The Internet is a very powerful resource that has literally changed the way our world operates. It has made information available at the touch of a keyboard…though you don’t even need a keyboard in some cases since the Internet can now be accessed through your cell phone or even your blackberry. Whenever positive advances are made in the realm of technology, negative aspects never take long to surface. As Christians, it is our responsibility to take special caution that we do not abuse this valuable resource but rather use to bring glory to the Lord.
Pornography is one way that the Internet is being abused and is quickly becoming one of the most prominent addictions in our society. It is estimated that 9 out of every 10 male college students have viewed or will view some form of pornography at some point in their college career. I personally know several people who have fallen into this unrelenting snare.
While the Internet does contribute to the problem of pornography, there are also Internet sites that help those held in bondage by their addiction to find victory over this disease.
XXXchurch.com, for instance, is a site dedicated to that purpose. They even have a downloadable accountability software program called X3 Watch. The program allows a person to submit e-mail addresses of accountability partners, and then each time that person visits a pornographic web site, e-mails are sent to that list of people. This organization’s efforts have resulted in countless testimonies of people who have overcome their addiction and are now living in victory.
XXX Church led a seminar at my home church not too long ago, and I was really encouraged by the way that these men are going against the grain to reach out and make a difference. I feel that all too often, Christians’ primary way of dealing with issues like pornography is to stick their fingers in their ears and hide in a corner rather than fight to push back the encroaching darkness. There are too many Christians who choose to withdraw from society rather than stick around and fight to change their surroundings. Let us be different. May we use the technology that we have available to us for good in order to combat the evil.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -Edmund Burke
February 21, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Great thought: “May we use the technology that we have available to us for good in order to combat the evil.” I agree.
Another good example is the company I work for, Covenant Eyes. We’ve been developing and distributing a quality Internet monitoring program for 8 years and it has helped tens of thousands.
I’ve written some thoughts on the power of accountability on our blog: http://blogs.covenanteyes.com/2008/01/24/why-accountability-part-1/
Luke Gilkerson
Internet Community Manager
Covenant Eyes