Recent Porn Article in Time Magazine — A Christian Response

Time magazine ran an article on pornography for its April 11, 2016, issue. In it several important things were covered and some things were lacking. To begin, it discusses how early people are starting to access porn with most 12-, 13- and 14-year-olds having free access to it without limits. It goes on to say how these young people, mostly adolescent boys, are now experiencing significant problems in their adult sex life from it. Even young adult women are reporting, according to Time, that the men they date are expecting them to behave like porn stars. Furthermore, the article discusses how porn viewing can become as addictive as using drugs and how it encourages pleasure indulgence by only living for the moment.

These findings are a great example of how all truth is God’s truth. Thousands of years ago in Scripture Job said. “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman” (Job 31:1, NIV). We are also told to “not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes” (Proverbs 6:25, NIV). Even Jesus Himself says, “but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28, NIV). God never tries to ruin our fun through His guidelines in Scripture. Instead, He always has our good in mind and knows what will help us lead wholesome and healthy lives. It’s wonderful to see Time magazine reporting on the dangers and negative ramifications that occur when we don’t follow God’s mandate on purity but rather indulge in lust and pornography instead.

The main area lacking in the article was a focus on how to eradicate pornography from one’s life. Instead, it took the view that porn is a part of our culture and even though it can be damaging, eliminating it may be unrealistic. This is unfortunate because countless marriages are being ruined every day because of pornography addiction. Huge help is needed! Men are in a battle of the ages for their purity. Everywhere they turn there are lustful images or innuendoes in songs, shows, websites, etc. No longer must someone drive across town to receive X-rated material because now it’s accessible on their mobile phone in their pocket. The three A’s of addiction are accessibility, affordability, and anonymity, and pornography provides all three. Men must view this as a war and approach it as such with intentional armor they can put on to help them win the fight. Men must also realize their flesh is weak and they are prone to drift from God’s ways because of their fallen nature. “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19, NIV).

Because of this, if men have access to pornography it often is only a matter of time before they slip into it. Therefore, eradicating all access to it in their lives has to be a top priority. Furthermore, it’s essential to come out of secrecy about it, especially for married men. They must develop the courage to share their porn struggles with their wives so that together they can battle it as a unified front. Sin loves secrecy and this bondage must be broken. The strategy must be multifaceted by putting Christ first through regular time with Him, understanding what makes them susceptible to porn, how their upbringing may influence their vulnerability, implementing filters on all devices, and developing effective accountability with others.

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Dr. Wyatt Fisher is a licensed psychologist and founder of ChristianCrush, the Colorado Marriage Refresh, Fisher Christian Counseling Services, and PornHelp.