353: Sam Black and The Journey of Freedom

Sam Black, author of The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong About Pornography, and Director of Life Change Education at Covenant Eyes. Today, Sam shares how his life changed when he was first exposed to pornography, how it became a crutch for him, and why it’s so destructive. He explains the inner turmoil he felt which often kept him from church but then, he discovered a community that allowed him to be honest about his addiction. Plus, Sam tells us how to get started making your church a place that’s safe, too. Sam’s story reminds us that God’s grace is enough for everyone regardless of what sin they struggle with.

Listen to Sam’s story in your favorite podcast app now!

Stories Sam shared:

Why he wrote The Healing Church
Growing up in Indiana, Kentucky, and Florida in a “hypocritically violent” home
Being exposed to pornography at 10 years old
How pornography became an escape for him
The messages that he received from his church
How his wife came to Christ
The relationship between how much pornography and service
Believing that he could not live up to a Christian life
Going to an event at his wife’s church
The marriage class that became a safe space
How his life changed as he was able to be vulnerable
The spectrum of how the Church handles problems
How to be the safe person for your community

Great quotes from Sam:

No one comes to the Father except through the Spirit. And the Spirit was doing a number on me.

What part of James 5:16 do we not believe?

What we need is a safe place with a safe process where it’s okay to come as you are.

Resources we mentioned:

Sam’s website
The Healing Church: What Churches Get Wrong about Pornography and How to Fix It by Sam Black
Covenant Eyes – Code for one month free: safeguard
Strive Program

Related episodes:

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