stay till the end: because I’m actually going to share the real truth on what can actually set you free, save you, bring you healing, and bring you into the design for your life.
So, let’s dive into this.
Alright, so the first question that I want to answer today is: can you be gay and be a Christian? And here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to explain, out of the Word of God, out of the Bible, out of the Scriptures, what is the truth. Now, here’s what I want to say: I know there are some people watching; they might not even believe in the Bible. Maybe you’ve never read the Bible, maybe you’ve never had an experience with God, or an experience with Jesus, an experience with the Holy Spirit. Just please listen, because here is the truth: there’s one thing that’s clear from scholars, who are Christians and not, that the Bible is indeed a real document that has been confirmed and that has been proven and tested to be completely real.
And so, this is what the Bible begs the question: if this document, which has been proven to be real, is the truth, then what is the responsibility and the action that is placed on my life?”
And so, here’s the first thing I want to start with: this is literally the first page of the entire Bible. It is Genesis 1:27, and here are verses 26 and 27. Here’s what I want to read: if you have your Bible, just go with me real quick.
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals, and the small animals along the ground.”
Now check this out: so God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God, He created them; male and female, He created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the Earth and govern it.”
A few things: It was God’s desire to create you and me. You were formed in your mother’s womb by God. He loved you, He chose you, and He knew you before the foundations of the Earth. Whether your parents wanted you or whether any other person had any say in how you came to this Earth, God knew you, created you, and formed you in your mother’s womb.
Now here’s the second thing we see from right here: that God created us, every person, in His image. That’s amazing. The third thing we see is that He created male and female—two genders and only two genders. It’s literally that simple. But here’s the next thing He said: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the Earth and govern it.” As I said earlier, God’s design is for sex to actually take place on the Earth so that His purposes can become a reality through us.
Now here’s the second thing: I want to go to another scripture. I want to go to Genesis chapter 2, so just go to the next page with me, and I want to read verses 21 through 24.
So the Lord caused the man, Adam, to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and brought her to the man. At last, the man exclaimed, “This one is bone from my bone and flesh from my flesh. She will be called woman because she was taken from the man.” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
So from the beginning, from creation, we see God’s design: for male and female, men and women, to become united as one through the covenant and context of marriage.
So here are a few more scriptures I want to dive into, but you need to understand the context of what’s going on here. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites, the people of God, out of bondage and slavery in Egypt to the promised land. When he did this, he gave them what we know as the Old Testament or the Old Covenant law, which is basically ways they should live their lives to honor God.
In the Book of Leviticus, which, to be honest, a lot of people don’t like reading because it’s just a bunch of laws and can be a little bit boring, but there’s so much to be found here. In Leviticus 18 and chapter 20, there are two things that are said that are very valuable.
Number one: Leviticus 18:22 says, “Do not practice homosexuality; having sex with another man as with a woman is a detestable sin.”
Now, I want you to go with me just to the next chapter, chapter 20, and then go with me to verse 13. It says, “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both have committed a detestable act.”
Now here’s the thing that’s super clear about this: God is making it really clear. Now please stay with me past this—even if you do not agree—God is making it clear that living and performing homosexual acts is not His design and goes against how He created you and me to be.
Why does this matter? I like to say it like this: if you don’t walk in the design of God, you can’t walk in the blessing of God. If something is designed a certain way and you try to use it in a way that it’s not designed for, it’s going to cause issues and going to cause problems.
Because so many people will say, “Well, Jesus never talked about homosexuality. He never said it was a sin; He never spoke ill against it.” Well, I want you to go with me to Matthew chapter 19. These are the exact words of Jesus, now we are in the new testament, and this is what Jesus says. Some Pharisees—religious people—came to Him. Isn’t that interesting? And they said, “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” So, what is Jesus responding to? He’s responding to marriage. And this is what He says:
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning, God made them male and female.”
So, what is He doing here? He’s affirming the two genders, and He’s affirming creation. And He said, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two, but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
So, did Jesus say the word “homosexuality”? No. But you have to understand, once again, the context of this Scripture. He’s talking to religious leaders; He’s talking to Pharisees. They knew the Old Testament law—the Scriptures that I just talked about right before this—like the back of their hand. They knew the traditions; they knew the customs. So, they already knew that the design of God was not to live a homosexual life.
And so, Jesus is saying right here, He’s affirming what we just read in those previous Scriptures, and He’s basically saying that man and woman should come together as one, and that no one should separate that. This is amazing.
But here’s the last place I want to go. Now, listen, I know many YouTube channels are super scripted, super edited—we’re just raw and real. I want you to go with me to Romans chapter 1, and I’m flipping there live with you right now because I want to read this Scripture, and I believe this is a powerful Scripture. I want you to just go with me real quick to verse 18. We’re going to read about four verses. Just stay with me for a second.
Here’s what it says:
“But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world—listen to this—ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
Wherever you’re at on your faith journey… If you just simply step outside, or wherever you’re watching this video, and you look up, you look to the side, and you see nature, you see creation—you know there’s a Designer. You know there’s a God. This is incredible. This is the foundation God is using. And here’s what else Paul said, the one who wrote the Book of Romans:
“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like.”
Now listen to this verse right here, verse 23:
“And instead of worshiping—giving attention, affection, and honor (that’s what worship means)—to the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people.”
What is God trying to say here? That as human beings, before we know who God truly is and we know our full identity, we worship—or we place all our value on—the creation instead of the Creator. And then, here’s where it goes on to say right here, this is the key verse:
“So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie.”
And here’s what I think is so, so powerful—verse 26:
“That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.”
