What’s the big deal with looking at something mildly pornographic online?

Q:

My wife gets upset whenever she catches me reading a magazine or looking at something online that's mildly pornographic. But what's wrong with it? After all, God gave sex to us, didn't He?


A:

Yes, God did give sex to us, and He meant for it to be a source of joy and blessing to us. And it can be – when we follow His guidelines for this important area of life.

What was God’s plan for sex? God’s plan was that His gift of sex would be a profound expression of the love and commitment that a husband and wife have for each other. It also was to be a symbol of their unity – a unity based on their commitment to each other and to God. In God’s plan, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

This is why God tells us that sexual relations outside of marriage are wrong, because they can’t fulfill His purposes. The problem is that we have forgotten God’s plan, and instead we have allowed sex to become something selfish and exploitive. That’s why I hope you’ll reconsider your attitude toward anything that mocks God’s attitude toward sex and marriage – including pornography. It may stimulate your senses – but it’s an insult to your wife, and a denial of your vow to be faithful to her as long as you both are alive.

The deeper question, however, is this: What place does God have in your life? Don’t let anything take His rightful place, but repent of your sins and commit your life – and your marriage – to Jesus Christ.