Is watching pornography a sin?

[Courteous]

Lusting for your wife/husband is not a sin but lusting after others is. I really have a problem with lust. My mind goes to places it shouldn't and I feel very shameful about it. Now there is temptation but you don't have to follow into it. You can't stop a bird from flying over your head but you can stop it from making a nest in your hair.

I agree that lust is a sin, only because I have felt bad about before I even started understanding my own religion, even when i didn't practice at all. I was baptized and raised as a Catholic but my Mother never pushed me towards it. She left me to my own devices at an early age and I chose to stay away until very recently. My question is this... I am not married, I have never been married. Yes, I have had sex before but I am not in a relationship now. Is me watching porn against everything I should believe in as a Christian? If adultery is lusting or engaging another mans wife, then what is Lusting for a man with no wife? Is it as bad as doing it while married? I have started to read the meaning of the New testament and am just learning the basics about my Religion. Now that I am conscious of who Jesus and God really are, I am questioning my very morals. While I have a great heart, and care about people as human beings, I am lost and confused as to what is expected on issues like this and some other. Thank You!, in advance if you could shed some light on the official stances.

 

[willfollowsGod]

I would say watching pornography is a sin. One I would say this because I have had my own struggles with it being delivered and then putting the chains and shackles of it on again and again. As for lusting after one's wife or husband, I disagree it is a sin. If you start treating your wife or husband as an object and not a real person and start lusting after them that is a sin. Lusting after others is also a sin. When you start thinking this way, focus on Jesus and what he did and also pray and read the Bible, those sources help to reduce and eliminate those lustful thoughts in your head that can be dangerous and that God is not pleased with. Those are my two cents. God bless.

 

[zone]

who is going and digging up ancient threads?
for what?

 

[RoboOp]

who is going and digging up ancient threads?
for what?

Hi Zone it's okay if the thread isn't closed (in which case they wouldn't be able to post in it). And this question (the title of this thread) actually does get asked a lot.

Pornography nowadays is just a click away. And it's hardcore, practically "live", and unlimited. Quite different from when I was growing up. The most you could do is get a hold of a magazine (which I did once or twice as a teenager before I got saved -- that was about the most I could do). That's nothing compared to now. Many young people (as well as older people) are absolutely in bondage to it (even some Christians). And, get this -- many aren't even convicted that it's sin. (Hence, the topic of this thread.) Then they also get into live "cyber sex" as well, because, hey, what's the difference, might as well.

But one mark of a true Christian is sexual purity. And one thing that gives us assurance of salvation is experiencing freedom from such bondages. Not to condemn anyone, just saying. Anyway if anyone does have this problem the best thing to do is to make sure they're truly born again, and regardless confess it to God, and confess it to someone who can help them perhaps, and avoid what makes them stumble (e.g., certain websites).

And lastly, sexual desires are normal to have, and if that's a big struggle or a constant temptation, then perhaps the thing to do is get married (as Paul said, "better to marry than to burn"). But marriage is a risky proposition nowadays (actually always has been), so better be careful to get a godly spouse.

But actually this problem is not limited to single folks. I've known of a number of husbands in bondage to this kind of thing, and even failing to fulfill their wives, which totally makes no sense to me, but I guess it's a bondage. Anyway a Christian man should be satisfied with his wife, and be fulfilled that way (God's way).

 

[nathan3]

It would be a sin for sure. . Some verses and words to consider :

Taking from Christ teachings about traditions:

Mark 7:

20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Lasciviousness

Greek:
aselgeia
as-elg'-i-a

from a compound of a - a 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed selges (of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent); 1 licentiousness (sometimes including other vices):--filthy,2 lasciviousness, wantonness.

English def for
1 licentiousness:
: lacking legal or moral restraints; especially : disregarding sexual restraints

: marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness


lasciviousness 2

. Given to or expressing lust; lecherous.
. Exciting sexual desires; salacious.[/color].........

