Topical Studies
Pornography
(From Forerunner Commentary)
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The origin of the word "pornography" reveals a great deal about its influence through the ages. It derives from the Greek word pornographos and simply means "the writing of prostitutes." Originally, it described prostitutes and their trade, but later came to refer to writings and pictures intended to arouse sexual desire. Lewdness is bitter and poisonous but enticing to those who are deceived by lusts (Ephesians 4:18-22). Nudity is a powerful enticement, as the sin of David and Bathsheba shows (II Samuel 11:2-5). Adultery and fornication are born of lust and thrive on desire. The apostle James clearly expresses this process of entrapment: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, brings forth death. (James 1:14-15) Jesus also reveals that sexual perversions grow out of lust: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, . . . covetousness, wickedness, . . . licentiousness. . . . All these evil things come from within and defile a man. (Mark 7:21-23) Pornography draws to the surface the desires simmering within. In a decadent society, those lusts bear the fruit of horrible sexual crimes: adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, rape, child molestation, and incest. Pornography degrades that which God created in His image (Genesis 1:27). It brings man, created a little lower than the angels (Psalm 8:5), down to the level of animals (Jude 10). Lewdness is an affront to God; all that pornography glorifies and promotes is in direct and open violation of God's law. These are emphatically stated in Scripture: adultery (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32), carnal desire (Ephesians 4:17-22; Matthew 5:28), bestiality (Deuteronomy 27:21; Leviticus 18:23), incest (Leviticus 18:6-9; 20:11-14), rape (Deuteronomy 22:25-27), sodomy (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26, 27), child molestation (Matthew 18:10).
Martin G. Collins
The Writing of Prostitutes
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Pornography is an intricate part of false religion which sets up man as the object of worship. The pagan religions of the ancients had their obelisks (phallic symbols), temple prostitutes, and fertility rights. In the end, this is just a form of humanism, the worship of the human body and mind. "Humanism," according to a former president of the American Humanist Association, "is a polite term for atheism." Simply put, humanism is man trying to be God. Today, humanism, a fixture in our public schools and government, is the fundamental principle of our civilization. It is this idea that changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man. . . . Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. . . . And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting. (Romans 1:23-24, 28) Today's pornography—whether photographs, videos, statuary, paintings, erotic literature, or "performance art,"—is nothing more than a modern adaptation of age-old idolatry. It is, plain and simple, the adoration of the human form accompanied by the sinful practices it is bound to generate. Soon the bell will toll in righteous judgment for those who engage in pornography, for Paul writes, "Those who practice such things are worthy of death" (verse 32).
Martin G. Collins
The Writing of Prostitutes
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Matthew 5:27-28 (Go to this verse :: Verse pop-up)
The person condemned by Jesus here deliberately uses his eyes to awaken and stimulate his lust. It is difficult enough to avoid lusting after natural things, but many things in this world are deliberately designed to awaken wrong desires. If certain books, pictures, magazines, movies, places, activities, or people tempt us to lust, we must avoid them, regardless of the cost. Not sinning is that important!
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Tenth Commandment (1998)
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