Introduction
Let us make no mistake about it. This is a very serious issue. It is an issue so many deal with but so few want to discuss, and as a result leave many tough questions untouched and unanswered. Sexuality is a creative power that must be rightly channeled or it may turn into a source of enslavement, frustration and destruction. Sexual temptation and sexual lust are having increasing impact in the lives of Christians men, women and youth in modern times. This has unfortunately destroyed families by crushing the self-esteem of wives, enslaving husbands, damaging youth and diminishing the marriage relationship. The Holy Bible commands us to flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22). We are deeply concerned about so many involved in this destructive industry. The question is how can we find victory over pornography? How can we cultivate the willingness to confront it bravely? How can we challenge it spiritually, and spur people on in their spiritual growth? God’s desire is for all of us to be victorious in times of temptation.
The New World of Pornography
Today, we have numerous sexually orientated businesses around the world. Our people are engaged in sexual immorality by buying pornographic videos, calling phone sex lines, and spending time in pornographic websites on the internet. Today, video stores rent and sell titles that wouldn’t have even been permitted in stores a few years ago; nowadays business men and women are invited to discuss business deals at deceitfully special gentlemen and lady clubs; internet-linked homes provide the most tantalizing pornography with just a few mouse clicks; we see on line pornography, pseudo-cyber world of chat rooms where men and women reveal their sexual fantasies to each other and pornographic magazines and books. This is a new world of porn that our families and peoples are drawn to. It is not a pleasant world.
We must not ignore or neglect it, but confront it courageously. We must admit that while the very thought of porn is repulsive to many, yet it could be attractively so addictive to men. Yes, men are visual beings and God created this sexual desire in us – a desire created by God, but perverted by man. Our sons carry on our addictions into the next generation; and our daughters easily learn that the way to man’s heart is through seduction and sex. We give in to lustful passions and engage in sexual immorality invariably leading to sexual addiction by patronizing sexually oriented businesses, buying pornographic materials and spending time in dangerous pornographic websites on the internet.
The Communication Media and Pornography
The Document of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications merits attention here. Nos. 10 and 18 speaks about Pornography and Violence in the Communications Media: a Pastoral Response. The Communication media (Books, magazines, recordings, cinema, theatre, television, video cassettes, advertising). It states that the media which can be such effective instrument of information, education and enrichment, can also sometimes be the vehicle of a deformed outlook on life, on the family and on morality. ‘Pornography and sadistic violence debase sexuality, corrode human relationships, exploit individuals especially women and young people, undermine marriage and family life, foster anti-social behavior and weaken the moral fibre of society itself.’ Willing participation in the production or dissemination of these noxious products therefore can only be judged a serious moral evil. Those who use such materials not only do harm to themselves, but also gradually render themselves numb and insensitive to the dignity and rights of others.[1] While no one is immune to the corrupting effects of pornography and violence, the young and immature are especially vulnerable and most likely to be victimized. Pornography in the Media can condition impressionable young person to regard this as normal and acceptable behavior, suitable for imitation. Therefore, Christian Communicators, Legislators, Churches, Schools, Parents and Teachers of religion and ethical subjects are challenge to increase their efforts to promote the positive and creative use of the media and inculcate the social and ethical values needed for it
Modern Challenges
1. Rationalization and relativization of sin: We say it does not concern us. ‘Sure I look at pornography, but there are a whole bunch of folks who are doing things a lot worse. And who among us is really pure anyway?’ That sounds funny anyway. When our children use the ‘everyone is doing it argument’, we usually fuss at them. ‘Sure I look at porn, but it does not involve actual contact with a woman’. Yes, Computer-enhanced women work quite well too. Even if we are not buying pornography, it is polluting the environment where our children are being raised. Pornography is apparently becoming a destructive influence in Nigeria and must be controlled by the law. If we don’t control it, then it will eventually consume us.
2. Nakedness: Indecent and immodest dressing, fashion and dances which attract attention, arouse sexual passion, and provoke sexual desire. Pornography is intended to affect behavior. Some men will say they enjoy looking at porn, but are not affected by it. This is not true and how can we help them out of this deceptive trap? Remember, lust is sin, and sin grieves the heart of God. God didn’t give us lust. Lust is the perversion of sexual desires. It is no respecter of persons and it never gives up. It never satisfies and always leaves you wanting more. So, beware of lust!
3. The challenge to avoid vulgar, foul, impure and indecent filthy talks (Ephesians 5:3f)
4. Beware of Sexual fantasies which include all images, mental pictures, unchaste thoughts, day dreams, imaginations, touches, dressing of an erotic nature; and the deliberate enjoyment of actions in the imagination which are immoral – rape, incest, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality (Exodus 22:9; Leviticus 20:15f); and pedophilia which are all offences against chastity. Research has revealed that to many Christian Men have replaced the desire for their wives with porn and adult entertainment. How do we check and moderate this? Although, many involved in the adult entertainment industry are popularly called dancers, models and super stars;. They are our sisters and brothers; our aunties and uncles; and God’s children created in his image.
