The Delusion Of Porn: You Were Created For More

Here is the devotional:

Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this is funny, but every time I read Jesus’ words about lust in the Sermon on the Mount, I think about pirates.

After all, the only people I know with one eye and one hand are pirates. I’m guessing Jesus isn’t being overly literal here because, to my knowledge, pirates were not known for their chastity.

Instead, I wonder if he’s saying it’s far better to go to extreme measures, including physical pain, if it meant protecting yourself from fleeting pleasures and counterfeit love. Over and over again in Proverbs, Solomon, who when it came to women made pirates look like they all wore purity rings, warned his son, “Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes.” (6:25) While he was specifically talking about an adulterous woman, from Jesus’ interpretation, we could apply this to any image or person outside a spouse.

Solomon continued, “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” (6:27-28, 32)

Jesus calls us to purity not because he’s the fun police, but because he’s fighting for our joy. He created sex. He knows best how it’s to be enjoyed. When we train our bodies and brains to be satisfied by pixels rather than people, we miss out on the intimacy he longs for us to experience. Sex, porn, and flames burning outside of a covenant marriage may be fun for a season, but eventually it will torch lasting joy.

In a word, pornography has the propensity to transform men and women into pirates – pillagers of others to fulfill my sexual needs, wants, and fantasies. Such piracy only leads to a life of never-ending craving rather than lifelong satisfaction

God designed us as human beings for intimacy and not just the biological act of sex. Intimacy requires me to think about another’s needs, wants, and desires. When I die to self, I find life, happiness, and long-lasting satisfaction.

Do you need to take some extreme measures to protect God’s gift of intimacy? Maybe you need to confess a secret addiction, purge a browser off your devices, or get into a regular group where there’s strict accountability. It’s worth it. When it comes to true sexual satisfaction, the pirate’s life is not for you. You were made for more.

Here are the scriptures referenced:

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:27‭-‬30 KJV

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.

Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;

But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Proverbs 6:25‭-‬32 KJV

Here are Stu’s thoughts:

Reading day 2 of this Bible Plan is what made me decide to share it. Finally someone agrees with me that intimacy is not just about the physical act of sex. That and I thought the pirate comparison was pretty interesting.

I also love the scripture where Solomon is referring to a man becoming like a piece of bread. Which reminds me of…

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

I hope everyone understand the destructive power of cheating whether you are married or dating. Cheating/adultery destroys your very soul. Not only are you an adulterer but also a liar.

I doubt any man or woman has ever said…Honey, I’m going to watch porn for a few hours. I’ll be back.

Oh heck no! You hide your endeavors as to not be found. And then if caught you lie and say it’s just this once…I’m sorry.

Watching porn makes you an adulterer, a liar, a person with lower self esteem and you are also riddled with guilt, shame and a brain that is jacked up!

But overcoming the temptation through integrity and a sense of being in constant communication with God allows us to see the true benefits of denying our fleshly desires.

Be the man or woman God created you to be and some piece of bread that just flops over everytime the urge hits to get that dopamine release.

So NO to porn! And YES to God and spouse!