Distractions on the Internet – For the Guys!

So…guys, I have a question? When you look at a girl who do you see? Do you see them as a child of God created in his image or do you see them as something else? One of the many distractions to living THE Cause can be girls, dating girls and how you view girls.

This past weekend I took our Sr High students on a hiking trip. During our hike one the guys saw a squirrel and quickly jumped into reciting the lines from Doug the Dog in the movie Up. You know the one I’m talking about. Doug the dog meets the old guy and the boy on a trail and begins to speak to them. In the middle of his conversation he gets distracted by a squirrel and blurts out…”Squirrel!” And as fast as he was distracted he quickly returns back to his conversation.

We live in a visual world. Everyday we are bombarded with images on the TV, computer, billboards, magazines, movies, your cell phone and even in shopping malls. We can’t walk past a Victoria Secret in the mall without being confronted with images of sex. I mean, when was last night you saw a Victoria Secret store where all the models on the posters were wearing coveralls? Trust me, Victoria’s got no secrets.

But seriously guys, do you know that the number one search on the internet is sex? And more than half of Christian guys have viewed pornography online at some point in time. And more guys are being drawn to pornography and dealing with pornography addictions. In John, Satan is called the father of lies. He wants nothing more than to lie to you because he hates the truth. And by viewing pornography he’s leading you into more lies. Getting you to believe it’s okay to look at girls all the time and view them as something else instead of someone God has created in his image.

For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44

God did not create girls for us to stare at, talk about, or treat as objects of sex. They are to be respected and treated the same way God views them. As someone beautifully and fearfully made. Look at what God says about us and this includes girls.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. – Pslam 139:13-16

God gives us a warning about Satan and his lies. He describes Satans tactics as being like a lion prowling around just looking for someone to lie to and hurt. And God tells us we must stay alert.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

Like Doug in the movie Up you can become easily distracted by the images our world spews out everyday about girls. You think a quick glance won’t hurt, but then it leads to staring, and soon images and thoughts pour into your head. Thoughts you wouldn’t want your mother to know you were having. You find yourself staring at girls in school in the hallway and then making crude jokes about their appearance to your friends referring to them as a “hottie” instead of the person they are inside.

Maybe you’re thinking; “How harmless can a simple thought be?” Good question. In Matthew, Jesus tells us how he views those so called “harmless” thoughts.

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. – Matthew 5:28

As guys we can easily, if we’re not staying alert, be distracted by the images our world sends out about girls. It’s a huge distraction to living out your faith and if you think you’re alone, you’re not. But talking about it to someone you know and trust is important. This is your first major step toward overcoming addiction to pornography. Then stay in touch with that person. Ask them to check up on you and keep you accountable. Dive into God’s Word and pray. And don’t beat yourself up. Know that you have forgiveness through Christ.

If you are struggling with pornography seek out your youth pastor or another male leader you trust. Don’t get distracted anymore by the “squirrel.” Here are some additional resources that you may find useful:

Pure Life Ministries

Covenant Eyes

XXX Church.com