Devotional: What Is Pornography?

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things] - these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. - 1 John 2:16-17 (AMPC)

I believe there is a real need to address this topic of 'pornography' because of its devastating affects on families and on our society. I believe a lot of people do not fully understand what pornography actually is. I've heard it said that the definition of pornography is 'any material that is sexually orientated'. That definition covers a whole lot more stuff we may consider acceptable. But what we consider acceptable may not be acceptable to God. The bible is quite clear what is acceptable to God. We are to die to the flesh - and to get rid of the lust of it.

Colossians 3:5-10 (Amp) says, "So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). It is on account of these [very sins] that the [Holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will). Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices]. But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips! Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices, and have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remoulded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him who created it."

We can look at what we are going through and feel utterly overwhelmed. We feel as though we may as well give up, because we lose hope of ever seeing the victorious outcome that we will have as we hold on to God.

We cannot put off these evil desires if we are still viewing and listening to things that contain such things as immorality, seductive clothing and behaviour, nudity and sex scenes, and jokes about women that do nothing but demean her body or intelligence. We need to dedicate our bodies to God as Romans 12: 1 teaches, "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship."

Maybe you're going through a really rough time right now. Will you give it over to the Lord? Reach out again to Him. You won't be disappointed.

We are also taught in the next verse to not be conformed to the world, "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." V: 2.

The other area that I want to address, that seems to be a debate amongst Christians, is whether 'Art' is pornographic or not. Personally, I cannot understand this debate. To me it is very clear what the answer would be. I have to ask the question, what is the difference with painting a naked/semi-naked body (male or female) and photographing it. The point of the matter is that this person that God created in His image, is naked/semi-naked and we are looking upon their nakedness with the false belief that it is beautiful art. God never intended the human body, that He created, to be uncovered and painted or photographed, whether it is for art of for other intentions.

I believe much of the problem in society and amongst Christians regarding this issue, is that we have become desensitised to it. The more we view these programmes, videos, movies, magazines etc, the more unmoved we become concerning these things. All these things should bother us, because they bother God. What we view soon will come out in our speech and actions and what we believe. And this is contrary to God's principles and morals and values that are outlined in the Bible. We as Christians need to take radical steps in standing up against it. We need to recognize it for what it is. We need to pray for God's sensitivity in this area (and all other areas too). God wants us to think pure, act pure, speak pure and be pure.

Philippians 4: 8 says, "For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]." - Philippians 4:8 (AMPC)

To Print Devotional: highlight devotional, then right click and select "print", or:

Download the PDF

By using this devotional, you signify that you have read & agreed to my 'Terms Of Use'

'Devotional: What's in the Heart'

'Bible Scriptures'

'Praying the Scriptures'

'Christian Devotionals'

'More Women's Devotionals'

'Children's Devotionals'

'Christian Poetry Pages'

To return to the 'Women's Devotionals' index page, click on the 'back' button below. Please click on the 'Share This Page' button below if you want to send this page to a friend - or if you want to contact me, click on the 'Mail' button below.

If you like, you can visit Heavens Inspirations over on Facebook: