Avoid This Malignant Influence


Pornography has a malignant influence.

Last week I received information from a counseling center in northeast Ohio, advising that a support group for sexual addiction is now available. In particular, the information mentioned the number of persons who increasingly are ensnared in the trap of pornography. Please don’t misunderstand. I appreciate that the counseling center is willing to tackle this social menace. And I feel compassion for those ensnared. It is the proliferation of pornography and the recklessness of those who produce it that troubles me.

Pornography as a problem has increased with the advent of the internet. But don’t be fooled – this problem, which the Bible calls “fornication” (“pornea” and “graphos” in Greek, from which we get the word “pornography” – fornication writings, literally), has been around a long time. The first instance we have of such prurience mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 9:22-25. Noah, not realizing this change that the flood had brought upon earth (the now reduced time required for fermentation), becomes drunk and is lying naked. His youngest son, Ham, finds great interest in this – probably becoming aroused. Upon learning of Ham’s twisted interest in visual sexual stimulation, Noah announces a curse upon Ham’s youngest child, Canaan. This means that Ham’s sordid attitude, his homo-eroticism, would influence his entire family. Much later, under Joshua’s leadership, the LORD commands the Hebrews to eliminate Canaanite culture. The entire civilization established by Canaan and his descendants was rife with pornographic images, vile orgiastic religion and sexually transmitted disease. The whole culture was influenced and contaminated by what began as Ham’s indulgence in pornography.

I heard Billy Graham say once, “If God doesn’t bring judgment upon America, He will owe an apology to Sodom and Gomorrah.” Mr. Graham was referring to the obsession with sex that characterizes American society. Is it no wonder our enemies refer to this land as “the Great Satan”? No doubt they are shocked by the raw sensuality of our pornographic society.

It is bad enough that individuals are made into imaginary sexual beings through photographic enhancement or that they are viewed as toys, playthings for the viewer. This is exploitation, and it is wrong. Another tragic aspect of all this is the disconnection that pornography makes between sex and marriage. This disconnection is undermining the strongest cord that provides a secure society, the stability of the family. Pornography viewing can lead to sexual fantasizing and then to active engagement of the fantasy. A woman I know who has had multiple adulterous relationships bragged, “I like sex.” Well sure, most people do! But we must learn to exercise this gift from God wisely and discriminately. God’s gift to us of sex needs to be confined to marriage. Otherwise, sexual addiction lurks in one’s future. Pornography does not support the stability of the family. Quite the opposite is true. It promotes the idea of sexual engagement anywhere, anytime and with anyone. Many sex addicts will admit that their problem began with viewing pornography. This addiction and the others that frequently follow contribute to the instability and breakdown of the family. As the family dissolves, so does the nation. Decadence becomes the norm.

But let’s be hopeful. After all, the “good news” is that Jesus is alive and He saves. He can deliver a person from any vice or addiction. Avoid visiting bookstores that sell lurid books and magazines. Procure filtering software for your home computer (check out www.filterreview.com). Replace a bad habit like viewing pornography by taking up an exercise regimen or reading a good book. .

We all need to be reminded occasionally how very powerful God has made the mind. We also need to be engaged in seeing that it is transformed, Romans 12:2. Trust the scripture to do its work in transforming your mind.

Sexual addictions are devouring more people every day. They often begin with pornography.

Avoid this malignant influence.