Bible Study

Title: The Dangers of Pornography
Date: Aug 12, 2005
Topic(s): Sex/Sexuality
Scripture: Psalm 101:1-8, Philippians 2:13

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Some people in our society believe that pornography is just a form of entertainment and doesn't hurt anything or anyone. After all, you're just looking at some pictures, right? But pornography is anything but harmless. Studies have shown that pornography tends to dehumanize people and give the user an unrealistic view of sex. But pornography can also become addictive and sometimes lead to violence. Does this sound like something that would make God happy?

What Does God Say?

Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set before my eyes no vile thing." The author of this Psalm resolved he would not look at, or put himself in the position where he would see vile and perverse things. We need such resolve. Today, without excusing ourselves or rationalizing, our culture complicates and undermines such resolve. As Christians, we believe that God will help us deal with anything in our lives that could destroy us.

Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." In this Scripture, we find the first step in dealing with pornography is to acknowledge that it displeases God, and we are to live to please Him.

My Thoughts

Take a few minutes to honestly answer these questions:

• Do you think pornography is harmless?
• Do you think there is ever a time when pornography would be pleasing to God?
• Is pornography an activity that you would OK for your parents, your pastor, your child's daycare provider?

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being harmless and 10 being devastating, rate your estimation of the potential harm of pornography.

On the same scale, rate your estimation of how God sees pornography.

Take a few minutes to read Psalm 101:1-8. How many times does the psalmist say "I will"?

The psalmist recognized that only he, no one else, was responsible for his choices in life.

• What do verses 2-3 say about porn?
• How do verses 2-3 apply to you?
• What do verses 5-8 tell you about the company you keep?

My Part

Read the following categories and think about the areas where God has challenged you to make some changes.

• What you see (movies, the Internet, theatres, TV, cable TV, MTV)
• What you buy (posters, videos, DVDs, CDs)
• Who you hang with (friends, family, gang, co-workers, acquaintances)
• What you read (magazines, paperbacks, books, catalogs)
• Your choices (a blameless heart, godly friends, praising God, a pure life)

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