Posted on 01/09/2002 7:29:19 AM PST by truthandlife
Pornography – the written and/or graphically portrayed uncovering of nakedness, especially in acts of fornication – grips the hearts and lives of many Christian men and, according to recent surveys, twenty percent of ministers. It tempts potential patrons from its store shelves and by mail, and it champions over three million websites, enticing over twenty percent of online viewers.
Porn appeals to an undisciplined culture (both inside and outside the church) that refuses to mature mentally and sexually. Specifically, many Christian men of all ages find it easier to view porn than to fulfill their God-given responsibilities to glorify their Lord and to love their spouses, their children, their estates, and their congregations.
As Christians, we would expect unregenerate men, who are in bondage to the sin of their Adamic nature, to embrace no conviction against viewing pornography. These men, as are all men before coming to Christ, are corrupt by nature and in need of spiritual rebirth, needing to call upon Christ Jesus for salvation. These men will only curtail or cease viewing porn when they are threatened civically (being jailed or imprisoned), professionally (getting fired), or domestically (being sued for divorce).
To the Christian, porn appeals to the workings of sin in the flesh (Rom. 7:23) that must yet be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is unbiblical for the world or the church to think that a Christian cannot be tempted to view and to succumb to the viewing of porn during a time or times of weakness. Yet, having yielded to the beguiling temptation of viewing porn, the Christian must realize, as spoken by Christ Jesus, that he has sinned by committing fornication (in the case of the unmarried) or adultery (in the case of the married) in the heart – sins which Jesus says will deprive one of eternal life.
For the Christian minister, porn can be alluring as he manages his pressures to serve others, his solitary work environment, his mental exhaustion, and perhaps, his frustrations resulting from his entering the ministry as a novice not fully disciple himself. If he also has relationship and sexual difficulties at home, then porn becomes for him an easy, seemingly victimless escape. However, when he views porn, he jeopardizes the ministry that his God has entrusted to him. 1 Timothy 3:4-5 is clear that the minister’s household must be in order for him to retain his ministry, and, thus, his admitting his habitual porn use exposes problems in his own household, which he must correct lest he be ministerially disqualified. Often, the tremendous guilt that follows is difficult to jettison because the minister is supposedly required to be not only “perfect” but is also forbidden to confess his faults to his brethren (contrary to James 5:16), which would aid in his repentance and restoration.
All Christians: Shall you risk bringing reproach upon the name of our Lord Jesus for a season of lust-filled escape? Shall you risk destroying your own Christian reputations, marriages, families, and estates? Shall you risk jail or prison to fulfill your potentially illegal lusts before calling upon the name of our Lord to save you from yourselves? Do you realize that your viewing Internet porn can be and most likely is being monitored, if not by your bosses at work, then potentially by credit card companies and by porn sites themselves? Furthermore, have you considered that the hardness of your heart and your refusal to repent of this sin may prove indeed that you are no Christian at all, and are, therefore, in danger of eternal damnation? “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1).
Never forget that all men will eventually appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for the deeds done in this life. We, therefore, strongly urge both Christians and non-Christians to repent of this heinous sin and to beg God’s gracious pardon. Christians, if you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive you of your sin. Get rid of your porn regardless of its form or format. Don’t place yourself in a position to view porn. Don’t allow your mind to be idle and filled with pornographic fantasies and thoughts. On the contrary, plan to stay mentally active and to replace pornographic thoughts with pure, holy, and natural thoughts (see Philippians 4:8). Pray for God’s grace to deliver you from the desire to view porn for His name’s sake. Pursue spiritual maturity and love (toward your wife, your children, your church, and your Lord) instead of gratifying your selfish, sinful desires.
Those of you who are spiritual are to restore, with a spirit of meekness, those who have fallen into this sin lest you also be tempted. God will forgive the sins of those who truly repent and turn from their sin.
Is that your opinion or do you have a sourse for your statement? In my OPINION, I suspect that porn is not the culprit, but rather the result a spouse who (a) puts on 50 lbs. and looks like a marshmellow; (b) forgot how to have fun; and/or (c) has so many sexual hangups that he or she refuses to have sex unless "it" takes place at night, in the bedroom, under the covers, with the lights out. In contrast, my companion and I are very open about sexual needs, desires, fantasies, and dislikes. We often look at so-called "porn" together and on our own, not the XXX stuff on commercial websites, but the explicit amateur photos that everyday people post to usenet newsgroups. And what we have discovered is that attractive, sexy people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes with various imperfections just like the rest of us. So rather than having "unreal expectations of your wife that will make you very unfullfilled," I see my lady as a beautiful, attractive, highly sexual person whose body is no less perfect than any other average 40 something year old woman.
Hmmm... An individual claiming to represent your faith makes an abusive, obnoxious, and self-righteous jab at someone he doesn't even know, and your response is to "roll your eyes and move on".
But when confronted with an obnoxious criticism of the obnoxious post, you feel compelled to condemn it.
Ok.... I see how it works.
She's talked to her priest. And she's told her new attorney about the incest porno and he's pissed. It would be tough for her to shame him because, to the outside world, he's squeaky clean and he would portray her as a liar. Only her attorney and her closest friends know. Although there's no reason for her not to tell people about his second visitation with a "girlfriend."
I believe that falls under the "T.M.I." heading (Too Much Information).
I suppose we can at least be thankful for that, but you will demand the product from someone else's son or daughter.
maybe when they turned 18.