5. The challenge to Bachelors and Spinsters – St. Paul tell us to flee the youthful lust (2Tim 2:22). Once addicted, it does not end at the altar, it gets worse. The deeper we dig the pit, the harder it is to get out. Today, lives of play boys, senior girls, strippers, prostitutes and impressionable young stars have been devastated by porn. In his book, The Silent War, ministering to those trapped in the deception of Pornography, Henry Rogers rightly pointed out that our generation have learned to play with words. The deception begins by playing with the English Language. We are calling evil ‘good’. Clubs where men go to fulfill their lust by watching women strip are called ‘gentlemen’s Club’. The Clubs are no place for gentlemen at all.[2] No one tells his wife he is going to a strip club. Going to a Gentleman’s Club, however sounds prestigious.
The Great Battle
It is not a new battle. Pornography has been around for centuries. However, it has taken a new dimension and complexity because of modern sophistications and revolution in the world of communications. In our sex-saturated society, we move with pornography, carry it on our mobile sets and lab- tops, and think porn. Today, we are bombarded by sexual messages, images, fantasies, magazines, videos and literatures.
Apparently, this culture has given us a license to lust. Yet within our hearts as Christians, a battle is raging in the war against sexual temptation and lust. Porn has ruin the lives of many people, children molesters and the lives of innocent children. Yes, many have lost the battle, and many more will lose the battle in days to come; but fighting the battle is not beyond our hope.
· The financial opportunity for pornographers is too great
· Satan’s determination to destroy the family is unrelenting. In an industry where indiscriminate and reckless sex is the order of the day, disease leaves its mark. The world now encourages the use of condoms because so many performers have tested HIV positive or have contracted AIDS.
· It is a battle we must fight; it is a battle that we can win; it is a battle we must win
· We may continue to face temptations and experience defeat, but the fight is not over. It is God’s will that we be victorious (1 Thess. 4:3-5)
· Don’t keep this destructive industry alive and flourishing. I am sure that if Christian men would not put a cent into porn industry, we could cripple it. But we are pouring money into this destructive industry to keep it blossoming. It is time for us to resolutely stop it
· Knowing about the problem is not enough, we need a battle plan for victory
· God is faithful and this is great news. He will not abandon us in the midst of our temptations. God will provide a way of escape. He is with us every step of the way. He will guarantee victory to every battle weary soldier who call upon His name.
True Confessions and a wake- up call
In her book, An affair of the Mind Laurie Hall wrote, ‘I saw my husband lose his soul to pornography. I have held other women and listened to them weep as they told me how their husbands also lost their souls to pornography. Pornography kills the soul, steals the heart, and destroys the mind. Pornography is not a victimless crime.[3] As our exposure to pornography increases, so is our sexual appetite. To a man struggling with sexual temptation, X-rated films and videos are devastating. It’s obviously painful that Porn has become a passport to end of many marriages. It exposes people to physical abuse, group sex, increases appetite for women – one, two or three may never even be enough, and might cause a great deal of psychic trauma centered around peoples sex and marital life. There is no doubt that pornography play a role in the corruption of our culture and pornographic magazines destroys marriages. Indeed, the battle is becoming more intense and we must stand up to it.
Another pastor confessed his spiritual struggle and experience with video seduction. ‘I rationalized viewing discreet sex and partial nudity. I thought I was mature enough to handle this. There is nothing wrong with merely viewing these things. I am not the one doing them. Yet deep within my heart, I knew I was guilty.’ ‘On a Saturday night, I went to a video shop, intending to get a family movie. But I found myself laying three dollars on the counter for an X-rated movie. It’s just curiosity, not lust, I told myself. Perhaps as a Christian leader I should be aware of what the world is consuming. What I saw was ugly. The film degraded men and women. The beauty of human sexuality as God designed it and as I had experienced it in marriage was absent. I felt empty, cheated and defeated.’[4]
Conclusion
Pornography is not just a problem for those in the secular world. Christian men, women and youth struggle with it too. We must become aware about the deceptions and dangers pornography and fight vehemently against it to avoid further tragic casualty and damages in the war against sexual temptation and lust. The good news is that there is a path to victory. Though we might be trapped and the temptation overpowering, if we draw nearer to God and live by gospel values, He will protect and deliver us (James 4:8); and we would overcome the incredible shame, disgrace and guilt that sexual lust brings to us. God will be with us in the midst of the fight.
Rev. Fr. Michael Adefemi Adegbola, Director, Media Service Centre Kaduna Nigeria, 2011
[1] Pontifical Council for Social Communication, Pornography and Violence in the Communication Media: a Pastoral Response, May 7, 1989 (Vatican Polyglot Press, 1989), nos. 10 & 18
[2] Henry J. Rogers, The Silent War, Ministering to those Trapped in the Deception of Pornography, New Leaf Press, Inc USA, 2000.
[3] Laurie Hall, An Affair of the Mind (Colorado Springs, CO: Focus on the family Publishing, 1996), p.68
[4] ‘Video Seduction’ Moody Magazine, March 1995
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