The Bible does not explicitly mention pornography, as it is a modern concept. However, biblical principles provide clear guidance about sexual purity, guarding one’s heart and mind, and avoiding lustful behavior. These principles strongly indicate that pornography, which fosters lust and objectifies others, is incompatible with God’s will for human sexuality.
Biblical Principles Related to Pornography
1. Avoid Lustful Thoughts
Pornography incites lust, which the Bible clearly identifies as sinful. Jesus taught that even looking at someone with lustful intent is equivalent to committing adultery in the heart.
- Matthew 5:27-28 (NIV):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Job 31:1 (NIV):
“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”- Job exemplifies the intentional effort to avoid lustful thoughts.
2. Pursue Purity
The Bible calls believers to maintain purity in their thoughts and actions, avoiding anything that defiles their hearts and minds.
- Philippians 4:8 (NIV):
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (NIV):
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”
3. The Body is a Temple
Believers are reminded that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and they are called to honor God with their bodies.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (NIV):
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
Pornography degrades the body and mind, violating the call to honor God through purity.
4. Avoid Sexual Immorality
The Bible repeatedly warns against any form of sexual immorality, which includes thoughts, actions, and behaviors contrary to God’s design for sexuality.
- Ephesians 5:3 (NIV):
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” - Colossians 3:5 (NIV):
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
5. Guard Your Eyes and Heart
The Bible emphasizes the importance of guarding what we see and allowing into our hearts because it affects our thoughts, actions, and relationship with God.
- Proverbs 4:23 (NIV):
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” - Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV):
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Viewing pornography corrupts the heart and mind, leading to spiritual darkness.
6. Sin Begins in the Heart
The Bible teaches that sinful actions often begin with sinful thoughts, and believers are urged to take every thought captive to Christ.
- James 1:14-15 (NIV):
“But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV):
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
The Harmful Effects of Pornography
- Degrades God’s Design for Sexuality
- God designed sexuality to be expressed within the covenant of marriage. Pornography distorts and trivializes this sacred gift.
- Genesis 2:24 (NIV):
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
- Damages Relationships
- Pornography often leads to broken trust, emotional distance, and dissatisfaction in relationships.
- Hebrews 13:4 (NIV):
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
- Enslaves the Mind and Heart
- Pornography is addictive, creating spiritual and emotional bondage. The Bible warns against being enslaved to sin.
- John 8:34 (NIV):
“Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.’”
- Corrupts Moral Judgment
- Regular exposure to pornography numbs the conscience, leading to a tolerance for sin.
- Isaiah 5:20 (NIV):
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.”
Hope and Freedom from Pornography
The Bible offers hope and freedom for those struggling with pornography. Through repentance, God’s grace, and the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can overcome this sin.
1. Confess and Repent
- 1 John 1:9 (NIV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
2. Rely on God’s Strength
- Philippians 4:13 (NIV):
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
3. Renew the Mind
- Romans 12:2 (NIV):
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
4. Seek Accountability
- Galatians 6:2 (NIV):
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
5. Walk by the Spirit
- Galatians 5:16 (NIV):
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Conclusion
While the Bible does not explicitly address pornography, it strongly condemns lust, sexual immorality, and behaviors that corrupt the heart and mind. Pornography distorts God’s design for sexuality, leads to spiritual bondage, and harms relationships. However, through confession, repentance, and reliance on God’s power, believers can find freedom, healing, and restoration.
- 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV):
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”