To the PORN ADDICT, the Potter Loves You

To the PORN ADDICT, the Potter loves you

Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NIV)

            During Biblical times, there was no such thing as television, cable, internet, and dirty magazines. Reality shows were not in existence, X-rated video games and sexually explicit musical lyrics were not sold over the counter. Nevertheless, this did not stop one man from watching a live pornographic scene. The woman, who was the recipient of the attention, may not have even known at the time what was taking place. Nonetheless, the lustful man, who was the culprit, was fully aware that his actions were indeed wrong. He was in the position of authority to have whatever he wanted. That man was King David.

            David had become the king of Israel after the passing of Saul. The boy that was once in the fields as a shepherd was now the man who had been chosen to lead God’s people. Everything that King David could possibly want was at his disposal from wives to wealth as well as the respect of all the people. Despite having everything that he could possibly want, King David wanted something else that did not belong to him – another man’s wife.

            One day, as King David was walking around the roof of his palace, he took notice of a woman who was bathing. 2 Samuel 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful… (NIV) Of course, everyone knows that when someone bathes, they are not clothed. Therefore, when King David saw her, he should have immediately turned away and went back inside the palace to prevent himself from being led into sin. However, that did not happen. King David continued to lust after this woman as she washed herself. They committed adultery and David received due judgment upon him and his household for plotting evil -- all of which started by watching pornography. Psalm 119:37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (NIV)

            There are many people who have a secret addiction to pornography. It affects both men and women. Although men are known to have a higher rate of addiction to pornography, its affects are far reaching and many homes have been torn apart because of it. One would think that this is limited to the secular world, but pornography addiction is prevalent even in the church. That’s right! Many pastors and church leaders are addicted to watching pornography and it has caused them to not flow 100% in the calling that God has on their lives. Oh, they may think that just because they have a nice size congregation and that no one is aware of their secret that all is well, when nothing could be further from the truth.

            Jesus said that such things were wrong even when you are not carrying out the actual deed. The idea of even looking at a woman lustfully is a sin in accordance to Jesus’ own words. Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (NIV) This means that a person is just a guilty of committing adultery and/or fornication as the person who went through with the actual act. Therefore, watching pornography is a SIN before God. This is not limited to just surfing on the net, purchasing a dvd, and/or renting from your home pay-per-view. Many movies that are on regular cable television are filled with sexual scenes that should not be entertained by those professing to be in the body of Christ.

            Let’s go a little further. We are to also guard the books and magazines that we allow our eyes to feast on. Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (NIV) Jesus, of course, was not endorsing self-mutilation. What He was saying was that anything that causes you to sin needs to be stripped away, so that your name will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. This includes X-rated video games and even unholy music. If you are listening to songs that promotes sex, promiscuity, adultery and fornication, partaking in this is not acceptable to God. Philippian 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent of praiseworthy – think on such things. (NIV) Pornography and other sexual innuendos would definitely not hold true to previous verse; therefore, they should be avoided.

            Pornography is just as much of an addiction as drugs and alcohol. The user gets a temporary high, which is often used as a means of escape from reality. Some married couples use the excuse that they watch it to spice up the bedroom. What they fail to realize is that their marriage bed becomes defiled once they allow sin to enter its room. Watching people commit adultery, fornication and even for couples who may be married is not of God. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (NIV) If God will judge those who commit sexually immoral acts then He will also judge those who watch and monetarily endorse the ones who participate in such sinful behavior. Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death they not only continue to do these very things, but also approve of those who practice them. (NIV)

            There is help, however, at the Potter’s House. The Potter can and will deliver anyone from whatever type of addiction they may have. The key is acknowledging that you have a problem and then allowing Him to fix it. You may say, “I’m not an addict. I only watch it sometimes.” Well, the Bible lets us know that anything that goes against the Word of God, that you know is wrong, is your master. Therefore, this makes you an addict. Romans 6:13-14 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. (NIV) The Potter is there with outstretched hands to help you overcome all that ails you. Pornography is a tool that the devil uses to enslave you to sin, but freedom is found in the Potter.

            The Potter loves you. The Potter sent His son to die for your sins so that you do not have to be bound to them. Pornography takes your mind off of God who is Holy and Pure by filling you with sexual fantasies, lustful desires, and unholy cravings. 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV) You surrender your authority to the devil when you allow him to entangle you into his web of sexual sin. The Potter will help you to be freed from the enemy, so that you can thrive in Him. The only addiction you’ll ever need is an addiction to God. At the Potter’s House, there is love, peace, encouragement and fulfillment. Allow Him to satisfy you where sin couldn’t and the changes will be felt dramatically.