Freedom From Sexual Sin
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Sadly, some believers sincerely question whether or not viewing pornography is wrong at all. But the Scriptures are blunt (Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 1 John 2:16; Philippians 4:8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). God’s standard is purity of heart, for such shall see God (Matthew 5:8).
The only way to find freedom from sexual bondage is by utilizing the resources that God has given us—the Word and the Church. We believe that although one can fall into the trap of pornography without any help, we cannot come out of this unclean practice without help from others. People who minister to those who are addicted to pornography stress the fact that without openness and honesty with others, this habit cannot be broken.
It’s easy for us to respond to local church accountability with, “But that sounds uncomfortable and humiliating!” However, the question is: how badly do you want freedom? The fact is that so many people (both men and women) struggle with this addiction at various levels, and confessions of need are becoming commonplace. And we encourage such accountability, with those who can be trusted with confidentiality and the acceptance of those who struggle.
We also believe that these unholy desires, once aroused and continuously fed, might never go away, even if there is deep repentance and accountability. Thus we strongly recommend that the words of Jesus be taken very seriously, “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29). Although Jesus is not talking literally, what He is saying is literally true: it would be better to arrive in heaven with an eye gouged out than to find yourself in hell with both eyes fully intact.
The bottom line: do whatever you have to, to cut yourself off from the sin that is causing you to stumble, or to “fall into the pit.” Cancel cable television; put filters on your computer and join an accountability group (there are programs that will send a record of all the sites you visit to your accountability partners). Stop going to sensual movies, and read books on how to be delivered from pornography, etc. Drastic? Yes, but that is exactly what Jesus is talking about. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must starve the flesh of its desires, that is “put it to death,” so that we can live in a manner that is pleasing to God and turn entirely to holy pursuits (Romans 8:12-13).