The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church

1. 3/24/23, 11:52 AM Colorado Addiction Treatment Content: The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church More Colorado Addiction Treatment Content Colorado Addiction Treatment Content Thursday, March 23, 2023 Subscribe To Posts The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church Comments Begin Again Institut Addiction Treatmen Begin Aga… View larger ma The modern-day church is a community of devoted believers and seekers of the divine who come together to honor God in both spirit Rehab Blog | Sex an Addiction Treatmen and truth, as the scripture says in John 4:24 (ESV). However, the church is also a gathering of imperfect human beings who often fall Why Am I Addict Masturbating? short of the glory of God, as described in Romans 3:23. How to Talk to a Denial It is a common misconception that sex addiction is not an issue that plagues the faithful in the church. Many assume that it only affects a handful of isolated individuals who do not attend church regularly and shy away from the spotlight. The Importance Sex Addiction R How to Stop Bei a Relationship Recent research shows that sex addiction is far more widespread in the church than many faith leaders and worshippers realize. In fact, those struggling with this affliction may be sitting right beside you in the pews or even preaching from the pulpit. Unpacking the F It's essential to recognize that sex addiction is not limited to an insatiable appetite for intercourse. It can also manifest as an addiction Search This Blog to pornography or masturbation, with the causes of the addiction varying depending on individual circumstances. Given the unique nature of this disorder, it's not surprising that addressing sex addiction in the church can be a daunting task. About Me Nonetheless, it's a problem that cannot be ignored and requires careful and compassionate attention. Begin Again In View my complete Sex Addiction and the Church Report Abuse Despite their good intentions to assist individuals struggling with sex addiction, many modern churches and Christian leaders may not have the necessary expertise to provide effective support. According to Matthew Wenger, Clinical Director at Boulder Recovery, this lack of experience and understanding can lead to unintentional mistakes that can cause harm to those seeking help. To combat this epidemic effectively, the church needs to adopt a broader approach that fosters a safer environment where more people feel comfortable seeking help and accessing resources for addiction recovery. This may require a shift in perspective that acknowledges the complex and sensitive nature of sex addiction, and a willingness to engage with trained professionals who can offer specialized care and treatment. Ultimately, the church's commitment to addressing this issue with compassion, sensitivity, and expertise can play a crucial role in helping individuals find healing and wholeness. Missteps the church and Christian leaders make when addressing sex addiction In addressing sex addiction, there are common missteps that the church and Christian leaders make that can be detrimental to the healing process. One of these missteps is the failure to fully understand sex addiction. Often, pastors and leaders treat sex addiction as sinful behavior instead of recognizing that it is a disorder with deeper roots that often involve trauma from earlier in life. Sex addiction is not a character flaw, but a disorder that requires proper care and attention. https://coloradoadditiontreatment.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-uncomfortable-truth-about.html 1/4

