What Does the Bible Say about Pornography? Is it a Sin?

Pornography is one of the most searched terms on the internet. It is rampant in the world today and fuels lust, adultery, rape, and misogyny. The enemy has taken one of the most amazing gifts that God has given us, the gift of sex, and twisted it.

Pornography is a big deal, destroying families and relationships. And yet most Americans don’t think that porn is a major problem. But it is. According to 15 Mind-Blowing Facts about Pornography and Church, here are some alarming statistics:

1. Nearly 40 million Americans are regular visitors to porn sites. The average visit lasts 6 minutes and 29 seconds, with 55% of married men and 25% of married women saying that they watch porn at least once a month.
2. 2.47% of families in the United States reported pornography in their home.
3. Pornography increases the infidelity rate by 300%. Fifty-six percent of divorces involve one party having an obsessive interest in porn. 4.11 is the average age a child is first exposed to porn, and 94% of children will see it by the age of 14.

Porn can be traced back to AD 79 when the ruins of Pompeii, a first-century Roman city destroyed by a volcano, revealed a two-story brothel. Found in each room were erotic wall paintings depicting various sexual acts. If we use Cornell Law School’s definition of “erotic or sexual acts designed to cause sexual arousal,” it proves that porn was around even in biblical times.

What Does the Bible Say about Pornography?

So, what does the Bible say about porn? From a very technical standpoint, the word pornography does not appear in the Bible. The word pornography is a construction from the two roots porneia and graphe.

Porneia Definition

1. illicit sexual intercourse
   1. Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
   2. sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
   3. sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,
2. metaph. the worship of idols
   1. of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

Graphe Definition

1. a writing, thing written
2. the Scripture, used to denote either the book itself, or its contents
3. a certain portion or section of the Holy Scripture

The Greek root word, porniea, however, appears many times in the New Testament. This term is often translated in English as whoredom, fornication, adultery, or sexual immorality. You might say that porneia is a “catch-all” word for any filth or perversion. The battle against porn and sexual purity has raged for generations, and it has become more sophisticated and widespread as the years have passed. But God’s message to us remains the same.

The Bible Warns Against Pornography

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28).

Here, we see Scripture telling us that lusting in the mind, which is what pornography essentially is, is adultery and against God's commandments. Just as Jesus equates lusting after someone with committing adultery in one's heart, watching pornography can be seen as a form of indulging in lustful thoughts and desires. It involves looking at explicit content with the intent to derive sexual pleasure or gratification, often outside the bounds of a committed relationship.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

The passage begins with a clear command to "flee from sexual immorality." This includes any form of sexual behavior that goes against God's design and intent, which would encompass the consumption of pornography. When individuals engage in pornography, they are indulging in sexual immorality, which can have physical, emotional, and psychological consequences, ultimately affecting their own well-being.

The passage concludes with a call to glorify God in one's body. For individuals struggling with pornography addiction, this verse encourages them to seek healing, repentance, and transformation, ultimately striving to honor God by maintaining purity in their thoughts and actions.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

This Bible verse begins by assuring us that our temptations are not unique to us alone but are common to humanity. This acknowledgment can be comforting to individuals struggling with pornography, knowing that they are not alone in their battles. Yet, there is a way of escape. For those struggling with the temptation to view explicit content, this suggests that God offers alternatives and resources to help individuals resist and overcome such temptations.

For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error (Romans 1:26-27).

This Bible verse speaks of "dishonorable passions" and individuals being "consumed with passion." This language can be associated with the intense and often unhealthy desires that pornography can fuel. It highlights the dangers of indulging in sexual fantasies and behaviors that lead away from God's intended plan for human sexuality.

God has a very specific design for human sexuality, and for that need being met in a union between husband and wife. While not explicitly mentioning pornography, these Bible verses serve as reminders of the importance of adhering to God's moral principles and pursuing a healthy and God-honoring expression of human sexuality, which stands in contrast to the consumption of explicit and degrading sexual content often found in pornography.

Read more Bible Verses about Pornography. 

Is Watching Pornography a Sin?

The simple answer is yes. Pornography is a sin that involves lust and adultery outside the normal sexual relations of marriage.

