Thousands of years ago, the patriarch Job wrote that he was very careful about where he allowed his eyes to stray: “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). Proverbs 6:23–25 continues, saying, “The commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep you from the evil woman… Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, nor let her allure you with her eyelids.” The Apostle John echoed the same warning: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15–17). Sexual lust and covetousness are not new at all, but a very old temptation that has cast down many “strong men” (Proverbs 7:26).
The Apostle James explained how temptation occurs and where it leads: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14, KJV). The next verse says that lust leads to sin, and sin leads to death (James 1:15). What type of death does pornography cause? Death of your character and self-esteem. Death of trust and integrity. Death of honor and self-confidence. Death of enjoyment of normal, healthy relationships. Potential physical death from sexually transmitted diseases through promiscuity. And ultimately, death in the lake of fire, the “second death,” where the “unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars” will be burned up (Revelation 21:8). God does not want anyone to die, but rather to repent and live. “‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways” (Ezekiel 33:11). God hates porn because it destroys the lives of His children, whom He wants to be in His Kingdom.
If you are hooked on porn but want to change, there is good news—you can! But first you have to understand you have a powerful, spirit enemy, Satan the Devil, who does not want you to change. He has deceived the whole world and led people into sin (Revelation 12:9). It is he who wants you to be swallowed up by addiction. But the Apostle Peter warns us to be aware of his attacks. He said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8–9).
Satan capitalizes on shame. He wants addicts to feel overwhelmed. If you are addicted to porn, Satan wants you to feel that you are the only one battling such a problem. He wants you to feel alone, isolated, and unworthy of God’s forgiveness. But nothing could be further from the truth! As the Apostle Paul wrote, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:13–14).