Now, here are a few things I want to make as closing remarks. I want to make three points.
Number one: You also have to understand that in all of the Bible, all of the Scripture right here, there is not one man or woman who actually affirmed or encouraged living a homosexual lifestyle.
But here’s another thing you need to know: orthopraxy and orthodoxy, I’m going to break that down in simple english, non-churchy terms. What it means is, from the beginning of the New Testament Church—which was about 2,000 years ago—there was never a belief or practice allowed in the church in regards to homosexuality. This is a new concept, a new belief system that has been affirmed only in the last few decades here on earth. So for close to 17, 18, 1900 years, no Christian, no church, would actually come out and say that we affirm homosexuality and that we allow that practice among those who call themselves Christians.
So here’s what I want to say: wherever you’re at on this journey, it is clear through the Scriptures, it is clear through everything—through the lens of the world, through the lens of the first church—that homosexuality is not the design of God. But I want you to know that if you don’t call yourself a Christian or you live in the LGBTQ lifestyle at the moment, please stick with me because I’m going to share something so powerful—real-life experiences to back this up.
Now, before I share those experiences, I want to answer the second question because so many people will DM me on a regular basis, saying, “Ross, I’m a Christian, I love Jesus, I want to know God, but I have same-sex attraction and I don’t know how to get free.” Well, here’s the first thing I want to ask you: Do you want to get free? And if the answer is yes, then listen to the rest of this.
Here’s the first scripture I want to talk about—this is so, so powerful, and this even answers the question, “Ross, I was born gay. Ross, I was born with these attractions. Ross, I was born with X, Y, and Z.” Listen to the words of Jesus here. Once again, it’s another religious leader, a religious person, coming to Him and asking Him this. And this is what he said:
This religious leader asked Him, “We all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Look at the words of Jesus here. He replies, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.”
“What do you mean? Can I go into my mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus said, “I assure you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.”
Regardless of what you believe you were born with, when you come to Jesus, you become born again. What does “born again” mean? “Born again” means not born naturally, but born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God—comes and lives inside of you, so you now have access and relationship with God through His Spirit. So any desire, anything that doesn’t line up with this design—any struggle, any temptation, whatever the case may be—you become born again. That is no longer who you are.
But the Scriptures take it even further. I’m going to bounce around here real quick to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, one of the most powerful scriptures that I’ve read in a while—5:17. This is what it says:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.”
And that word used in the Scriptures here, not in English, actually means a new creature or a new prototype. When you come to Jesus, you literally become a brand new person. This is incredible—new emotions, new thoughts, new desires, new affections, new pursuits. Why? Because the power of God is to save those who believe. But not only does He save you, He gives you His Spirit. You become born again, and you become a new creation.
But here’s where else I want to go—just go with me a few books back to Romans chapter 5. This is an incredible scripture, and here’s what I want to read: it’s Romans chapter 5, verse 10. “For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son.”
Why does that matter? The word “saved” used here in the Greek is actually the word “sōzō.” It means to be completely free—emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Friends, what is the Bible trying to say? What is God trying to speak to you right now? When you become a Christian, when you surrender your life to Jesus, you literally get completely set free in every area of your life. You become brand new. Friend, this is not too good to be true—this is good, and it truly is true.
Now listen, if you’re still watching this video, there’s still something more powerful I want to share with you, and I want to say thank you for staying with me until this point. I believe the Spirit of God is beginning to speak to you, to heal you, to set you free. Yes, the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit—can set you free through watching a video, through hearing the Word of God. And here’s where I want to go next.
I want to share this one scripture that just came to mind: Galatians 2:20. Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Friend, when you become a Christian, you don’t just change—you actually die to your old self. You don’t just change a little bit; you become born again. Why does this matter? If you just change, you can easily change back. But if you die, you can never go back. And this is great news!
So, if you have desires, or thoughts, or things that are plaguing you or tempting you, I want you to know that those are no longer your thoughts if you’re a born-again believer in Jesus. Paul said that any thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, you must take it captive and tear it down. So, when you get thoughts—this isn’t even just about same-sex attraction; this is about anything in our lives—any thought that is not in alignment with the will and design of God, you need to become aware of it. You need to say, “That’s not who I am.” You declare out loud your identity and who you are as a son or daughter of God, based on all the scriptures we just talked about, and watch that thing flee from your life.
But here’s the last point I want to make. I want to talk about baptism. You might be thinking, “Listen, Ross, I already know what baptism is—I get it.” No, no, no. Baptism is not just a cute Christian moment where you go under some water. Listen, this revelation shifted my life and freed me from a nine-year addiction to pornography. Did you hear that? A nine-year addiction I had, and I was completely set free by that first revelation I gave you, and what I’m going to share with you right now is truly life-changing. This is what it is—Romans 6. I want to read about eight verses here, so just stick with me. This is verse one:
“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of His wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined Him in His death? For we didn’t just change—nope—it says we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we may also live new lives.”
Now pay attention here: since we have been united with Him in His death, we will also be raised to life as He was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin, for when we died with Christ, we were set free from the power of sin.
Friends, when you get baptized in water, you are joining Jesus in His death and in His resurrection. It is not just about getting dipped in some water and making a public confession of your faith—no, friend, the old you, the old self, is buried, never to be seen again, in baptism. And then you are raised to completely new life, just like when Jesus was raised from the dead.
When this revelation hits your heart, I believe the Holy Spirit is saying a few things right now:
Some of you have been baptized before, but you didn’t understand this fully. I encourage you—go get re-baptized. Because when you get re-baptized with this revelation, it shifts everything.
