Question

What are Dr. Mark Laaser’s recommendations regarding addressing sexual addiction in the church?

Answer 1

Dr. Mark Laaser was a leading authority in healing sexual addiction. He had a Ph.D. in religion and psychology. He has authored many books on sexual addiction where he guides adults and parents on how to deal with sexual addiction of their children and self. Talking to Your Kids about Sex and Healing the wounds of sexual addictions are from many books he has written.

He had experienced this addiction from the age of 11 he had a secret life where he was living a life of sex addiction. He tried to come out of that life but he was unsuccessful. It was his peer who suggested him to take the help of his wife by telling her the truth about his sexual addictions. With the support of his wife, he was able to come out of his addiction and became a counselor in advising people how to come out of this addiction that is like alcohol but builds internal guilt, shame, and low confidence. The person addicted to it develops a vicious cycle in this life and do it again and again and feel as if they have got relief, in reality, they become a slave to sex. According to him, it is like a narcotic effect. From his studies and as a pastor and counselor he came to the conclusion that it has narcotic effects and people who suffer from this addiction are the target of some abuse or from a broken family. Like any other addiction, the need goes on increasing.

He also blames that the internet is playing a great role in children's and adults' life by bringing sexual lessons to their bedrooms. Previously people had to expose themselves for such acts now it is available in the four walls the house.

According to him a large number of people from American society are affected by this addiction and they require intervention. It is present in Churches, communities, and families, and it is our duty to save people from it. According to him, this is like any other addiction it depends upon chemical dependency and when the person tries to seek help or support to overcome this inappropriate chemical mechanism we should guide by love guidance, empathy, and compassion and respond with faithfulness that God has bestowed upon us.

These people require someone who can hear them and guide them, so the journey requires spiritual healing, for God everything is possible, if people come to seek help from God he provides them because he loves his creation.

The success of the process depends upon the addicts because in the recovery process there will be slips and relapses.

He says the church is also involved in it and Pastors and priests have wounded the church deeply by not following God's guidance. Recovering from the addiction is equal to the rebuilding of Jerusalem as described by Nehemiah who built it and saved people from the immoral act by instituting extensive moral and liturgical reforms to the Jews after his release from Persian king Artaxerxes. He also mentions the references of Mathews and John. That teaches to be confidential of our loved ones. It is important to keep it within two people, be honest with him and show him the path, try to find out the obstacle first, and disclose it face to face then explain it and find the remedy without accusations the other person. Forgive and show the right path as God wants us to help our brothers in need. Through references to John he wants us to use wisdom and do not treat them down and untouchable because Jesus himself had shared a drinking vessel with a Samaritan woman at the well, whom people used to consider impure.

Thus the people who suffer from sexual addiction whether in church or community require special attention and care.  

He and his wife had built Faithful and true at Minnesota an organization to help sexually addicted people.