The Effects of Pornography and What to Do about It: thoughts prompted by a talk given by Dr. Mary Anne Layden

I just watched an excellent talk by Dr. Mary Anne Layden on the effects of pornography. She is a therapist who has been engaged with this issue for thirty years. She confirms my own conviction that pornography is one of the most widespread, serious, and damaging evils in our world today. You may watch her talk by clicking here:

Dr. Mary Anne Layden The Effects of Porn Use

I feel that Dr. Layden does an excellent job of exposing the harm done by pornography to those who watch it, their families, and those who are in it. I support her call for action against the evil porn industry.

While Dr. Layden’s talk is very helpful, it leaves out a whole major area of effects from pornography. It is true that pornography works like a harmful addiction and a social ill. It is also true that watching pornography is sin against God.

God commands us:

ESV Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Pornography is not true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, or excellent. We have no business looking at it and letting it into our minds.

Jesus said,

CSB17 Matthew 5:28 But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Watching pornography is sin. Like all sin, it has many terrible effects. We cannot predict with precision which consequences of sin will occur after any given instance of sin, but we should remember that in general:

* Sin often leads to more sin. With regard to pornography, it very easily turns into a habit which leads to watching more and more in terms of quantity, and also watching increasingly worse content.

* Sin doesn’t just hurt the person who commits the sin. Sin hurts people around the sinner. Those closest, family members, children, coworkers, and friends, are often hurt the most by sin. Even sin that we think is secret sin (but no sin is hidden from God) can cause great damage to our churches and families.

* Sin creates relational distance between us and God.

* Sin robs us of Holy Spirit power for ministering to others.

* Our sin can damage the name of Jesus and hurt the gospel.

* Sin can result in physical sickness (1 Corinthians 11:30).

* Sin gives Satan an opportunity to work in our lives.

* Sin robs us of joy, peace, and other godly emotions, and can lead to despair, anger, depression, and other dark emotions. Our lack of Holy Spirit fruit and the presence of dark emotions hurts the person who sins and all those around them.

* Sin hurts our relationships with other people. Pornography hurts marriages and families. It is a major factor in many cases of divorce.

So, watching pornography is even worse than Dr Layden’s talk indicates. But there is also good news which Dr. Layden does not present in her talk. Viewing pornography, like all sins, can be forgiven through the grace of God found in Jesus Christ. God also gives us powerful tools to resist sin and get free from it if we have disobeyed and become entangled. These tools include prayer, the Bible, and help from other Christians. This doesn’t mean it will be an easy battle. It means it is a winnable battle. There is real hope in Christ. Our souls can be healed. Relationships can be mended. There is grace.

Here are four related articles which may help you:

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

Practical Advice for Battles with Sin and Temptation

Cardboard Butterflies and Porn Addiction

What does the Bible say about Premarital Sex?

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .