The Bible and Pornography
The Law of Godforbids worshipping idolatrous images:"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath..." Exodus 20:4
Pornography is at its heartidolatrous: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened... and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man... therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies...since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not to be done." Romans 1:21-28
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming." Colossians 3:5-6
The Law of God forbids adultery, fornication and covetousness:
"You shall not commit adultery...You shall not covet your neighbour's wife...or maidservant..." Exodus 20:14, 17
Our Lord Jesus Christ warned that: "Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." Matt 5:28-29
Pornography is addictive: "...due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more." Ephesians 4:18-19
Pornography attacks the image of God in people (Genesis 1:27).
You cannot continue using pornography and be "saved": "Do not be deceived; neither thesexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders...will inherit the Kingdom of God...The body is not meant for sexual immorality...Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" 1 Corinthians 6:9-19
Pornography involves the exploitation of women and often leads to the abuse of women and children.
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these...you did for Me." Matthew 25:40
Samson and Delilah (Judges 14-16)
Samson had great potential which was wasted through his lack of discipline. Samson had an eye for beautiful women. He loved to look. His roving eyes often got him into trouble with prostitutes. His weakness for women undermined his leadership for his people at a time of great crisis. Then his eyes settled upon a woman who eventually destroyed him. Her name - Delilah - has since been synonymous with both beauty and treachery.
Using both her body and her brains Delilah was out to ensnare Samson. As Samson became captivated by her beauty, and because of lust, he began to lose discernment and control. Finally he lost all his strength and was unable to resist. He realised too late that he had lost his freedom.
All too many men have roving eyes like Samson. They are never satisfied and continually lust for more. Before they realise it they have lost the strength to resist temptation. Like Samson they find themselves in bondage and helpless to set themselves free.
But God didn't give up on Samson. God heard his heartfelt prayer and accomplished a mighty work through him.
Pornography doesn't have to have the final word in your life. Jesus Christ can deliver you from any bondage and destroy the power of pornography in your life.
King Herod and Salome (Matt 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-28)
Herod had a serious weakness for women. He had even taken Herodias, his brother's wife, to be his own. Yet he desired more. He lusted for Salome, the daughter of Herodias.
Salome aroused the attention of Herod with her sensual and suggestive dance. This brought Herod much pleasure. What he saw, he wanted. And he was willing to give away anything to get it - to get her. Herod was hooked. He was even willing to give away half his kingdom just to be able to watch Salome dancing. This is an example of a man enslaved by his passions, without perspective or self-control - like a man trapped by pornography.
There are many men today like Herod - enslaved to a lifestyle of looking and lusting. They are addicted to pornography and a lot of innocent people suffer as a result.
Achan's Secret Sin (Joshua 7:1-26)
Achan was a member of the congregation of God's people. He seemed to be a respectable family man - but God pointed him out. God knew what Achan had done and what he had hidden. It was something Achan wasn't meant to have, and he knew it. But Achan's secret sin was discovered.
Many men today have secret obsessions. What they see they so desperately want that they take and hide it. And their families suffer the consequences.
Yet there is still hope. You don't need to wait until you are discovered and your whole world comes crashing down around you. You can repent of your secret sin and destroy the cursed pornography. Jesus Christ can forgive and free you and give you peace of heart and mind.
"He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." 1 John 3:8
The Flames of Repentance (Acts 19:17-20)
The people at Ephesus were truly converted. They had come to love God and to hate sin. They wanted to obey the Word of God and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. They wanted their lifestyles to be transformed. They didn't keep their old books hidden in the basement. They wanted to make a clear and clean break with the pagan publications of their past. They knew that if they kept these scrolls then they might be tempted to return to them.
The Scripture tells us that the value of these offensive publications was 50 000 drachmas. A drachma was the equivalent of a day's wages. That's over 130 years of wages that was burnt. What a love offering to the Lord!
