What Does The Bible Say About Pornography?
For many of us, it’s no secret that pornography can be detrimental to relationships and often takes us away from activities that will bring us closer to God. According to recent data, it’s estimated that 30% of internet content is made up of pornography and 68% of men admit to viewing porn at least once in the past year while 67% of women have the same response. In spite of the prevalence of pornography in modern times, what does the Bible say about it?
What Is Pornography?
First, it’s important to understand what porn is and why it’s considered to be harmful. Pornographic material is created intentionally to sexually arouse someone, typically through images, videos, sound, or a combination of all three. It’s important to note that in this context, pornographic material does not include nudity that may occur in artistic,educational, or scientific contexts. Additionally, pornographic material does not include discussions about sexual issues in a mature and responsible manner such as those that may occur in a sex-education class.
What Does the Bible Say About Pornography?
The Bible does not explicitly mention pornography, but there are some verses that can be used to get an understanding of God’s opinion on the matter. In Matthew 5:28, it states, “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Additionally, Proverbs 6:25 reads, “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes.”
These verses indicate that the Bible makes a clear condemnation of the act of looking upon another with a sexual desire in the heart. When watching porn, it’s easy to understand how this could be the case. Watching pornographic material could lead to a lack of self-control, lack of respect for the other person in the relationship, feelings of guilt, and feelings of degradation of the other person involved in the pornographic material.
While there are many who argue that viewing porn can lead to an increased enjoyment of sex and can benefit relationships, the Bible’s stance on porn is clear. It is an act of adultery to look upon another with lust and porn does not promote living a life that respects and honors our bodies.
Promoting Healthy Sexual Relationships
The flip side to lustful looking is what the Bible promotes as the healthiest way to engage in sexual relationships. In 1 Corinthians 7:2 it states, “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” This means that married couples should be engaging in sexual acts that benefit both parties and help them to grow closer together in their relationships.
This does not necessarily mean that a husband or wife needs to be sexually aroused in order for sex to be considered healthy. Though this may be a factor, the key is to ensure that sexual activity is consensual and mutually beneficial to both parties. When watching pornographic material, it’s hard to remember the purpose of sex and instead focus on gratification of one’s own desires.
Effects on Children
When it comes to children, it’s even more important to stay away from pornography as it can lead to unhealthy attitudes that children may have towards sex. Pornography can also have a detrimental effect on the brains of children and adolescents as well. Studies have shown that young people exposed to pornography are more likely to believe that pressuring a partner into sex is acceptable and that sex is not about consent, mutual respect, and communication.
Additionally,those exposed to porn at an early age are more likely to become sexually active at a younger age. This can lead to the potential for risky behaviour and possible health concerns, including sexually transmitted infections.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Bible does not explicitly mention pornography, but several of its verses make it clear that looking upon someone with lust is considered to be an act of adultery. Pornography can have a negative effect on relationships, on personal self-control, and on children’s and adolescents’ development. The Bible promotes healthy sex relationships that respect and honour both parties, which can be difficult to achieve when viewing pornographic material.
Effects on Personal Mental Health
Viewing porn can have a direct and significant effect on one’s mental health. According to experts, porn can lead to increased anxiety and depression, as well as low self-esteem and an inability to engage in meaningful relationships. Additionally, porn has been linked to a decrease in sexual satisfaction with one’s partner. This is often because the expectations created by the fantasy of porn are typically unattainable in real life. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
Furthermore, when someone becomes addicted to pornography, their brain begins to rewire itself to crave the dopamine receptors that are activated when one views porn. This can lead to an inability to focus and be productive, as well as difficulty developing healthy relationships.
Finding Purity and Love
Ultimately, the Bible promotes finding purity and love from within ourselves and from God. The Bible encourages self-control and respecting the bodies and relationships of others. This can be difficult to achieve when engaging in pornographic material, as it perpetuates unhealthy standards of sex, relationships, and beauty. Through prayer and understanding, however, we can resist temptation, stay away from pornography, and develop healthy and God-honoring sexual relationships.
Addressing The Root Cause of Pornography
Simply avoiding porn may not remove any underlying issues that may be causing someone to view pornography. This could include loneliness, depression, or a lack of self-confidence, among other things. It’s important to realize that the root cause of why someone is viewing porn needs to be addressed those issues need to be worked through in order for true healing to take place.
By understanding their own issues and dealing with them, someone can find true change and healing. Additionally, it’s important to understand that recovery from porn addiction is a journey and progress may not happen overnight. It’s important to be patient with ourselves and to remember that with commitment and dedication, anything is possible.
Relieving Stress and Anxiety
It’s also important to note that porn can be used as a coping mechanism to relieve stress and anxiety. However, the long-term effects of porn on one’s mental health can be worse than the short-term relief. Therefore, it’s important to find healthier ways to cope with stress and anxiety such as getting adequate rest, eating well, engaging in physical activity, and connecting with friends and family.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that God gave us our sexuality as a gift to be enjoyed in healthy and God-honoring relationships. When it comes to pornography, the Bible is clear: it should not be engaged in if true and pure change is to be achieved.
Finding Alternatives to Pornography
When it comes to avoiding pornography, it can be helpful to find activities to occupy our time. Some great alternatives to pornography include reading, writing, listening to music, exercising, spending time in nature, prayer, or meditation. Additionally, friends and family members can help by providing an outside source of support and accountability.
Finally, it’s important to remember that we are all human, and mistakes will be made. If someone does find themselves looking at porn, it’s important to remember to offer ourselves forgiveness and grace. No matter what mistakes we may make, there is always hope and redemption.
