You are not addicted to pornography. You may view it compulsively. It may have a destructive grip on your life. But you don’t have to view it. You are not powerless in its presence. You know this already.
First, you know that, given the right disincentive or the right incentive, you will not look at pornography. As John Piper says, “if the stakes are high enough and sure enough, you will have all the self-control you need to conquer any sexual temptation.” If a terrorist walks in while you are about to look at porn and threatens to slit your throat if you do, you will have all the self-control you need to not look. You are not addicted. Or, in the same situation, if someone walks in with a briefcase containing $1 million in exchange for you not looking at porn, you will not look. You will have self-control. You are not addicted.
Second, you know you are not addicted to pornography because God says so. See for yourself in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, where the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells you:
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
Did you notice who is involved every time you are tempted to look at sexually immoral videos and images? God. God is present in your struggle, every time. God will not allow you to be overcome by temptation. But notice how God does this. He provides the way of escape. Notice the definite article. God does not simply give you a way of escape. God gives you the way of escape. Every time you are tempted to look at pornography, God provides the way of escape you need in that exact moment. If you don’t use that free way of escape, don’t blame your porn addiction. Because you don’t have one.
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