Ellen White’s writings do not use the modern term “pornography,” but she addresses the struggle with “secret vice,” “impure thoughts,” and “indulgence of animal passions”—concepts that closely parallel the issue of pornography addiction today. Here are key principles and encouragements from her books, with annotation references for confirmation:
1. **Repentance and Divine Help:**
“A merciful God will accept true heart repentance, and will bless their endeavors to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit... If they in humility entreat God for purity of thought, and a refined and sanctified imagination, he will hear them, and grant their petitions. God has not left them to perish in their sins, but will help the weak and helpless, if they cast themselves in faith upon him.” (
ApM 22.2;
SA 68.2)
2. **The Need for Firm Purpose and Resistance:**
“With a firm purpose they must resist Satan's temptations to indulge the animal passions, because it is sin against God. They should not venture on forbidden ground, where Satan can claim control over them.” (
ApM 22.2;
SA 68.2)
3. **Recovery May Be Gradual:**
“None should be discouraged if they perceive no decided improvement in their health after the habit has been broken off for quite a length of time... If nature's laws have not been too long abused, she will carry on her restoring process, although it may not be immediately realized.” (
ApM 22.2;
SA 68.2)
4. **The Power of Habit and the Need for Perseverance:**
“The mind does not come down in a moment from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime... By beholding we become changed... Constant war against the carnal mind must be maintained; and we must be aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract the mind upward, and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things.” (
CTBH 127.2-127.3)
5. **Do Not Despair After Failure:**
“Feeling the terrible power of temptation, the drawing of desire that leads to indulgence, many a man cries in despair, ‘I cannot resist evil.’ Tell him that he can, that he must resist. He may have been overcome again and again, but it need not be always thus... But he need not despair.” (
MH 174.6)
6. **Guarding the Mind and Avoiding Triggers:**
“Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts... This will require earnest prayer and unceasing watchfulness. We must be aided by the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract the mind upward, and habituate it to dwell on pure and holy things.” (
PP 460.2)
7. **Practical Steps and Will-Power:**
“You must resist temptation. Although you may have been overcome, although moral debasement may have marked your course, it need not always be thus. Jesus is your helper. In his strength you can overcome the beguiling power of appetite. Summon will-power to your aid.” (
CTBH 147.2)
8. **The Importance of Early Education and Parental Guidance:**
“You may be unable to obtain the truth from your children in regard to their habits. Those who practice secret vice will lie and deceive... There is a great, a solemn, and an important work for you to do at once, to set your own hearts and house in order... ‘Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul,’ is the exhortation of the apostle.” (
2T 400.2)
**In summary:**
Ellen White teaches that overcoming sexual addiction—including pornography—requires repentance, earnest prayer, reliance on Christ, perseverance, and practical steps to avoid temptation. She encourages not to despair after failure, to guard the mind, and to seek divine help for purity of thought and life.
**References:**
- White, E. G. (1896). Special Testimonies on Education (Appeal to Mothers, ApM)
- White, E. G. (1905). The Ministry of Healing (MH)
- White, E. G. (1890). Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene (CTBH)
- White, E. G. (1890). Patriarchs and Prophets (PP)
- White, E. G. (1875). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2 (2T)
- White, E. G. (1892). A Solemn Appeal (SA)
If you need more specific references or practical steps, please let me know!