Matthew 5:28



28 But I say unto you, That whosoever 1 looketh on a woman to 2 lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.



1 Look

blepw
blepo
blep'-o


a primary verb; to look at (literally or figuratively):--behold, beware, lie, look (on, to), perceive, regard, see, sight, take heed. Compare optanomai - optanomai 3700. \/



3700


optanomai
optanomai
op-tan'-om-ahee, a (middle voice) prolonged form


of the primary (middle voice) optomai op'-tom-ahee; which is used for it in certain tenses; and both as alternate of oraw - horao 3708 \/ to gaze (i.e. with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from blepw - blepo 991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from eidw - eido 1492, which expresses merely mechanical, passive or casual vision; while qeaomai - theaomai 2300, and still more emphatically its intensive qewrew - theoreo 2334, signifies an earnest but more continued inspection; and skopew - skopeo 4648 a watching from a distance):--appear, look, see, shew self.


3708

oraw
horao
hor-ah'-o


properly, to stare at (compare 3700), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally); by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear:--behold, perceive, see, take heed.................................





Lust 2

Greek
epiqumew
epithumeo
ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o


from epi - epi 1909 and qumoV - thumos 2372;\/ to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise):--covet, desire, would fain,lust (after).


2372

qumoV
thumos
thoo-mos'


from quw - thuo 2380; passion (as if breathing hard):--fierceness, indignation, wrath. Compare yuch - psuche 5590.




I used a (King James Bible and a Strong's Concordance. )

 

[my_adonai_]

Pornography does not edify. neither does it benefit the Spirit, just arouses your flesh. and we are SPIRITUAL and NOT carnal people. if it is sex knowledge, i believe there are doctors who could give you medical advice on it, so we are without excuse when we watch it.

 

[zone]

Hi Zone it's okay if the thread isn't closed (in which case they wouldn't be able to post in it). And this question (the title of this thread) actually does get asked a lot.

Pornography nowadays is just a click away. And it's hardcore, practically "live", and unlimited. Quite different from when I was growing up. The most you could do is get a hold of a magazine (which I did once or twice as a teenager before I got saved -- that was about the most I could do). That's nothing compared to now. Many young people (as well as older people) are absolutely in bondage to it (even some Christians). And, get this -- many aren't even convicted that it's sin. (Hence, the topic of this thread.) Then they also get into live "cyber sex" as well, because, hey, what's the difference, might as well.

But one mark of a true Christian is sexual purity. And one thing that gives us assurance of salvation is experiencing freedom from such bondages. Not to condemn anyone, just saying. Anyway if anyone does have this problem the best thing to do is to make sure they're truly born again, and regardless confess it to God, and confess it to someone who can help them perhaps, and avoid what makes them stumble (e.g., certain websites).

And lastly, sexual desires are normal to have, and if that's a big struggle or a constant temptation, then perhaps the thing to do is get married (as Paul said, "better to marry than to burn"). But marriage is a risky proposition nowadays (actually always has been), so better be careful to get a godly spouse.

But actually this problem is not limited to single folks. I've known of a number of husbands in bondage to this kind of thing, and even failing to fulfill their wives, which totally makes no sense to me, but I guess it's a bondage. Anyway a Christian man should be satisfied with his wife, and be fulfilled that way (God's way).

hi Robo.
yup i get that, for sure...it being a relevant topic. just wondered about old threads

totally agree on the issue as well.
i have heard married ppl say it's not adultery! (n.m. the other things it is).

of course you're right in all you've said there Robo...this rampant sexualizing of everybody (kids!) came on us gradually, but it's entered every part of daily life if we allow it.

sex ed etc in school, etc etc....and worse than all that - PC says we can't object even when it comes to our little kids at school!

but: how do we get free from it (or any bondage)? not through the Law!
as hard as this is for us to understand, Paul made it clear.

once we know it's sin and bondage (through the Law)....where is the remedy found?:

i offer this for anybody struggling with this addiction.
please do listen...our help is in The Lord. confessing honestly to Him. knowing it is forgiven, and receiving strength to overcome.
a clear conscience toward God...without it we'll sink.
i think that's the pattern, isn't it?
further and further into the dark...

go to Jesus for freedom!

