Porn: Addiction, Enemy Operatives, and Warfare

In 2023, I was doing some data analysis on website visits for ministry.  As I looked up data chart after data chart, I noticed something that blew my mind: A well-known porn website came in at top-ranked on every list I pulled up, being topped only by Google, Wikipedia, and social media.  Porn has become a way of life in public culture, not just a private, late-night desire.  The entertainment of it has masked the addiction of it, with the enemy running rampant in our culture, to the point of it reaching high school, middle school, and - Lord forbid I say it - elementary school kids.  In our quest to cover up the addictive cycles of it, we have also begun to cover up the work of the enemy and his operatives (demons) in this area.

Enemy Operatives in P*rn

An operative is defined as a skilled worker.  Because they are skilled, they usually specialize in a certain area.  In my study on demonology, I learned that Satan has demons working as operatives.  They carry out special operations for his kingdom.  Some are assigned to deception while others are assigned to abuse, addiction, lust, or, say, trauma.  While they may have special operations, they all work together to carry out the same mission - to destroy and devour their host and detour them from God's Promise over their lives.  The enemy knows he cannot stop what God is doing.  But, if planned accordingly, he can direct people away from what God Is doing.  The Holy Spirit has worked with me on listing four of these demonic operatives, their missions, and their tactics in porn that they use to destroy their hosts.  You can note that these are not the contextual "names" of these spirits, just names of their particular behavior.

1. A spirit of justification

These demons use excuses to justify their behavior.  Their mission is to attack the mind with excuses to keep us under their stronghold.  I know a man who was separated from his wife years ago and developed a porn addiction during the separation.  His excuse was that "she will not be as badly hurt as she would if I were actually with somebody."  While it makes sense on the outside, it covers up the stronghold on the inside.  Demonic spirits use tactics of common sense because it allows you to rationalize why you should keep doing what you are doing.  I have heard some alcoholics and drug addicts say, "It is not like I am out here killing anybody" and "I only do it to have a good time on the weekends".  Excuses are the enemy of self-accountability.  When we choose to point the finger back at ourselves and our actions, we fight back at this tactic from the enemy.

2. A spirit of avoidance

These demons use avoidance and withdrawal to dodge situations that may confront their behavior.  God-led relationships and marriages confront porn consumption and call it out for what it is.  But people who deal with this spirit often get defensive when confronted and questioned about their porn consumption.  Because of this, the mission of these spirits is to get the host away from anybody or anything that may shine light on the issue.  These spirits use these tactics in an attempt to not be confronted.  A study done in 2022 on over 1,200 college students gave more insight to this behavior, citing that a majority of the students are consumed porn for over five hours a day were socially awkward and often had trouble socializing with other people.

3. A spirit of deception

These spirits do one thing - lie  Their mission is to spread lies about porn consumption to keep people tied up in it.  A study done in 2022 tried to eliminate the idea of porn being an addiction and instead call it a "perceived addiction".  The mission of these spirits is to steer people away from the truth about porn consumption.  If truth can be blanketed by a lie long enough, people with no knowledge of the truth can be swayed by it.

4. A spirit of blame shifting

Genesis 3:2 shows us one of the oldest tricks by the enemy - shifting blame and accusing others.  These spirits shine light on other people and issues to redirect people away from the spirits themselves.  Similar to avoidant spirits, their mission is to point the finger at other people to get the attention off of them.  I have heard several explanations like these from people battling with a drug addition.  They will mention things such as "at least I am not doing meth; that is worse than what I am doing" and then go into a long spiel about how bad meth or some other drug is.  In actuality, this is a tool being used by the enemy to keep us safely snared in his stronghold.

Spiritual Warfare Against Porn

Spiritual warfare against porn involves three things: (1.) Prayer, (2.), fasting, and (3.) knowing the truth and holding onto it.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God.  When we are in pursuit of living out a life that pleases Him, He hears our prayers and positions our spirits away from the things that go against our Discipleship.

Fasting is eliminating our lives of all distractions so that we can grow stronger in our walk with God and shine light on demonic influences in our lives.  Matthew 4:3 shows us that it was not until Christ fasted and became weak from not having worldly nourishment that Satan came to tempt him.  Sometimes, we do not really know what we are struggling with until the struggles are removed.

John 8:32 includes a speech by Christ where He said, "You will know the truth, and will make you free."  Even though Christ was referring to following His teaching, the same is true about any truth.  When we know the truth about porn addiction, it positions us to be free from the demonic strongholds associated with it.  The truth is that porn consumption pulls us away from the things that God wants us to have - healthy relationships, healthy social groups, and a healthy mental state..

Good News and Encouragement

There isn't a stronghold in the world that can withstand the saving grace of God.  We serve a Deliverer in the midst of every battle aiming to snatch us away from the Promises of God, so we can be free of any of the enemy's tactics, including p*rn addiction.  If you are dealing with p*rn addiction, confess your struggle to God, go into prayer, Scripture reading, and fasting, and watch God intervene!  Should you need additional help and/or resources in your recovery from p*rn addiction, visit your local addiction recovery center.  Should you need extra prayer or just a word of encouragement, feel free to reach out at info@ministermicah.org.  Prayers are being lifted for you!

By: Minister Micah