If you’ve never been baptized, you need to do this immediately. This is powerful. You need to die to your old self, be raised, and join Jesus in His death and resurrection, becoming a completely new creation—set free from any temptation and any sin in your life.
Now, here’s where I want to begin to wrap things up, but just stick with me for a few more minutes. There are a few testimonies that I think are going to absolutely wreck your heart in the best way possible, and I just want to share these because they are truly transformative.
These are really good friends of mine who I know personally, and they love sharing their testimonies because the Word of God says that we overcome the devil, or the enemy, by the blood of the Lamb (the blood of Jesus), the word of our testimony, and not loving our lives unto death. So, receive this for your life—receive this for your child, for a friend, a family member, a coworker, whoever it is.
The first one is my friend Samuel. I’ll put all their Instagram handles down below so you can go follow them. Samuel used to be a former gay stripper. Yes, you heard that right—a gay stripper, living the club life, living a homosexual lifestyle. He encountered the presence of Jesus and now is completely saved, preaching the gospel, and leading many out of the LGBTQ community. This is powerful. What Samuel experienced is not just about changing behavior—it’s about transformation, it’s about dying to the old self and rising anew with Christ.
The second story is about my friend Joshua. He was in the adult entertainment industry for multiple years, and then he had an encounter with Jesus. He was suicidal; he wanted to give up on his life. He had the money, he had the fame, he had everything the world told him he wanted, but he was never satisfied. He met Jesus, and now he travels across America preaching the gospel.
The third story is about my friend Ellie, who I just met recently. She was living in a same-sex relationship with another woman for multiple years. She walked into a worship service, and she felt the presence of God. She said, “I…” And in that very moment, she actually broke up with her girlfriend. She repented, came to Jesus, and said, “Jesus, I want you more than anything—more than anything my flesh may tell me, more than anything the world may tell me.” And she gave her life to Jesus.
The last one is my friend Grazana. She literally would speak at Pride festivals and was living a homosexual lifestyle for multiple years. She came to a gathering that she did not want to be at. She felt the presence of God, heard the gospel, gave her life to Jesus, and is now in Bible College pursuing God.
The testimonies that I just released can be yours. Just receive them by faith that God is saving those—it’s Isaiah 61—out of the most hopeless, godless, and darkest situations, that they may rebuild the ancient ruins.
And here’s the last thing that I want to share today, and I promise this—the video will be finished. Please share this video with as many people as you can and encourage them. But I want you to know right now that there is hope for you. There is destiny. You can have life, you can be healed, and you can be saved. The Bible makes it clear that if you would confess with your mouth and believe—believe in your heart—that Jesus is Lord and rose from the dead, you will be saved.
But before we do that, I want you to know the quick 60-second story that transformed my life. When God created Adam and Eve, the first two people, the Bible says in Genesis that they walked in the garden with God—no separation. But then, one day, they disobeyed God because God gives us free will and free choice to live life how we want. And because they chose to go against God, it separated man and God. Why? Not because God hated them or hates you, but because He is holy, and He can’t have a relationship with someone who is not holy like Himself.
So what did God do? He sent His son, Jesus, to this earth. Jesus was just like you and me, friend—real body, real emotion, real pain—He went through life. But the Bible says He was tempted in every way, but never sinned, never disobeyed God. He was perfect. And one day, He was hung on a cross—real nails went through His hands, and real blood came out of His body. The Bible says He was beaten beyond recognition. He became the sacrifice for your sins and mine, for the disobedience in our lives.
And when Jesus died on that cross, friend, He forgave us of our sins. He forgave us of all the trespasses and all the disobedience in our lives. He cleansed us, He washed us, and He gave us access back to God. But not only that, He rose from the dead on the third day, signifying that you and I can now be raised to new life when we surrender our life to Jesus. We get free by His blood because we cannot be forgiven on our own merit. We cannot be forgiven by our own works because we are human—we are not perfect; we are flawed. But God sent Jesus to become that perfect sacrifice for you and me.
So here’s what I want to do: If you want to surrender your life to Jesus, if you want to know who God really is, if you want to walk in the identity as a son or daughter of God that you were created for from the beginning of time, I simply want you to say this prayer of faith with me out loud.
Just say, “Jesus, I give you my life. I believe you are the Son of God. You died on the cross, shed your blood, and broke your body for me. I repent, and I turn from all my sins and all my mistakes. From this day forward, I make you my Lord, and I receive you into my heart.”
Say this last thing: “Holy Spirit, fill me now. Holy Spirit, fill me with power. In Jesus’ name.”
If you prayed that prayer, please comment below or send me a message. I want to talk to you, I want to pray with you, and I want to share some next steps with you.
Secondly, if you enjoyed this video—if it encouraged you, if you learned something from it, if you felt breakthrough or healing—would you share this with two to three friends? I believe this video will reach the generation for the glory of Jesus. And make sure you subscribe to the channel down below.
I love you guys, and I’ll see you soon.
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The video below is Scott’s testimony of how the Lord met with him and transferred him into the Kingdom of his beloved Son, Jesus. This message is a timely word for those of the LGBTQ community who are struggling with their Identity. There isn’t a hole deep enough where God’s love isn’t able to reach. 👇
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*** Transcript of Ross Johnston YouTube video can I be gay and Christian- website: http://www.rossjohnston.co / Photo by Kampus Productions at Pexels
I nodded, tears streaming down my five-year-old face, thorns and brambles cutting into my backside.
“You gotta do this, then, or you can’t ever be married.” The voice—which came from a teenage boy, accompanied by the snicker from his kid brother—would haunt me for 18 years until I got married.
It still haunts me.
