Sin of the Internet - Pornography

This post kind of follows the previous one.

Even as I sit here typing into my computer edifying words(I hope), in 5-10 letters you could just as easily fill your mind with filth.

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The streets were full of them. They were there, so close. They looked perfect in their airbrushed similitude. He turned his head quickly and moved to the other side of the street. He could literally feel the grime between his fingers. The seduction from all around. It felt like there were thousands of them. He dashed into a store to escape them, but even as he ran in he saw racks of magazines with inappropriate images. Finally without hesitation he closed his browser, pushed back from the computer, and breathed a sigh of relief.

With power comes responsibility. The age of the internet. The power to find out anything in seconds. The power to see what your friends are doing, even from the other side of the world. We no longer have to go search through books or the dictionary to find things out. Instead we can find whatever we need at the click of a button. But then you flip to the other side of the coin and you see how you now have access to the brothels of the internet. Just one click to ruin your mind.

I've heard people reference that if we didn't have the internet it would be much better. But, in the end just getting rid of something isn't going to solve this, shall I call it what it is, epidemic.

According to several surveys the influence of pornography on young people is drastically high. Some 90%* of young adults have been exposed to it over the internet.

For such a major problem I am kind of surprised at how little there is out there addressing it. To some extent I think the problem gets shoved under the rug because it's not a comfortable topic to talk about. Certainly we shouldn't spend so much of our time talking about it that it's no longer edifying. But, it should be addressed.


The Proverbs 7 woman is plastered all over the magazines, the internet, the television, and even on street corners. And yes she has a false beauty about her. And many young men follow after her to the slaughter. Just as an ox goes to the slaughter so most young men go.

Maybe you say, "I'm strong, I have a will strong enough to deny my urges". I am able to resist temptation, I'll be fine. Proverbs 7:26: "For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her."

In the end, pornography is that start of the descent into hell. Proverbs 7:27: "Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death." The time is now to get your mind out of the trash bin and start dwelling on pure and lovely things.

There's a reason that many, many children leave the faith just 1-2 years after beginning college. They become totally unaccountable and live in their apartment all alone. Their mind, when not studying, becomes idle and wanders down into the depths of hell to scuffle around down there. And, they can even be encouraged by their peers.

It's easy to say don't fall into pornography. But, if you're headed down that road, you have to do something differently.

I believe the most important application in today's anonymous and unaccountable age is to STOP being anonymous and unaccountable. So get accountable. There are programs today that you can get to make you more accountable. (i.e. Safe eyes, Covenant eyes, firewalls, etc.) But, you need to want it. Your parents, spouses, or siblings may try to help you with putting up fences such as filters and such. Maybe they'll turn the magazines around to help you hide your eyes from the lingerie models on the front covers. But, in the end there's always a way that the sinful heart of man is going to find a way around the fences.

Also, get accountable with your elders, parents, spouse, etc... The fight against pornography is one of the ones that you need to have help with. First of all, get rid of your pride and confess your sin. Maybe you don't struggle with it in the physical form. But, if your mind is in the gutter eventually your actions will follow.

Another thought is that sometimes you just need to get rid of the sources of your problems. I remember the scene from a movie called "Fireproof" where at one point the main character beats on his computer with a bat to get rid of the temptation in his home.

Fourth, remember your body isn't yours. 1 Corinthians 7:4: "The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife."

Fifth, get busy. When a man is sitting at home twiddling his thumbs he's just asking to be destroyed. "The idle mind is the devil's playground." The internet can be a good way to be idle. If you're spending all day watching youtube or surfing the internet you're letting your mind go idle. One thought is whenever you go on the internet make a task list. Get in and out quickly. Don't spend your time browsing the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Finally, read God's Word and listen to it through the preaching of the Word. When your heart is wandering around the plains of wickedness you won't want to dwell on the Word of God. But, instead focus on God and get your mind out of the sewer. Love those around you more and stop hiding in your unaccountable anonymous word.

Any other thoughts on this issue? I would be really interested to hear anyone else's thoughts. :-)

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