1. Definition of pornography

(a) Etymological definition: The term is built out of two root words: (i) “graphos” = writing or description and (ii) “porne”= prostitute or harlot

(b) Practical Definition: Any sexually oriented material designed to arouse the viewer or reader
2. Types of porn
(a) Soft porn. The marks of soft porn are (i) partial nudity and (ii) non-explicit sex

(b) Hard porn: The marks of hard-core porn are (i) total nudity and (ii) overt sex

3. Effects of pornography
(a) On you
(i)Neurological impact: When hit with a pornographic image, sexual stress ensues. The sexual stress causes chemicals to seep into the pituitary gland, releasing a stress hormone known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Other neurochemicals that are activated include adrenaline and noradrenaline. The net result is that you breath more deeply, the heart beats faster, blood pressure rises, the eye pupil dilates, you salivate more, the penis erects, you can easily ejaculate or, if you choose to, masturbate
(ii) Fuels feelings of lust and the temptation to cheat on your wife by compromising your resistance to lust after a woman or even engage in adultery
(iii) Feelings of shame and guilt
(iv) Desire for secrecy
(v) Sexual addiction

(b) On your marriage:
(i) Starves your wife sexually since you ejaculate elsewhere and experience the sexual dissatisfaction demonstrated in the study by Zilmann and Bryant. The study revealed that, in comparing one’s partner’s responses to the sexual behavior portrayed in pornographic materials, the partner became dissatisfied with the sexual performance and even physical appearance of the other partner
(ii) Dilutes, if not taints, the quality of your marital relationship with you wife since you are essentially engaging in some fashion of extramarital affair

(c) On your Kids:They could themselves become porn-viewers. This prediction is based on the results of a survey that sought to establish who owned the pornographic material when an individual was first exposed
First Exposure Percentage
• Friend’s house 77%
• Father’s pornography 13%
• Self-purchased 1%
• Other (found it) 9%

4. How do we overcome the habit
(a) Be convinced of the reality of its effects. If pornography is not lust or adultery, it certainly lowers you resistance to lust and adultery; it hurts you wife, it can be generational, it taints your testimony.
(b) Maintain a consistent prayer life
(c) Avoid being alone
(d) Meditate on relevant verses: (i) Ps101:3 (I will set before my eyes no vile thing… ) (ii)1 Thes 4:3-5 (It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God) (iii) Jam 1:14-16 (but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers) (iv)1 Cor 10:13 (No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it); (v) Job 31:1 (“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl); (vi) Phil 4:8 (Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things)