Our culture is inundated with pornography. Sitting at my laptop the other day, a pop-up invited me to "see more." I declined. The pornography industry is aggressive in recruiting men, and women too, to view nudity and sex online.
Seventy-five years ago it was magazines with one nude centerfold. The magazines looked like the undergarment ads in the Sunday paper of today. Nowadays, it's photos, videos, and more.
So, was pornography okay in the past? Has the definition of pornography changed? Pornography has always been evil. Whether it is just suggestive pictures of women in their underwear, or a graphic video, pornography stirs up lust in the viewer. That is its purpose. Pornography is addictive.
God has a beautiful plan for nudity and sex--between a husband and wife. Sex outside marriage is sin and so is lust. God commands women to dress modestly so that they will not stir up lust in the men around them.
We are surrounded with so much pornography that we do not notice it. We watch opening scenes of favorite shows that show women dressed immodestly and pole dancing. Popular movies show nudity and sex scenes without shame. Does all of this harm us?
Yes, it does. Pornography harms its viewers, but harms our culture as well.
Sex is Removed from Love & Commitment
Our Creator designed sex as an expression of love inside a committed relationship. Instead of desire stirring up toward his wife, a man is aroused by watching a girl he doesn't know. Sex is no longer something sacred and beautiful.
God's plan involves a man cherishing and providing for his wife, not just having sex with her. He must put forth effort to win her heart and work hard to provide for his family. Pornography requires no effort or work.
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit," (I Thessalonians 4:3-8 NIV (c)1984).
Women Lose Their Value
In pornography, women exist to please men. They have no needs, they don't get pregnant. But, that young woman that is being lusted after is someone's daughter. She is made in the image of God and has value. She is not an object to desire, but a woman to be loved and cherished.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church," (Ephesians 5:25-29 NIV (c)1984).
Women Try to Be Pornography
Seventy-five years ago it was magazines with one nude centerfold. The magazines looked like the undergarment ads in the Sunday paper of today. Nowadays, it's photos, videos, and more.
So, was pornography okay in the past? Has the definition of pornography changed? Pornography has always been evil. Whether it is just suggestive pictures of women in their underwear, or a graphic video, pornography stirs up lust in the viewer. That is its purpose. Pornography is addictive.
God has a beautiful plan for nudity and sex--between a husband and wife. Sex outside marriage is sin and so is lust. God commands women to dress modestly so that they will not stir up lust in the men around them.
We are surrounded with so much pornography that we do not notice it. We watch opening scenes of favorite shows that show women dressed immodestly and pole dancing. Popular movies show nudity and sex scenes without shame. Does all of this harm us?
Yes, it does. Pornography harms its viewers, but harms our culture as well.
Sex is Removed from Love & Commitment
Our Creator designed sex as an expression of love inside a committed relationship. Instead of desire stirring up toward his wife, a man is aroused by watching a girl he doesn't know. Sex is no longer something sacred and beautiful.
God's plan involves a man cherishing and providing for his wife, not just having sex with her. He must put forth effort to win her heart and work hard to provide for his family. Pornography requires no effort or work.
"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit," (I Thessalonians 4:3-8 NIV (c)1984).
Women Lose Their Value
In pornography, women exist to please men. They have no needs, they don't get pregnant. But, that young woman that is being lusted after is someone's daughter. She is made in the image of God and has value. She is not an object to desire, but a woman to be loved and cherished.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church," (Ephesians 5:25-29 NIV (c)1984).
Women Try to Be Pornography
As women lose their value in our culture, the only way young girls believe they can get attention from boys is to be pornography. As a result, young girls and older ladies wear skimpy, tight clothing designed to stir up lust in guys.
The Bible commands women to be modest and to dress with propriety. Their dress should not stir up lust.
"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety," (I Timothy 2:9a NIV (c)1984).
Pornography is Addiction
Once you start looking at pornography, it is hard to stop because pornography is addictive. Like drugs, pornography gives temporary pleasure and, for many, freedom from the pain of their dismal life. Unfortunately, as all addicts know, it eventually takes more and more to achieve the same effect.
As anyone who is trying to stop indulging in pornography and he/she will tell you of his/her struggles. It seems that there is a force that tries to keep someone involved in this addiction. Well, that's because there is. Often times, pornography opens the addict up to demonic influence. Then, it is beyond just a matter of resisting temptation to a matter of fighting spiritual darkness too.
Pornography Changes You
Pornography is evil and the evil eventually resides in the watcher. A pornography viewer eventually becomes a different person.
I have a friend who, after a long struggle, is finally free from pornography. Do you know what I noticed right away? He is so much nicer, more pleasant to be around. He cares more about other people and treats them with kindness. When he was addicted to pornography, he was so selfish and mean. Was pornography the cause of his mean personality? I believe so. Freedom definitely brought a personality change, back to the person we used to know.
Pornography stirs up selfishness, anger, and all kinds of evil desires. Pornography addicts don't even realize the darkness that fills their life. If you are addicted to pornography, you may be keeping it a secret vice, but others notice the change in your personality.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them," (Ephesians 5:3-7 NIV (c)1984).
Good News about Pornography Addiction
The good news is that Jesus Christ is the Bondage Breakers, the One who brings freedom from all addictions. His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sin of pornography. His grace provides freedom to say no to ungodly lusts and to say "YES!" to living a holy life for the glory of Christ.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery," (Galatians 5:1 NIV (c)1984).
If you would like to experience freedom from pornography, I recommend that you talk to your pastor or strong Christian friend. You can also visit Setting Captives Free online Bible course.
You can live free from Pornography!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
The Bible commands women to be modest and to dress with propriety. Their dress should not stir up lust.
"I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety," (I Timothy 2:9a NIV (c)1984).
Pornography is Addiction
Once you start looking at pornography, it is hard to stop because pornography is addictive. Like drugs, pornography gives temporary pleasure and, for many, freedom from the pain of their dismal life. Unfortunately, as all addicts know, it eventually takes more and more to achieve the same effect.
As anyone who is trying to stop indulging in pornography and he/she will tell you of his/her struggles. It seems that there is a force that tries to keep someone involved in this addiction. Well, that's because there is. Often times, pornography opens the addict up to demonic influence. Then, it is beyond just a matter of resisting temptation to a matter of fighting spiritual darkness too.
Pornography Changes You
Pornography is evil and the evil eventually resides in the watcher. A pornography viewer eventually becomes a different person.
I have a friend who, after a long struggle, is finally free from pornography. Do you know what I noticed right away? He is so much nicer, more pleasant to be around. He cares more about other people and treats them with kindness. When he was addicted to pornography, he was so selfish and mean. Was pornography the cause of his mean personality? I believe so. Freedom definitely brought a personality change, back to the person we used to know.
Pornography stirs up selfishness, anger, and all kinds of evil desires. Pornography addicts don't even realize the darkness that fills their life. If you are addicted to pornography, you may be keeping it a secret vice, but others notice the change in your personality.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them," (Ephesians 5:3-7 NIV (c)1984).
Good News about Pornography Addiction
The good news is that Jesus Christ is the Bondage Breakers, the One who brings freedom from all addictions. His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sin of pornography. His grace provides freedom to say no to ungodly lusts and to say "YES!" to living a holy life for the glory of Christ.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery," (Galatians 5:1 NIV (c)1984).
If you would like to experience freedom from pornography, I recommend that you talk to your pastor or strong Christian friend. You can also visit Setting Captives Free online Bible course.
You can live free from Pornography!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)
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