Hardly a day goes by without the news media reporting children being sexually abused by adults. Children as young as 4 years old are being raped, and 10- and 11-year-olds engage in sexual activity.

What is the root cause of this epidemic?

The answer is pornography.

Chuck Swindoll, one of my favorite Christian evangelists and authors, writes in his book, “Getting through the Tough Stuff,” that one in every two churchgoers is actively involved with internet pornography.

Are you shocked?

Nine out of ten children have been exposed to it, most of them accidentally while doing homework online.

Thirty-seven percent of pastors say internet porn is a current struggle in their lives. Most are exposed to it through computer screen pop-ups, unsolicited e-mail and links to websites with innocent sounding names.

When an enticing image flashes, temptation is hard to overcome, especially for males.

The Bible teaches that no temptation is greater than the power given to us by God to resist.

Years ago, when I conducted weekly peer support groups in area high schools, I remember hearing that 50 percent of seventh graders were sexually active.

When I shared that in a group and asked if they agreed with that, not one student disagreed.

Another statistic was that 25 percent of young girls and 20 percent of young boys were sexually abused before the age of 12.

Sexual predators show pornographic videos to children and convince them that it’s OK if others are involved.

As the situation continuously gets worse, what is our role as Christians?

We are to protect ourselves and family members from the dangers that are a part of internet usage and other outlets that could be used to promote pornography.

The apostle Paul warns us not to let our guard down in I Corinthians 9:27: “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

The bottom line is that it’s a matter of spiritual life or death. God leaves that decision to us.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084; call 985-652-8477; or e-mail hkeller@comcast.net.