I had a disturbing experience a while back. While sitting at my desk at the church, I followed a link to read a blog post that caught my eye. I was bored soon and started to look for something more interesting.
Figuring I might have the luck of the draw I clicked the “next blog” button (a ‘feature’ in blogger that randomly chooses the next blog for you). It was something in what looked like mandarin to me–next! Then pops up a lame teenie-bopper site–next! Then pops up…well, it was porn. Yeah, that’s right, porn!
Reverend McCarter sitting at his ‘preacherman’ desk with worship music playing on his ipod, a stack of commentaries on his left, an open Bible on his right, and porn on his computer!
I was shocked, and closed my web-browser immediately. Looking back, it was stupid and naive to not see that coming. I picked up the phone and called my wife. I told her what had happened, and asked her forgiveness for careless browsing. She was startled, but characteristically gracious.
Does calling my wife right away sound like a strange move to you? Well, I didn’t have a choice!
I have an accountability software on my computer called X3Watch. It monitors my internet activity, and if I visit a questionable site it keeps a record of it. Then, every couple of weeks, it sends an e-mail to my wife (and to my accountability partner) with the list of sites that its filters picked up. I had to tell my wife…’cause if I didn’t, X3Watch would–and the fairly innocent blog browsing story wouldn’t hold up then!
It’s a powerful tool, and it does more than keep pornography off my screen, it keeps it from ever being a consideration. It takes it out of the equation altogether. And here’s the best part…it’s free.
- Guys: I don’t care if you’ve never once struggled with porn…get X3Watch…period! There’s no excuse in the world…it doesn’t even slow down your computer. No exceptions, and no excuses, guys! If you say your too holy to be tempted, then you’re probably trying to cover something up.
- Wives: insist that your husband gets X3Watch, and that he makes you one of his accountability partners. He doesn’t have an excuse not to!
- Parents: lay down the law! It’s your job to monitor your kids web activity, make them put X3Watch on their computer! If they refuse…donate their computer to the Vineyard, we’ll give you a tax write-off! Not monitoring your kids web activity is like letting them play kickball on the interstate. It’s not safe, and it’s your job to protect them!
I love you guys…GO DO IT!
p.s.–steer clear of the “next blog” button, IT’S A TRAP!
I am not sure why a man who has never had an experience with porn (or I’m assuming hasn’t) would find it necessary to use what would appear to most people as such an extreme measure of control and accountability. Please don’t misinterpret the comment; I applaud your efforts in trying to safeguard yourself, and in no way do I mean to be offensive to you. I totally agree with you about the safeguards. I feel that all men striving to live for Christ should guard themselves; however, I also feel that “Men of God” should not find themselves with such idle time on their hands(i.e.surfing the web) that they are “bored” and finding themselves in compromising positions. Hind sight is 20/20, and of course you now see how naive you were, but what about the next time your just looking around on the web? Guard your time as well as your computer. There are no safeguards out there that alert your wife and accountability partner to the fact that you had time to be productive with/for the Lord and didn’t. May God Continue To Bless You.
C. Rutledge – thanks for your comment. I’ll have to disagree that there’s anything extreme about having a free accountability software as a safeguard. I am susceptible to temptation, as anyone else is, and this is a great, simple way to be accountable.
As the for the “idle time:” I spend a little bit of time every day surfing the web, reading news, blogs, etc. I think it’s crucial to be aware of cultural trends and emerging ideologies. I think it was Spurgeon who said, “We should prepare our messages with a bible one hand and a newspaper in the other.” (paraphrasing!).
I agree with Spurgeon wholeheartedly! Do you?