The statistics about sexual crime both alarm and numb. According to the Department of Justice, by age 18, one in four women and one in six men have been sexually abused.
I thought if I hid my pain I could magically improve sexually. But not addressing the truth was disastrous my sexual relationship with my husband.
What happens to the titanic number of sexually abused men and women when they marry and enter regular sexual experiences with their mates? One study published in Contemporary Family Therapy estimates that 56 percent of women who were sexually abused as children feel discomfort during sex and 36 percent seek some sort of sexual therapy.
Although I told my husband, Patrick, about the abuse while we were dating, after we were married, I pretended immunity from my past trauma. But keeping up the charade wasn’t so easy since sex reminded me of the abuse. I didn’t tell Patrick, though, because I felt guilty, as though I were a poor wife.
I hoped somehow I could work out everything through sheer willpower. So throughout our early married life, I tolerated sex, never letting Patrick know how much I was hurting. I’m not sure if I even knew the extent of my pain, at least enough to verbalize it.
When our eldest daughter turned five, however, I began to relive the molestation I’d experienced at her age. I felt the horror afresh. I saw those brothers steal my innocence on muddied nature trails, in secluded playgrounds, and in their bedroom.
I puzzled over the photos my divorced father took of nude women and his insistence that I bathe him while he sat naked in his claw-footed tub. I ached over my mother’s lack of protection. I felt abandoned.
Although I grieved, I still didn’t realize how much those experiences were poisoning my sexual relationship with Patrick. It wasn’t until we went through some marital difficulties and I spent two years in counseling that I finally realized the problem.
Now 12 years into our marriage, Patrick and I see clearly how the past affected our relationship—especially sexually.
Fear of being used. I felt used easily. If Patrick didn’t talk enough with me during the day but then initiated sex, I’d remember that frightened five-year-old who was simply a rag doll to be played with. If he touched me in a way that triggered the abuser’s touch, I’d grit my teeth and silently recoil.
I’d think, Men want only to use me. I’m just a plaything. My resentment grew toward Patrick, yet I remained quiet, and he grew frustrated that I wouldn’t tell him the problem.
A distorted view of sex. It was difficult for me to see sex as beautiful and what God intended. I felt if I enjoyed sex, I was somehow legitimizing my abusers, that they were right in molesting me. But if I didn’t enjoy it, I wasn’t a good Christian wife.
My view of sex was that it was solely for a man’s gratification. I longed (and still long) for the passionate Song of Solomon-kind of abandon.
Guilt over failure to perform sexually. I’ve often lamented to God, “Why did you give me a man who loves physical touch? Are you setting me up for failure?” I’ve felt overwhelming guilt over not having enough sex. The Christian marriage books I read and the sexual intimacy seminars I attended further thrust me into shame’s cesspool; it’s my duty after all—I’m depriving my husband. Couple that advice with a deep-seated ambivalence toward sex and I was a sexually defeated wife.
Part of my denying Patrick sex stemmed from wanting to avoid the deeper problem. When I “gave in,” I uncovered prickly emotions I couldn’t understand. It was easier if I avoided intimacy as much as I could so I wouldn’t rip open a festering wound I couldn’t handle.
Isolation and emotional disengagement. Of all the issues Patrick and I have confronted, this carries with it the deepest, most insidious pain.
Patrick once told me about a vision he had in which I was pacing on a high diving board while he and the children beckoned me from a swimming pool far below.
They shouted, “Dive in! The water’s great!”
I peered over the edge of the board.
I saw their laughter-infused antics, but I turned away and walked down the ladder. Instead, I settled for putting my toe in the water while the rest of my family splashed and laughed.
I longed to be the spontaneous one who dives into the lives of my family, but I’d disconnected somehow, which prevented me from letting my husband into the recesses of my heart.
Lack of affection and passion. I found myself unable to be affectionate with my immediate family. While I knew I was supposed to demonstrate my love in tangible, physical ways, that seldom came naturally. When my son cried, I had to tell myself to hug him. When my husband came home from work, I had to make myself kiss him.
Coping Strategies
I wish I could say I’m free and the wound of sexual abuse is completely healed. I still have tender spots. But as Patrick and I have explored these areas, we’ve learned some important coping strategies.
Be willing to be healed. I liken emotional healing to a tunnel that links a barren land with a pristine forest. We’ll never drink from the forest’s mountain spring if we don’t go through the tunnel. But most of us feel too afraid to step inside for fear of the dark; and the barren land—bleak as it is—has a staid familiarity about it. The truth? It’s dark in the tunnel. The hurt is intensified, especially when we can’t see the other side.
When I became a Christian at 15, I clung to the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” I decided I’d been healed of all emotional wounds when I became a Christian and viewed others who struggled as lacking faith. But my emotional world fell apart in college and I became a struggler. I cried a lot. God sent many friends who simply listened and prayed for me.
I thought those prayers in college and my grief were all I needed to be whole. After things began to fall apart in our marriage, I realized how much more healing I needed and sought help from a Christian counselor.
Talk about your sexual relationship. As difficult as it might be, Patrick and I had to speak frankly about our sexual relationship.
Through God’s strength, I was finally able to tell Patrick, “When you complain about our sexual frequency, I want to give up and never try,” or “When you say or do that, I feel used, that I’m only an object.”
In that same God-strength, Patrick was able to say, “When you don’t place sex and affection as a priority, I don’t feel loved,” or “When you don’t kiss me, I feel distant from you.”
We also had to resolve not to hide our anger or our pain. Patrick buried his anger over my lack of response and then quit communicating altogether. I erroneously thought if I hid my pain over my past I could magically improve sexually. But we realized not addressing the truth was disastrous for our sexual relationship.
