As I speak with fathers and concerned men across the USA, I see the truth that some of your daughters, sisters, wives, and other girls(even young girls) post pictures on Facebook, Myspace, and other public places of themselves and others dressed in swimwear or other clothing that has caused a stumbling block to those addicted to pornography and others that are tempted by lust. Please inform those you love of the danger of sexual predators and the stumbling block of lust. Many young men tell me that they desire to date, enter courtship, etc. but that it seems young women and even married ladies don't realize how much this issue affects others. Please read on, and understand that I am not judging, but cautioning in love, desiring that we are all protected from temptation, sin, and sexual predators that thrive on the innocence of children.
I cannot tell anyone what to do, but as I have counseled some men addicted to child porn and other sexually perverse sins, they overwhelmingly agree that church functions, recreational times such as swimming, are terrible stumbling blocks for them. Pictures of dance recitals, and many other seemingly innocent things may make your child a victim of a sexual predator. Often in the online community, kids are told to not post their address, but they post their school, employer, church youth group. Predators know how to find their victims.
I also receive calls and emails from those in law enforcement, along with my own former involvement with places like Perverted Justice (as seen on Dateline NBC) who are frustrated that people allow their children to post pictures like these. Do not be ignorant of the perversion of the flesh, and the major problem that this is.
Parents, please take this as a warning from someone who knows. I speak to elders and pastors, inmates and youth leaders and am shocked by what I hear in confidence regarding this issue. Please be careful, check your children's photos and delete those that are immodest. I know men think of their daughters as little girls, sweet and nice, but teenage boys and many others have confessed to many sexual sins that all started from watching your little girl dance or at a swim party. Husbands, caution your wives to consider young men's thought lives and the difficulty many face in light of sexual curiosity and the terrible bondage that many have succumbed to in this area. I praise God for those who have been courageous enough to step out and tell me the seriousness of this problem, and for the men and women, and young people that help to guard the hearts of others by practicing modesty.
Thank you for considering this problem. It is for the safety and spiritual wellbeing of all that I write this, wishing I never had to. I often am mocked for my family's stance on modesty, but I know the addiction well, I know the burden of sin first hand, and I don't want anyone else to ever endure the conviction and guilt, the sin that so easily entangles us. I thank God for my wife and her part in keeping my eyes fixed on the Lord, for loving me and helping keep me from sin. I also thank God for brothers in Christ that guard their families, and at times endure mockery from other Christians and the world alike for their stand to protect their wives and daughters, sisters, from becoming the object of sinful lust. Guard your heart, and if you need to talk about it, I am here to help in any way I can.
Guarding my heart,
Mark Cowperthwaite
mark@cowperthwaitefamily.com
