“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30
Divorce lawyers know the divorce rates related to pornography and the problems it causes.
I can’t tell you the number of young married couples in churches that are struggling with normal sexual intimacy because of the husband’s use of porn. Why? Because there is no woman on the face of the earth, no matter how beautiful, who can compete with the sexual fantasies porn provides. This is the demonic power of pornography.
Not only are the harmful effects of porn often overlooked, there are also many misconceptions on the issue. Like many people believing that porn is just a “guy thing.”
It’s not just a “guy thing.”
While a lot of women find pornography lewd and a turn-off, an ever-increasing number of women are viewing pornography.
One study found that 76% of females between the ages of 18 to 30 years old watch pornography on a regular basis.
Jesus knows that sexual lust can become a serious issue for both men and women.
So, He gives us a rather graphic visual in today’s Scripture reference to make His point. (However, Jesus was not advocating actually slicing off hands and eyes because we lust or engage in pornography. He was simply communicating the seriousness of the sin of lust that if not dealt with through a kind of radical spiritual surgery, it can consume our lives.)
Are you struggling because of your use of porn? Are you keeping it a secret?
What can you do?
- COME TO GOD – and confess your struggle with it.
- TELL SOMEONE – a counselor or even a trusted friend. There are treatments and therapy available to help you. And there are support groups: even more important than the practical tips and accountability they bring, support groups provide a safe place for you to connect with others who are in your similar situation.
Thankfully, we can all take comfort in the fact that Christ already took on our guilt and shame at the cross. He offers complete forgiveness if we confess and truly want to turn our lives around.
What are you waiting for?
Freedom awaits.
