THE BIBLE’S VIEWPOINT
Pornography
Does the Bible condemn pornography?
“Everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”—Matthew 5:28.
WHY IT MATTERS
Today pornography is more popular and accessible
than ever before. If you wish to please God and live a happier life, you
should know how God feels about pornography.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible does not mention pornography
specifically. Still, the use of pornography is in direct conflict with
many Bible principles.
For instance, the Bible pointedly states that when
a married man “keeps on looking at a woman” to whom he is not married,
nurturing a desire to have sex with her, it can lead to adultery. The
principle behind this Bible statement would apply to anyone, married or
single, who “keeps on looking” at pornographic images with the desire to
engage in sexual immorality. Such behavior is clearly offensive to God.
Is pornography wrong even when it does not lead to sexually immoral acts?
“Deaden, therefore, your body members . . . as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness.”—Colossians 3:5.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Some researchers doubt that there is a
significant link between pornography and real acts of sexually offensive
behavior. Yet, is the use of pornography in itself immoral?
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible describes “obscene jesting” as unacceptable and immoral. (Ephesians 5:3, 4) How could pornography be any less objectionable? Today’s pornography often includes the visual recording of real acts of
adultery, homosexuality, and other forms of fornication. Surely, the
lascivious viewing of such sexually immoral acts is significantly more
offensive to God than obscene speech.
Researchers continue to debate the likelihood of
people acting out fantasies fueled by pornography. But the Bible
clearly supports the notion that the use of pornography is in itself
spiritually destructive and highly offensive to God. The Bible gives
this admonition: “Deaden, therefore, your body members . . . as respects
fornication [and] sexual appetite.” (Colossians 3:5) Users of pornography do exactly the opposite
What can help you to avoid the use of pornography?
“Search for what is good, and not what is bad . . . Hate what is bad, and love what is good.”—Amos 5:14, 15.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS
The Bible speaks of sexually promiscuous people, drunkards, and thieves, who were able to quit their destructive behavior. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) How? By applying the wisdom found in God’s Word, they learned to hate what is bad.
It is possible to learn to hate pornography by
giving careful thought to the terrible consequences of this harmful
vice. A recent study published by Utah State University revealed that
some pornography users experience “depression, social isolation, damaged
relationships,” and other sad consequences. What is more, because, as
explained earlier, the viewing of pornography is offensive to God, it
does something far more harmful. It alienates humans from their Creator.
The Bible can help us learn to love what is
good. The more we read the Bible, the deeper our love for its moral
standards will grow. That love will help us to take a firm stand against
pornography and to feel the way the psalmist did who wrote: “I shall
not set in front of my eyes any good-for-nothing thing.”
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