5 Ways Pornography Devastates Lives

Our culture is inundated with pornography.

Sitting at my laptop the other day, a pop-up invited me to “see more.” I declined. The pornography industry is aggressive in recruiting men, and women too, to view nudity and sex online. 

Seventy-five years ago it was magazines with one nude centerfold. The magazines looked like the undergarment ads in the Sunday paper of today. Nowadays, it’s photos, videos, blogs, gifs and more. 

So, was pornography OK in the past? Has the definition of pornography changed?

Pornography has always been evil. Whether it is just suggestive pictures of women in their underwear, or a graphic video, pornography stirs up lust in the viewer. That is its purpose. Pornography is addictive.

God has a beautiful plan for nudity and sex—between a husband and wife. Sex outside marriage is sin and so is lust. God commands women to dress modestly so that they will not stir up lust in the men around them. 

In contrast, we are surrounded with so much pornography that we do not even realize it as pornography. We watch opening scenes of favorite shows that show women dressed immodestly and pole dancing. Popular movies show nudity and sex scenes without shame. Does all of this harm us?

Yes, it does. Pornography harms its viewers, but it also harms our culture as well. 

Sex Is Removed From Love and Commitment

Our Creator designed sex as an expression of love inside a committed relationship. Instead of desire stirring up toward his wife, a man is aroused by watching a girl he doesn’t know. Sex is no longer something sacred and beautiful. 

God’s plan involves a man cherishing and providing for his wife, not just having sex with her. He must put forth effort to win her heart and work hard to provide for his family. Pornography requires no effort or work. 

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in the lust of depravity, even as the Gentiles who do not know God, and that no man take advantage of and defraud his brother in any matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he that despises does not despise man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 4:3-8). 

Women Lose Their Value

In pornography, women exist to please men. They have no needs; they don’t get pregnant. But that young woman being lusted after is someone’s daughter. She is made in the image of God and has value. She is not an object to desire, but a woman to be loved and cherished. 

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and that He might present to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. In this way men ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord cares for the church” (Eph. 5:25-29).

Women Try to Be Pornography

As women lose their value in our culture, the only way young girls believe they can get attention from boys is to be pornography. As a result, young girls and older ladies wear skimpy, tight clothing designed to stir up lust in guys. However, God’s word mentions modesty and propriety. 

“In like manner also, that women clothe themselves in modest clothing, with decency and self-control, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing (1 Tim. 2:9).

Pornography Is Addiction

Once you start looking at pornography, it is hard to stop because pornography is addictive. Like drugs, pornography gives temporary pleasure and, for many, freedom from the pain of their dismal life. Unfortunately, as all addicts know, it eventually takes more and more to achieve the same effect. 

Ask anyone who is trying to stop indulging in pornography and he/she will tell you of his/her struggles. It seems that there is a force that tries to keep someone involved in this addiction. Well, that’s because there is. Often times, pornography opens the addict up to demonic influence. Then, it is beyond just a matter of resisting temptation to a matter of fighting spiritual darkness too.

Pornography Changes You

Pornography is evil and the evil eventually resides in the watcher. A pornography viewer eventually becomes a different person. 

I have a friend who, after a long struggle, is finally free from pornography. Do you know what I noticed right away? He is so much nicer, more pleasant to be around. He cares more about other people and treats them with kindness. When he was addicted to pornography, he was so selfish and mean. Was pornography the cause of his mean personality? I believe so. Freedom definitely brought a personality change; back to the person we used to know. 

Pornography stirs up selfishness, anger and all kinds of evil desires. Pornography addicts don’t even realize the darkness that fills their life. If you are addicted to pornography, you may be keeping it a secret vice, but others notice the change in your personality. 

“And do not let sexual immorality, or any impurity, or greed be named among you, as these are not proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse joking, which are not fitting. Instead, give thanks.For this you know, that no sexually immoral or impure person, or one who is greedy, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Eph. 5:3-7).

Good News About Pornography Addiction

The good news is that Jesus Christ is the Bondage Breaker, the one who brings freedom from all addictions. His death on the cross paid the penalty for your sin of pornography. His grace provides freedom to say no to ungodly lusts and to say “YES!” to living a holy life for the glory of Christ. 

“For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1, MEV).

If you would like to experience freedom from pornography, I recommend that you talk to your pastor or strong Christian friend. You can also visit the Setting Captives Free online Bible course. 

You can live free from pornography!

Meredith Curtis, pastor’s wife and homeschooling mom of five amazing children, has been married to her college sweetheart, Mike Curtis for 31 years. She loves Jesus, leads worship, homeschools, writes, mentors ladies and sometimes even cooks dinner! She is the author of Joyful and Successful Homeschooling, and several high school classes and Bible studies. She and Mike are founders of the Finish Well Conference, a Christian conference aimed at equipping families to disciple their children to be world changers.