Pornography is a growing plague among young and old alike, one that thrives on secrecy while leaving enduring scars on individuals, families, and society. Those in God’s Church are not exempt from this societal scourge. Often excused as a private indulgence or victimless vice, pornography’s true nature is far more sinister. It manifests in many forms, but all lead to the same result—submission to evil desires, drawing individuals away from the Eternal God.
So, how can those allured by the pernicious problem of pornography conquer this temptation?
The fight against pornography is not just a moral or social challenge—it is a deeply spiritual one. Understanding pornography’s prevalence and harmful effects is vitally necessary for anyone striving to live a life pleasing to God. But knowledge alone is not enough. Victory over pornography requires spiritual insight, practical steps, and—above all—reliance on God for the strength to overcome.
The Hidden Epidemic
Modern technology has made pornography more accessible than ever before. What was once relegated to secret stashes is now a multi-billion-dollar industry that targets people of all ages. Through the Internet, pornography infiltrates homes, workplaces, and even schools, creating a relentless battle for those striving to maintain purity.
The statistics are sobering. A Common Sense Media study reveals that many are exposed to pornography by age 12, with 15 percent encountering it as early as 10 years old—and 73 percent of teenagers admit to having consumed it (“2022 Teens and Pornography”). What was once seen as an adult issue now ensnares children and young adults at alarming rates, shaping their understanding of relationships and distorting their values before they reach maturity.
For many young people, pornography has replaced proper education about sexuality. A recent study found that one in three Australian youths uses it as a primary source of information about sex (“New report reveals young Aussies are relying on pornography for ‘sex education’,” News.com.au, November 13, 2024). Tragically, this so-called “education” normalizes behaviors that are violent, degrading, and far removed from God’s purpose for intimate relationships.
An additional challenge lies in how pornography rewires the brain. Neuroscience has revealed that using pornography to satisfy sexual desire activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine—the chemical responsible for the sense of pleasure and reward. Over time, repeated exposure leads to desensitization, requiring more explicit material to achieve the same level of stimulation. This mirrors the way addictive substances work, creating dependency and making it even harder to break free (“The Neuroscience of Porn Addiction: Visual Stimuli and the Brain,” The Rehab Podcast, July 25, 2024).
The impact is profound. Pornography use fosters the objectification of others, reducing human beings—created in God’s image—to mere instruments of gratification. This mindset twists relationships, replacing love and respect with selfish desire. As we are warned, “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:23). Allowing such material into our minds inevitably shapes our character and behavior, making it imperative to cut off these toxic influences.
A Spiritual Battle
While pornography is often addressed as a social or psychological problem, its roots are deeply spiritual. At its core, pornography is a weapon in Satan’s arsenal. Humanity’s God-given sexual desire is designed to foster love and unity within the sacred bond of marriage, but pornography twists this gift into a tool for selfish indulgence.
Pornography preys on the inherent tendencies of the human mind, especially the male mind, which is often visually driven. This is not a flaw but a characteristic of how God designed men. However, Satan has exploited this trait, using visual stimuli to foster lust, which Christ warned against in no uncertain terms when He said that “whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28).
Furthermore, pornography’s influence extends beyond individuals—it has spread throughout society. Popular media increasingly strives to imitate pornographic imagery, normalizing lust and degrading human beings to mere objects of desire. God’s people are to remain “unspotted from the world,” an increasingly difficult task (James 1:27). We are exhorted to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). Guarding against exposure to these snares is key to keeping temptation at bay.
While this problem more frequently affects men, what is often left unaddressed is that women are also drawn in by its corrupting influence. One of the largest websites dedicated to pornography reports an audience comprised of roughly 80 percent men and 20 percent women (“How Many People Actually Watch Porn?,” Psychology Today, September 25, 2023). The need to spiritually overcome is as dire and urgent for women as it is for men.
In this battle, discipline of both the eyes and the mind is essential. It is vital that, as Christians, we actively train our eyes and discipline our thoughts to align with God’s truth. The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to take captive every thought, striving to achieve within one’s thinking “the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Victory begins when we recognize the need to submit even our thoughts to God’s authority. We are to adhere to the spiritual law of God outwardly, keeping the letter, but Christ came to magnify the law and make it even more binding by placing Christians under the New Covenant—keeping the spiritual intent of the law in the mind and heart (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16).
The miracle of our calling is that God’s Spirit enables us to view His law as He does. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God writes His law into our hearts and minds. Living by the spirit of God’s law means addressing sin at its source—the mind. It is there that the spiritual battle must be fought and won.
Understanding the Trade-off
One of the most damaging effects of pornography is that it replaces a desire for intimacy with a desire for intensity. True intimacy, as designed by God, fosters unity, love, emotional connectedness, and respect within the marriage covenant. Pornography substitutes this with fleeting intensity—a shallow pursuit of pleasure that prioritizes the self above all else.
This trade-off reflects a deeper spiritual problem. Lust, like greed, elevates temporary gratification above lasting joy, replacing God’s rightful place in the heart with the idol of pleasure. Over time, this idol demands more and more, consuming the individual and drawing him or her further away from God.
Paul warned against this cycle of idolatry, describing those who are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). Breaking free requires understanding that sinful pleasure hinders true joy. While joy is a fruit of the Spirit rooted in a relationship with God (Galatians 5:22), sinful pleasure leads to emptiness, shame, and regret.
Paul issues a clarion call against this evil when he exhorts us to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14). Premeditating how to fulfill wrong desires is a dangerous mindset. Ungodly behavior corrupts character and nurtures deceitfulness. Conversely, God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).
