AN ADDICTION TO PORNOGRAPHY

PART ONE:

Proverbs 1: 7 -- The fear [reverence or obedience] of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

What I am about to teach you from the Word of God focuses on a subject that very few teachers of God's Word will address. Pornography can become dangerous, especially when it becomes an addiction, such as alcohol or gambling.

Some of you may be thinking right now, what can be wrong with sex? In fact, there is nothing at all wrong with sexual pleasure -- it is the most beautiful thing that the true God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has given to a man and a woman. HOWEVER, in most cases, the god of this world has practically ruined, destroyed, and perverted this experience that the true God intended for a married couple's pleasure. One of Satan's principal methods of accomplishing this has been through the widespread use and very easy accessibility of perverse forms of PORNOGRAPHY, especially when it becomes addictive to a person.

Webster's New World Dictionary defines pornography as: "writings, pictures, etc. intended primarily to arouse sexual desire". The internet is plastered with pornography. Why? As a believer and a student of the Word of God, you should QUESTION the methods and devices that are worldly in origin. You should ALWAYS look 'behind the scenes' and ask yourself: "WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THIS ACTIVITY?"

First of all, pornography accounts for approximately 20% of the internet's overall income. If you are a serious student of God's Word, one scripture should immediately come to mind.

I Timothy 6: 10 -- For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred [been seduced] from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Do not confuse this statement with private interpretation. There is nothing at all wrong with having money or prospering financially. IT IS THE LOVE of money that is the problem. Actually, a more literal translation of the first part of this verse is:

"For the love of money is the root system of all evil:" . . .

Remember, it is God's will for you to prosper and to be in health.

III John 2 -- Beloved, I wish [pray] above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

It should be obvious to you by now that the reason pornography is flourishing and has always been around is due to the fact that it generates very much income and this feeds the greed for those that 'love' money. You may have heard it said in a different way: "Sex sells". We know from the world's point of view that this is true. However, it is the way that the subject is approached and introduced that causes sexual issues to often become a perversion instead of the pleasure the true God intended them to be.

I John 2: 15, 16, 17 -- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth [practices] the will of God abideth for ever.

Ephesians 2: 2 clearly tells us that the prince of the power of the air is the devil. The true source of television, radio, newspapers, and the internet is the adversary. He is the main influence behind what you see and hear. I am not saying that everything is coming from hell. This is not true, but we as believers must search and weed out the bad from the good.

As time progresses, the adversary and his power becomes stronger because he knows that his time is shorter and shorter each day. Every day we become closer and closer to the second and final return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The devil knows this and he is fighting as hard as he can to take as many people as he can with him. He is doing his utmost to keep you from hearing, understanding, and applying God's Word in your life. If the true purpose of this teaching sinks into your heart and you APPLY what you have learned, you will defeat him in an area of your life where he may have been defeating and destroying you. This aggravates and agitates the adversary to no end. Many times, I have seen him fight through people, situations, and circumstances when a believer is about to get delivered from some sort or type of bondage that the adversary was responsible for. PORNOGRAPHY CAN BE ADDICTIVE and in turn, will destroy your confidence and a good part of your life. You must tell yourself and continually repeat in your mind what God's Word says in Philippians:

Philippians 4: 13 -- I can do all things through Christ which [who] strengtheneth me.

I John 2: 16 [see above] clearly tells us what is in the world. There are only three [3] things that are in the world:

1) The lust [over-desire] of the flesh.

2) The lust [over-desire] of the eyes.

3) The pride of life.

LUST BEGINS WHERE NEED CEASES. Lust is over-desire -- it is desire to an extreme. It is what causes people to become addicted to the adversary's devices such as pornography. It is what causes people to steal and to be covetous and to do a variety of other evil acts in their lives. So if you do not keep God first and foremost in your life, you have the above three choices to deal with every day, day in and day out. That is all the world has to offer you and what a miserable existence it is. I can remember and I am sure you can also, what it was like to live every day without a knowledge of God's Word.

Romans 8: 6, 7, 8 -- For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity [in conflict] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh [five senses] cannot please God.

