Spotlight: Internet Pornography

[NB: 'Spotlight' here refers to a segment we run at church, and has nothing to do with a certain Apple search technology.]

At church recently we’ve been hearing from Jesus (from his Sermon on the Mount) about all manner of human behaviour. In relation to lust, he says this:

You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

So what do we do with this? In regard to internet pornography (which as I’m sure you’re aware, is everywhere), how can we ensure we are pure in what we look at? Should I cut off my internet connection (or my eye/hand)?

I want to suggest 2 things that can help out with those who have problems with pornography, even addictions.

The first is an online book written by Mark Driscoll, the pastor of Mars Hill Church. It’s called Porn-Again Christian, and is currently a work in progress – most of the chapters are posted at this point in time, but the rest will be up soon. When it’s complete, you’ll be able to download the whole thing as a pdf document.

This is written for the blokes. Girls, by all means read it, but it’s a (very) frank discussion, and may be something that isn’t all that helpful for you. You can make that assessment though. Guys, go read it. Seriously.

He deals with all the relevant things relating to pornography, masturbation, marriage, and prostitution. Go read.

The other thing is software called Covenant Eyes. The name comes from Job 31:1,

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.“

The way it works is that you sign up for an account (it costs money, but it’s worth it), and get the software. Once installed on your system it tracks all your internet activity. I mean all – web searches, downloads, ftp, everything.

You nominate one or more ‘accountability partners’, who once a week will get an email listing your internet activity, highlighting anything that it thinks might be a bit suspect. The idea is that these people will then sit down and talk through with you what you’ve been doing online. It essentially makes your private browsing activity (somewhat) public, creating some sort of barrier when you’re feeling weak.

It helps. I’ve got it on my machine. It works for both PC and Mac.

We need to get serious with sin. Internet pornography is a serious thing, a real addiction for many people. Let’s get it out in the open, talk about it, and deal with it properly, so we can be free.