Fighting Pornography: A Biblical Perspective

Fighting Pornography: A Biblical Perspective

If you're reading this, chances are you're either struggling with pornography or have a loved one who is. Pornography has become a pervasive problem in our society, and it's not just a problem for men. Women and children are also being exposed to explicit content at an alarming rate.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of such a pervasive problem, but as believers, we know that there is always hope in Christ. In this article, we'll explore what the Bible has to say about pornography and how we can fight against it.

The Problem with Pornography

Before we dive into how to fight pornography, let's first examine why it's such a problem. Pornography is harmful for a number of reasons:

• It objectifies human beings, reducing them to mere objects of sexual desire.


• It promotes a distorted view of sex and intimacy, one that is purely physical and devoid of emotional and spiritual connection.


• It creates unrealistic expectations for sexual partners, leading to dissatisfaction and a lack of intimacy in real-life relationships.


• It can become addictive, leading to a cycle of shame and guilt.


• It can lead to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children.

As you can see, pornography is not just a personal problem, it's a societal problem. It contributes to a culture that devalues human life and fosters unhealthy attitudes towards sex and relationships.

Biblical Perspectives on Pornography

While the Bible doesn't specifically mention pornography, it does provide guidance on how we should view sex and sexual sin. In the Old Testament, sexual sin was punishable by death, and in the New Testament, Jesus teaches that lust is equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:28).

The apostle Paul also speaks extensively about sexual sin in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 6:18, he writes, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." He goes on to say that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and that we should honor God with them (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Paul also warns against the danger of sexual temptation. In 1 Corinthians 10:12-13, he writes, "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

So what does all of this mean for those struggling with pornography? It means that pornography is a sin, and it's not something that we should take lightly. It means that we need to flee from sexual immorality and honor God with our bodies. And it means that we can trust in God to provide a way of escape when we're tempted.

How Not to Fight Pornography

Now that we've established why pornography is a problem and what the Bible has to say about it, let's talk about how not to fight pornography. Unfortunately, many of the traditional approaches to fighting pornography are not only ineffective, but they can also be harmful.

Guilt and Shame

One of the most common responses to pornography is guilt and shame. We tell ourselves that we're horrible people for looking at porn, and we beat ourselves up for days or even weeks afterwards. While it's important to recognize the sinfulness of pornography, wallowing in guilt and shame is not productive.

In fact, research has shown that feelings of guilt and shame can actually lead to more compulsive behavior. When we feel bad about ourselves, we're more likely to turn to pornography as a way to escape those feelings.

Willpower

Another common response to pornography is to simply rely on willpower to stop. We tell ourselves that we just need to be stronger and resist the temptation. While willpower can be helpful in the short-term, it's not a sustainable solution.

Our willpower is limited, and eventually, we'll give in to the temptation. And when we do, we'll feel even worse about ourselves, leading to a cycle of guilt, shame, and compulsive behavior.

Accountability Partners

Accountability partners can be helpful, but they're not a magic solution. Simply having someone to talk to about our struggles with pornography isn't enough to overcome it.

In fact, accountability partners can sometimes be counterproductive. If we're relying on someone else to keep us in line, we're not taking responsibility for our own actions. And if our accountability partner is overly harsh or judgmental, it can actually lead to more shame and guilt.

How to Fight Pornography

So if guilt, shame, willpower, and accountability partners aren't effective ways to fight pornography, what should we do? Here are some biblical approaches that can be helpful:

Renewing Our Minds

In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Renewing our minds means changing the way we think about sex and relationships. It means rejecting the distorted view of sex that pornography promotes and embracing a biblical view of sex as a gift from God to be enjoyed within the context of marriage.

We can renew our minds through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. We can also seek out resources that promote a healthy view of sex, such as books and sermons on the topic.

Replacing Bad Habits with Good Ones

In Colossians 3:5-10, Paul writes, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."

Putting to death our old habits means identifying the triggers that lead us to pornography and replacing them with healthier habits. For example, if we find ourselves turning to pornography when we're bored or stressed, we can replace that habit with exercise, prayer, or spending time with loved ones.

Seeking Accountability

While accountability partners aren't a magic solution, they can be helpful when used appropriately. The key is to find someone who will encourage us and hold us accountable without being overly harsh or judgmental.

We should also be willing to hold ourselves accountable. We can do this by setting clear boundaries for ourselves, such as avoiding certain websites or setting time limits on our internet use.

Trusting in God's Grace

Ultimately, the only way to overcome pornography is through the grace of God. We can do all the right things, but without God's help, we'll never be able to overcome our sinfulness.

Thankfully, God's grace is more than sufficient to overcome even our worst sins. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

When we're weak, God is strong. When we're struggling with pornography, we can turn to God for help and trust that his grace will be sufficient to overcome our sinfulness.

Conclusion

Pornography is a pervasive problem in our society, but as believers, we know that there is always hope in Christ. By renewing our minds, replacing bad habits with good ones, seeking accountability, and trusting in God's grace, we can overcome this sin and experience freedom.

Remember, you are not alone in this struggle. There are countless other believers who are fighting the same battle. Reach out to your church community or seek out professional help if you need it.

And above all, remember that God loves you and wants to help you overcome this sin. As it says in Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."