PART TWO:

After much thought, I decided that the best way to place an unforgettable image in your mind of light vs. darkness, pertaining to the subject matter of this teaching, would be to approach it in the following manner:

We are going to COMPARE AND CONTRAST, from the Word of God, a woman of God [referred to as a 'virtuous woman'], to a woman of the world and you will be amazed at the striking and startling contrast. I pray to God in the name of Jesus Christ that this image is imprinted and imbedded in the innermost part of your mind, your heart, for the rest of your days on this earth or until Jesus Christ returns. So that you never forget and never become addicted to the enemy’s perversion of God’s handiwork. You must remember that the devil is a parasite and can only live off of good. That is why he COUNTERFEITS everything that the true God does. And I do not want anyone to misunderstand my approach to this subject. Although pornography deals mainly with the exploitation of women, many men are also becoming involved in this area.

REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING: Although homosexuality and lesbianism is the lowest point a person can stoop to in their lives, the adversary is using pornography to introduce people to what the world calls 'alternate lifestyles'. By getting people to watch others involved in affection that is unnatural, the adversary influences a person to wonder and to become curious in the areas of homosexuality and lesbianism. That could be the beginning of the end of a person’s life.

___

There is a most beautiful section in Proverbs Chapter 31, beginning with verse 10 and concluding with verse 31, that describes a woman of God referring to her as a 'virtuous woman'. The following is how God's Word defines that VIRTUOUS WOMAN:

Proverbs 31: 10 -- Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

A virtuous woman can be defined as one who is strong and thoughtfully considerate -- one who keeps God first and foremost in her life.

Proverbs 31: 11 -- The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Always, this has been one of my favorite Scriptures especially since I was married 38 years ago. My wife and I are very independent people and sometimes we do get into arguments and disagreements which are simply normal. But when that happens, we go to God's Word to find out what is wrong and then we do, in our marriage, what God's Word says we are to do.

But what this verse is really saying is that a husband can trust his wife with his whole heart. He does not have to be afraid to hold back anything. It is a comfort to a man to know that he can trust his wife completely without any reservations.

Proverbs 31: 12 -- She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31: 13 -- She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

So often, a woman of God will go so far as to even make clothes, curtains, and other household items for her husband and her family. The Word of God says that she does this willingly with the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation.

Proverbs 31: 14 -- She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

Proverbs 31: 15 -- She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

A woman of God makes sure that her family is well taken care of. She rises early in the morning and prepares food for her family.

Proverbs 31: 16 -- She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Many times, a woman of God will plant and take care of a garden which yields fruit and vegetables for her family.

Proverbs 31: 17 -- She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Proverbs 31: 18 -- She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

A woman of God takes care of herself and she makes sure, to the best of her ability, that she is physically attractive.

Proverbs 31: 19 -- She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Proverbs 31: 20 -- She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Proverbs 31: 21 -- She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothe with scarlet [double garments].

Proverbs 31: 22 -- She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Proverbs 31: 23 -- Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Proverbs 31: 24 -- She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

She helps with the family budget.

Proverbs 31: 25 -- Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Proverbs 31: 26 -- She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

This is a figure of speech referred to as an IDIOM which means that she speaks freely with solemnity.

Proverbs 31: 27 -- She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She keeps busy all day and is not slothful sitting around watching soap operas. She continues to do productive things which reflect God's will.

Proverbs 31: 28 -- Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Her children and her husband respect her.

Proverbs 31: 29 -- Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Proverbs 31: 30 -- Favour [sweet talk] is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth [respects] the Lord, she shall be praised.

Proverbs 31: 31 -- Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

And there you have it, God's description of a woman of God -- a virtuous woman.

Now let us go to the book of Titus, chapter two and briefly sum up many of the qualities that are mentioned here pertaining to a woman of God. These qualities begin in verse three (3) and continue through verse five (5).

Titus 2: 3 -- The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness [holy women], not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Titus 2: 4 -- That they may teach the young women to be sober [wise], to love their husbands, to love their children,

What many worldly women do not realize is that it is very important to be a friend of their husband, especially when he is doing his very best to teach God's Word and to be his best for God.

Titus 2: 5 -- To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The woman of God is to be holy, she is to be a good housekeeper and most importantly, she is to be of a good constitution, which means she is happy and joyful.

PART THREE (Conclusion):

Now all we are going to take a look at the qualities of a worldly woman. By this I mean, a woman where God has no place whatsoever in her life. Again, do not misunderstand this teaching. Anyone who decides to turn to God's Word and to make their very best effort to keep God first can be delivered from the methods and devices of the adversary pertaining to any type of addiction. A person must, by their own free will, begin to study and to apply the Word of God in their everyday lives. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY that a person can be delivered from the bondage, corruption, and possession that the adversary brings upon people.