I don't think I'd have a problem with my kid posing in Playboy, they pay well and if the model has any smarts or drive it can be a gateway to a good career in acting or "legit" modeling (pick up any Fredricks or Victoria's Secret catalog, they're who's who of Playmates from 4 to 6 years ago; of course the entire female cast of Baywatch were Playmates). As for the hypothical kids getting into hardcore I wouldn't be happy with that, but that's because of the world that exists around hardcore porn not the porn itself.
Sure, it's not the drug that addicts people, it's the world that exists around it.
Of course I've actually worked in the world of smut (just a strip club DJ unfortunately, no really cool stories to tell involving famous women)
Well, what a surprise ...
so I have an understanding of it that I'm sure terrifies you. Over all it's just a job.
Yeah I know, trading slaves is 8 at the office and then back to the wife and kids
I've also flipped burgers for a living;
No shame in that
if I had a choice for my kids between the two I'd steer them towards stripping, it pays better (a LOT better), it's better on the complexion, and the hours are short enough they could easily go to college.
Why not just sell them ? it pays better (a LOT better)
Which reminds me of the very good looking Bay Area laywer I know... Alas also another story for another day.
when she's 64
The seduction of Samson by Delila.
David had over 700 wives.
The genocide of the Canaanites by the Aaronites.
The corrupt of the 13th tribe, Soddem & Gamora, which was more about the corruption of greed than lust.
That's four off the top of my head. I could name several other events and people, but I think you get the idea.
David had over 700 wivesNo he didn't.
The genocide of the Canaanites by the Aaronites. I think you need to go back and read 1 Sam :15 again.
The seduction of Samson by Delila. I have read that and find nothing pornographic about it, perhaps you could tell me ewhat verses you find so. You will find the entire story in the book of Judges.
The corrupt of the 13th tribe, Soddem & Gamora, which was more about the corruption of greed than lust.13th tribe? Sorry but, you are so far off base here that I don't know where to start, other than suggest you read Genesis chapters 13 thru 19.
Sorry Paul,
Alas
The fact that porn is so readily available (you don't have to go to the "dirty book store" anymore) also contributes.
I would like to add a hearty "amen" to that. Before I got my computer, viewing porn was not that big of a temptation for me here in a small town. I guess I would be too embarrassed to go into the local video store to rent some, since everyone knows everyone here. But now with my computer , it is a constant battle to keep my mind on Jesus, and not in "the flesh". I have succumbed several times, but I know it's wrong (for me). It's just way too easy to find anything on the computer.
Romans 7:18
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
This highlights the fact that we need to "crucify the flesh" and seek God's guidance and power for living every moment of every day.
Romans 7:25
Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
In a healthy marriage, both spouses are honest and open enough to admit that they are turned on by human sexuality and that they even have fantasies involving people other than their spouse.
I'm sure that's just what Jesus would have wanted you to say....
Although I suspect he'd want you to wag your finger just a bit more.
No wait, that must have been someone else. Jesus commanded humility, love, compassion, and peace from those who chose to witness in his name.
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Thanks in advance.
I think probably the most graphic detail is that God was displeased by David's adulterous attentions toward Bathsheba, and the child died as a result.
PCJ's point is only valid if one ignores the parts where God gets upset at the sorts of things pornography glorifies.
No it doesn't OWK, you need to go back and read just what Jesus said in Matthew chapters five thru seven. As you read, you will notice who He is talking to and you'll see how He was using the sentences that are so easily twisted when taken out of context, let me give you and example if I may.
In chapter seven, Jesus starts by saying "judge not..." Now, as you know, many will oft times use just that part of the verse to claim that we Christians are judgemental. But, if you go on and read, you find that what the Lord is really telling us is to judge as we wish to be judged, to judge using, not the laws of this world and political correctness, but the rules of God.
Alas
Of course those of us who are attached to the real world know that one way or the other, the eventual destiny of almost all of those that are children now is to be involved at least once in their life in hot, sweaty, steamy, dirty, screaming, bed breaking, never thought it could be this good, SEX. It might or might not involve cameras and it might or might not be for sale later. While nobody is comfortable with the idea of their children having sex (professionally or otherwise) we know it's an eventuality and we learn to deal with it. And if the day comes when our kid is on the cover of videos with explicit puns for names we'll figure out what to do about it then.
Are you honestly trying to rationalize ill-treatement of non-Christians, by suggesting that Jesus of Nazareth did not demand love, compassion, peace, humility, and forgiveness of his followers?
I'm honestly astounded.
And where, from what I, said does your reply come from?
Alas
In my opinion, I agree with both of you. It is a matter of degree on this item - experiencing sex is a rush - of endorphins.
But, that said, sex is not mind altering like cocaine is. Sex does not overdrive the production of a brain chemical like cocaine does to the point where a permanent chemical imbalance occurs. Cocaine causes great depression after use – don’t know of a withdraw symptom like that about sex.
But all said and done, sex does have an effect on brain chemistry and can become the focus of one’s energy to the point where it can damage a person’s life –but not just to obtain that endorphin high. If that was the case, the runners’ high would be causing people to run uncontrollably all over the country. You do hear bout obsessed runners but they aren’t anywhere near junkie status.
Hormones cause a young man to react strongly to the female figure – and strong memories are formed when strong emotions are involved. So, porn can define for a young man (and woman) what the opposite sex should look and act like. The only problem is that real women, in most cases, are much more complex. So, porn is a crappy role model for the young mind. IMHO, in the case of older folks, porn is more of a symptom of problem than the problem itself.
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