WHY I HAVE NO INTEREST IN PORNOGRAPHY

July 1, 2007 AM

---

Sermon Outline

1 JNO 2:16

INTRO: I understand that to consider the subject of pornography in a sermon study I am dealing with a delicate and sensitive subject in a very public way. However, pornography is without a doubt one of the great scourges of our time. The very nature of it can permit it to be a hidden, private thing which makes it very subtle. As private as it may be, however, it is nevertheless damaging in its effects. If statistics are any accurate indication, pornography in one form or another is viewed by an incredible number of men and a growing number of women. The financial returns from the pornography trade are enormous. The growing trend of illegal sexual acts involving both adults and children is almost certainly related to growth in the pornography business.

1. THE LUST OF THE EYES
   1. Visual images are remembered longer/vividly than audio messages
      1. one of the things educators know is that many are visual learners
      2. therefore, much emphasis is given to portraying lessons visually
      3. the growing "power point" phenomenon in business is further proof
   2. So, 1 Jno 2:16 and "the lust of the eyes"
      1. not the lust of the ears (although there is now audio pornography)
      2. Josh 7:21 - notice the connection between seeing, coveting, taking
      3. our eyes are incredible - they can see a wonderful array of beautiful, interesting things ... but the same eyes can also see the lewd, the shameful
   3. We care for and protect our eyes diligently
      1. wear glasses, protective goggles
      2. but are we protective of our eyes in what we permit them to see?
      3. once the image is admitted, it is "saved" on the hard drive, the brain - it "saves" automatically, and there is no "delete" button!
2. THE USE OF PORNOGRAPHY
   1. Pornography...
      1. is a combination of two Gr. words meaning "prostitute" & "writing"
      2. visual depiction human body (in uncovered states) or explicit sexual activity
      3. an 8 to 10 billion dollar "industry" - the profit motive causes the growth
   2. It may use a variety of media
      1. historically, drawings on walls, paintings, etc.
      2. magazines, motion pictures, stills, videos, internet
      3. of these, the internet may be the most troublesome to families
   3. Some alarming facts:
      1. Justice Department: 9 of 10 children ages 8 to 16 exposed "online"
      2. 3 to 6 percent of Americans sexually addicted - 20 million people
      3. a leading cause of family breakdown and divorce - affects negatively the intimate relationship between husband and wife - men more aggressive
      4. because stored in the brain to be recalled at any moment, some experts say this addiction is harder to break that heroin addiction
      5. a significant factor in sexual violence - 87% child molesters regular consumers of hardcore pornography
   4. Serious concerns?
      1. pornography is highly addictive ... escalates in frequency & deviancy (Prov 6:27,28)
      2. pornography affects marriage relationship in harmful ways (1 Pet 3:7)
      3. pornography's goal is sexual arousal - lust (1 Cor 7:9 & Mt5:28)
      4. pornography negatively affects godly thinking (Phil 4:8)
      5. pornography profanes God's intention for sexual intimacy (1 Cor 7:1,2)
      6. pornography is a sort of "secret sin" - (Eph 5:11-13)
      7. pornography will take a person away from God (1 Cor 6:18-20)
      8. pornography has no redeeming value ... except to the purveyors of it as they pocket huge sums of money
3. COMBATING, OVERCOMING THIS PLAGUE IN ONES LIFE?
   1. Job 31:1 - We must make a firm decision about what our eyes may see
      1. this expression in Job speaks of profound decisions relating to life
      2. right now is the time to decide against permitting pornography entry
   2. Prov 23:7 - We must commit to thinking, meditating on the wholesome
      1. no matter how secret your thoughts, they will affect you in open ways
      2. so, Phil 4:8 - "think on these things"
   3. 1 Cor 6:18 - We must stay far away from pornography in any form
      1. "fornication" - roots in the same word as pornography
      2. so addictive and attractive are these that fleeing is the only wise course
   4. Ps 1:1,2 - We must devote ourselves to the word of God
      1. with minds dwelling on God's word and inclined toward His direction...
      2. a well known, recovering addict credited spending much time with the word as a critical step in his recovery

CLOSE: And I am reminded of Mt 26:41. Prayer must be a vital part of our combating this growing plague. Pornography is a very subtle thing which captures its users without a struggle. And it will ruin you spiritually.

Cecil A. Hutson

01 July 2007