Is Watching Porn A Sin? - What The Bible Says

Porn is everywhere. Billboards, magazines, website ads, and now even social media. It seems like everywhere you turn, you’ll find porn.

However, there is a major difference between seeing porn - such as running into an inappropriate picture on Instagram, and quickly scrolling away - and watching porn, which is the act of seeking out and consuming sexually arousing or lewd media.

Seeing porn is not a sin; it is a fact of life in the modern day that you will come across porn and perhaps even feel aroused in that instant. This is a moment of temptation. But temptation is not sin — even our perfect Savior Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil.

But for many of you reading this, you’ve gone further than casually coming across porn, and actually sought it out. Now you’re wondering, “Is watching porn a sin?”

In a spirit of love and righteousness, know that the answer is yes - watching porn is a sin according to the Bible, and below we’ll explore what the Bible says about the topic. But do not allow shame to keep you captive. Like all sins, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ can heal you and make you free from this sin.

Why Watching Porn is A Sin

Watching Porn Stems From Lust

Watching porn is a sin firstly because the act of watching pornography stems from lust, which the Bible repeatedly warns against. Jesus himself emphasized the importance of guarding one's heart, stating in Matthew 5:28, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Watching pornography is exactly that — looking at someone with lustful intent (whether man or woman) — and Jesus equates this with adultery, a clearly defined sin.

Lust is often defined in modern days as intense sexual desire, but in the biblical sense, lust describes a strong craving, sexual or otherwise. This is tied to covetousness, condemned in the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:17) and again in the New Testament by the apostle Paul, who urged the believers in Colossians 3:5 to put to death their earthly desires, including sexual immorality, impurity, and evil desires.

We are to submit to our infinitely loving and knowing God who gave us all we have, rather than coveting that which we do not have. Again, watching porn is the essence of this lust or craving: it glorifies sex with people we do not know, outside the bounds of a marriage that God has given us.

Watching Porn Is Selfish

Engaging with pornography creates a self-centered mindset; it’s all about “what I want”. This turns people into objects and pursues personal pleasure at the expense of others. The Bible calls believers to value others above themselves and practice selflessness, and the apostle Paul was an especially strong advocate for this, perhaps because he himself was living in sin prior to becoming a disciple of Christ. Here are a few things Paul taught:

• In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." This verse serves as a reminder to treat others as children of God, rather than using them as objects for pleasure. This is the opposite of porn, which often leads to self-pleasure inherent in the sin of masturbation.
• Paul also emphasizes the importance of seeking the good of our neighbor rather than selfishly pursuing selfish desires (1 Corinthians 10:24). This teaching extends to all areas of life, including sexual relationships.
• Paul’s epistle to the Romans (Romans 12:10) also encourages believers to love one another with brotherly affection and show honor to one another. Porn tends to dishonor rather than honor, and glorify lust rather than love.

Watching Porn Turns Us Away From God

Jesus taught that we are to love God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors. Watching porn not only turns us away from our neighbors, but from God as well - it leads to a separation from God and damages the intimate relationship believers are called to have with Him.

The Bible stresses the significance of purity in our relationship with God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, Paul writes, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor." To follow God’s will and show our love to Him, we must abstain from immorality - particularly pornography.

One other thing you might not have considered is that watching pornography is a form of idolatry, where people worship objects of their lust over their commitment to God. Along with lust, 1 Peter 4:3 also condemns idolatry as a sin, and pornography is the combination of the two.

And beyond that, watching porn is a sin against God’s creation of our body. The Bible highlights this problem of sexual immorality in this way: "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." (1 Corinthians 6:18) To keep our bodies pure, the way God created them, we must repent of pornography habits and turn back to Him.

Watching Porn Promotes Violence

One of the disturbing aspects of pornography is its connection to promoting violence. Many people in today’s secular world say pornography is a harmless form of adult entertainment, but the devil has blinded them to pornography’s culture of objectification, degradation, and violence towards others. God loves all of us and commands us to love His children as well, condemning violence. Several Bible verses shed light on this issue:

1. Matthew 22:39 - Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Engaging in violent or degrading acts towards others, as often depicted in pornography, directly contradicts this fundamental principle of love.
2. Proverbs 21:7 - This verse warns against the pursuit of violence, stating, "The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just." Watching pornography actually supports an industry that profits from exploitation and trafficking, contributing to a cycle of violence.
3. Proverbs 3:31 - The Bible urges us not to envy those who engage in violence, stating, "Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways." By rejecting pornography and its violent portrayals of sex, we demonstrate our commitment to following God's righteous ways.

Pornography's promotion of violence directly contradicts the principles of love, respect, and justice upheld by the Scriptures. As followers of Christ, it is essential to reject media like pornography that perpetuates violence. This can’t happen all at once, especially if porn has become a habit, but read on to learn more about the forgiveness God can give to heal you from pornography’s scars.

Watching Porn Can Be Addictive

Maybe the most significant danger of pornography is its potentially addictive nature, which can lead us into a spiral away from the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we allow ourselves to become addicted, we surrender ourselves - not to God in holiness, but to carnal desires in sin. This is especially true for pornography, which can consume not only our bodies but our thoughts as well, taking up hours every day.

In 1 Corinthians 6:12, Paul explains, "All things are lawful for me,""but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful for me,' but I will not be dominated by anything." This verse reminds us that while we may have freedom in Christ, we should not allow anything to control or dominate us, including addictive behaviors associated with pornography.

Galatians 5:16 encourages believers to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh, which emphasizes the need for self-control and reliance on the Holy Spirit to overcome the temptations of the flesh. Addiction to pornography can lead to a cycle of dependency and bondage, hindering our ability to live in the freedom that God intends for us.

Repent from Watching Porn Today

Now that you know watching pornography is indeed a sin, God wants you to take action - not to wallow in shame for the things you’ve done, or to rationalize away the mistakes you’ve made, but to move forward and find freedom in Christ, who is mighty to save.

1 John 1:9 assures us that if we confess our sins to Him, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This verse reminds us that no matter how deeply we have fallen into the trap of pornography, God's forgiveness is available to us when we humbly come before Him.

This doesn’t mean that one prayer, or even one hundred, will fix our carnal nature right away. We also need to follow God’s guidance to us in seeking freedom. He may lead you to confess to parents or a pastor, He may guide you to a therapist or a support group, or He may even lead you to a porn blocker or recovery program to help you make change.

The key is, no matter where God sends you, go where He wants you to go, and you will find repentance, peace, and freedom.

Conclusion

Based on the Word of God in the Bible, watching pornography is considered a sin. It is rooted in lust, promotes a selfish mindset, turns us away from God, and can become addictive.

However, the message of Jesus Christ is not one of condemnation but of hope and redemption. Through repentance, seeking forgiveness, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can break free from the bondage of pornography and experience the abundant life that God has intended for us.

Seek repentance today, and experience the transformative power of God's grace in your life.

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