Pornography: Slaying the Dragon

by David A. Powlison

David Powlison notes, “As explicit sexual images proliferate in films and magazine, on television, and over the Internet, the temptations increase and the bondage seems unbreakable. Is it really possible to slay the dragon of pornography and fantasy once it has gained control of your life?” The answer is yes, as you will see from this interview with a man called Bob, who experienced Christ’s deliverance in this part of his life.

Genres: Counselling, Christian

24 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

David Powlison, MDiv, PhD, (1949–2019) was a teacher, counselor, and the executive director of the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He wrote many books and minibooks, including Speaking Truth in Love, Seeing with New Eyes, Good and Angry, Making All Things New, God's Grace in Your Suffering, Safe and Sound, and Take Heart. David was also the editor of The Journal of Biblical Counseling.

Reviews

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Also good in parts for young women to understand the male mind.

Read this again in June 2011, reviewing for our church's book table.
I am convinced that porn is destroying not only the purity, but the FAITH of thousands of men in the church. This booklet vividly pictures the mental life of a porn user, and offers real help without perfunctory and empty checklists. Seeing what you're actually doing is key to repentance and change. "It was more than just sex.... Once I got honest, I found peace."

[Rachel Rhoadarmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good personal testimony of one man’s experience with porn and the fight to “slay the dragon.” Might help give words to what someone is experiencing. I’d recommend it to someone as an introductory booklet- but I’m not sure I would use it when counseling women since it’s written predominantly from a male perspective.

Some of the things I appreciated about it:
1) talked about the influence of the past without using the past as an excuse
2) did a good job of describing the problem with fantasy and using women as sexual objects
3) talked about the importance of being specific when talking about sexual sin and being honest and transparent when enlisting other Christians to help fight against the sin.

[David Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting format. Powlinson interviews "Bob" about his pornography addiction. "Bob" describes the dynamics of the addiction, how he came to realize its power in his life, and the steps he took to overcome it, with emphasis on the help he found from God and from his local church fellowship. Would be a helpful resource to anyone struggling with this issue.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. It's a short interview between Powlison and a man who has come out of various sexual addictions (pornography being one of them). Some good insights in here, as he walks the reader through his sin and his putting it to death.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really helpful little booklet. A testimony conversation between Dr. Powlison and "Bob" about how he got free from porography and lust. Encouraging to reflect on God's faithfulness to deliver from besetting sin, even after a lengthy fight.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interview of a man who had experienced freedom from pornography. It’s not a bad booklet, and has some pretty honest confessions from the interviewee. But it’s not quite as helpful as some of the other booklets are.

[Tanner Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional. Wonderfully short read.

[Lya Anggraini · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a danger in overlooking the simple deviated thought of self-gratifying pleasure. As simple as truth that we are made to please God, we are no longer living to seek pleasure on our own. This very thin book of a deep interview is telling the essence of this truth and how exactly made the interwiewee choose to change. Great conversation!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powlison gets to the heart of private sexual fantasy with this short interview with a counselee. A useful mini book for those struggling with this or seeking to understand the struggle.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will need to reread this... maybe several times.