As I’m often asked for book recommendations on various subjects, I decided to put together an online list of my top ten books in various categories. Basically, if I was only allowed 10 books in my library on that subject, these are the ten I would choose. Other posts include:

Today I’m listing the Top 10 Books on Fighting Porn. I wish there didn’t have to be so many books on the subject, especially for Christians, but that’s where we’re at. You can also check out this list of Top 60 Online Resources for Battling Porn.

After this list you’ll find a poll where you can cast three votes for your favorite books and help others choose the best books on the subject. Click on “View Results” to see what books are most popular.

You can also add any book not on the list by writing the title in “Other” or in the Comments I’ll add these to the end of the post under “Reader Suggestions.”

1. Finally Free: Fighting for Purity With The Power of Grace by Heath Lambert.

This is biblical counseling at its best: full of sympathy for sinners, courageous confrontation of sin, accessible biblical truth, the power of Christ’s grace, and radical dependence upon the Holy Spirit. It offers eight grace-based strategies to needy sinners. Finally Free will liberate many lives and revitalize many marriages.

2. Sexual Detox: A Guide for Guys Who Are Sick of Porn by Tim Challies.

Sexual Detox and Finally Free are the two books I always give to anyone struggling with lust and porn. Sexual Detox is shorter, easier to read, and provides more emergency actions. Finally Free is deeper, more long-term. Both are gospel-based and grace-driven. Both manage to walk the fine line between R-Rated and Disney.

3. Building a Pure Life: A Workbook for Counselors and Small Groups by Dave Coats

This book was forged in the battlefield of personal sanctification as Pastor and Biblical Counselor, Dave Coats, fought for purity in this muddy world. Also, having worked with people in this area of spiritual struggle for many years, he concluded that the best way to help people who already lacked personal discipline and self-control was to provide a structured workbook format that “forced” them to study the Word of God daily.

4. Closing the Window: Steps to Living Porn-Free by Tim Chester.

Good combination of the theological and the practical. Its strength is the way it rips porn of its allure and demonstrates its vile ugliness. Chester wants you to be revolted by porn and ravished by God

5. Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain by William Struthers.

This book is different to all the others on this list. It was written by a Christian neuroscientist and researcher who explains how porn actually changes the brain, but also what we can do about it. Unique and insightful combination of the scientific, the theological, and the practical.

6. Undefiled: Redemption from Sexual Sin, Restoration for Broken Relationships by Harry Schaumburg.

Harry Schaumburg has devoted his life to delivering people from sexual sin. Gives hope to the most hopeless. Not just about breaking a porn habit or addiction, but about “redemption.” A powerful book for the powerless.

7. Sex and The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper, Justin Taylor, and others.

A “positive” book about God’s view of sex for both men and women. Aims to show the beauty and wisdom of God in His definition, design, and provision of sex.

8. Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World by Josh Harris.

Previously titled Not Even a Hint, Harris’s aim is to separate lust (bad) from sex and sexuality (good). Maybe too many personal anecdotes and perhaps too candid in parts. It does address the problem of female lust and returns to the cross of Christ repeatedly for pardon and power.

9. The Purity Principle: God’s Safeguards for Life’s Dangerous Trails by Randy Alcorn

Short, accessible, to the point, for men and women. Not as Gospel-centered as other books on the list.

10. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk About the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard

This summarized and modernized version of John Owen’s Indwelling Sin and The Mortification of Sin, is about fighting indwelling sin in general rather than porn in particular. Not a book for a porn-emergency; more for long-term and deep work in the heart that attacks the roots of sin.

For a very quick read you could try these short booklets of sixty pages or so. Help! He’s Struggling With Pornography by Brian Croft, and Help! She’s Struggling With Pornography by Rachel Coyle.

And here are a couple of free eBooks from Covenant Eyes: Porn Free Church and Your Brain on Porn.

Now you decide, what are your favorites? You can cast three votes and add a book if it’s not in the list.

Reader Suggestions

Sexual Sanity for Men by Dave White.

False Intimacy: Understanding the Struggle of Sexual Addiction by Harry Schaumburg.