Often, when a person has been pressured to a certain point, he or she may begin to give up and to give in to the methods and devices of their personal adversary. The following verses in the book of Proverbs describe that type of person.

Proverbs 2: 13 -- Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

Proverbs 2: 14 -- Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;

Proverbs 2: 15 -- Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

Now we get to the part which describes a worldly woman who has no respect for God.

Proverbs 2: 16 -- To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 2: 17 -- Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.

We can recognize from this verse that this woman has forsaken God who was very possibly, at one time, the guide of her youth. When people are pressured to a certain point by their personal adversary, they can, if they so will, turn their back on God and begin to worship the god of this world. It appears that the woman in this verse has done just that.

Proverbs 2: 18 -- For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.

This is quite a vivid description of an extremely negative situation that could bring about destruction to a person's life. Now remember to COMPARE AND CONTRAST this worldly woman with the virtuous woman of God who was previously described in detail. Take note how this woman of the world flatters this man who chooses to do evil. Flattery is always a counterfeit as compared to a genuine compliment from the heart.

The point that I am trying to make is that either a man or a woman who subjects themselves to and sells out to sensual desires acquires a personality as described in God's Word in the book of Proverbs. Eventually, a person who turns their back on God progressively becomes worse and worse and worse. The following Scriptures continue to describe this type of person:

Proverbs 5: 3 -- For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

What is God trying to tell us about this strange woman? He is saying she is a quick talker, isn't He? She is a smooth operator and she knows how to seduce a man simply with words. It happens every day and it is probably happening right now countless times. Without a knowledge of God's Word, a man can be very weak in this area. It is one of the devil's oldest tricks and one of his favorites. And let me remind you that the same thing can happen to a woman who falls for the flattery and smooth talk of an evil man who has forsaken God in his life. I am simply using the examples that are presented in God's Word and most of those examples are referring to a seductive woman.

Proverbs 5: 4 -- But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

Proverbs 5: 5 -- Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

God really tells it like it is. Any man, especially a married man, who falls for the flattery of the smooth talking of this worldly woman and is seduced by her evil charms, brings nothing but destruction, condemnation, and misery to his life. And make sure that you understand that the adversary works just as hard to set a trap for the Christian man -- in fact, the enemy will actually work harder to place a believer in this difficult and destructive situation. Your personal adversary knows that you will condemn yourself for very long time if you fall for this smooth-talking seductive worldly woman and fall prey to her charms. It will truly take a virtuous godly woman to forgive her husband from making such a serious mistake.

Proverbs 6: 23 -- For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:

Proverbs 6: 24 -- To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

Proverbs 6: 25 -- Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

Proverbs 6: 26 -- For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Proverbs 6: 27 -- Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?

Proverbs 6: 28 -- Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

Proverbs 6: 29 -- So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Proverbs 6: 32 – But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

These are very strong words that God uses in this section in Proverbs. Let it be a warning to you that you could not only destroy your marriage, but you could also destroy your own life, if you decide to believe that extra-marital relations are acceptable.

I can only hope and believe that I have portrayed quite a contrast between a worldly woman and a woman of God. I completely understand that a man can be as evil as a woman if they have rejected God.

Pornography is simply a device -- it could be a stepping stone for the adversary to lead you to the acceptance in your mind that extra-marital affairs are ok and also to make you curious concerning the most deadly trap of all referred to in God's Word as "without natural affection". I am speaking specifically of homosexuality and lesbianism which is not at the bottom of the barrel, but is UNDERNEATH the barrel.

At times, the more destructive the adversary’s device is, the easier is its accessibility. You can become addicted to gambling, alcohol, sex, food, drugs and the list goes on and on. You need to remember that whenever you are tempted, it is of the devil himself. Only he tempts a man or a woman and ONLY THE WORD OF GOD DEFEATS THE ADVERSARY. There is a Scripture that I have learned by heart and I exhort you to do the same. It will help you tremendously when you are tempted, and you will be tempted. Do what Jesus Christ did when the devil tempted him, QUOTE THE DEVIL SCRIPTURE !!!

I Corinthians 10: 13 -- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

And finally, in conclusion, if you want to get addicted to something that is most beneficial [quite an understatement], and make the devil run, do the following:

James 4: 7 -- Submit [ADDICT] yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~