I said a word in Bible class the
other day that I don’t think I’ve ever uttered during a Sunday morning adult
Bible class. What was that word? “Pornography.” What was the context? It was in
the middle of our discussion of the Sermon on the Mount, specifically where
Jesus says, “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already
committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:26).
Whenever the topic of adultery and
lust comes up, the elephant in the room is often the topic of pornography. It’s
not easy to talk about. It’s shameful. It’s also so much easier to hide
nowadays. No longer do you have to drive to the seedy part of town and walk in
the back door of an adult bookstore. No longer do you have to ask the person
behind the counter of the convenience store for a copy of one of the magazines whose
cover is hidden with a piece of opaque plastic, with just the title of the
magazine peeking over the top. Now you can view images on your computer in the
privacy of your own home and no one will know the difference … unless, of
course, you get caught by a family member.
I suppose I’m primarily speaking
to men here. Men are much more visually oriented and stimulated than women. One
study I read stated that half of Christian men have a problem with pornography.
Because of the secretive nature of the issue, I would venture to guess that the
problem is even more significant. What constitutes a problem? In the first
place, even mere casual viewing of pornography is sinful because it appeals to
our sinful lust. It is breaking the Sixth Commandment. It is indeed adultery
according to Jesus. In the second place, it can become addictive and can wreak
havoc with marriages and other relationships and society at large when women
are viewed as nothing more than sexual objects rather than individuals created
in the image of God and for whom Christ died on the cross.
And there’s the “crux” of the
matter. The cross is the first place to go for those who have been caught in
pornography’s evil web. As difficult as it may be, go to your pastor and take
advantage of private confession and absolution. As shameful as it is, remember
that your pastor is not here to further shame you. As shameful as it is,
remember that Christ bore your guilt and shame at the cross, including your
sinful lusts and use of pornography to gratify those lusts. This sin is
forgiven, too, by Christ your Redeemer. Go to your pastor and hear him deliver
Christ’s words of forgiveness personally to you.
Like any addiction, however, you
will need further guidance along the road to recovery. Confession and
Absolution is a first and necessary step, but other resources will be beneficial.
Christian blogger Tim Challies has written extensively on this topic, and I
would recommend reading his material and list of resources given at http://www.challies.com/topics/pornography.
(Disclaimer: Tim Challies is not Lutheran, so of course, when he writes on
certain doctrinal topics, I don’t agree with everything. However, his blog has
much from which a person could benefit, including the topic of dealing with
pornography.)
Above all else, trust in the shed
blood of Jesus which covers over our sin, both public and private, both the
ones we don’t think are a big deal and the ones we do think are a big deal.
With God, though, nothing is private. Every sin is a big deal. But you have an
even bigger Savior “whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood
through faith” (Rom. 3:25 NASB). Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for all sin. He
loves you so much that he took your sin all the way to the cross and rose again
in victory. In the waters of baptism, you are washed clean. The blessings and
benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection are yours. You are declared not
guilty. Go in his peace. Trust in his victory for you.
In Christ’s service and yours,
Pastor Onken