Heal together. I used to think I was the only one working on issues from my past. When I struggled, I’d turn to my “normal” husband who had a seemingly idyllic upbringing and say, “You’re perfect and I’m yucky.”
Patrick seldom explored his own childhood issues. Consequently, I felt alone in my grief.
In his book The Wounded Heart, Dr. Dan Allender suggests that one way a marriage can offer healing is if the non-abused spouse will look at where he or she has been harmed from childhood. I felt a sense of comfort when I read: “We all have wounds; some are stab wounds, others pinpricks. The category isn’t the degree of bleeding but ‘have you ever bled?'”
The camaraderie returned in our marriage when I saw Patrick begin to explore his family of origin issues. When he saw me becoming free from my past issues, it spurred him to look at his upbringing. He began to look at his quick temper, how he saw that modeled as a child, what it did to him to be on the receiving end of it, and how it still affects him. The process for him has been slow. He’s quick to dismiss pain from his past, but he’s beginning to see how that dismissal has helped him wall himself off from others, including me.
Now instead of feeling like a solitary pilgrim, I have Patrick’s hand to grab as we share our past injuries and our future.
I still hear the haunting words of my abusers, and Patrick and I still struggle in our marriage. Last night we spent an hour discussing our sexual relationship and our mutual frustration over my reticence to kiss and his reluctance to share his hurts. Even so, I’m learning to take an emancipated leap off the high dive into our marriage.
Patrick’s Story
When Mary first told me about her past sexual abuse, I felt sad for her, particularly since it happened as a young child.
While I wasn’t worried about the abuse influencing our sexual lives at first, later into our marriage I realized it was affecting us. I became angry because we’d be paying for years for what those people had done to her. It wasn’t fair. I feel part of our marital intimacy is missing—that it’s been ripped from us.
When Mary would withdraw from me sexually, I often found myself caught between feeling that things would never get better, that Mary would never be healed from her past, and empathy for her, wanting to give her as much space as she needed.
I became confused about what I was supposed to do to help her through this traumatic experience. The most frustrating to me was that I couldn’t fix our situation. I couldn’t fix her past. I was helpless.
It hurt me because I knew there was a part of her she was holding back from me. Because of the abuse, there was nothing I could do that would make her feel comfortable enough to allow me into the vulnerable parts of her life.
She felt dead where intimacy was concerned—which affected my self-esteem. For me, kissing and showing affection are important signs to make me feel loved, cherished, and accepted. I’d feel rejected when I’d lean in for a kiss or a hug and she’d turn away. I’d tell myself over and over, Mary does love me, but can’t express affection the way I want to receive it.
I know I said and did things that cemented some of her fears. I put pressure on her to change. I placed “performance” expectations on her that were probably unfair. Still, though, I was angry. When I became angry, I just stopped talking. I put up an emotional wall toward her that served two purposes: it would “teach her a lesson,” and it would protect me from feeling rejected.
When these issues surfaced, I had to readjust my expectations until she was better able to handle our sexual relationship.
Along the way to her healing, I continually worried about whether what I was doing would bring back a painful memory for her. I didn’t want her to connect what I did or said to the pain she’d experienced. There are times I still worry about that.
But I’ve tried to provide an environment where Mary feels safe to share the memories, the pain, and her current struggles. Sometimes this means just listening. Sometimes it means crying with her, praying for her, or encouraging her. Sometimes it means asking for forgiveness when I cross a line that’s hurt her. Sometimes it means I challenge her to overcome her fears.
We both understand that if we want to grow together, we must be willing to challenge—and be challenged by—our actions and thinking. We both want to move past being victims to becoming survivors.
The most important thing is not to think, “Get over it already!” I know now that while her past continues to heal and our sexual relationship grows stronger, there may always be leftover scars. So during the times when I’m tempted to think, Let’s move past this, I recommit myself to being consistent in my love for her.
No matter the discussion, argument, or difficulty, I realize she needs to know she can trust me with her emotions and that if I’m hurt, frustrated, or angry, I won’t leave or run from her.
Mary and I deal with the issues as they arise, no matter how frustrating or difficult they may be.
My prayer is that one day we’ll be able to look at each other and know this abuse no longer taints our relationship. I’m hopeful because I’ve seen Mary grow so much in this area, and she continues to walk this difficult road with me.
Human trafficking earns global profits of roughly $150 billion a year for traffickers, $99 billion of which comes from commercial sexual exploitation ~ human rights first.org
With the explosion of smartphones, tablets, computers, and the Internet, it’s no wonder porn addictions are on the rise – even amongst Christians. The number of online porn viewers continues to soar day-by-day, minute-by-minute, and second-by-second with no definitive end in sight. Approximately 28,000 people view online porn every second, a new porn video is released every 39 minutes, and approximately 42% of porn-watchers visit one or more of the 4 million active online porn sites each day.
A porn addiction takes control of your life, leaving you feeling helpless and hopeless. This addiction presents differently in each individual, however, one thing that remains the same is the inability to stop or resist the urge to view porn. Those who watch pornography become dehumanized; they no longer see their partners and other people as human beings but as sexual toys that exist for their own satisfaction.
As churches grapple with abuse of power revelations, should pornography be on the radar?