We need to show the same dedication today. Those who are Christians need to tear up and burn the pornographic books, magazines, posters and DVDs in their homes. Are you willing to destroy those things which are threatening to destroy your family and yourself? It doesn't matter how much money all these things cost. They are accursed and you have to get rid of them. As the fire from those books went up so the fire of the Holy Spirit came down at Ephesus.
Isn't that what you need in your life?
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit of life set me free from the Law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2
Keeping Your Marriage Bed Pure
"Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Hebrews 13:4
Those who enter marriage with previous pictures defile the marriage bed as much as those who enter marriage with previous partners. Pornographic magazines or movies leave an indelible mark on a man's memory and he then enters the marriage bed with impurity. He'll compare his wife to hundreds of other women from videos and magazines. Many Christian men testify that even once happily married, they find it difficult to keep all the images locked away in their mind suppressed so that it does not interfere with their intimacy with their wives.
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13
The Zeal of Phinehas (Numbers 25)
The Moabite women at Shittim enticed and seduced many of the men of Israel into sexual immorality. One man, Zimri, openly brought Cozbi, a Moabite woman, right into his home. The Scripture records that this incited the Lord's anger to burn against them and a devastating plague hit the community. One Israelite, Phinehas, had the courage to make a stand and put a stop to the degenerate wickedness that was destroying his people. He refused to be seduced by the Moabites. He was committed to uphold the Law of God and he was angry enough about sin to do something about it.
Today we have many, including so called Christians, bringing immoral women into their homes - through their cell phone, Internet, DVDs, TV or magazines. The epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases bears testimony to the rampant immorality of our times.
We need more people like Phinehas today. Clean out your cupboards. Tear up and burn the pornographic posters, magazines and books. Crush the offensive DVDs. Cancel the television channels that air "adult" films. But do not stop there. Speak to your local store managers that market modern Moabites. Mobilise other church members to clean up your community - and your country.
"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil, live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16
A Call To Action - Why fight porn?
"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15
Pornography degrades that which God created in His image (Pornography glorifies what is in violation of the Law of God and an abomination to Him: adultery (Exodus 20:14; Prov 6:32), carnal desire (Matt 5:28, Eph.4:17-22), rape (Deut.22:25-27), incest (Lev.18:6-9; 20:11-14), homosexuality (Lev.18:22; Romans 1:26-27), and child abuse (Matthew 18:6-10).
Every day many Christians shop in "family stores" that promote pornography. Apparently neutral on this destructive trade, these Christians push their trolleys past magazine racks displaying morally offensive publications. That "family stores" should market anti-family "adult" magazines or DVDs is inexcusable. That Christian parents should silently support stores that sell smut is inconsistent with our calling to be the salt of the earth and light of this world.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world... let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16
Many Christians think that because porn is not their personal weakness, they do not have to do anything about it. But the Bible teaches us that we are our brother's keeper. We all condemn rape and child abuse. Should we not work to protect men, women and children by freeing our society of those exploitative publications or blocking websites that help to form and fuel the thought patterns that can lead to such crimes? Nobody can justify pumping raw sewage into a public street or swimming area. Neither is the moral sewage being pumped into our minds through TV, DVDs, magazines and the Internet justifiable.
"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the Word I speak and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself." Ezekiel 33:7-9
Further Reading:
How to Clean Up Your Community - Action Items
The Secret in Our Pews - Porn Addiction and How You Can Be Set Free by Clive Human (STOP)
Recommended Resources:
Audio sermon:The 7 th Commandment: You Shall Not Commit Adultery by Dr Peter Hammond. Download from www.livingstonefellowship.co.za , or order from Christian Liberty Books.
DVD:Somebody's Daughter (produced by Music for the Soul, USA). This documentary includes 5 individuals sharing about their journey to freedom from pornography. Available from Christian Liberty Books: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Tel/Fax: (021) 689-7478.
Tracts:Finding Freedom From Pornography - download here or order quantities from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Recommended websites:
PURE Hope: www.purehope.net.
Standing Together to Oppose Pornography: www.stop.org.za.
Family Policy Institute: www.familypolicyinstitute.com.
Covenant Eyes: www.covenantyeyes.com