Quit Porn, Live FreeSample

Step 1: Recognise that engaging with porn is a SIN

When it comes to what sin is, there are lots of definitions… To fail, missing the mark (like an archer shooting for a bullseye and missing), an offense against moral or religious law, or doing stuff that we know is wrong, others know is wrong, our society says is wrong and that goes against God’s best.

Sin will take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you wish to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay. Many people would say this about pornography.

Heartbreakingly, in 2023, Barnardos the charity reported that the UK has one of the highest rates of children watching pornography. They reported that 1.4 million children access pornography every month. That’s 2000 children every hour in just the UK.

When anyone engages with porn they have to recognise that it is not sex as God intended it to be. Sex was always meant to be in the context of a committed, covenantal marriage between a man and a woman where equal commitment and equal intimacy exist together (the two become one flesh). Not to be filmed and then put on the internet for anyone and everyone to watch and engage with however they decide and desire.

When we engage with pornography we are sinning against God because it is not viewing or engaging in sexual activity the way our creator God intended it. It is also giving us a warped view of how sex is in reality. Porn objectifies, exploits, exposes, and commodifies the individuals involved.

We live in a culture and world that often encourages watching porn as something normal and part of growing up, but we want to challenge that mindset that has gripped our society.

Paul writes in the book of Ephesians that ‘there should not be a hint of sexual immorality among you.’ Jesus said, ‘If you even look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery with her in your heart.’ This is the same for a woman looking at a man that way. Engaging in porn is sinful and missing God’s best for us. Turning away from it will help you and never hold you back.

Finally, as we think about stepping into God’s best, just for a moment picture your bedroom. Imagine it is a mess, full of junk, clothes on the floor, moldy food, etc. It has become unlivable, but you have gotten used to it. When you start to, piece by piece, throw out the rubbish, wash the clothes, and clear out the junk, the space begins to feel lighter. You can’t believe how much bigger the room feels. Porn, over time, starts to take over the room of our lives until we’ve got no space left to breathe or to live like we would love to. Over the next 10 days, we’re going to unpack how we tidy the room and dismantle what porn has stolen from us, and see what it means to walk in freedom.

Question: How do you think engaging with porn causes you to miss out on God’s best for you? Read the scriptures below and invite God to speak to you about His best for you today.