The big question was asked at a church convention, as to whether there’s a connection between porn use and abuse, the answer was a resounding yes, because “when you engage in and become addicted to pornography, you lose the sense of responsibility to protect the value and dignity of every person. Abuse of power is the same – using your power in ways that fail to protect the dignity of other people. If you lose that sensitivity of who we are as image bearers of God, then you are more inclined to abuse power in ways that are in line with that.” It was cited the distinction between a predator – someone who actively manipulates others for their own sexual gratification – and a wanderer – someone who doesn’t protect boundaries. “Pornography is being a wanderer at the very least,” she said. “You’re not protecting the boundaries of yourself or of others. So that’s also an abuse of power, and a violation of trust.” Even Ted Bundy, the serial killer, admitted this about porn, that it’s like an addiction, and after a while the ‘high’ wears off and you crave more depraved material to meet that same level of ‘high’ demand, and soon you no longer want to be just a voyeur but act out what you see… and we all know the rest!
“When you start watching pornography, you start to generate an addiction… not only are their families and marriages destroyed, but these people become hooked on more perverse things, such as child pornography. After becoming addicted to child pornography, they become customers. There is tremendous demand and the industry keeps growing… We have to be careful about what we see. We are all the target audience. We have to be vigilant, because we are fragile and vulnerable beings. Temptations are everywhere, even if they are small. However, he who is unfaithful in small things is also unfaithful in big things.” ~ Child trafficking activist
One of the major issues discussed at the convention as how should we deal with sexual abuse inside the church? Motions were made for zero tolerance toward any act of sexual abuse and toward any church that tries to cover-up such abuse. However, the discussion failed to acknowledge factors within our churches that help to cultivate sexual abusers. That’s like wanting to rid our nation of drug addicts while ignoring the existence of drug dealers. If we’re serious about dealing with sexual abuse inside the church, then we also need to seriously address two issues within our church walls—pornography and promiscuity.
Pornography
Pornography is one of the most prominent breeders of sexual abuse. It not only promotes such abuse but is the key funding arm for sex trafficking, which is skyrocketing. That’s because the porn industry’s annual revenue is more than the NFL, NBA and MLB combined. Sadly, many active church attenders are helping to fund this industry.
More than half of pastors say that porn addiction is the most damaging issue in their congregation (57%). And the majority of pastors say porn has adversely impacted the Church (69%). So, why is pornography not included in the conversation about sexual abuse? In my opinion, it’s because dealing with sexual perversion also means dealing with promiscuity.
Scripture demands zero tolerance toward those who practice sexual sin in general—not just those who participate in its most perverted forms. Be sure that any sin thriving in our culture also exists within our churches. We cannot pervert what God intended without experiencing unintended consequences. To be clear, I am not equating those who are promiscuous with sexual abusers. My point is that the church has tolerated promiscuity for a very long time. And in doing so, we’ve seen the growth of sexual perversion. Sin is never static or controlled; it only grows in intensity and in its ability to cause destruction.
Denominational Resolution or Biblical Resolve?
Denominational resolutions pale in comparison to biblical resolve and obedience. Without a doubt, churches need to hold those who sexually abuse others accountable to the law. Victims of abuse should be shown compassion, given comfort, and receive counselling in order to overcome the harm done to them.
But if that’s all we do, then we’re stopping short. Churches who really desire to stand against sexual abuse must preach and practice the full counsel of God. I truly believe that as the standard for biblical purity is promoted and practiced, sexual abuse and perversion will become less prevalent in the Church.
What is sexual sin?
We all have something about ourselves that we don’t like, that we want to change, or that we’re embarrassed about. That’s just part of life. But there are sins that threaten to swallow us, that seek to absorb us, and that change the person we were meant to be. Those sins often lead to guilt and shame. Most often, the sins we feel the most shame and conflict about are sexual sins.
Sexual sins are pervasive. And though we live in a world that likes to teach that we can do anything we want with our bodies, our faith teaches that God’s plan is something very different than that way of life.
When God created the first man and woman, He created them in His image. He created them to complement each other, to have a natural intimacy, to enjoy monogamy, and to love each other unconditionally. This intimacy is born of mutual love, mutual respect, the giving of self, and so much more. This is the kind of relationship that God wants for us. Why? Because we learn about God’s love for us when we act in that love toward a spouse.
When sin entered the world, people began to believe it was their right to do whatever they wanted, especially with their bodies in regard to sexuality. Today, they mock the concept that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Pleasure has become a deity of its own. And people hold fast to the notion “as long as I’m not hurting anyone, it’s fine.” This “me” outlook overshadows all understanding that sexual sins often damage a person’s own self-esteem, their partners, their families, and even their faith.
Christians are not immune to the allure of pornography. A 2014 pornography survey done by Proven Men, a group that helps men overcome porn addiction, found that “the number of Christian men viewing pornography nearly mirrors the national average”:
97% have viewed pornography
64% view porn at least once a month
37% look at porn several times a week
Further, according to Covenant Eyes (a company that describes itself as “the pioneer of Internet and Screen Accountability™ software, empowering members to maintain their online integrity”):
1 in 5 youth pastors and 1 in 7 senior pastors use porn on a regular basis and are currently struggling. That’s more than 50,000 U.S. church leaders.
43% of senior pastors and youth pastors say they have struggled with pornography in the past.
64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.
Only 7% of pastors report their church has a ministry program for those struggling with porn.
However, according to the Barna research group, which conducted a survey in 2015, “Practicing Christians are more than three times less likely to use porn than other teens and adults (13% compared to 42%).”
Regardless of the exact numbers, it’s obvious that porn has an allure that many people—including Christians—struggle to say no to.
Promiscuity
Promiscuity and fornication aren’t words we hear much anymore. The free love movement of sixty years ago has come full circle. Because sex outside of marriage is now the norm, many churches no longer call it sin. God’s Word, however, is not ambiguous on the subject. The Bible associate’s sexual relations outside of God’s plan with being “unrighteous.” The apostle Paul wrote that “fornicators, adulterers, and homosexuals” (among others) “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).
