The Greek word for harlot is porne. When combined with grapho, the word for writing, we arrive at the English word pornography. The Lord Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount said: “whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matt. 5:28). In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were both naked, but when sin entered and their eyes were opened, that which had been beautiful and perfect in God’s sight became a source of lust. God provided clothing for Adam and Eve, not because they were cold, but to cover them.
We live in a day when pornography is accessible at the touch of a button. In the past, the effort and embarrassment of getting such material deterred most young men from obtaining it. Pornography, as with any other vice, is highly addictive. It brings about a physiological response that is not unlike the effect of a drug. Unfortunately, a generation of boys has now been affected by this addiction. Aside from its obvious sinful nature, it is also highly destructive. When a man looks upon his wife, there is a connection that goes far beyond the physical; there is a strong emotional tie which binds the two. When pornography is viewed, a woman is reduced to a mere object of sexuality and perversion. A woman, who makes herself the subject of pornography, devalues herself; it destroys her self-esteem. Instead of seeing herself as God views her, and recognizing the value that He has placed upon her, the measure of her worth is determined by the leering eyes of corrupt men.
Ladies, if you are dating a man who has a problem with pornography — and sadly, Christian men have been caught up in this epidemic — beware. It would be wise and appropriate to break off the relationship until the matter has been thoroughly judged. The addiction will not cease with marriage, and you will, in effect, be within an adulterous relationship. Furthermore, the things that he has seen — and which he erroneously believes you will enjoy — will prove to be utterly degrading.
We live in a world of fantasy. Experiences that could only, at one time, be read about, or more recently, witnessed in a movie, can now be experienced virtually through modern technology. As with the subject just considered, these things appeal to the flesh. Just because we are not actually doing something, doesn’t make it right or acceptable. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Rom. 1:32). To derive pleasure from killing someone, even if it is virtual, is both defiling and sinful.
Addictions result from the rush that the activity brings; for a moment it makes one feel good. It takes you out of your present reality and all its struggles — it is a form of escapism. There is pleasure in sin for a time (Heb. 11:25). As man distances himself from God, the need for such diversions grows and Satan is more than happy to provide them. Any addiction, whether it be drugs or alcohol, pornography, or corrupt video games, will be destructive to the marriage relationship.
Many of these things seem to plague men, but they are not limited to them. A girl who has lived on a diet of foolish romance novels will have a distorted view of true romantic love. These books are just another form of fantasy. As with any addiction, when the effect wears off, the dosage must be increased. Erotic literature is now being received as main-stream and is especially popular among women.