Help for a Growing Epidemic: Teen Girls and Porn

Porn use among women is a growing problem. Many of us know firsthand that porn isn’t just for men, especially when you consider fantasy and mental porn.

Perhaps Christian sex discussions typically don’t touch this topic but my friend Sarah is here to share some timeless tips for women and girls struggling with porn. I also recommend this post which gives a few power scriptures for fighting sexual sin. I’m so thankful for God’s word and the truth that we can be free of besetting sin!

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The first time Ashley saw him, she was drawn to him. He was gorgeous and had eyes only for her. He made her feel wanted and desired- like she was the only girl in the world. Soon, a secret relationship began. She craved the time with him and slowly wanted more.

As the months progressed, Ashley began to feel that something was wrong. As much as she craved him, she was never fully satisfied, and began staying up for hours at night on her phone with him, which in turn, affected her waking hours.

After more than a year, her obsession became more than she could handle. She knew she had to find freedom from him, but how?

The above story is fictitious, but the “guy” is very real and his name is pornography. Porn is designed to entice you. You stumble upon it and see a sexy guy that appears to want you only. You take a peek, and then a few more, and a few more, and if you’re not careful, it can become a full blown addiction. You know you need to break free from this, you’re just not sure how. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss three ways to overcome this addiction, find forgiveness, and get your life back on track.

The use of pornography by teenage girls is on the rise and is a growing epidemic. If you or someone you know struggles with pornography here is help.

Pornography Statistics with Females

Many time, the discussion with porn revolves around males. In fact, according to this infographic, 87% of college guys regularly view porn. Despite the overwhelming majority of porn users being males, females can still struggle in this area.

The same infographic states that 31% of women view porn on a consistent basis. That may seem significantly smaller than 87%, but that is still approximately one out of every three women. Christian women are not exempt from the struggle either; in one study I found, it concluded that 1 in 5 Christian girls/women admit to being porn addicts.

If you struggle with this issue, Satan wants you to feel like you’re alone and can never break free. These statistics show that you are not alone in your struggle!! So how do you break free?

 

Confess your sin to God

Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Most likely, if you’re struggling with a porn addiction, you mainly struggle in secret. This proverb shows that hiding your sin will affect you. It may take time, but eventually it will begin to rob you of all your joy at you and you will realize you’re not “prospering.” If you confess you sin to God and earnestly repent, He will show you His mercy, forgive you of the sin, and help you to keep from engaging in it again if you ask.

God is not waiting to condemn you; He already knows your sin. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” He wants you to come to Him so you can find freedom!

 

Tell someone else!

Confessing your sin to God can be the easiest part. The next step comes with telling someone else. James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

This may sound terrifying. What will people think? I can guarantee you if you tell a person with a genuine relationship with God, they WILL NOT condemn you. A true Christian person will desire to help you break free from your sin and encourage you in any way they can, whether that be praying with you, checking in on you, mentoring you, etc.

When you tell someone else your struggle, you can feel the weight of your secret sin be lifted. It is such a freeing experience to tell someone about a struggle and finally get on the road to help.

 

Get an Accountability Partner

Hebrews 10:24-25 declares,” 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

An accountability partner is an older person, mentor, or possibly a friend, that helps you stay out of sin, and as the verse says, “spurs” you to love and good deeds. It is someone that will ask you how you’re doing and what else you may need. Accountability partners are GREAT because they give you a real person to be accountable too. This person makes it harder to engage in sinful behavior because you know they’re going to ask you how you are doing the next time you see them.

 

In Closing

Romans 13:12 states, “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

If you are struggling with viewing porn, I pray that God would give you the courage to confess it to Him and someone close to you. Doing these are the first steps to freedom. Step out of the darkness and put on God’s light :). YOU CAN DO IT!

 

Sarah Garrett is a passionate educator and founder of the Transformed4More.com Ministries that she runs with her identical twin sister. It is her desire to reach struggling teenagers and tell them about the transformative power and love of God.

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5 Comments

  1. Thanks for the encouragement ma…but what if you just find it impossible to share with anyone close to you.. because the fear of breaking their heart won’t let you but you are sure you won’t lose them…can engaged rather in prayers and other spiritual things to help you keep away?

      1. I just confessed my addiction to another Christian over a pm in reddit. You don’t have to tell someone that you know. The point is that confession to someone else gives you support from a human being, so that you’re not alone. Having the love and support of God while going through an addiction is essential and the most important, but we also need other Christians in our lives. Whether it be for help with things like this or simply to have fellowship. We were not made to walk this life alone.

  2. Teens should not be using a computer at home unsupervised.
    Also, get your teens a flip phone instead of any kind of smart phone.

  3. One suggestion for telling and confessing when we don’t have a trusted friend is write it out on paper ! You can feel free that you’ve got it out in the open. You can save it in a safe place and reread it or you can tear it up or burn it if you like. Whatever helps !

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