Sex Addiction and the Church Part 2

Sex Addiction and the Church Part 2

Sex addiction not only effects those who struggle with the addiction, but also the loved ones as well.

On different Christian websites and magazines I have found countless articles of couples and women telling their stories of how devastating it is to uncover. The formula usually is, the woman kind of suspects but ignores it because this is not something that is talked about in the church and she is usually too embarrassed to talk about it with anyone. Then the guy gets caught and the church finds out and she is embarrassed beyond belief. She feels like her world has been ripped out from under her and she begins to hate her husband.

It is so easy to sit on the sidelines and judge the offender and how the family deals with the crisis, but you cannot know the pain and darkness these people have gone through to be able to come out on the other side of it.

If you are a friend, wife, or family member of someone who is in the middle of the struggle know that A...you are not alone and B...there are things that you can do.

Life and Death are in the Tongue
Watching someone make the same mistake over and over again or who are in denial is the most frustrating thing to deal with. It can bring on unbearable amounts of pain, hurt, and anger. Therefore, sometimes that anger can spill out of our mouths. Sure that person can make you so angry to the point that you will say to someone or yourself "that whore-moungler couldn't be faithful or turn off that darn computer if his life dependent on it!"

Sure it may feel that way and it might even be true up until the moment you said it, but what you don't realize is, is that you are speaking words of death over that person. I know it is hard, because the Lord knows this is my biggest problem, but it is so important to speak words of life no matter how bad it gets.

No matter how dark the situation is, stay on your knees in prayer for that person and continue to believe and speak their deliverance.

Remember
Unless your life has been one big pollyanna party...you too have had things you struggled with or are struggling with and God has delivered you so remember. Always look back on what God has done for you and that person. Also, know that this is not something that can be changed over night...how many people in the Bible did God answer their prayers immediately? Remember that God works in His own time.


Stand in the Gap
Pray without ceasing!

Be There
This does not mean be co-dependent. But don't judge your loves one. Chances are they are condemning themselves internally on a daily basis. Once Satan gets you to sin he loves throwing it in yourself face until you feel unworthy, so it is your job to constantly remind them that God loves him and paid the price for their sin and that they are forgiven.

Get Help
Like stated in the beginning having a loved one struggling with this addiction is painful and you need to find help for yourself. Get on your knees and pray for patience and that God restores your heart. Get connected with others who are going through the same crisis and get wisdom from families who have walked that rode and from victory.

Until the church starts getting honest about this issue...it will continue to run rampant, but it is our job as people of God to stop judging, stop being in denial, and start listening and start leading people to the freedom that we have in Christ.

-Christina Williams

http://www.ncsac.org/addicts/addict_groups.aspx

http://www.webring.com/hub?ring=sexaddictionisaf