Generally, Christian denominations teach that sexual activity is intended for marriage and should be within the bounds of a committed, monogamous relationship. From this perspective, the consumption of pornography, which often involves explicit sexual content outside the context of a committed relationship, goes against these teachings.

Over and over, the Bible makes it clear that we are to avoid sexual immorality because it has a lasting residual effect. The images stay in our minds, they create soul ties, they change how we view sex and how we treat women, and they rewire our brains.

Porn is worse than any drug ingested because the more we watch, the more we want. Just as a drug user must consume greater quantities of drugs or more powerful drugs to achieve the same “high,” pornography drags a person deeper and deeper into hard-core sexual addictions and ungodly desires.

Pornography is addictive and can lead to destructive behaviors, including isolation, secrecy, and a preoccupation with sexual fantasies, which are incompatible with a Christian lifestyle focused on self-control and freedom from sin.  It grows more risqué and daring, and it takes more and more to satisfy.  

Pornography can also have detrimental effects on relationships, causing conflicts, emotional distance, and a breakdown of trust. It also brings about a double life. The individual addicted has the life that everyone sees, but then he has this dark secret he doesn’t want anyone to know about. Often, that secret life leads to lies to cover it, and it also brings feelings of guilt and shame. The Bible encourages healthy, loving, and committed relationships. Additionally, the Bible advises believers to avoid situations and behaviors that lead to temptation and sin. For individuals struggling with pornography addiction, it is a call to take steps to avoid this temptation and seek freedom from it. 

Find inspiration with 15 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know By Heart HERE for you to download or share with loved ones!

Healing from Lust and Pornography

No sin is so great that it cannot be forgiven by the blood of Jesus on the cross. The death of Jesus made atonement for every sin. In our fleshly thinking, prompted by the lies the enemy offers, we tend to think we’re too far gone. You don’t have to live a life of guilt and shame. Christ was willing to settle the debate, and He believes that you’re worth it.

When we trade our sin for Savior, we trade our old lives and identity. Our new identity is simply: I am a man of God. I am a woman of God. Or, even more simply, I am a child of God. You must pursue a true fellowship with God, the kind of relationship where you can go to Him when you feel broken, tempted, and alone. You can rewire your brain through Romans 12:2. You can break free.

For individuals caught in the grip of pornography, it's important to know that God has the power to grant victory to those who earnestly seek Him. If you find yourself struggling with pornography and wanting to break free from its addiction, here are steps that can lead you to freedom:

1. Confession (Admitting the Problem): 1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
2. Accountability (Support and Counseling): James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
3. Renewing the Mind (Transforming Thoughts): Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test and approve God’s will—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
4. Setting Boundaries (Guarding Against Temptation): Proverbs 4:23 - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."
5. Accountability to God (Prayer and Surrender): Psalm 51:10 - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
6. Cultivating Spiritual Growth (Deepening Your Faith): Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

It's important to remember that healing from pornography addiction is a process, and it may involve setbacks along the way. Seeking professional counseling and support groups can also be beneficial.

"Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise." (Jeremiah 17:14)

Additional Resources for Help

The X3 Pure: X3 Pure is part of the X3 network, which is comprised of X3 Church, X3 Watch, and X3 Pure and is under the umbrella of Fireproof Ministries. X3 Pure provides four different 30-day online, private workshops. The first is for single and married men struggling with pornography or sexual addictions; the second is for women struggling with addiction to porn or sex or with issues from sexual abuse and misuse; the third is for couples dealing with communication and conflict issues, and the fourth is for parents seeking help in navigating the challenges of raising children.

Every Man’s Battle: Every Young Man's Battle is a best-selling Christian book written by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey that also covers opposition to premarital sex and pornography for teenage boys.

Conquer Series: Join 1 million men in over 80 countries who are learning to live free of porn through the proven strategies and practical tools taught in the Conquer Series. Now in two action-packed, 5-week volumes, each containing biblical teaching to help men walk in freedom.

Covenant Eyes: Screen Accountability sends a report of your screen activity to a trusted friend who holds you accountable.

Open DNS: OpenDNS is a company and service that extends the Domain Name System by adding features such as phishing protection and optional content filtering in addition to DNS lookup if its DNS servers are used.

Crosswalk: Break Free of Porn’s Trap

Crosswalk: What to do when you discover your partner looking at porn. 

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Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.