Fighting for the Faith < click

JANUARY 31, 2013

Program segments:

• Email

Chris discusses it specifically in the email segment of this show, first thing.
no need to go through the entire podcast.

zone

 

[zone]

Genesis 3
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the coolc of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”d 10And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”

~

this is what happens to us.
our hope is in the forgiveness of our sins.
confession is our starting point, after hiding from the Lord has taken us all the way down.

when does victory come?
not until we confess our sins to the Lord!
the Gospel!

 

[Colt79]

When you watch pornography you are engaging in lust, lust is a sin. Furthermore you are engaging mentally in sexual relations of a way with another person which goes against God's decree that such things only occur within the marriage bed. Also when you are watching pornography you no doubt will often be watching acts of sexual immorality even the watching of others having sex is in my interpretation an act of sexual immorality. When you feel the urge to do this you should be aware it is born of your "idle hands" you should then use your hands to do something constructive that builds your relationship with God up.

 

[tribesman]

It is written:

Matt.5

[27] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
[29] And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
[30] And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

 

[starfield]

Psalms 101:2-3
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

1 Peter 2:11- Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

 

[RoboOp]

This video "Just 1 Click Away" was shown in our church recently, about Christians being lured into pornography, even children, because, as the title says, it's just a click away. It's produced by Josh McDowell, to combat this big problem in the church (affecting many Christian families).

[video=youtube;xlnYrsZ7r-8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlnYrsZ7r-8[/video]

 

[Radius]

[video=youtube;xlnYrsZ7r-8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlnYrsZ7r-8[/video]

That video was crazy! kinda spooky.

 

[Skinski7]

i offer this for anybody struggling with this addiction.
please do listen...our help is in The Lord. confessing honestly to Him. knowing it is forgiven, and receiving strength to overcome.
a clear conscience toward God...without it we'll sink.
i think that's the pattern, isn't it?
further and further into the dark...

Why do you offer advice which completely contradicts the Bible? Namely that one is ALREADY FORGIVEN without having to FORSAKE their rebellion to God?

What do you do with these easy to understand scriptures? Do you just ignore them by pretending they don't exist? Or perhaps you think they don't apply anymore? Or do you think that the "promises" in the Bible cancel out the "conditions"? I would be really interested to know.

Pro 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Isa 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Luk 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
Luk 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
Luk 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Luk 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.




1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

 

[jb]

Is watching pornography a sin?

YES, IT IS!

 

[twotwo]

As a human i don't see anything bad about having sexual thoughts (it doesn't have any bad consequences). But it looks like God cares about our thoughts. The only thing i don't understand is how come you can sin with your thoughts, but you can't do good deeds with your thoughts(you can't help others by your thoughts).

Your spiritual heart is the most critical part of yourself. Everything you do comes from it. Evil thoughts will eventually produce evil deeds and good thoughts will bring forth good deeds. In other words, the thoughts that grow in your heart have the power to transform you into a monster or into a child of God.

About pornography, Jesus is very clear, if your eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it away.

 

[Angela53510]

Just from a purely worldly, and psychiatric sense, pornography is addictive, it tarnishes the person's desires and replaces real relationships with images of women that no unairbrushed, and retouched woman can ever imitate.

Pornography is a huge industry, bigger in terms of money that all the 5 major US sporting leagues. It seduces young people, so they cannot have a healthy sex life within marriage.

I cannot believe anyone could rationalize pornography is not sin from a Christian viewpoint either. I think most people covered the topic Biblically very well.

Here is an excellent article from Christianity Today on how many Christian men are addicted, and why it is wrong.

Porn's Stranglehold | Christianity Today

My parting comment has to be that anyone defending porno has to be addicted and has no desire to break free. Sort of like a drug addict or alcoholic saying that defiling the temple of the Holy Spirit doesn't include his favorite sin.

 

[crossnote]

Yes






.......

 

[GreenNnice]

"Greater is He who is in you than he (Satan) who is in the world."

Our God reigns. He can and will rip the heart of that stuff right on out of you the MOMENT you believe

The Lord leads. Believe in Him, faith-fully believe, He will move, you just go to Him. "Draw nigh to me and I will draw night to you." --< Jesus speaking

 

[jonrambo]

Porn is satans number one tool for dragging people to hell these days. Strong deamon. But God is stronger!!!