The Effects of Porn Addiction

Joy Dunning | September 7th, 2025

The Effects of Porn Addiction

Pornography may not be your personal struggle—but chances are, it is the struggle of someone you know and love. Statistics show that nearly 70% of men and 30% of women view porn monthly, and more than half of Christian men admit they feel “addicted.” Statistically, if porn isn’t your battle, it is the battle of someone you know, love, or sit beside every week. It is not a fringe issue; it’s a cultural epidemic—and it’s wounding the Church from within.

Naming the Real Issue

The Bible teaches us that sin is never just about outward behavior but about the heart. Jesus said, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality…all these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:21–23).

Porn isn’t the core problem—it’s a symptom. In his newest book Outgrow Porn, author Drew Boa reminds us that “your sexuality is not the problem. It’s a symptom of unprocessed pain.” Beneath the screen clicks and late-night scrolling lie longings God placed in us for safety, glory, and connection. Porn offers counterfeit versions of those good desires:

Safety that avoids rejection but keeps us isolated.
Glory that feels like relief from shame but never secures true worth.
Connection that mimics intimacy but never requires vulnerability.

Truth vs. Lies

Scripture warns us that “the devil…is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Boa points out that under every sin is fear, and under every fear is a lie. The battle with porn is really a battle over which voice we will believe—the lies of the enemy or the truth of God.

Porn whispers: You’re not enough. You’ll never be loved. This is all you deserve.

God answers: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

Vulnerability Over Secrecy

One of porn’s greatest weapons is shame. It keeps people isolated, pretending, and trapped. Scripture calls us to the opposite: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Transparency says, “Here’s what I’ve done.” Vulnerability says, “Here’s how it wounded me—and here’s how you can wound me too.” Boa calls this being “woundable so that you can be healable.” Real healing begins when we risk being fully seen and still loved.

That’s why authentic community is non-negotiable. Small groups, coaching, or retreats create space where secrecy dies and grace comes alive.

Renewing the Mind

Romans 12:2 commands us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Neuroscience affirms this: repeated behaviors carve mental pathways that make porn similar to a “six-lane highway” - well-traveled, well-paved, and familiar with plenty of room to roam. But recovery is possible. Building new patterns may begin as a scratchy jungle trail, but over time, the new road grows strong while the old one withers.

Healing isn’t about trying harder—it’s about retraining the brain through consistent truth, compassionate accountability, and secure attachment. Porn can never look you in the eye, embrace you, or love you. Only God and His people can do that.

When You Fail

Relapse is often seen as total failure. But as Proverbs 24:16 reminds us: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Falling doesn’t erase progress—it exposes the wounds still in need of healing.

Boa suggests reframing relapse as feedback: an opportunity to ask, What fear was triggered? What lie did I believe? What longing was I scrambling to meet? In community, relapse can become a stepping-stone rather than a dead end.

Practical Steps Toward Freedom

Freedom isn’t found in theory—it’s found in practice. Here are some tangible steps:

Name the need beneath temptation. Am I seeking safety, glory, or connection?
Build human interrupts. Create an SOS plan with trusted friends who can step in when you’re vulnerable.
Engineer your environment. Add friction that makes secrecy difficult and honesty easier.
Take redemptive risks. Confess what you’ve never said aloud. Join a group. Attend a retreat. Step into the light.

And above all, return to God’s heart. He is not an angry judge waiting to condemn, but a Father eager to restore: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

The Invitation

Outgrowing porn is not about white-knuckled self-control—it’s about walking into the love of God and the healing presence of His people. If you are weary of secrecy and shame, take the next risk. Step into community. Seek the truth that sets you free (John 8:32).

Healing requires risk—but freedom is worth it. Take the risk that changes everything: join us on a Crucible men's or women's retreat. In that space of radical honesty and grace, you’ll encounter God’s love, face the fears and lies beneath the surface, and discover that you are not alone. Healing doesn’t happen without risk, but freedom is worth it. Not ready for a full retreat yet? That's ok. Engage with a certified Crucible coach to start your journey of healing.

The time is now.