There’s no easy way to bring up the subject of pornography. To some it is taboo. To some it is downright disgusting. To others pornography is just a part of their lives like eating and breathing.Opening the Can of Worms
No matter how comfortable we are with the topic, it needs our attention. Recent surveys show that at least 50% of churchgoing men and 20% of churchgoing women admit to be addicted to pornography in one form or another. Recent surveys also show that American pastors find Internet pornography to be the most significant sexual issue facing their congregations. More and more Christian counselors’ offices are being flooded by people who want to stop looking at pornography but can’t seem to stop.
Pornography is an industry that has been around a long time, but in the last 50 years that industry has made gigantic leaps forward. From the first issue of Playboy in 1953, to the first XXX videos, to the boom of Internet porn in the 1990s, the adult industry has grown leaps and bounds, now bringing in tens of billions of dollars worldwide every year. The thirst for porn is growing and shows no signs of slowing.
Now because of the Internet, pornography is more accessible, affordable and anonymous than ever before.
Solution: Accountability
There are some who are taking very proactive steps to protect themselves and their families from exposure to pornography. Internet filters are great resources, but they have their limits. Most filters tend to over-block or not block enough, and most adults still desire the freedom to explore the benefits of the Internet without a cumbersome filter blocking sites unnecessarily.
There is another software tool available: accountability software. Covenant Eyes pioneered this concept back in 2000, and for eight years now more and more people have found it to be an incredible help in their fight against pornography.
Here’s how it works: Accountability software doesn’t block anything. It doesn’t slow your Internet connection. It merely monitors where you go online. Covenant Eyes keeps track of every single Web page visited, every item on every page. It then assigns a score to that page, based on any objectionable or questionable content. That information is compiled and organized in an easy-to-read report, and that report is sent to “accountability partners” of the user’s choosing.
What does this solve?
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First, it takes away the anonymity of Internet use. For many the lure of pornography is its secrecy. Choosing to give an account of where we go online to trusted friends, counselors, pastors, or spouses removes the secrecy, thus removes much of the temptation. Choosing to bring your Internet viewing “into the light.”
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Secondly, because the software only monitors without blocking, it preserves your freedom to surf the Web, thus it can help in building self-control.
- Thirdly, for many who are addicted to pornography, this software has been a great first step in bringing them into healthy relationships with others that can help them get to the root of their addiction.
Some TestimoniesTens of thousands of people use Covenant Eyes accountability software. Some churches have started paying for Covenant Eyes for their whole staff because they want to promote integrity. Some churches have started subsidizing Covenant Eyes for anyone in their congregation who needs it. We receive individual testimonies all the time from people who’ve used Covenant Eyes for years.
Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, wrote to us, “Covenant Eyes is the first wave of defense in a person’s struggle for a pure thought life. I’ve been a member for years.”
Johnny LaLonde is a professional counselor and himself a recovering porn addict. He recently shared how Covenant Eyes has made a difference in his life and why he recommends it to his clients:
“As a counselor, I do recommend that my clients use Covenant Eyes—if for no other reason, common sense. I believe that through the use of CE a person can heal and not just be accountable. I ask my clients to use CE with others whom they are willing to be honest with . . . I have [Covenant Eyes] so that there is a continual reminder for me that what we do in secret matters. To remind myself that what we do in secret is seen by our Father in heaven. And that what we do in secret can destroy us. I keep it on my computer to remind me that I can expose what goes on in my heart and in my life, because I am fully loved.”
Tal Prince, a pastor and recovering porn/sex addict writes, “I’ve been using Covenant Eyes for over 6 years now, and it’s an essential part of my continued recovery in this area of my life. I recommend it at conferences and to people I talk to whether they are addicts, or just need the accountability—and really, who doesn’t need accountability?”
One man from Ireland recently wrote us to talk about how much pornography had a hold on his life:
“There is such a godly blessing and a deep peace in being accountable to another believer, especially in this area of the innermost desires of the sinful nature . . . I want to thank you and all of your colleagues at Covenant Eyes for the freedom and peace of mind you have given me as I work on my computer. Without hesitation and with a deep sense of gratitude, I tell everyone of your wonderful ministry to those who are weak in this area of temptation.”
For more information about Covenant Eyes, go to www.CovenantEyes.com. For additional resources, visit the Covenant Eyes blog, Breaking Free: www.CovenantEyes.com/blog.
This is Works for Me Wednesday and the best thing that I have going for me right now is my BFF 
