The Obsession of Porn

Scripture:

(Ezekiel 20:7 NLT) Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, get rid of the vile images you are so obsessed with. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt, for I am the Lord your God.’

Observation:

Ezekiel, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, warns God's people over and over again about turning their hearts from Him towards other gods, and the rituals, and obsessions of their culture. They do not heed His warning, and they pay dire consequences. Generations after them paid as well.

Application:

Verse 7 is a direct command, and warning, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you are obsessed with."

America is obsessed with pornography. Look at some of the most current stats:

90% of children ages 8-16 have viewed porn. The largest consumers of pornography are 12 to 17 year old boys. 70% of men ages 18 to 34 visit a porn site in a typical month. 1 in 6 women struggle with porn. $10 to $14 billion is spent on porn annually, the same amount the US government spends on foreign aid. 25% of search engine requests are for porn. 50% of pastors regularly look at porn. 38% of adults say porn is morally acceptable.

These stats are overwhelming to me. There is no doubt that America idolizes porn. We must hear again, the Words from the Spirit of God to His children:

"Each of you, get rid of the vile images you are so obsessed with. Do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt, for I am the Lord your God." 

Listen to this warning from God:

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord."(Joshua 24:14 ESV)

The next generation is watching us. Don't kid yourself into believing that this "obsession" will not affect your kids. It has, it will, and will continue until you STOP and remove this idol from your life. Become obsessed with Jesus. Fill your mind with the truth from His Word!

Fix Your Thoughts on Jesus 

When you are tempted, do whatever is necessary to turn your attention to something else.

Satan can't get your attention when your mind is preoccupied with something else. That's why the Bible teaches us to fix our thoughts on Jesus (Hebrews 3:1) and to fill our minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable." (Philippians 4:8 TEV)

When we're serious about defeating temptation, we will manage our thoughts and monitor our media intake. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived warned: "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." (Proverbs 4:23 TEV)

Don't allow thoughts to run indiscriminately in your mind. Be selective. Choose carefully what you think about. Follow Paul's model: "We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5 NCV)

This takes a lifetime of practice, but with the help of the Holy Spirit you can discipline the way you think.

Prayer:

"Lord, You know the obsessions that so easily become idols in our life. We can find our self worshipping, thinking about, spending money on, wasting time with, things that are so detrimental to our Christian walk. Help us to return YOU to the rightful place in our life...sitting on the throne and directing our every step, passion, word, and decisions. Help us to be obsessed with You. In Jesus' name amen!"