1. THE EVIL OF PORNOGRAPHY

2. PORNOGRAPHY
A Real and Dangerous Problem in Our Society of Which Christians Are Not Immune! (1 Cor. 10:12).

3. What is Pornography?
“Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal” – American Heritage Dictionary.
From the Greek word pornographia – literally means “the writing about or drawings of harlots” (prostitutes), akin to the N.T. Greek word porneia (fornication).
Pornography comes in a variety of forms of which we must beware!...

4. The Many Forms of Pornography
“Pornography may use any of a variety of media — written and spoken text, photos, sculpture, drawings, moving images (including animation), and sounds such as heavy breathing. Pornographic films combine moving images, spoken erotic text and/or other erotic sounds, while magazines often combine photos and written text. Novels and short stories provide written text, sometimes with illustrations. In addition to media, a live performance may also be called pornographic. Notably, all of the above may be found on the Internet.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia

5. What is Pornography?
There does not have to be complete nudity for something to be pornographic! (e.g., SI Swimsuit Edit., Victoria Secret, online magazines, online magazines, modelling web sites, personal Internet homepages, etc.).
Photos, TV shows, movies, Internet sites, etc. that feature people dressing immodestly could qualify as pornography!

6. Genesis 3:6-7 (NASU)
6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings.

7. Genesis 3:21 (NASU)
“The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them.
Many today dress in “fig leaves” and need garments to cover themselves!

8. What is Evil About Pornography?

9. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NASU)
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

10. What Is Evil About Pornography?
It is a form of lasciviousness (or lewdness / sensuality): “An unrestrained, shameless public display of sex acts, a “work of the flesh.”

11. Galatians 5:19 (KJV)
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”

12. What Is Evil About Pornography?
It is “of the world,” an enticement that causes people to lust.

13. 1 John 2:15-17 (NASU)
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

14. What Is Evil About Pornography?
It wrongly teaches that sex outside of the marriage relationship is proper or acceptable.

15. Hebrews 13:4 (NASU)
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

16. What Is Evil About Pornography?
It causes people to lust and commit “adultery in the heart.”

17. Matthew 5:27-28 (NASU)
27 " You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

18. Beware of the Dangers of Pornography!
It corrupts the heart, producing thoughts of fornication and lasciviousness, making a person morally unclean (offensive to God).

19. Mark 7:20-21 (NASU)
20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries…

20. Mark 7:22-23 (NASB)
22 deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality (i.e., lasciviousness), envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23 "All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

21. Beware of the Dangers of Pornography!
It easily can become an addiction that will enslave and destroy you.

22. The Progression of Porn Addiction.
EARLY EXPOSURE Most people who get addicted to porn start early. They see porn when they are very young and it gets its foot in the door.
PORN ADDICTION You keep coming back to porn. It becomes a regular part of your life. You're hooked and can't quit.

23. The Progression of Porn Addiction.
ESCALATION You start to look for more graphic pornography. You start using porn that disgusted you earlier. Now, it excites you.
DESENSITIZATION You start to become numb to the images you see. Even the most graphic porn doesn't excite you any more. You become desperate to feel the same thrill again, but you can't find it.

24. The Progression of Porn Addiction.
ACTING OUT SEXUALLY This is the point where people make a crucial jump and start acting out the images they have seen. Some move from the paper and plastic images of porn into the real world, with real people, in destructive ways.

25. 2 Peter 2:18-19 (NASU)
18 For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. - cf. John 8:34

26. Beware of the Dangers of Pornography!
Many young people are being ensnared by pornography (1 Cor. 15:33; Heb. 12:1).

27. 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASU)
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’”

28. Hebrews 12:1 (NASU)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

29. Beware of the Dangers of Pornography!
It is a powerful force of destruction of marriages leading many married couples to divorce.

30. Matthew 5:27-28 (NASU)
27 " You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

31. Matthew 5:29-30 (NASU)
29 " 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. 30 " 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.

32. Matthew 5:31-32 (NASU)
31 "It was said, 'WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE'; 32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity (fornication), makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

33. Beware of the Dangers of Pornography!
It hardens the heart, causing a person to fall away from God and lose their salvation (Heb. 3:12-13).

34. Galatians 5:19-21a (NASU)
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality (lasciviousness), 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these…

35. Galatians 5:21b (NASU)
“… of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

36. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
Prepare for a fight, a spiritual war against sin!

37. 1 Peter 2:11 (NASU)
“Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” - cf. Eph. 6:10-17

38. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).

39. Psalm 119:9 (NASU)
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.”

40. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
Keep or guard your heart!

41. Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” – cf. Phil. 4:8

42. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
Pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17), especially when confronted with temptation.

43. Matthew 26:41 (NASU)
"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

44. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
Look for the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13; cf. 6:18; Gen. 39:12)

45. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASU)
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” – cf. 1 Cor. 6:18; Gen. 39:12

46. Preventative Measures Against Pornography.
If you struggle against pornography, seek the help and prayers of brethren who are spiritual.

47. James 5:16 (NASU)
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” – cf. Gal. 6:1

48. The Evil of Pornography Must Not Be Underestimated
The Evil of Pornography Must Not Be Underestimated! May the Children of God Always Abstain from it!