Pornication
March 16, 2009
Dear Friends,
Pornography has been a fixture in popular culture for all of recorded history. Not too long ago on a visit to Greece, I was amazed that the ancient Greeks, famed for their artistic abilities, created many so many works of a pornographic nature. When film was invented around the turn of the last century, one of the first movies filmed was pornographic. Pornography isn’t anything new.
On the other hand, the availability of pornography, the sheer numbers of people who view pornography and the depths of depravity to which it now goes are new. Every second, over $3000 is spent on pornography, over 28,000 people are viewing porn on the internet, and 372 internet users are using adult- oriented search terms.(1) With the advent of the internet, pornography is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the click of a button. It is so prevalent on the internet, that you must use special filters to keep from popping up on your screen (and even then sometimes it still gets through). I suspect that most of us know how widespread this problem is so my intent is not to tell you that water is wet. My intent is to speak directly to those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ and still view pornography. Coincident with the ease of access is a rise of viewing pornography within the brotherhood. This problem occurs in both sexes and in all types of perversion, but I am going to focus on where the majority of the problem occurs; men viewing heterosexual pornography.
Brothers, here are five reasons to stop viewing pornography.
1. It is serious. Pornography takes it name from the Greek word porneia. Porneia, usually defined as generic sexual immorality, is listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5 of which it says “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” If there is any doubt of the seriousness, we only need to listen to the words of Jesus. “Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery.” (Matt. 5:28) In 1 Cor. 6:9, 10, the Apostle Paul tells us that adulterers will not be in the Kingdom. Because it is so serious and dangerous to one’s salvation, I prefer calling it “pornication” – a mixture of the names pornography and fornication.
2. There are victims. Many men pacify their consciences by thinking there are no victims when they view pornography over the internet. Even if you don’t pay to view porn and just view the “normal” stuff, you are funding pornographers. Website operators sell advertising and are paid on click-throughs so that even if you never pay for porn, you are helping to put $100 billion annually (1) in the pockets of pornographers. Some of these “legitimate” groups, in turn, take your money and use it to fund all kinds of illicit activities such as drug dealing, prostitution and illegal pornography such as child porn, rape or abuse films and even snuff films in which the victim of sexual abuse is murdered. Even if these firms don’t participate in anything illegal, you are still putting money in their pockets to purvey their filth to every man, woman and child who dares to go on the internet.
3. It is degrading to women. God commands us to honor women. There is a four part TFTW series on this concept in April-May, 2005. (2) Most porn films are misogynistic. At best, women are degraded as pure sexual objects. At best! At worst, they are simply abused. Is it possible to view pornography where women are objectified and abused while still honoring them?
4. This is real life. Porn is built on the fantasy that women are hungry for wild sex at a moment’s notice and may even initiate it. It is often portrayed that even women eventually enjoy rape once you get them going. What we view, however, is both a fantasy and reality all in one. The fantasy is the story not unlike any other Hollywood movie. It is some make believe plot that is acted out. However, the reality is what these people are doing and how they got into a position to be doing this. What you are witnessing is real life fornication or adultery. What we are witnessing in many cases is a woman’s desperation that has led her to making this movie because she is drug addicted, broke, manipulated or abused as a child. The fantasy is horrible. The reality is even worse. Do we find this entertaining, brethren?
5. God is watching. “‘Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the LORD.” (Jer. 23:24 NIV) Enough said.
If you need help beating pornography addiction, please seek help at WCF Life Solutions.
Keep away from sexual immorality. (1 Cor. 6:18 NJB)
Have a great week,
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