Evaluating Pornography Pt. 1

The majority of people reading these words have looked at pornography in the last month!

One out of every three pastors has “a problem” with pornography and over half of men that claim to be Christians describe themselves as “addicted” to pornography. Christianity Today states that, “Seventy percent of American men age 18–34 view Internet pornography once a month” .

Think about that for a moment. The majority of men and a significant number of women you know view pornography on a regular basis. This includes your relatives, your church members, your co-workers, your friends, and possibly your pastor.

Pornography is one of the most destructive smart-bombs sin, Satan, and our flesh have ever assembled. We do not resist, are quick to partake, slow to stop, and even slower to repent. Pornography destroys marriages, families, ministries, and souls. In his commentary on 1st Corinthians, Macarthur states that, “More men will wind up in hell because of sexual temptation than drug and alcohol addiction combined.”

Despite Pornography’s commonality, practice, and acceptance in this culture, the Bible seems to give a unique warning against it. To better understand what the Bible has to say about pornography, we have to first go to the Sermon on the Mount. It is here that Jesus uses these words:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt 5:27-28 NASB)
These are shocking words. The Pharisees were familiar with the law. They were familiar with the standard established by God through Moses. They were so familiar, in fact, that they had discovered ways to work around the law.

You see, the Pharisees had come up with a “law breaking prevention system.” Here’s how it worked – since they couldn’t commit the physical act of adultery, they lusted. That way, they could get all the benefits of adultery, physical pleasure, mental excitement, sinful experiences, without any of the law breaking, punishment, broken relationships, and loss of reputation that come from actually committing the act. Clever trick. Sound familiar?

Jesus wasn’t fooled. He said, “Nice try Pharisees, but I see your heart.” Jesus knew their heart wasn’t set on Him – it was set on the object of their lust. And to lust in your heart is tantamount to actually committing the act. The purpose of the law was never to give God’s people a way to avoid loving God with all their heart (see Deut 6:4-6) – the law was only to show them what loving Him looked like.

God wants the same from you. He’s not satisfied that you haven’t cheated on your spouse (or future spouse). He’s not satisfied that you go to church on Sunday. He wants you to love Him with everything you have. That is the first mark of a Christian. And that is the biggest problem with pornography.

If you are addicted to pornography, you do not and cannot love the Lord as He commands. Let me state that more plainly: If you intentionally view pornography, chances are you are not saved. You do not know Christ, you are not a member of the Church, the Cross does not apply to you, and you will spend eternity suffering in hell.

But you think you are saved? Okay then – stop looking at pornography.

Pornography is not one of those “Oops, I sinned again” mistakes. Pornography is intentional, sneaky, precise, long-term, and premeditated. You don’t accidentally spend half an hour on a pornographic website in the middle of checking your e-mail. No. You sit down, go to the site, and then stare at it for an hour. You may even go to more extreme lengths. This is willful, unrepentant sin.

If you are saved, you have the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome this type of sin and resist temptation. 1st Cor 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” Where are the excuses now?

Cancel cable service. Get an internet blocker. Burn the magazines. Stop going to 7-11. Be drastic. Be humble. Make sacrifices.

Sound crazy? Listen to what Jesus said:

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matt 5:29-30 NASB)

Are you still convinced that you cannot overcome this sin? Then, you may be right. You may be right because you may not have the Holy Spirit living in you to give you the power. You may still be a slave of sin. First, get saved. Then you will be able.

Romans 6:16 says, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?”

Choose this day whom you will serve,

JD

Fireproof | Breaking Free-

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this
• Recommend on Facebook
• Share on Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet this

Pornography