So you have probably heard some of the stats before.
53% of Christian men consume pornography.
1 in 4 pastors will look at porn today.
47% of families are worried that porn is a problem in their home.
Every second, 28,000 people view porn online.
There are 116,000 searches for child porn everyday.
Of course behind all those stats are people. People like me and you.
Four years ago, I discovered that my dad was one of those people. In 2007 he was arrested and charged with having indecent images of children on his computer. When he was arrested my dad simply said, ‘My life is over, isn’t it?’
A year later, he stood in court, having lost his job as CEO of a Christian charity, the darkest parts of him having been exposed to his family, friends, church and community. With local newspapers recording every word, he was found guilty and sentenced. A month later he died of cancer.
Proverbs 9 talks about how Folly entices the city with a invitation to eat and drink in her house: ‘Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!’ she purrs. ‘But little do they know’, verse 18 continues, ‘that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.’
When I read these verses recently, I knew that they described my dad and the destructive power and pull of porn in the lives of millions of people. Just like Folly, the porn industry entices and deceives us, promising secret pleasures but covering up the consequences.
As a result, futures and families, marriages and ministries are at risk or ruined every day.
But Proverbs 9 also speaks of a women called Wisdom. Like Folly, she too calls out to the city with a better invitation: ‘Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live.’
It is a message that if my dad had heard in time, could have rescued his life before it was ruined.
So with a bunch of mates I am launching the naked truth. It is a massive dream. It longs for a change in how people think about porn as well as a change in their behaviour.
In short, it’s about two things: open eyes and free lives. It’s a dream not just for the church, but for everyone from pastor to atheist. Its for the teenager discovering porn for the first time to the person trapped in decades of addiction.
The project was initially launched in 2012 with this prayer blog and continues to hold prayer events. We felt God was very clear that we should start with prayer.
In 2013 we aim to launch various creative camapigns that will direct people to an awareness website and in addition launch a separate website with online support and resources for those seeking help as well access to localised support groups.
For more on our goals for 2013 click here.
If what you’ve just read makes sense to you and you want to know more, then maybe you could sign up at the contact page and we can keep in touch.
Wisdom stands and shouts to city about a better way. I believe that life, freedom and hope should be our shout too.
