What Does The Bible Say About Porn

Many people think that pornography has only existed for a few hundred years.

That belief stems from our understanding, based on the information we have currently available.

Cornell Law School defines pornography as “Photographs, films, books, or other material depicting erotic or sexual acts designed to cause sexual arousal.”

Obviously, such printed materials and movies use technology that has only been available for a few centuries. So how could the Bible have possibly addressed pornography? To answer that, let’s look at the Greek word ‘porneia’ from which we get the modern term pornography.

Beth Felker Jones, the author of Faithful: An Ordinary Theology of Sex, explains,

“Most Bibles translate this term “fornication” or “sexual immorality”. These translations may have lost their ability to convey the biblical idea of porneia. The word porneia is an umbrella term — one under which a number of different situations fit — for sex gone wrong. Porneia is sex deformed by sin. It is sex that is contrary to God’s good intentions.”

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But how can viewing online videos or looking at magazines be considered sexual immorality? Here is just one Bible verse:

“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28

Porn In History

Using Cornell Law School’s definition of ‘exotic or sexual acts designed to cause sexual arousal,’ pornography can be traced back thousands of years.

For example, the ruins of Pompeii, a first-century Roman city destroyed by a volcano in A.D. 79, revealed a two-story building with ten rooms used as a brothel.

Found in each room were exotic wall paintings depicting various sexual positions and acts. Archaeologists concluded that these paintings were likely used to advertise the services offered by each prostitute. This proves that pornography (images displaying sexual immorality) was common even in Bible times.

Porn on a cell phone has become so much more prolific than drawing sexual pictures on a wall.

People have struggled with at least some form of pornography since ancient times. The battle you are fighting against porn has raged for generations, and it has become more sophisticated and widespread as the years have passed. But God’s message to you about porn and sexual infidelity remains the same.

Related Article: Our Porn Saturated Culture Is Drifting Further From God’s Plan For Sex

Porn In The Bible

In 1 John 2:16, we read, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

And from 1 Corinthians 6:18, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”

Galatians 5:19 states, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality”

We learn the importance of self-control in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NLT). “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor – not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

James 1:14-15 shares, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

We’re encouraged in 1 Peter 2:11, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

And finally, Exodus 20:14 is clear, “You shall not commit adultery.”

Sexual Immorality

Over and over, the Bible makes it clear that we are to avoid sexual immorality. It’s outside the will of God, and as Christians, we’re called to pursue the things that mirror the character of God. The desire to satisfy the flesh tempts us into sin, which then leads to death.

Related Article: 4 Ways To Stay Pure And Porn Free

And it’s not only the things that we do with our physical bodies, such as adultery. God is also referring to the things that we do with our eyes, such as lusting after someone or seeking out porn.

Often, as Christians we believe, “Well as long as I don’t do ____, then I’m good.” At times, we’ll push the limit seeing how far we can go before entering into sin according to the world. And we tend to justify our behavior along the way.

In the case of porn, the argument tends to be that it’s a personal matter and doesn’t affect anyone else. Single people especially tend to fall into the trap of believing that their actions are permissible, as they are not in a committed relationship.

Related Article: 6 Lies Men Believe When They Struggle With Porn

But Jesus consistently challenged this viewpoint. In Matthew 5, He shows that it is not just about our outward actions, but about the nature of our hearts. It isn’t just about the act of adultery but about your thought life. How do you treat women in the deep recesses of your mind?

Whether you’ve been trapped in sexual sin for a few months or several decades, there is hope for you.

Never Too Far Gone

Sam Storms, a Lead Pastor at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, explained,

“There is no sin of whatever sort that cannot be forgiven by virtue of the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. You don’t have to live under a cloud of guilt or a sense of being forever stained by your sin. Confess your failure and embrace the full and free forgiveness that Jesus so richly and happily supplies.”

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The death of Jesus made atonement for every sin. In our fleshly thinking, prompted by the lies offered by the enemy, we tend to think that we’re too far gone. Surely our sins are so horrendous that we don’t deserve the freedom that Jesus offers. We believe that it is not available to us. But, it’s unmerited. It’s freely given, regardless of what we think is deserved. Christ was willing to settle the debate, and He believes that you’re worth it.

“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith…” – 1 Timothy 6:11-12

When we accept Christ into our lives, we trade our identity. It gives us a new identification card to carry around in our wallets – one which simply reads “man of God”. And when we accept that role, when we finally allow it to sink in, we begin to walk in light of that honor bestowed upon us. No longer is the focus on self-pleasure, but instead shifts to desiring to please the Father.

Related Article: Who You Say I Am

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17

We must first pursue fellowship with God – true, heartfelt, fully exposed fellowship. We must trust that we can run to Him when we’re feeling broken, ashamed, and alone.

Meditating On Scripture

Not only does the Bible provide a clear case against pornography, it also provides a blueprint for finding freedom when used as part of a broader process of healing. Before scientists knew how pornography affected the brain, Romans 12 described how we must be transformed by the renewing of the mind.

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“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” -Romans 12:2 (NLT)

If you feel stuck in porn, there is hope for you to be free from your bondage. God’s love for you is boundless, and you can turn to him for the help and strength you need.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.” – Hebrews 4:15-16

Related Article: How Meditating On God Changes Your Identity

You can break free from porn. It won’t be easy, but it will definitely be worth it.

The Conquer Series, to date, has helped millions of men begin their journey to a life free from sexual sin. The Conquer Series is a 10-week video-based teaching which includes powerful testimonies, scientific studies, Biblical references, and action-packed military scenes to engage men who desire freedom.

An interactive study guide and an online journal are available to help men apply what they are learning to their daily life. One such activity is the SWORD Drill, an exercise to help an individual meditate on Scripture daily.

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It’s not about just reading the passage, but allowing it to begin to renew your mind. Pause and reflect on each verse. Ask yourself what it means to you. Be attentive to certain words that stick out to you and write them down. Once you’ve pondered what you’ve read, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He desires for you to know.

Finally, write out a plan for how you’re going to apply what you’ve learned in your daily life. It’s important to do this each day, as it keeps you constantly prepared for battle. Remember, freedom from porn requires renewal of the mind.

Equipping Churches

Churches are desperate for tools that can provide training and help organize small groups to battle porn head-on. Pastors and leaders recognize that this is a battle that is raging, and people are desperate to find freedom. Thanks to the use of the Conquer Series, church leaders now feel equipped to address and meet this need.

Related Article: Church Enlists 10% Of Town To Battle Against Porn

Eric Wagner said, “This program is the first and only program I’ve heard of that actually speaks to the problem and does not berate, belittle or work out of false assumptions about the addiction and gives true practical methods to come to an actual solution. Many men and women who are reading this now are having a pornography problem.”

He continued,

“God knows you are struggling even though you’ve been successful in hiding it from those around you. He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to free you from this bondage. Find a way to embrace the Conquer Series. Let God use it to set you free from all of the shame and doubt and disgust you feel. AND restore you to the glorious, fulfilling life He meant for you to live and feel His true joy!”

Sign up at SoulRefiner.com, and plan to launch a small group today!