According to an online statistics firm, an estimated 40 million people use this drug on a regular basis. It doesn't come in pill form. It can't be smoked, injected, or snorted. And yet neurological data suggest its effects on the brain are strikingly similar to those of synthetic drugs. Indeed, two authorities on the neurochemistry of addiction, Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth, claim it is the ability of this drug to influence all three pleasure systems in the brain — arousal, satiation, and fantasy — that makes it "the piece de resistance among the addictions." Earlier this month, the Witherspoon Institute released a report examining "the social costs of pornography," signed by more than 50 scholars representing a wide array of professions, academic disciplines, and political views. The report details the considerable social costs that pornography exacts upon men, women, and children. [ 1 ] Read More

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Pornography stems from the Greek word porneia which means sexual immorality. Jesus communicated how sin starts through the eye gate and then works its way to reality. Pornography breaks the sacred bond of marriage and, as such, tears apart the very fabric of society. Moreover, when pornographic images are used to satisfy sexual desire, a marriage partner is defrauded; this unsuspecting weapon is turned against the nuclear family. 

Matthew 5:27-28

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

People have their God-given conscience as their GPS. Christians have the new improved GPS; the conscience & the Holy Spirit. In both cases, demons can whisper through the ear gate of the mind. Like armies strategically go to war, so do spiritual armies.

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Guarding your heart is of utmost importance. 

Proverbs 4:23 

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Don't play with fire

Proverbs 6:27-29

Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

- Pornography thrives on secrecy.

- Pornography is addictive and misleading.

- Pornography warps your view of women and relationships.

- Pornography leaves emptiness after the thrill.

- Pornography fuels a lust that overshadows love.

- Pornography darkens the soul and elevates the body.

- Pornography turns fantasy turns into reality.

- Pornography desensitizes passion for sex; and dehumanizes people.

- Pornography dictates what women should look like and act like.

- Pornography leads to expectations of immediate gratification.

- Pornography erodes healthy communication.

- Pornography feeds a mentality that is never satisfied.

- Pornography creates an illusion and a false sense of intimacy.

- Pornography confuses who you are and how you should relate to the opposite sex.

The alternative view is that we are better off with so much information available about sex and how to perform better in bed. Jesus disagrees. Using pornography as a stimulant in the marriage bed is clearly forbidden. If we are so much better off now, why are relationships getting worse? Why is the divorce rate at an all time high? The path to healing and wholeness is through accountability, confession, and repentance. 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Video - Watching Pornography an Unforgivable Sin? - Hank Hanegraaff

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

As Joe Dallas aptly noted, pornography is not only an enslaving addiction and a violation of marriage vows but a precursor to increasingly dangerous and degrading sexual practices. Pornography is an addictive behavior that enslaves the mind and conditions users to view others as mere objects of sexual self-gratification. As such, our Lord warns us to guard our gaze. 

Matthew:22-23 

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 

Turn from temptation

James 1:14-15

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Just as marijuana is a precursor to experimenting with ever more dangerous substances, so pornography often leads to increasingly degrading sexual behaviors. Jesus used hyperbole when describing sexual sin. Although His exaggerated statements are not meant to be taken literally, the seriousness of this sin is clearly communicated. First it comes through the eye gate, then perhaps used in conjunction with masterbation, and finally through exploring physical sexual encounters. 

Matthew 5:27-30

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.

Video - Let's Talk Porn - Maria Ahlin

Even the strongest addiction to pornography can be overcome by taking practical steps to remove temptation, establishing an accountability structure,

and putting on the full armor of God. The covering described in Scripture is an impenetrable barrier against which the fiery darts of the evil one are impotent. When we are clothed in the covering, we are invincible. When we are not, we are but pawns in the devil’s malevolent schemes. [ 2 ] 

Ephesians 6:10-20

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Temptation is common to all men.  

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

As Eve was tempted through the eye gate, so are we.  

Genesis 3:6

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Cited Sources:   NPR.ORG National Review: Getting Serious On Pornography [ 1 ],  The Complete Bible Answer Book by Hank Hanegraaff [ 2 ] ,