Overcoming pornography use requires more than avoiding temptation—it requires a deliberate decision to clothe ourselves in Christ’s character and reject anything that caters to sinful desires. This proactive mindset means the difference between spiritual growth and spiritual decay. Our destiny is determined by the decisions we make throughout the day, every day. Above all else, those decisions must be rooted in love of God and love of our fellow man (Matthew 22:37–40).
Ultimately, choosing joy over sinful pleasure means pursuing what truly satisfies. Jesus Christ Himself set the ultimate example of resisting sin by wholeheartedly working toward what His Father had given Him to accomplish (John 4:34). We are reminded that we should be “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Just as Christ endured the pain and humiliation of the stake, keeping His focus fixed on His future eternal role, so also must we deny sinful desires for the hope of our calling: to one day be born into God’s glorious Family.
We read of the powerful example of Moses and his godly approach toward this world and the deceitful pleasures it offers: “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Hebrews 11:24–26).
We can also learn from Joseph’s response to temptation when faced with the persistent advances of Potiphar’s wife, which he steadfastly refused. He was bold in labeling sin as sin, stating, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Joseph’s godly reverence eventually led him to literally flee from temptation (Genesis 39:12).
God calls His people to this kind of zeal in the face of temptation. Paul encourages us to “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22). Nevertheless, resisting temptation may come with immediate trials. Joseph was, as we know, subsequently imprisoned, yet he waited on God’s deliverance, and in time the way of escape arrived (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must prioritize obedience to God above all else.
Surrendering our thoughts to sin creates guilt, shame, and separation from God. True freedom comes when we surrender every part of our lives to Him, allowing no room for secret sins. In prayer, give this part of your life, every aspect of it, to God. Ask Him to show you “the way, the truth, and the life” He would have you to live (John 14:6).
Practical Steps to Overcoming
Breaking free from pornography is not easy, but with God’s help it is possible. The Bible provides both principles and practical guidance for overcoming sin, and these steps can help those struggling with wrong desire to find freedom and healing.
First, we must recognize and admit the problem. We are reminded that “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). Denial only strengthens the hold of sin, but humility and honesty open the door to God’s mercy and healing. Scripture provides encouragement: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9).
Another practical step, one that is often overlooked, is fasting, which can break cycles of addiction by focusing the mind on spiritual needs rather than physical cravings. Isaiah 58:6 declares, “Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?” Fasting, combined with dedicated prayer and study of the Scriptures, strengthens resolve and deepens our reliance on God.
Furthermore, we must flee temptation. The Bible repeatedly urges us to avoid situations and environments that lead to sin. We read, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14–15). Proverbs 22:3 and 27:12 similarly state that while “a prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,” those who fail to take necessary precautions “pass on and are punished.” This is a continual process of discernment that takes determined effort.
Practically, this means taking deliberate action in specific areas. It may be helpful to install accountability software on your devices or limit Internet use altogether. When tempted, instead of allowing your mind to dwell on ungodly desires, engage in positive activities that can help redirect your focus, such as exercise or biblical meditation.
Accountability can also come in the form of counsel. James 5:16 encourages believers to confess their faults to one another and pray for one another. While we must be wise and careful about the nature of what we share with others, a minister, parent, or other trusted and mature confidant can provide guidance, support, insight, and encouragement on the path to purity. The greatest support, however, comes through our heartfelt, sincere, and continuous prayer to God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3).
The mind is a seemingly limitless “hard drive,” so directing it as to what to “store up” is vital. The young but discerning Elihu stated that “the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; they do not cry for help when He binds them” (Job 36:13). This is the opposite of how God would have us approach our sins. “And if they are bound in fetters, held in the cords of affliction, then He tells them their work and their transgressions—that they have acted defiantly. He also opens their ear to instruction, and commands that they turn from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures” (vv. 8–11). This refers, of course, to pleasures that please God.
Finally, we must rely on God’s strength. Willpower alone is not enough to overcome addictions. As Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). True victory comes when we yield our will to God and seek His power to overcome.
Victory Through Christ
Breaking free from pornography is not simply about avoiding sin—it is about replacing sinful habits with godly ones. Developing self-discipline, renewing the mind through Scripture, and focusing on eternal rewards are all critical components of this process.
We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Daily study of God’s word provides the spiritual nourishment needed to resist temptation and align our thoughts with God’s will. Memorizing scriptures like Psalm 51:10—“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”—helps fortify the mind against impurity.
Building self-discipline in one area of life can also strengthen resolve in other areas. For example, committing to a consistent exercise and prayer routine can foster the mental and spiritual discipline needed to overcome temptation. Shifting focus to eternal rewards is another powerful tool. Jesus taught us to lay up treasures in Heaven, “where neither moth nor rust destroys” (Matthew 6:20). When we set our sights on eternal values, the sinful pleasures of this life lose their allure.
Finally, never underestimate the power of gratitude in redirecting focus. Actively thanking God for blessings shifts the mind from frustration and temptation to contentment and joy. Paul reminds us to “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Overcoming pornography brings profound rewards. It restores peace, strengthens relationships, and draws us closer to God. As we commit to living in purity, we reflect His holiness and become lights in a world darkened by sin. In doing so, we not only experience freedom and joy—we also inspire others to seek the same victorious path.
Let us resolve to honor God with pure hearts, disciplined minds, and lives that glorify Him. The fight against pornography is a lifelong battle, requiring daily vigilance and reliance on God, but when we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16–17). For those who trust in Him, victory is not only possible—it is promised. The Eternal is the great problem-solver!