Paul doubles down in Ephesians 5:3-5. “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Devastating Effects of Porn
Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sexual acts from the intimacy of the partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends against chastity because it perverts the conjugal act, the intimate giving of spouses to each other. It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants (actors, vendors, the public), since each one becomes an object of base pleasure and illicit profit for others. It immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world. It is a grave offense.
While many porn websites generate excitement for porn, we know the truth. Porn hurts people. It treats people like objects for pleasure. It gives the person who watches it a skewed vision of the true nature of sexuality. It leads to unhealthy desires, unhealthy attitudes about a sexual partner, and even the inability of men to become aroused in real-life situations.
Furthermore, porn hurts our relationship with God. In a 2017 study entitled “Seeing Is (Not) Believing: How Viewing Pornography Shapes the Religious Lives of Young Americans,” researchers found:
The more a person becomes drawn into the world of porn, the larger the wedge is inserted between them and God. And those who know that porn viewing is wrong begin to feel shame. Their disgust with themselves leads them to think that God has stopped loving them because of this sin. This self-loathing can then lead to increased porn usage, as they try to replace the intimacy and love of God and others with fabricated lust.
Can a Christian Overcome Porn Addiction?
First, pray. Talk to God and ask for His help in overcoming the desire to watch porn. Have an honest conversation with Him about your struggles. The temptation will likely come and go, so prayer must be your constant companion, seek forgiveness in confession.
In addition to prayer, there are some practical things you can do to help curb the temptation to watch porn. These include installing internet filters on your devices to block the porn sites or having an accountability partner to help you stay away from certain sites. But the most important thing you can do involves changing your mindset.
An example prayer for porn addiction and verses:
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord. (Psalm 141:8)
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (Job 31:1)
My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare. (Psalm 25:15)
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (Psalm 119:37)
Heavenly Father,
I have been living a fantasy. I hardly feel the prick of conscience anymore. I have become numb and dumbed down in my humanity. I repent of this addiction to pornography. It alienates me from those I love and it alienates me from You, my God. It’s a lie, a trick of the devil. I receive the power of your blood that not only forgives me but cleanses me.
Please do forgive me. Please cleanse me. Drive out my sin. And help me to walk in the light, to experience the blessing of my sexuality under the safeguard of your heavenly standard.
Give me encouragement and accountability. Set me free from my chains. I receive Your Holy Spirit’s power to control my base impulses and to become the human being you have made me to be, ruling over myself and this world with you.
In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.
How Can Christians Conquer a Porn Addiction?
Porn addiction can be conquered with persistence, effort, time, dedication, faith, help, and God, of course. Still, the path to “salvation” will not be easy or quick. Understand that while other addictions (i.e., gambling, alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, etc.) are triggered by external stimuli, porn addiction is triggered by stimuli within the body, more specifically, within the mind (the parts of the brain responsible for memory, motivation, learning, and emotional responses).
Still, being dependent on porn can cause some Christians to experience a deep level of shame and embarrassment, causing them to feel as though God has “abandoned” or “shunned” them because of their behaviour. Because of this “faulty” assumption, some Christians “turn away” from God, other Christians, and the church altogether.
If you are suffering from porn addiction, fret no more, because there are steps you can take to get on the path to recovery.
These steps include the following:
Be Honest with Yourself
If you are Christian suffering from porn addiction, the first thing you’ll need to do to “free” yourself from it is, to be honest with yourself. Thus, the first step in “beating” porn addiction is to admit you are not exempt from sexual temptation. You can’t move forward if you can’t or won’t acknowledge that you have a problem with porn. More specifically, you can’t fully accept help and guidance from God and others until you admit that you’re suffering from porn addiction.
More specifically, you’ll need to acknowledge and accept that we live in a sex-crazed world where sexual temptation via sexual images on television shows, movies, magazines, advertisements, commercials, books, and web content infiltrates almost every area of our everyday lives. We can’t escape it; however, we can take responsibility in what we allow into our psyche, what we choose to watch, the music we listen too, social media sites we visit, we are to guard our eyes and ears as much as it is possible for us to do. Let’s begin with this fact: sexual attraction is not lust. God made us to be attracted to the opposite sex. It is not a sin to notice a beautiful woman or attractive man. It is only sin if we take that attraction to the next step. The sin is not the first look, but the second.
Jesus was clear: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).
Any desire for sexual relationship outside of marriage is wrong. Premarital or extramarital sexual relationship is wrong. Looking lustfully at another person, whether in person or on the Internet or television or magazine, is wrong. Lustful activity in a dating relationship is wrong.
Why? James, the half-brother of Jesus, knew the answer: “after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15). Lust makes an eternal soul, a child of God, into a thing, a means to our end. It demeans us. It grieves the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, and uses the temple of God for immorality. And it never stops with the second look. It didn’t for David, a “man after God’s own heart.” It won’t with us, either.
Tell Someone
You can’t heal from a porn addiction if you keep it shrouded in secrecy. Thus, it is important to tell someone you trust about it. Addiction prospers in the darkness, so to banish or kill it, it must be brought to light. In other words, hiding the addiction only causes it to grow stronger. It strengthens its hold over you until it steals your livelihood.
Conversely, sharing your porn addiction with a trusted confidant can provide you with the porn addiction support you need to overcome it. Understand that this person doesn’t have to be a friend, family member, pastor, or someone from the Christian community. The only requirement is that you trust this person to tell you the truth, offer support, and respect your wishes.
