byPornography consumption has constantly been on the rise, especially since the internet age began. Today, many people consume porn daily. While some admit that it’s wrong and they are taking steps to deal with it, others are deeply plunged into it without thinking much about the effect on the healthy view of sexuality on the brain. However, today, my primary focus is on exploring what the Bible has to say about this matter. How does the Bible address pornography consumption? Well, before we delve deeper into this, I want you to understand something.
During the time the Bible was written, there was no internet. So, new age sins like sports betting, online porn consumption, sex video calls, sextortion and many more I can’t mention were not there. That means the Biblical authors didn’t write specific scriptures concerning those matters. Although several countries have laws against them, they remain unclear to many believers. In other words, several Christians may know that the sins mentioned above are wrong but aren’t able to prove it directly from scripture. Maybe you are looking for an answer, and that’s why you tapped the link to read this article. You’re in a good place. Let’s look further into it.
David’s case with Bathsheba
David is one of the most popular kings of Israel. He had several wives and concubines. Bathsheba was one of his wives. She was the mother of King Solomon. However, before David married her, strange things began to happen. Once, David sent his men to war against the Ammonites. However, David remained in Jerusalem (see 1 Samuel 11:1). At that time, the kings would often join the men fighting in the war. So, for David to stay at home while others were out in the war wasn’t good. He should have been working, but he prioritised rest, which led him to do something strange.
[2] “Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. [3] So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” [4] Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.”
2 Samuel 11:2-4 (NKJV)
Please read the scripture above carefully. David went over the roof of the palace. Guess what? He saw a woman bathing. In those times, the architecture of buildings wasn’t as advanced as it is today. So, people did not really cover some parts of their houses. Even if they were covered, it was either partially done or with loose rooftops. [That was why the men who carried a lame man to Jesus could remove the roof of the building to lower the lame man inside (see Mark 2:3-5)].
David saw that the woman was beautiful. So, he sent for her and eventually slept with her. Now, for David to see a naked woman bathing is equal to viewing porn. That lustful desire urged David to sleep with Bathsheba, forgetting that she was married and that he had other wives from whom he could have had every sexual desire he ever wanted. What porn does to the brain is the same thing that happened to David (cultivating lustful desire in people’s minds, especially for men), and it had generational consequences on David’s family. For instance, he lost the first son Bathsheba conceived for him. The incest between Amnon and Tamar couldn’t have happened if David hadn’t committed that sin. Why do I say that? Because of the judgment that was passed on David by God through the prophet Nathan (see 2 Samuel 12:11-12).
For David to see a naked woman bathing is equal to viewing porn. That lustful desire urged David to sleep with Bathsheba, forgetting that she was married and that he had other wives from whom he could have had every sexual desire he ever wanted. What porn does to the brain is the same thing that happened to David (cultivating lustful desire in people’s minds, especially for men).
Boredom, loneliness and laziness – Three primary inspirations behind people’s porn consumption
There are several lessons to be learned from David’s case with Bathsheba in the Bible. One of them is that David wouldn’t have committed this sin if he were out in the war. His boredom and over-prioritisation of sleep and rest landed him in that trouble. Today, anybody who encourages laziness, boredom and loneliness over focused living gives chances to the devil to strike with addictions such as pornography consumption. For this, the Bible warns against (see Ephesians 4:27).
Even research proves that many people watch porn when they feel bored and lonely. On the other hand, focused people who are serious about work struggle less with porn because their minds are occupied. So, probably one of the most effective ways to deal with porn is to be serious with your relationship with God and busy fulfilling your divine mandate.
One of the most effective ways to deal with porn is to be serious with your relationship with God and busy fulfilling your divine mandate.
Flee from pornography.
Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look at a woman lustfully (see Job 31:1). It didn’t mean he didn’t see women who may have been more beautiful than his wife. But he chose purity over lust. You can also personalise that covenant. Yes, porn is very compelling to the eyes. You may not be able to completely take it down from your internet feed, especially on social media (because of the suggestive feed). Even if you report such content, you may be tempted to watch it before reporting it, which is still wrong. However, decide not to have a second look upon chancing upon it. If you make up your mind well, you’ll be amazed at how God’s grace will help you overcome such temptations.
Don’t be like King David, who chose to behold naked Bathsheba to the extent of sending for her to sleep with her. Give no space to the devil. Stop lamenting about how busy your life is becoming. Maybe it’s God’s way of protecting you from engaging in evil acts.
You’re a blessing.
