Exposing The Deceiver - Porn...It's No Big Deal

You know, pornography really isn’t that big of a deal when you compare it to other problems in the world. I mean, it’s something that consenting adults agree to be a part of for the purpose of making a living by entertaining others. As for the folks who consume pornography, it’s their own private decision, it doesn’t bother anyone else. Isn’t it better for someone to watch porn than to go and cheat on their wife? Isn’t watching porn just as valid as any other form of entertainment? Isn’t watching porn better than living a promiscuous lifestyle? It simply cannot be that big of a deal.

Pornography isn’t really that big of a deal, unless you consider…

• It Leads To Spiritual Death – Make no mistake about it, sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and lust is sinful. Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, “But I say to you that everyone who looks at woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” We must be honest with ourselves, one cannot watch pornography without being found guilty of the sin of lust, it is just not possible. We will not get to be in heaven with God if we use pornography (Romans 1:29-32).

• 68% of Adult Men and 18% of Adult Women Use It – According to one study, this staggering percentage of our population are involved in viewing pornography. With numbers like this, the pornography business affects all walks of life, teachers, counselors, moms and dads, preachers etc. These numbers serve as a snapshot of just how powerful this tool of Satan’s is.

• It Destroys Trust Between Spouses – When a man or woman is caught (or admits freely to) using pornography by his or her spouse, it severely damages the bond of trust. The spouse who finds their loved one using porn is left feeling inadequate, insecure, and insufficient. When they made their vows before God and witnesses they promised to keep themselves only for each other, pornography shatters that promise.

• Porn Cheapens The True Beauty of Women – Women, like men, were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Their beauty as God would have it comes from within (1 Peter 3:4). Pornography sells women (and men) the lie that their total worth comes from their sexuality which is directly opposed to what God says.

Friends, pornography is the elephant in the room. It is the subject that nobody likes to talk about, but we need to be talking about it because its effects are disastrous. Satan has done a masterful job selling us the lie that porn is no big deal. Make no mistake, it is an eternally big deal. If you are struggling with pornography, you are not alone., There are many other people who struggle as well. Get help. Pornography will ruin our relationships with others and more importantly, our relationship with God.

Why I Love God - He Is Longsuffering

There are many aspects of the nature of God which I am thankful for. God is longsuffering and for that I am eternally grateful. If it was not for the longsuffering nature of God I would be in bad shape. If God gave me what I deserve when I deserved it, I would not be able to write this article today.

If God was not longsuffering, you and I would be without hope. Why? Because we have sinned (Romans 3:23) and sin requires a payment, the payment is death (Romans 6:23). The longsuffering nature of God gives us time, though not unlimited, time to make our lives right with Him.

We can see the longsuffering nature of God in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament God was patient with the Israelites who time after time rejected His commands and guidance (Numbers 13-14). In the New Testament we see God’s longsuffering as well. Consider what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” The Lord of the heavens and earth desires you and I reach salvation! He is patient with us, even though we don't deserve it and often times don’t appreciate it. What a blessing it is to serve a God who looks at our rebellions, our mistakes, and our trials, and through them all desires to give us as much time as possible to reach salvation.

Just a side note, if God is longsuffering with us, shouldn’t we offer the same amount of grace with others? Often times it is difficult to be longsuffering when people do or say hurtful things against us. When we compare the longsuffering nature of God to the things we do, it ought to cause us to be more patient with people.

Make no mistake, God’s patience will not endure forever, He tells us so. There is a time coming when He will judge the world (Acts 17:30-31). However, what a blessing it is to know God is longsuffering with us when we fall short of His will for our lives!