Question: I’m a leader in my community hiding a terrible secret. I’m addicted to pornography. I try to hide it from my family by watching it after everyone goes to bed. How do I free myself from this sinful habit?

Answer: Sadly, your addiction is shared by billions of people around the world. For example, one popular pornography site gets 42 billion visits yearly! This site includes videos of young girls being raped, trafficked, and abused! (Source:  American Family Association Journal, May 2020 Edition, Page 7)  And this is just one of numerous sites!

But like every  other sinful behavior we try to hide, it really isn’t a secret at all.  None of us can hide any of our behavior from the One who sees all and knows all – the Lord God Almighty! We’re told in 1 John 3:20, “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” (NKJV)

Therefore, God knows about everything from our sexual immorality to our greed and evil-mindedness (see Romans Ch. 1:18-32).  He also knows the “hidden” sins of the heart– when we are “undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…” (v.31)  These scriptures go on to say that even when people aren’t actually committing these shameful behaviors themselves, they still sin when they “approve of those who practice them.” (v.32)  Even many Believers fall into these sinful behaviors. (Ephesians 5:5-12)

Thankfully, God has provided us all with the way to truly be free from our sins – including pornography addiction and every other sin.  That one and only way is through His only Son, Jesus Christ!  Jesus died on the cross – and rose on the third day –  to take the punishment of death we deserved for our sins. That’s why we must accept Jesus as our one and only Savior. We are to ask Him to forgive us of our sins. And, we are to repent (turn away) from our sins, and live our lives to please God!

Through His Holy Word, the Bible, we learn how and why we are to live to please God. We also learn the importance of praying for God’s help. By the power of His Holy Spirit, we are given the will-power and guidance we need to turn from our sins and grow in the knowledge of God’s Word.

Knowing God’s Word is very important in helping us stay strong against the evil in our lives. The Word reminds us that we can’t hide from God.  Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

So, if you still think you’re hiding your sin, you’re not. Your secret is out to God!  And know that the only way to truly set yourself free from your sins starts with accepting Jesus as your Savior and asking Him to set you free!

As Jesus, Himself, said:  “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  (John 8:36)

Amen!