Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 5-6 NASB

Associate Producer

Jørn Rune Reinertsen

Podcast Introduction

It’s Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Proverbs chapters 5-6 I’m calling this episode “You Can Be Free.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: digitaljuice.com

Comments on

Comments on Proverbs 5

Solomon’s teaching on adultery in chapter 5 is especially timely in today’s world of easy to access pornography. Remember, Jesus said that if you even look at a woman with lust in your heart, you have committed adultery with her. So if you think that you’re ok in this department just because you haven’t had an actual, physical adulterous affair, think again. And ladies, this applies to you as well.

Let’s be honest here, folks. Pornography is everywhere today. Seems like every time you turn around your eyes are confronted with sexual images. I'll get to that in just a moment. 

Concerning hardcore porn, you might be saying, "But Steve, I don't look at that stuff. I don't look at hardcore porn." Glad to hear it. But you don't have to be looking at hard core images of people doing the deed if the images you see cause you to lust. For you, it's porn.

Let's be frank. Men, especially are aroused through the eyes. But women can be, too. Advertisers know that, and they use it, don't they? May I suggest an easy way to short-circuit their efforts? This is something that I have been doing for years. I have made a covenant with myself, with my wife and with God, that when I am confronted with provocative advertisements, I will not look at it. I avert my eyes. 

Now, back to the hard core stuff. The internet is a marvelous tool. Except when it's misused. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to find pornography if you're looking for it. And sadly, Christians are not immune to the lure. A few years ago I found a study done by Proven Men Ministries in conjunction with the Barna group that revealed the fact that in some data sets, Christian men view porn more than non-Christian men. And Christian women are viewing porn, too.

Beloved, this study shows that even Christians can be caught up in porn.

So what's the big deal? Porn is just a victimless vice, isn't it?

Is it?

One of the world's most used porn websites has been investigated for allowing child porn on their platform. Wouldn't you call them victims? And many of the people in these videos are not willing participants. They are actually victims of modern day slavery. Yes, actual slavery. The children and young people in these videos are victims, beloved. And the damage being done to them emotionally and spiritually is real. This damage is, in many cases, permanent. Their lives are destroyed, and for what? 

Make no mistake. Pornography is evil. It is not a victimless crime. There are very real consequences.

Beloved, listen to Solomon's advice here in Proverbs. There are consequences to your behavior. You may think it’s a harmless diversion. You may think that it’s secret. But there are very real victims, and it won’t remain a secret. Porn has a way of permeating your life, and if you don’t quit it, there are victims even closer to you than the people in the videos. Yourself, your spouse, your children, your friends. 

Scientists have found that pornography actually changes the brain. And not in a good way. The Guardian reported that, "The Cambridge University neuropsychiatrist Dr Valerie Voon has recently shown that men who describe themselves as addicted to porn (and who lost relationships because of it) develop changes in the same brain area – the reward centre – that changes in drug addicts."

Here's the link for how to block porn on your home network or on your individual devices. Computers, tablets, phones, whatever. And this method is free.

Has porn been, or is it a problem for you or someone you know?  Would you like more help with it? Write to me at [email protected].