What’s Wrong with Porn?

What’s wrong with porn? The simple answer to this question is that it is a sin. It is a sexual sin, because it involves lusting or adultery depending on the marital status of the person viewing it. It can become habitual, leading to an addiction. Once it enters this stage of use, breaking free from it can become very difficult. Once an individual becomes addicted to porn, it can lead to other forms of sexual acting out like phone sex or contact with other individuals who are participating in sexually addictive behaviors or affairs.

What does the Bible say about lust and other forms of sexual behaviors that impact an individual’s mind, body and spiritual condition? In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the apostle Paul wrote, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

And Jesus Christ revealed the spirit of the law, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Therefore, lust (sexual fantasizing and craving) is a sin against God. What Jesus said applies just as much to looking at a visual image of a woman or man as it does to the act itself. Therefore, virtually all deliberate viewing of pornography or gawking at a person in a sexual manner is sinful because of its lustful nature.

Peering at porn often starts as casual curiosity, but that often becomes the appetizer for increased indulgence in what God forbids. The frequent viewing becomes a habit, and the habit soon becomes an addiction.

Addictive behaviors often cause chemical alterations in the neurotransmitters of the brain which, in turn, alter moods. These changes can temporarily dull pain or produce pleasurable sensations and therefore reinforce the addiction.

When we become addicted, we become a slave to that sin. In John 8:34, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Repeated sins quickly enslave us much more than most people realize. Sins quickly begin to affect us and those we love, put distance between God and ourselves, and increasingly control us.

Typically, people who are quickly attracted to this form of addictive behavior do so to escape some emotional state such as depression, loneliness, anxiety, fear or shame, or to escape from the reality of their circumstances. As a man once told me, “In that world, I’m king.”

Without God, we are slaves to the downward pulls of our own human nature. Jeremiah 17:9 in the Good News Bible describes it this way: “Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed.” Galatians 5:19 in the Good News Bible says: “What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions.” We must resist the “pulls of the flesh.”

The pervasive and insidious influence of the corrupt world around us is another slave master. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” Without God, we’re “in bondage under the elements of the world” (Galatians 4:3). In Romans 12:2, Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, thatyou may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

To overcome the world and Satan’s influence upon us, we must be solidly grounded in the Word of God and have an ongoing conversation with God regarding these matters. God tells us in James 4:7: “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

The sin of viewing porn is not only a sin against God and yourself but also affects your most intimate covenant relationship that God has ordained. This relationship reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church. It damages the intimacy you have with your spouse or with your future potential mate. You do not want to bring these behaviors into a future God-ordained covenant relationship.

Here are excerpts from “a letter to husbands about sexual integrity” published by the Center for Decency: “Before you take the first step down the road of sexual sin, consider the cost, the risk, the damage that will occur. I wish as a Christian woman, a wife, I didn’t have to imagine you, my husband, choosing to engage in behaviors such as consuming pornography.

“Please consider the danger you are placing yourself in when you choose to give in to temptations, to lust and fantasize about being sexual with another woman, not your wife. The danger to your mind, your beliefs about women and sex and relationships and how easy and cheap they appear outside of the context of commitment and marriage vows.”

This brief excerpt illustrates the impact porn has on the heart. Viewing porn is damaging to the one who indulges in it, your relationship with God, and the people you love most.

What can I do if I have a problem with porn? Understand you are not alone. Others in the Church suffer from this problem as well. The easy answer is to draw closer to God by seeking His help first. Secondly, there are Christian therapists who can assist you in your communities. Thirdly, Light of Hope has groups for those who have problems with pornography and for their spouse. You can learn more about how you can join these groups by contacting hope@ucg.org or calling (888) 241-6211.

Light of Hope currently offers a confidential support group for men who struggle with porn problems. Light of Hope is also offering a support group for women whose husbands struggle with porn. Contact Light of Hope for a confidential call to discuss these groups.