Purity and Pornography
Pornography is a controversial topic and many people have strong opinions and beliefs on the subject. The Bible has many scriptures that deal directly with matters such as lust and sexual impurity. Watching porn is a sin regardless of the form it takes, whether it is printed, in videos or on the internet.
The first and most direct scripture addressed to the matter is found in Matthew 5:28, which reads: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This scripture reinforces the biblical opinion that lusting after another person is a serious sin. In order for someone to watch porn, they must purposely indulge in sexual fantasies about people that are not their spouse. This is a violation of God’s commands and it is considered a sin.
The Bible also talks about the consequences of being unfaithful to God and how it destroys the spirit. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul writes: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” According to this scripture, all sexual immorality and acts of lust, including watching porn, are dangerous to the spiritual life of the person and can lead to spiritual death.
The Bible is also clear that the final judgment of mankind is based on our acts and thoughts. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus talks about the final judgment and says: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say unto you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’
When you watch porn, it is an act of disobeying God and it is a sin that has serious consequences. The Bible makes it clear that we must abstain from any act of sexual impurity and that it is important to remain focused on pleasing God and our relationship with Him.
Lust and Impurity
Another scripture that deals with lust and impurity is found in Romans 13:13-14, which says: “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” This scripture shows that God does not approve of any kind of sexual indulgence, including watching porn.
The Bible also addresses the consequences of being involved in sexual impurity, pointing out that it leads to spiritual death. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Paul writes: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
This scripture explicitly explains that when we have sex or watch porn outside of marriage, we are damaging our bodies and our spirits by defiling the temple of God. This leads to consequences such as guilt, depression and spiritual death. Instead of indulging in acts of impurity, we should seek to glorify God with our bodies.
The Power of Self-Control
In addition to these scriptures, the Bible also speaks about the importance of being in control of our desires and urges. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul writes: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” This scripture shows that God expects us to be in control of our desires and urges, and not let them control us.
For those who struggle with an addiction to pornography, self-control is essential for overcoming it. Galatians 6:7-8 says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Those who give in to their desires by watching porn are sowing to their flesh, which will result in spiritual death. However, those who have self-control will be rewarded with everlasting life.
The Power of the Word of God
The Bible also speaks of the power of the Word of God in dealing with lustful desires. In James 4:7-8, it says: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This scripture shows that if we are determined to resist the devil and resist our desires, God will help us and come to our aid. The Word of God is powerful, and it can help us to free ourselves from the power of sin and temptation.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is also an essential tool when struggling with any sin, including the sin of watching pornography. In 1 John 5:14-15, it says: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” This scripture promises that if we submit our will to God and ask for His help, He will answer and grant us the ability to overcome our struggles.
Prayer combined with the Word of God can be extremely powerful in freeing us from the sin of watching pornography and any other kind of impurity. James 5:16 also encourages us to be humble in our prayer and turn to God for help: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Living in Purity
Finally, the Bible teaches us that true joy and fulfillment only comes from living in obedience and purity before God. In 1 Peter 5:8-9, it says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” This scripture shows that we must remain vigilant in our faith and be courageous in resisting the devil and all forms of sin, including watching porn.
To live in purity and holiness before God, we must abstain from any act of sexual immorality and strive to stay focused on pleasing God and our relationship with Him. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Paul writes: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” This scripture show us that we should strive for holiness and remain pure before God, for this is the will of God for us.
Delighting in Doing Good
God often promises blessings and rewards to those who live in obedience to Him and find joy in doing what is right. In Psalm 37:3-5, it says: “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” This scripture shows that when we delight ourselves in the Lord and focus our desires on Him, He will reward us with good things.
The Bible also teaches us that we will be rewarded for our acts of obedience. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul writes: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” This scripture encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith and our acts of obedience, knowing that they will not be in vain and will be rewarded by God.
Found Security in God
The security that we find in God and His promises can be of great comfort to us. In Deuteronomy 31:6-8, it says: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This Scripture promises us that we can always find security and comfort in God, that He will never leave us nor forsake us, no matter what temptations or struggles we face.
Finally, in Psalm 119:9-11, it says: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” This scripture encourages us to seek God, study His Word and keep His commands so that we can remain pure and holy before Him.
Living in Obedience
The Bible teaches us that living in obedience and purity is the way to true freedom, true joy and everlasting life. In Romans 6:16-18, it says: “Do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” This scripture shows us that we should never indulge in any kind of sin, and that we should always remain free from its power.
Finally, in 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, it says: “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.” This scripture makes it clear that we should strive to remain pure and holy, for this is the will of God for us.
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