I remember when on tv sex was having actors roll around on a bed with sheets, now we see everything but the sheets. We are so bombarded by sex that our minds have been perverted at young ages so much so that was was a beautiful genre of music is now a synonym for porn. Blues is such a beautiful genre, but now we can never say it name without someone thinking along the lines of pornography. We are bombarded by sex everywhere and have everything influencing what sex is supposed to be to us; techno is the only music genre I can think of that doesn’t tell you what to wear, say, do or how to position your partner because its mainly instrumental. Please note that I said partner because sex is no longer limited to man and wife or even male and female any more, or even humans, we are hooking up with random persons and even with animals. Many of us at some time or another have seen a video, played a game or listened to a song intentionally or not that has some kind of pornography.

Sometimes even the ‘strongest’ Christian have problems steering clear of sexual influences because it seems that there is no place to hide. Do you watch porn? If yes why? What is your reason for doing so? I had the opportunity to ask my yet to be saved friends these questions and we all had what seemed valid reasons; information and research, art and entertainment and some we able to trace the root of what led them to it as peer pressure. Curiosity for some is usually the trigger that would be the excuse for wanting to know more about sex. Information and research, was an interesting way of putting across a desire that porn can create. Some are visual learners so looking at a couple would teach them what they are to do when the time comes. At the risk of sounding super spiritual but I serve an all knowing God and I believe that He would teach me and there are valid research materials that teach you what to expect without all the fluffy stuff that are shown. Pornography creates a sexual desire that you need to have sexual release either in the form of intercourse or masturbation, its never as innocent as research.

The human form is a beautiful and well designed organism, created by an all knowing God, as an artist and I understand the human form in all of its beauty. In all of its glory with a professional model I was exposed to a human body not my own, which is not the same as pornography. There were no sensual poses or what you see on porn it was simply a human figure without clothes. You insult my artistic intellect when you say pornography is art. Pornorgaphy is defined as a printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.

Pornography doesn’t display what is real and it would distort our view of what is beautiful.  Pornography creates a false reality of what the body is supposed to look like. Porn stars are models with 36-24-36, well toned, chiseled, bronzed and well shaven bodies. I’m not quite clear how it can be classed as entertainment with no plots, cheesy story-lines and characters who end up having sex after the first minute, what is entertaining about it?  Read a book if you a looking for real entertainment, this type of entertainment causes a chasm between you and God. Ephesians 5:3 ...there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality...because these are improper for God’s holy people. God desires to dwell among us and live in us, Pornography creates lust which divides us from the lover of our soul. James 1:15 New Century Version This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death.

Peer pressure is a common reason to begin watching pornography, but are your friends constantly with you; when you are on your computer at 1 am bored of facebook, or on a study break? Peer pressure is the reason you start watching it but is it the reason that you continue to watch it? Why do you continue watching it, if you have gathered all the research, realised that its not a good form of entertainment and your friends have left? You watch it because it is addicting. “Research has shown that sexual activity and sexual fantasy can alter brain chemistry and produce profound feelings of pleasure.” According to a recently published book, new scientific studies show that “the release of brain chemicals [in sexual activity]… result[s] in emotional bonding and a powerful desire to repeat the activity.” The emotional bonding triggered by sexual activity is ideally suited to cement and deepen the relationship between a husband and wife, but when triggered by images it results in deep emotional frustration even as the compulsion to continue viewing pornography increases. Dr. Mark Laaser who holds a PhD in religion and psychology, author and speaker of several books including Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction and The Pornography Trap.

Whether its a battle with itchy ovaries or overactive Y chromosomes we each are responsible for this temple that God has given us, polluting it with images that are not realistic or even fathomable is setting yourself up for sin. 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV) Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. RUN!!! for those who have never viewed porn, run from the desire of lust and fornication that pornography creates and nurtures and for the many of us who have been baited into that web of lust and sin we have a hope in Christ Jesus, he has enabled us with the Holy Spirit who empowers us to pursue righteousness.

Sin no more were the words that Jesus spoke to the woman who was caught in adultery, He didn't judge her like her accusers but he forgave her. For my friends who are battling with any form of sexual impurity I pray that you vow with me to sin no more on the road to recovery and to remain free there are steps to take.

• Repentance from the sin that grieves God
• Forgive yourself
• Cut it off!! Get a porn blocker if you have to and set it to high!
• Accountability; you can’t do this on your own. Ask God to show you a trustworthy person who can relate or has overcome this trial and have full disclosure of your Internet usage, music and movie choices.
• Redirect the time that you would have spent watching porn and fill it with something of purpose.