By Dr. Floyd Godfrey

As a Christian counselor, I’ve had the privilege of working with many men of faith who are struggling with the bondage of pornography addiction. These men, often dedicated to their spiritual walk, find themselves caught in a cycle of shame, secrecy, and despair. For many, the journey toward healing begins with one critical step: learning to surrender. This surrender, rooted in the realization that we are not omnipotent, opens the door to a deeper relationship with God and sets the stage for true healing.

Learning to Surrender
One of the most powerful moments in recovery is when a man of faith acknowledges that he cannot conquer addiction on his own. This is often a humbling realization, as many believe that through sheer willpower or moral effort, they should be able to overcome sin. Yet, the path to healing requires surrendering to the will of God and recognizing that only through His power can true freedom be achieved.

As Gregory May wisely notes, "Yet God creates and cares for us in such a way that our addictions can never completely vanquish our freedom" (May, 1988, p. 18). While addiction can feel like an inescapable prison, God has designed us in such a way that freedom is always possible through Him. The first step is to admit our need for a Savior and relinquish the illusion of control, allowing God to step in and guide the healing process. By acknowledging that we cannot heal ourselves, we make room for God’s grace and power to work in our lives.

Self-Awareness and Emotional Healing
In addition to surrendering control, one of the most important aspects of recovery is gaining self-awareness. Many men turn to pornography as a means of coping with underlying emotional pain—loneliness, rejection, fear, or unresolved trauma. Pornography becomes an anesthetic, numbing these deeper wounds. However, in order to experience lasting freedom, men must learn to recognize the emotional triggers and patterns that drive their addiction.

Jesus’ words in John 8:32 remind us of a profound truth: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” In the context of recovery, this truth involves uncovering the emotional and psychological roots of addiction. It requires confronting uncomfortable realities about ourselves and being willing to address the pain that we’ve tried to avoid. However, in doing so, we allow God to bring healing to these deeper places of hurt, leading to true freedom.

In my work with men, we often spend time exploring these emotional triggers, guiding them to identify the moments when they are most vulnerable to temptation. This process, though challenging, leads to profound breakthroughs. By understanding the emotions that fuel their addiction, men can begin to address these areas in healthy ways, allowing God to heal the root causes rather than simply treating the symptoms.

The Journey to Freedom
While the road to recovery from pornography addiction is not easy, it is one that is filled with hope. The moment a man chooses to surrender his will to God and commits to understanding his emotional pain, he embarks on a journey toward wholeness. Through God’s grace, the chains of addiction can be broken, and the man who once felt powerless can experience the true freedom that comes from Christ.

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 counselor 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.

References
May, G. G. (1988). Addiction & Grace - Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions. Harper One.