Dr. Floyd Godfrey

God has lovingly provided guidance about our sexuality, designed to help us live spiritually and emotionally healthy lives. Yet, in a world where temptations abound, struggling with pornography addiction can feel overwhelming and isolating. Acknowledging this need for help can be a turning point toward healing—a step deeply in line with God’s will for our wholeness.

The Courage to Admit
Admitting the need for counseling is not a sign of weakness; it’s a brave acknowledgment of the battle within. Matt Fradd writes: “Sometimes people—men especially—think that admitting they need counseling is something to be ashamed about. It is not” (Fradd, 2013, p. 140). Shame often prevents individuals from seeking help, leaving them trapped in cycles of guilt and self-reproach. However, seeking healing through counseling is an act of humility and trust in God’s grace.

Fradd also offers this sobering reminder: “What would be shameful is realizing at the end of your life how much you and your loved ones suffered because you were too proud to seek healing” (Fradd, 2013, p. 140). The stakes of ignoring this issue are high, affecting not just the individual but family relationships, spiritual growth, and emotional well-being.

Guidance from God’s Word
Scripture teaches us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). God’s design for sexuality calls for purity, offering protection from the physical, spiritual, and emotional consequences of sin. In battling pornography addiction, the Word becomes a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105), guiding us toward truth and freedom.

Questions for Reflection
In Delivered: True Stories of Men and Women Who Turned From Porn to Purity, Fradd provides a helpful set of questions for self-examination:

1. Do you have a preoccupation with pornography?
2. Have you made repeated unsuccessful attempts to control or stop viewing pornography?
3. Do you use pornography as a reward for hard work and/or a way to escape problems or negative emotions?
4. Are you risking the loss of a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of pornography use?
5. Have you been thinking that you might need counseling because of your pornography use? (Fradd, 2013, p. 141).

Answering “yes” to one or more of these questions is an indication that counseling could be a critical next step.

Healing Through Counseling
Counseling offers a safe space to address underlying issues that fuel addiction. A professional counselor trained in addressing pornography addiction can provide strategies for accountability, emotional healing, and spiritual renewal. James 5:16 encourages us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, so we may be healed. Seeking help aligns with this biblical call to community and support.

Taking this step does not negate personal responsibility; rather, it empowers individuals to break free from isolation and partner with God in their journey toward purity and restoration.

Encouragement to Take the Next Step
Admitting a need for counseling requires humility and courage. Yet, this acknowledgment is a step toward the abundant life Christ promises (John 10:10). The pain of addiction does not have to define you. With God’s grace and the support of counseling, healing is possible.

Floyd Godfrey, PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey, PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.