Providing pastoral care to the porn addict: Perspectives from James 1

Abstract

Pornography addiction is a widespread phenomenon that ranges from atheists to regular churchgoers. One of the major problems is the addict’s powerlessness to stop the addiction. As the addict’s tolerance decreases his life becomes more unmanageable. Although various treatments are available like Sexaholics Anonymous; Sexual Compulsives Anonymous; Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous; Co- Sex Addiction and Sex Addicts Anonymous, there is no specific model that is based on the exegesis of James 1. In this study, the aim is to determine the guidelines for the treatment of the pornography addict according to the guidelines James gave to his original readers to resist trials in their lives. James 1 gives imperatives that can be applied to the handling of certain elements that are part of the addiction cycle which include the causes, illusionary effect, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Causes of falling and staying in the addictive cycle can be viewed as trials. James 1 explain how trials can be overcome. Which of the guidelines James gave to his readers are also applicable to the pastoral care of addictions? By successful development of guidelines, pastoral workers will be able to advise and treat porn addicts with authority from Scripture.