Watching pornography is undoubtedly sinful, according to the Bible. To begin, the term pornography is derived from the Greek word porneia, which is translated as sexual immorality in English Bibles. The New Testament continually commands believers to avoid all forms of sexual impurity and debauchery.
By any stretch of the imagination, pornography is not a new phenomenon. It is not a result of the internet or the digital era. For millennia, people have created and distributed sexually explicit entertainment in order to stimulate viewers and satisfy human passion. But what makes it sinful? Is it a sin to consume pornography in any form?
What does the Bible say about Watching Porn?
The word pornography is not explicitly stated or condemned in Scripture, which may explain why this subject is being raised.
The Bible, on the other hand, is unequivocal about God’s expectations of His people, particularly with regard to personal purity.
Pornographic materials are designed to elicit sexual excitation in our bodies, also known as lust. Lust is defined as any immoral excitation of the body, and the entire aim of recording other people participating in sexual actions (sometimes severely warped and perverted behaviors) is to arouse lust in the hearts of the audience.
Lust is a sin in the Bible, and anything that causes us to lust is a sinfully corrupting and seductive influence. According to Jesus, the commission of lust is equivalent to the commission of adultery (Matt. 5:28).
According to Scripture, gloating at another person’s nakedness is wicked behavior. Beginning in the Garden of Eden and continuing throughout the Bible, those who find delight in another’s nakedness (outside of marriage) are portrayed as shameful and deserve to be condemned.
For instance, the Bible portrays one of Noah’s sons in Genesis 9 as being repulsive and dishonorable for taking pleasure in seeing his father naked in his tent.
More importantly, the Lord considers such conduct to be abhorrent. Take into account the Lord’s warning to Israel after they engaged in immoral and indecent behavior (Hab. 2:15-16).
Is Watching Porn Different From Engaging in Sexual Immorality?
Watching porn is all about lust, not having sex. Isn’t that a significant difference? True, but the situation remains fundamentally the same.
“You shall not commit adultery,” God said to the people of Israel in the Old Testament (Exodus 20:14). Jesus added that this restriction extended beyond the wicked use of our bodies. He believes that lust should be treated as seriously as the act of adultery.
An affair of the body is always preceded by an affair of the mind. When we commit ‘mental adultery’ or watch porn, we are already crossing God’s boundaries. He commands us to avoid all forms of (sexual) temptation (Matthew 26:41; 1 Corinthians 7:1-3), including pornography.
RELATED: Is Adultery a Sin in the Bible?
Bottom Line
Watching pornography is immoral and evil because it encourages immorality and is licentious. It is designed to arouse lust in the heart by exposing us to the nakedness of strangers.
Pornography also harms marriages, families, and children, as well as one’s connection with God, by harming the mind and influencing the relationships of those who watch it.
The biblical response to any sin is to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, vowing never to make the same mistake again (Acts 2:38-39; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
The most important step in overcoming any sin is repentance. It’s critical to remember that God wants us to succeed and that He has asked us to conquer our sins. As our Creator, He is fully aware of our human flaws (Psalm 103:11-14).
In the process of overcoming sin, we will inevitably stumble and fall back into old habits. Knowing your shortcomings is one thing but conquering your sins is entirely different. When that happens, it is our job to stand back up and try again.
God isn’t looking for perfect followers; rather, he’s seeking Christians who, pick themselves back up after failing and keep trying.
