This isn’t a pleasant topic. But it’s important to face it. Pornography ruins people. The wanton destruction of pastors, husbands, fathers, teens, moms, and leaders is shocking. Destruction by pornography. It silently ruins millions with its illicit pleasures and mind-crushing power. This is a major problem. We’ve got to do something about it.
Asking Questions
Few would argue about the dangers of pornography. It’s not just so-called ‘prudes’ or ‘Pharisaical’ Christians who decry pornography’s vices. It’s the world at large. The vast majority of people, Christian and non-Christian, recognize that pornography–even so-called “soft” porn–is corrupting and mind-damaging. What is more important is that the Bible calls pornography a sin. It’s not just viewing porn. It’s engaging in sexual immorality. Jesus Himself, in one of his first public sermons, addressed the issue. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Mt. 5:28). Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin” (Job 31:1)? Life experience also tells of the multitude of ruined and recovering people who walked the path of pornography, leading to a bitter end.
Which brings us to a question: how do we avoid it?
Getting Answers
There are no simple answers, no three-step formulas, no magic tricks, and no pat answers. There are, however, ways to help. Let’s boil things down a bit.
1. Pornography is wrong.
2. We should avoid things that are wrong.
3. Most pornography is found on the Internet.
4. We should avoid the pornography on the Internet.
Pretty simple, right? So, how do you avoid the pornography on the Internet?
With a filter.
A good one. A filter that lets you do what you need to do, without leading you where you ought not to go. A filter that is secure enough to resist lust-crazed hacking, and advanced enough to implement accountability. A filter that is adaptable, but not avoidable. A filter that protects you.
One of the best filters available is Covenant Eyes.
Covenant Eyes Accountability Software. Covenant Eyes is worthy of more than the moniker, “filter.” It’s more than a filter. It’s accountability software. A Covenant Eyes user can select several people to be his or her partners. Once the user starts with Covenant Eyes, all Internet activity is kept in a careful log. Covenant Eyes is constantly running in the background, recording everything. It doesn’t take up tons of disk space, or bandwidth, or hog the computer’s memory or slow down the Internet. It can be used in coffee shops, airports, and other wi-fi spots. Every few days (or according to their choosing), the partners will receive an email from Covenant Eyes displaying a log of the user’s Internet activity. The e-mail log is carefully designed to give accountability partners an easy way to see if the user has been viewing inappropriate material. Color-codes and a numerical ranking system help partners notice exactly what they need to notice. They can even find out at what time of the day and for how long the user was on the Internet.
Covenant Eyes Filter. Covenant Eyes is also a filter. A good one. It can be customized according to one’s exact needs. The filter is highly effective at screening out pornographic content, and will even protect your computer from viruses.
A service like Covenant Eyes is worth paying a fortune for. It’s protection for your heart–for your walk with God. But thankfully, Covenant Eyes offers a low price that allows nearly anyone to sign up. A small monthly fee ensures coverage and constant filtering and monitoring. It’s well worth the small investment.
Do you struggle?
Is pornography ruining your life? Do you dabble occasionally, thinking that maybe you can (hopefully, maybe) control it?
Get help.
Pornography will ruin you. In addition to seeking the support of a godly friend, you should use a filter that will protect you, and an accountability system that will help you. Your family is too important. Your marriage is too important. Your ministry is too important. Your relationship to God is too important to lose for a few dirty, cheap images on the Internet. We at Sharefaith recommend Covenant Eyes.
This hasn’t been an easy article to write. But even though it deals with a dark topic, it has a triumphant solution. There is victory and hope for those who are involved in pornography and other sexual sins. It starts with forgiveness at the cross of Jesus. God loves people, even constant sinners. Jesus received the punishment that sin deserves. Our punishment. Through repenting of sin and placing one’s faith in Jesus, salvation is available.