If talking about your behaviour mortifies you – gather your courage, lean on your faith, and do it anyway. You’re not going to “kick this habit” alone, so you’ll need the support. If you could heal from your addiction alone, you probably would have conquered it a long time ago. However, you are still suffering from it, so it is time to tell someone what you’re experiencing.
Furthermore, telling someone about porn-watching, makes you accountable for your actions. In other words, once you tell someone, you can no longer pretend it doesn’t exist. And, because, it is no longer a secret, you are likely to take action to remedy it.
Turn to God
The Bible instructs “believers” to turn to God in times of sorrow and distress. So, the only way to truly combat a porn addiction, as a Christian, is to give the addiction over to God. If you turn to God, he will carry you through any trials (i.e., porn addiction) you experience.
As mentioned above, both Christians and non-Christians experience sexual temptation (desire and lust) and everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, is vulnerable to porn addiction. However, having faith, believing in God, and confessing your sins, along with reading the Bible and praying can help you heal from this dependency. But, understand that God’s ability to help you overcome this “fixation” lies in the depth of your faith.
Change Your Routine
One way to defeat a porn addiction is to change your routine and develop new habits. For instance, if your “porn habit” typically begins once your spouse and children have gone to bed, opt for a hot shower or warm bath, read, meditate, listen to calming music, or simply sleep instead of jumping on your computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Make a vow to stay off of the Internet during this time.
And, if you are single or live alone and typically turn to porn, while eating dinner, use this time for non-Internet activities, such as calling a friend, turning on a funny sitcom or family movie, or listening to music. Remember, the goal is to avoid porn, which means staying off the Internet as much as possible.
Adopt Healthier Coping Mechanisms
If you are using porn to deal with upsetting, confusing, or negative events and/or emotions, you’ll need to learn healthier coping mechanisms to beat your addiction. For instance, if meeting people makes you feel uncomfortable, but you still want to feel a connection with someone, instead of turning to porn, focus on increasing your self-confidence by going out with friends, signing up for a class, developing a new hobby, joining a club or sports team, etc. The goal is to adopt healthier coping mechanisms, so you don’t feel the need to turn to porn when you’re bored, frustrated, depressed, lonely, anxious, or angry.
Stay Busy
To distract yourself from porn, you’ll need to stay busy. Frequent porn use is a habit often triggered by boredom. In other words, some Christians turn to porn because they simply don’t have anything else to do. Research suggests that in this COVID age of social distancing and lockdowns, porn use to skyrocket amongst all populations. Porn has become entertainment for some Christians – a habit that “can” eventually turn into an addiction.
Staying busy not only prevents boredom and occupies your time, but it can also help “squash” your “porn habit.” So, the next time you get the urge to watch online porn, take a jog around the neighbourhood, immerse yourself in a juicy book, volunteer at your local animal shelter, sign-up for an interesting class, develop a new hobby, join a club, head to the gym, or hang out with friends and family.
Use a Public Computer
If privacy is a condition of your porn use only use the Internet in public venues (i.e., library, school, coffee shop, or work) or when others are around. Move your computer or laptop to a common area like your living room or kitchen – places that people tend to frequent. And, refrain from surfing the internet in private (i.e., car, bedroom, bathroom, basement, etc.) The goal is to deter you from clicking on porn sites for fear of judgment and ridicule from others.
Attend Christian Counselling or Join a Support Group
A porn addiction thrives in secrecy and isolation, so the best way to crush it is to bring it out into the open where others can see it. Seeking help from a Christian counsellor and/or joining a porn addiction support group are two ways you can receive the porn addiction help and support you need to overcome your addiction. Sharing your concerns with a Christian counsellor and/or members of a support group can also help remove the shame and stigma often associated with porn use.
Furthermore, counselling and support groups can also reveal the root of your addiction (its origin), so can subdue your urges for porn. One of the best things about counselling and support groups is there is no judgment – only solutions. Counsellors and group members not only teach you how to effectively cope with your urges, but also how to prevent relapses and rely on God and the Bible for comfort, strength, and reassurance.
There Is Hope and Forgiveness in God
In 1 Corinthians, we read: “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10.13).
And Proverbs tells us: “Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy” (Prov. 28.13).
There is no disputing God’s love. It’s a love we cannot even fathom. Because of this immense love, He will forgive us if we seek forgiveness.
The first step to living a life without a reliance on porn is to admit how destructive it has become. Whether you are married or single, you must acknowledge that it hurts you and all of your relationships—with your partner, with your children, with God, and even with your friends.
Just as it keeps you from true intimacy with your spouse, it keeps you from an intimacy with God.
But you can overcome the reliance on pornography and have a truly beautiful and amazing intimate relationship with God. How? You must work toward strengthening that relationship over time through prayer and through your actions.
Final Thoughts
Pornography hurts. It hurts individuals. It hurts relationships. It hurts families. And it hurts our relationship with God. Christians are not immune to the temptations of the world. In fact, some might say we are even more prone to temptation, as the devil seeks out those who are close to God in an attempt to ruin the relationship.
Christ taught us that “a thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy” but that He “came so that [we] might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10.10).
In Christ, we can have the intimacy we desire. We can have the love we need. We can have goodness and joy we crave.
He is beckoning. Let us resolve to go to Him and sin no more.
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*** Article by Dr Langham at Stop Together + Jim Denison at Denison Forum + Angela Rietsma Bick at Christian Courier + Bucky Kennedy Ministries + Susan Ciancio at Human Life International + Juan Carlos Vasconez at omnes / Prayer by Mark and Jill Herringshaw / Photo by Anirudh Bhatnagar at Pexels
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