The Hidden Epidemic in the Church
Pornography has quietly taken root within the walls of churches around the world, leaving lasting damage on individuals, relationships, and ministries. In this second part of a series, Sam Black, Director of Life Change Education at Covenant Eyes, reflects on the profound spiritual, relational, and neurological effects of pornography. He explores why it thrives in secrecy and how accountability can lead to transformation.
Black, who has written The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It, emphasizes that the conversation must shift from shame and silence to one of healing, discipleship, and hope. For years, the topic has been avoided in church settings, but this silence has allowed the problem to grow unchecked.
“I think most people are shocked to learn how widespread this is in the church,” he said. “Pastors are struggling. Leaders are struggling. Young people are exposed at earlier and earlier ages. And yet, many feel they have nowhere to turn.”
Research supports this claim, showing that pornography use is common among Christians, not just in the wider culture. While the statistics vary, the pattern is clear: exposure starts early, compulsive use affects both men and women, and secrecy allows the issue to worsen.
“Secrecy is the oxygen pornography needs,” Black explained. “When people believe they can’t speak about it, the struggle intensifies.” For Black, these are not just numbers—they represent families broken, ministers disqualified, and believers wrestling with guilt and despair.
More Than a Moral Issue
While many in the church view pornography as a moral failing, Black argues that its impact goes much deeper, affecting both the brain and heart. Research shows that pornography literally reshapes the brain, creating neural pathways that reinforce compulsive behavior.
“This is why simply telling people to stop rarely works,” Black said. “Their brain has been rewired to crave what it was never meant to handle. Healing requires not just willpower, but renewal—spiritually, relationally, and neurologically.”
In The Healing Church, Black bridges the gap between science and faith, showing how discipleship and accountability help restore broken neural patterns. “God designed our brains to be plastic, capable of change. When we replace destructive habits with healthy rhythms, the brain rewires again. That’s where hope comes in.”
The Cycle of Shame
One of the most damaging dynamics is the cycle of shame that traps those struggling with pornography. “Shame tells you that you are the only one, that if people really knew you, they would reject you. It drives people back into isolation, which is exactly where pornography thrives,” Black said.
The cycle typically follows a predictable path: temptation, use, guilt, shame, secrecy—and back to temptation again. Each repetition deepens feelings of unworthiness and reinforces the compulsion. By contrast, confession and accountability dismantle this cycle.
“The gospel tells us we are known and loved by God, even in our brokenness. When people encounter safe community where they can be honest, they begin to experience freedom,” Black said.
Accountability as Discipleship
At the heart of Covenant Eyes’ approach is accountability—not as surveillance or punishment, but as a form of discipleship. “Accountability is about walking in the light together,” Black explained. “It’s saying, ‘I’m not going to do this alone. I want someone in my life who asks me the hard questions, who celebrates victories with me, and who reminds me of the gospel when I stumble.’”
In practice, accountability often means pairing individuals with trusted allies—friends, mentors, or spouses—who can receive regular reports, ask honest questions, and encourage consistent progress. Technology can facilitate this process, but the heart of the work is relationship.
“Technology alone doesn’t change hearts,” Black emphasized. “It creates opportunities for conversations. Real transformation happens when people engage those conversations with grace and truth.”
Families on the Frontlines
Black also highlights the critical role of families in addressing the issue. Today’s children are being exposed to explicit content at younger ages than ever before. “The average age of first exposure is shockingly low,” he said. “Parents cannot assume their children will somehow avoid it. We need to have age-appropriate conversations early.”
He encourages parents to be proactive, guiding children through open discussions about technology, identity, and relationships. “If a child feels they will be shamed or punished for being honest, they will hide. But if they know their parents are safe people to talk to, they will be more likely to share.”
A Church Responsibility
The responsibility does not rest solely with families. Churches must also address the issue from the pulpit, creating spaces for confession and healing. “Too often, people think the church is the last place they could bring their struggle, when it should be the first,” Black said.
Fear often prevents pastors from speaking openly, but silence only perpetuates the problem. Black notes that growing movements are breaking the silence, with some churches launching support groups or partnering with ministries focused on sexual integrity.
A Global Challenge
While pornography has often been seen as a Western issue, Black underscores that it is now a global challenge. Internet access has made explicit material available anywhere, from megacities to rural villages. “Wherever smartphones go, pornography follows,” he said.
Covenant Eyes has seen its resources used in multiple languages and contexts, emphasizing that the need for accountability transcends cultural boundaries. “Every culture needs safe places for confession, prayer, and discipleship,” Black added.
Stories of Hope
Despite the widespread nature of the issue, Black remains hopeful. He has witnessed marriages restored, leaders renewed, and young people set on new trajectories. “I’ve seen countless people experience freedom,” he said. “I’ve seen pastors step back into ministry after walking through healing.”
The common denominator in these stories is not human determination, but grace. “Our identity is not defined by our failures. It is defined by who we are in Christ. When people begin to grasp that truth, it changes everything.”
In this second part of the series, Black has outlined the scale of the problem and the pathways toward healing through accountability, discipleship, and community. In the final installment, he will share practical strategies for churches, leaders, and families seeking to respond faithfully—and explore how the global church can turn the tide on one of the most pressing discipleship challenges of our time.