Understanding Pornography Use and Secret Sin

Ever wonder why people use pornography? Often, this behavior is triggered by feeling the desire to escape. But what's behind the drive to escape?

A lack of love and/or trustworthiness are behind most of the emotionally-triggering experiences that lead us to hide or escape.

Pornography is one of the easiest forms of escape because it is affordable. As it often has no cost associated with looking, it is immediately available on a smart device, and it gives the impression of anonymity as most of us think we will never have our electronic devices and histories checked.

Like other sin, escaping through pornography and hiding are coping skills that have their origin in the fall of Adam and Eve.

According to Genesis 3: 6-9:

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to them, 'Where are you?'"

When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they experienced fear of inadequacy, which led to shaming and escaping behaviors. Instead of running to God for restoration and repair, their shame motivated them to secrecy and hiding.

When we attempt to keep our secrets and hide from God, this act is evidence of great deception, for nothing is hidden from God. Today, God speaks to us in our hiding, "I see you." God is pursuing those trapped in the addiction of pornography.

For more expert-backed research, stories, and techniques for addressing pornography in ministry, download our free RelateStrong | Leadership Series eBook.