Framed: Pornography
Trevin Wax defines pornography as the glorification of sex outside of marriage that includes the objectification of other humans made in God’s image, the fanning of the flames of lust, and the indulgence of our worse instincts. Pornography is rampant in our society, and has become more and more accessible to the masses. It’s roots come from the Greek word “pornographos” which means “to write or draw about prostitution.” Pornography is not just a male problem. It is on the rise with the female population, typically in the form of romance novels like 50 Shades of Gray
40 million Americans regularly look at porn, with the average age of first exposure being 11 years old. 93% of boys and 62% of girls see porn by the age of 18. Fifteen states have declared porn as a public health crisis. Unfortunately, a recent study revealed that teens and young adults rank “not recycling” as more immoral than “viewing pornography”.
Viewing pornography does so much damage.
-It rewires the brain
-It objectifies the Imago Dei
-It eliminates the emotional part of sexual intimacy and just makes it physical.
-It promotes sex trafficking
-It distorts God’s best
-It objectifies somebody else’s daughter
-It creates a loss of trust, self-esteem, and intimacy with your spouse
How do we Live with a Pure Heart in a Pornographic World?
1. Don’t give you young children a cell phone
3. Block channels on your TV
4. Cancel movie channels
5. Put computers and televisions in a common space
6. Live in community
7. Get in a support group
8. Talk to your kids about it
9. Guard your eyes (Job 31:1)
10. Guard your mind (Phil 4:8)
11. Know your triggers
12. FLEE! (1 Cor 6:18-20)
Sex with our spouse is a reminder of our covenant with them. Our sexuality is totally different than any other part of creation. Biblical sex is good and right! God gave Adam and Eve to each other. They were naked and NOT ASHAMED because there was no sin. When sin entered, shame and isolation entered.
Our answer is in the gospel. We should seek a heart that grasps for beauty directed at the right object…Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 states “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”
To Discuss Today (as appropriate for your table):
1. Which safeguards (see list above) do you need to put into place to help create better protection from pornography being a problem in your home?
2. Who do you have accountability with when it comes to porn? If nobody, then who will you approach this week?
3. In your own words, why is pornography so damaging to the Imago Dei, to the culture, and to the brain?
