Editorial

Steve Cole

Welcome to the 1st Anniversary edition of Artisan, a publication for an underground network of thousands, which seeks to provide perspectives on issues we face as people in the Media, Arts, Entertainment and Fashion industries.

Over the last eight years with Artisan I have met with hundreds of guys who, over a Grande Latte, have shared with me their battles over the issue of sexuality. Although I only tend to chat with men about this subject, it is such a huge deal in many people’s lives; people who want to honour God but who in many cases find it difficult to overcome this area. The amazing thing about all these guys is that they all have a number of things in common. Firstly they think that they are the worst, secondly that they are the only one struggling with this issue and finally that this is the worst sin of all and that God hates them for it, I am sure this is the case for many women also.

My hope and vision for this publication is NOT to justify any kind of sexual sin but to create more of a transparency and openness about the issue. I have therefore asked different writers (male and female) from different parts of the world to write openly and honestly about this issue in confidence that their names would not be published.

Many people involved in these industries spend most of their time on their own; many freelancers operate from a spare bedroom or an office by themselves. Isolation is a massive deal to cope with, especially when motivation is low and boredom sets in or you are physically tired.

This is when the defences are down and you are most vulnerable. Temptation often comes most strongly during these times and if you are on your own there needs to be things in place so that you cannot do damage to your body. Jesus says in Matthew 6:22-23, “The eye is the lamp of the body, if your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad your whole body is full of darkness.” For many men the Internet becomes the main issue with over 60% of all hits being related to porn. The spiral downwards often starts with a curious look at a bikini site which then leads to nudity, which then becomes hardcore porn and so on.

Here’s a fact: Internet porn does not bring lasting satisfaction or fulfilment. It only creates an addiction for more. Why are so many top-level professionals in law, business, politics and media getting caught with child porn on their computers? I’m sure it’s because they could not control this downward spiral. What was once providing short-term excitement no longer had that effect and so the porn had to become more extreme. Internet porn does not have to be a lifetime issue. Here is my advice: Tell someone, and then ask that person to hold a password to an Internet filter. You can download a piece of software that will block all questionable content for around $30.

For me, over the past five years, my wife Rach has held the password - “Good morning darling I would like to view hardcore pornography today, could I have the password?” Of course this is never going to happen, partly because I know she forgot the password about four years ago! For me I have cybersitter.com, which works well unless you support Arsenal (mediocre soccer team in England for all the American readers)!! I also hold the password to a number of guys’ accounts and have never been asked for the password. I am not saying that this solves all your problems but it’s often very liberating when the temptation is taken away.

With TV, magazines, certain streets, certain shops and bars, let’s be proactive and not reactive. Don’t put yourself into places and situations where you know you’re going to be tempted. Be alert, be on your guard, keep your eyes pure, put good people around you. Most importantly, remember that God’s love, mercy and grace extends to every one of us who asks. He does not treat us as we deserve. Let’s not abuse this grace but instead move forward with God, who is the source of all the strength and power we need.

On a lighter note… On the 5th March thirty-four of us went from the UK to New York for the first ever Artisan prayer event. We had an amazing time as hundreds came together from over twenty arts media organisations and churches to praise Jesus and pray for one another and the industries. It was one of the most exciting and exhilarating times of my life. We are talking with the leaders in New York about putting on this event twice a year, so I will keep you posted. If you are in the UK we meet in Central London on the third Monday of every month from 6.30pm, except during August and December.