Pornography Sin
I served in a local Baptist Church since 2010, because I have a computer science background, sometimes I help peers from my church with their computer problems. One day I was approached by a group leader who need help with his laptop, long story short, in the process of recovering his laptop, I accidently discover that he has pornographic materiel on his computer. It was a very unpleasant experience. It brought me to think about pornography sin. People who indulge in watching porn think pornography is not a big deal, it is a private affair and personal action, and it does not do any physical harm to anyone else. Hereby, I urge you think again.
As for Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ who professed faith in Christ and have the Holy Spirit living within, we have to be careful about these wrecked lies, because it is a big deal with serious consequences. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). When you choose Jesus Christ as your savior, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit will assuring you he can help you do what is right. Thus, any time you choose to sin in this way, you are sinning against the active presence of God. Some Christian think falling into porn only affects themselves, but the bible tells us this: But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things[a]; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri,[b] the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against Israel (Joshua 7:1). Achan sinned against God' will and all Israel is punished by God. Sin is contagious and it will cost you more than your life and soul.
Tim Challies, a Christian blog writer and author point out that there are a few of sins we commit when we look at porn.
Sin of idolatry: In the moment you begin to look at porn, you have allowed it to replace God as essential to your happiness. You’ve committed the sin of idolatry.
Sin of adultery: But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28).
Sin of deceit: When you try to hide your action and addiction from people around you, you committed sin of deceit. When you deleting all your browser history and go to church and ask God for forgiveness, and do it again and again, you committed sin of deceit. Be aware that God knows you completely, He knows where you looking at, what you pointing and tapping at on the screen, He knows all your thoughts. And Bible warns us that “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes” (Psalm 101:7).
Sin of theft: When you use porn, you are almost definitely watching material that has been stolen and, in that way, you are participating in its theft.
Sin of greed: Sexual sin is greed, it is to unfairly and illegitimately use another person for your ignoble purposes.
Sin of sloth: We use preciouses time and life to do destructive things.
Sin of sexual assault: The person who voluntarily watches sexual assault for purposes of titillation is rightly guilty of that sexual assault.
Sin of ignoring the Holy Spirit: As a Christian, to commit adultery is to ignore the Holy Spirit, to actively suppress his voice as he warns to be holy and pure.
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. - Hebrews 3:12-13
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Purity Is Possible
One study found 42% of teenagers would like to watch less pornography but find it hard not to. Another study found 53% of frequent pornography viewers 'think about sex almost all the time' whereas 10% of young people aged 12–13 years feared they were 'addicted' to pornography.
There is no porn user so enslaved that Jesus cannot set him or her free. It is possible to be free from pornography. Because of his grace, God sent his Son to pay the just penalty for the sins we all commit. When you believe in God’s grace toward you, you get God’s righteousness. You can be forgiven and free when you trust in Christ and what he has done for you, no matter how many times you have looked at pornography and how hopeless the struggle can feel. When this seems like it isn’t true, it’s because you are thinking more about yourself and your porn than you are about Jesus and his grace. You can be free, but freedom requires grace. Porn doesn't own you, Jesus does, He is remaking you, destroying the sin within you and calling you to come alive to holiness and righteousness.
Tim urges you to think about the cost when committing sin: the cost of your soul, do you really willing to give up your soul and life? the cost of your neighbor, you are deceiving other people and God when watching porn. The cost to your church, you could walk closely with God and be a better leader in Jesus's eyes to serve more people. The cost to your family, think about your spouse relationship and the safety of your children. The cost to your mission, the mission Jesus planted in your heart when you choose him as your savior. The cost to your witness, Jesus calls you to be the salt and light of the world. The cost to your savior, Jesus suffered and died for your sin, and make you new again.
Useful tools and other resources
In 2018, a New Zealand study found 75% of boys and 58% of girls had watched pornography and 25% of boys aged 17 years old watched regularly. 71% of young people in New Zealand have discovered pornography by accident and 25% of those who have watched pornography were exposed at 12 years or younger. There are plenty of tools available online to help you or your families with a safer internet. Keepitrealonline.govt.nz have a comprehensive guide and tips for parental control. you may also find Circle an useful tool to help you.
https://www.challies.com/tag/pornography/ : One of my favorite Christian blog. Check out his book on this topic: Sexual Detox
Reference
Pearson L, Powell M, Denholm N, Robertson J. Porn and young people – what do we know? NZ Youth Stakeholder Survey, The Light Project, 2018
https://www.challies.com/articles/8-sins-you-commit-whenever-you-look-at-porn/
https://meetcircle.com/?mbsy_source=9877b661-1625-4c23-9d9a-a3e155ad54ec&mbsy_exp=Sun%2C+13+Jun+2021+01%3A14%3A21+GMT&campaignid=30166&mbsy=cSvLv
Office of Film and Literature Classification. (2018). NZ youth and porn: Research findings of a survey on how and why young New Zealanders view online pornography Wellington, NZ: Office of Film and Literature Classification.
Hooley EM. The relationship between transmission of sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, and culture Andrews University, 2017