In the first half of the 1900’s, organized crime was thriving because part of society sought to escape the harsh realities of their time through alcohol, gambling and prostitution.

These activities were considered “harmless vices” and “victimless crimes”—everyone consented, nobody got hurt. At least that’s the way these distractions from life were portrayed by those who profited by providing them, and those who partook of them, in an attempt to free themselves from the feeling of guilt.

In our society today, we have embarked on a new level of perversion, one that makes organized crime from the past pale in comparison. Not so strangely, there are many parallels between old school thinking and this new crime of the heart, especially in believing that this is a harmless vice—a victimless crime. It is—of course—pornography.

With today’s ingenuity, we have made it easier than ever to feed ourselves things we should never have—things we were never meant to have—free pornography in the privacy of our bedrooms, or laptops and cell phones, or … wherever we want it.

Is this really a harmless vice or a victimless crime? Is it a crime at all? Is it even wrong … I mean, who gets hurt? Let’s take a look.

Those who are involved in the manufacture of pornography pay an enormous price, but for a moment lets not even think about that—instead, let’s talk about those who partake. Is pornography even close to adultery? It doesn’t involve anyone but the person partaking—right?

Scripture is clear when addressing adultery. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus says,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

There is no doubt about it—pornography isn’t like adultery—pornography is adultery. We cannot have a close walk with God, a ministry, a healthy and happy family life, and especially a good marriage if we have pornography in our lives.

Some marriage counselors recommend viewing pornography as a couple in order to spice up a marriage. If anyone ever recommends this to you, get up and leave—no discussion—no argument, just leave. Why? Because my marriage to my wife is to be a reflection of Christ and His bride the Church. How I treat my wife shows the world how Christ treats His bride, the Church. A perversion of my relationship with my wife (as in adultery/pornography) could therefore never be acceptable to God. That is why Jesus made this so clear in the verses above and elsewhere in scripture—the Ten Commandments for example.

Men and women need to run from pornography, pray against it, turn our backs on it and refuse to participate in it. It’s wrong, it is destructive, and has no place in marriage or any part of our lives.

I would love to hear from you on this issue. Please leave a Comment Here.