Pornography

It is evident that there is a worldwide obsession with pornography in our modern age of moral relativity.  This is indicated by the increase of sexually-explicit material in movies, television, books, and magazines, and even at sporting events.  Capitalism has taken advantage of the world’s interest in pornography.  Pornography is used to advertise and sell just about everything to the public.  Perhaps the most disturbing fact is the increase of pornography on the Internet.

Pornography is a distortion of God’s intended use of sex within marriage (1 Cor. 7:2-3).  The word pornography comes from two Greek words: pornei and graphei.  The word graphei means “to write.”  The word pornei is used of all kinds of sexual immorality.  Thus the writing and publishing of sexually-explicit materials have greatly contributed to the increase in pornography today.

The word pornei is translated as fornication in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.  It is linked with words like adultery, homosexuality and idolatry.  In Acts 15:29, the early church warned believers not to be involved with pornei.  Pornei is associated with impurity and filthiness in Ephesians 5:3-4.  The Apostle Paul said that it was not proper among saints. Impurity (akatharsia) is a general term, which refers to moral uncleanness in thought, word, and deed (cf. Eph. 5:3-4; Rom. 13:13). Debauchery (aselgeia) denotes an open, shameless, barefaced display of immoral behavior (cf. 2 Cor. 12:21).  Any type of pornography is degrading to men and women, who are created in the image of God.

The only real solution is the cleansing of the mind through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 12:2; Phil 4:8-9; 2 Cor 10:3-5; Isa 26:3).  Godly living begins with godly thinking.  Godly thinking results from the changes that occur in the Spirit-filled believer through the influence of the Word of God in the life of the believer.

 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God (1 Thes. 4:3-5).

 Here are some practical suggestions to avoid or stop any involvement in pornography. Be sure to study the verses carefully, asking God to help you use them in your life.

1. Follow David’s example in Psalm 101:3, “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.”  Put this verse near your television and your computer monitor.
2. Avoid curiosity with anything sexually improper (Jam. 1:13-15)
3. Resist sexually-explicit imaginations (2 Cor. 10:3-5; Rom. 8:5-8).
4. Focus your mind on that which is honoring to God (Phil. 4:8-9).
5. Maintain a pure mind by meditating on the Word of God (Psalm 1:2).
6. Remember that from God’s viewpoint, looking with lustful intent is the same as committing adultery (Matt. 5:27-28).  One of Satan’s lies is the argument that pornography is not wrong as long as you are not physically involved sexually with another person.
7. In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul admonishes believers to be imitators of God.  This cannot be done if a believer is involved with pornographic material.
8. In Hebrews 12:1-2, a believer is to run a race.  We are to 1) run patiently, 2) get rid of anything evil, which would hinder us, and 3) fix our eyes on Jesus.
9. Romans 12:1 is an exhortation for believers to become a living, holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.
10. Romans 12:2 speaks against being conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.  The result will be the ability to discern the will of God.  The will of God is described as good, acceptable and perfect.

Believers must not let an interest in pornography distract from their goal of walking with and serving Christ!