1 Pornography & The Home 2 Pornography • Does it belong in the home or anywhere else in our lives? 3 Pornography • “Pornography is an epidemic that is sweeping our country and threatens what moral purity and innocence we have left” Steve Higginbotham 4 Pornography • It is readily available today and many Christians – men and women – have to struggle with the temptation of this sin 5 Pornography • “to depict graphically the use and abuse and perversion of sex in any form or fashion” • Written material or pictures that portray erotic behavior • Material designed to produce sinful lusts and actions 6 Pornography • It used to be fairly difficult to get dirty books and other pornographic material • NOW WE MUST WORK TO AVOID PORNOGRAPHY! 7 Pornography • “What's the bottom Line? Gone are the days when pornography was just associated with dirty theatres in bad neighborhoods and wrapped-up magazines under the counter at the convenience store. 8 Pornography • Gone are the days when persons had to make a deliberate, premeditated choice to get involved with porn. In the "Information Age," by contrast, we each must make a deliberate, premeditated choice not to get involved.” (James Merritt • http://www.biblecenter.com/sermons/resistingpornography .htm) 9 Pornography • • • • • Television Books Videos DVD’s Movies 10 Pornography • Internet • TV commercials, sitcoms, reality shows, etc. • Cell phones • Telephone (Dial-a-porn) • Other electronic media 11 Pornography • Magazines • Catalogs 12 Pornography • “Pornography is a “cold blooded attack on society”. Joe Hester, former FBI agent as quoted by Robert R. Taylor 13 Pornography • “Pornography is a cancer that is producing sexual perverts that is destroying the traditional family unit and is eating at the very roots of our country.” (James Merritt http://www.biblecenter.com/sermons/resisti ngpornography.htm) 14 Pornography • “The increasing number of sex crimes is due precisely to sex literature presented in magazines. Filthy literature is a the great moron maker. It is creating criminals faster that jails can be built.” J. Edgar Hoover as quoted by R. Taylor 15 Pornography • Mr. Hoover died in May 1972, some 20 years before we had world wide access via computer • Now pornography is sent out at lightning speed via the internet and other media 16 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 1. It distorts sex from it’s God given purpose to sheer animal lust • 2. It assaults the dignity and worth of women – presents them as sex objects 17 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 3. It brings about a sick desire for illicit and abnormal sex • 4. It glorifies homosexuality and beastiality • 5. It corrupts young minds and leads them into immoral conduct 18 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 6. It contributes to the epidemic of venereal disease in our nation • 7. It may cause the one addicted to lose the ability to function in a normal, living marriage relationship 19 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 8. It is a direct cause of rape, violence and even murder against women • 9. It promotes the sexual abuse of children. “Child pornography is the ultimate plunge into human degradation” J. Waddey 20 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 10. It makes merchandise of young men and women who are used to produce pornographic materials • 11. It is addicting and has a desensitizing effect on the user 21 Why Pornography Is Wrong • 12. It destroys trust and has the same hurt as if one had actually committed fornication • 13. It robs of our children of innocence • 14. It is a sin!!! 22 • What The Bible Says 23 Ps 101:3 • I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 24 Mt. 5:28 • But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart 25 Phil. 4:8 • Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 26 Gal. 5:19 • “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness” • Lasciviousness = unbridled lust 27 2 Pet. 2:14 • Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 28 Mt. 5:8 • Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 29 Js. 4:8 • Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 30 Defeating Pornography • 1. We must determine in our hearts not to engage in it 31 Ps. 103:1-4 • Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 32 Ps. 103:1-4 • [3] Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 33 Defeating Pornography • “Will I or won’t I permit porn in my life?” • The time to ask and answer that question is now – not when you are reaching for the magazine or clicking on the forbidden website 34 Defeating Pornography • We must determine in our mind that we will not engage in sexual sins • 2. We must discipline our senses 35 Job 31:1 • I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 36 Job 31:1 • 1 “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (NIV) 37 Job 31:1 • Job made a covenant that he would not fix his eyes upon objects that might cause him to lust • 3. Look to God for help – obtain forgiveness – pray for strength – shut out avenues of pornography 38 References • • • Resisting Pornography http://www.biblecenter.com/sermons/resisti ngpornography.htm The Pernicious Plague of Pornography, tract by Robert R. Taylor, Barber Printing, Tupelo, MS Moral Issues: Pornography, Sermon outline by Steve Higginbotham 39 References • • The Pollution of Pornography, article by John Waddey Pornography’s Pain, tract by Allen Webster (http://www.housetohouse.com/store/Prod uct.aspx?pid=122)