2. 3/24/23, 11:52 AM Colorado Addiction Treatment Content: The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church Another misstep is discouraging full disclosure. Some pastors and church leaders might not want to hear a person's entire story about their struggles with sex addiction. Instead, they may encourage secrecy, which can be damaging in the long run. Focusing on shame is also a common mistake. Shame makes a person feel like they are bad, rather than simply acknowledging that they did something bad. This can be especially damaging when a church leader sees repetitive behavior as a sign that the addict is not a true Christian. Public shaming is another mistake that is sometimes made by church leaders. Requiring the person struggling with sex addiction to confess to the church and ask for forgiveness for their sins or remove them from certain roles within the church can spread rumors and cause public denouncement. Additionally, insufficient marriage counseling that fails to properly identify and address sexual addiction can result in blaming the wife for a lack of physical intimacy or requiring her to forgive before she is allowed to fully grieve. It may also encourage the rebuilding of the relationship before safety and sobriety have been established. Believing in "instant recovery" is another mistake that some church leaders make. While prayer and studying the Bible are important aspects of healing, it is unrealistic to think that recovery from sex addiction will automatically happen without focusing on its underlying causes. Using "purity language" as a substitute for addressing why the behavior is occurring is also a mistake that should be avoided. Excommunication is sometimes used as a punishment for those who do not repent for their sex addiction, but this is not a helpful approach. Rather than punishing individuals, the focus should be on providing support and help. It is also a mistake to believe that the only source for help is from Christian leaders. While they may be equipped to handle many things, most are not experts in treating sex addiction. Relying solely on accountability groups can also be a mistake, as they may not address the root cause of the behavior or offer the necessary mental health support. Finally, ignoring help from outside the church can be a grave mistake. Seeking help from outside sources is not misguided or sinful, but can be an important step in the recovery process. It is essential to remember that discovering an addiction can result in the loss of family, home, and even employment, and losing connection to one's church can be devastating. The result of these missteps is new pain and trauma for the person with the addiction and their partner. It is important for church leaders and pastors to understand the severity of sex addiction and to offer proper support and care for those who are struggling with it. How Church and Christian Leaders Can Avoid These Mistakes According to Matt, the mistakes that church and Christian leaders make in addressing sex addiction can be avoided with a little humility and willingness to seek help. He emphasizes that it's understandable if church leaders are not equipped to handle every issue that their members face. Acknowledging their limitations and reaching out for support when needed is a sign of strength, not weakness. "It's important for church leaders to recognize that they don't have to have all the answers," says Matt. "Their role is to be a source of comfort and guidance for their community, and sometimes that means seeking help from outside sources." By being open to learning and seeking guidance from experts in the field, church, and Christian leaders can better support their community and avoid causing further harm to those struggling with addiction. Humility and a willingness to seek help are crucial qualities for any spiritual leader who wants to make a positive impact in the lives of their followers. Ways for Christian leaders and churches to adequately address sex addiction Christian leaders and churches have an important role to play in helping those struggling with sex addiction, but it requires a thoughtful and informed approach. Here are some key strategies for addressing sex addiction in a way that supports healing and recovery: Discovering the Core Issue: Addressing the root cause of any addiction is critical to effective treatment. This is particularly true for sex addiction, which often stems from early childhood trauma or attachment issues. Love and Respect: Every person, including those with sex addiction, deserves to be treated with compassion, empathy, and respect. Christian leaders and churches must approach individuals struggling with sex addiction with love and support, rather than judgment or condemnation. Setting Up a Plan for Recovery: Overcoming sex addiction is a complex and challenging process that requires a comprehensive treatment plan. Christian leaders and churches can support individuals by providing access to professional counseling, support groups, and other resources. Appropriate Training: Christian leaders and churches can play a vital role in helping those with sex addiction, but it requires appropriate training and education. By equipping leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to support individuals with sex addiction, churches can be a valuable resource for those seeking help. https://coloradoadditiontreatment.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-uncomfortable-truth-about.html 2/4

3. 3/24/23, 11:52 AM Colorado Addiction Treatment Content: The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church Referral Resources: Finally, it's important for Christian leaders and churches to recognize that they are not the only source of support for individuals with sex addiction. By encouraging individuals to seek help from professional resources outside of the church, Christian leaders can help ensure that those struggling with sex addiction have access to the best possible care and support. How Begin Again Institue Can Help At Boulder Recovery, we don't take sexual addiction and its behaviors lightly. We recognize that compulsive sexual behaviors can become an addiction, and we treat them as such. Our approach is geared towards healing without judgment or shame. We use validated trauma treatments to address the root cause of the addiction and equip our participants with new and effective tools to combat their urges. Our program integrates the Gospel of Jesus, which offers participants a new identity as beloved sons and daughters of God, instead of feeling like failures and disappointments who can't get their act together. Our premier program, the 14-Day Christian Men's Intensive, is designed specifically to help men dealing with sex addiction, pornography addiction, and relationship issues. We encourage honesty, courage, and transparency to help men get to the core of their issues and address them thoroughly and effectively. At Boulder Recovery, we offer a supportive and accepting environment for all who seek our help. Reach out to us today to start your journey to recovery. at March 23, 2023 Labels: Addressing Sex Addiction, Christian leaders, Sex Addiction, Sex Addiction in the Church No comments: Post a Comment Enter Comment Home Older Post Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) The Uncomfortable Truth About Addressing Sex Addiction in the Church Blog Archive The modern-day church is a community of devoted believers and seekers of the divine who come together to honor God in both spirit and trut... March 2023 (21) February 2023 (12) January 2023 (18) September 2022 (4 August 2022 (3) May 2022 (1) April 2022 (5) March 2022 (1) A LOOK AT MEN AND INTIMACY Barriers exist that keep men from living their most authentic lives. One of those barriers is the idea that “real men” don’t have problems w... https://coloradoadditiontreatment.blogspot.com/2023/03/the-uncomfortable-truth-about.html 3/4