There is no support group specifically designed for men and women who are coming out of very poisonous relationships with the Internet. There are wonderful groups such as Celebrate Recovery and websites like xxxchurch.com that help with software and a fervent desire to help people suffering from this addiction and to help cover the shame brought upon by the more than $8 billion industry that makes it money off of selling sex.

With many alarming statistics, including the statistic that the percentage of women viewers has doubled since 2006 to a rising 30%, and the alarming statistic that more than 50% of ministers admit to struggling with an addiction to porn, there needs to be a practical way of thinking about how to help men and women recover. However true it may be, simply stopping because of an intellectual/cognitive knowledge of porn’s “wrongness” is not sufficient for many who struggle in this area.

Because Christ has won the battle over sin and death, He has called us to holy living and sanctification. So having this conversation I believe can be truly helpful to the recovery of believers confidence in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross, and His covering of their sin and shame with His blood. As a part of the journey of sanctification (growing in holiness), the believer must as what practical things they can do to flee from sin and cling to Christ in the midst of great temptation and struggle.

Here are a few practical things that have helped me and please feel free to add on more suggestions:
1) Know that Jesus does not consider any a “lost cause.”
2) Jesus died for the porn star you are watching, research their real name, find out who they are. When they become human to you, you no longer see them as a soulless image to be lusted after, but a person Jesus desires to rescue from the sin and death that has entangled them.
3) Pray for the porn star. When you pray for someone you no longer view them as someone to be used at your expense for your pleasure, but as a creation of God with intrinsic value to Christ.
4) Identify times, atmospheres, and places where you are most tempted and flee from those, not just flee, but replace those times with something else. A great thing to do is pick up your scripture, listen to music, just sit in silence and think about a passage from the Bible or listen to what His Spirit wants to tell you. The Holy Spirit will give strength and a “way out.”
5) Change the way you view the opposite sex in life and you will change your heart to how to view them on the internet.
6) Pray pray pray! Put on the whole armor of God. We are fighting against a real enemy who has had thousands of years of practice with much success. We do not fight against people, but against the powers of darkness within them and within ourselves.
7) Never forget…no one is “beyond the point of no return.” Jesus desires that all might come to Him to find mercy and grace. We need to offer this mercy to those who suffer under the great leviathan of temptation to lust.
8) Write letters/journals to God and your future spouse. Covenant with then now and share your life with them now and let Jesus’ Holy Spirit preserve you for your wedding night no matter your past:
9) Most importantly, receive the mercy and grace that flows from Jesus. He lives! He loves you, He desires for you to find the greatest satisfaction in Him because He is where true joy is found. When you let His love wash over you, you can be used as a tool for God’s redemption of others.

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 5:8, 9 ESV)