PORNOGRAPHY
ADDICTIONS
“I will set nothing wicked before my eyes» (Psalm 101 :3).
Our senses are the avenues of the soul. Most of our experiences get to our brain through the senses; and the senses of sight and hearing are the most important ones. The way we process this information has consequences of great magnitude. Some rely on eternal transcendence. Today’s verse is about the sense of seeing with the Psalmist’s ideal vow of not putting before his eyes anything vile or profane. The word vile (beliahal in the original Hebrew) can also be translated as «useless,» «destructive,» «despicable» or «perverse.»
The pornographic images are received through the same sensory ways the Psalmist mentions, that is, through sight. The content is processed in the limbic system which governs emotional memory and encourages the search for more images. The pornography industry uses 100 million dollars every year and it reaches a very high number of people. It is especially dangerous for children and young people, more often than not, find it by mistake; they get exposed to it and end up hooked on it. It is highly advisable that parents install filters and monitor their children’s Internet use.
The use of pornography can easily lead to addiction with its characteristic features: obsession (absorbing thought of the pornographic videos/images and planning to return to them), compulsion (motivation for repetition), tolerance desire for more perverse ways) and withdrawal symptom (general discomfort when it is desired, but it can’t be fulfilled). This problem not only affects young people but also single and married adults whose families suffer because of this behavior.
There are multiple consequences: weakening of the willpower, failed attempts of quitting the habit, psychological problems (irritability, guilt, despair, stress), negligence of family and social duties, work problems and loss of faith.
It is thus necessary to take actions in order to prevent and remedy this increasing scourge. If you know somebody who is dealing with this habit, the solution is not in condemning and hating him but supporting him in a practical way and praying with him and for him. And if you are struggling with pornography, run away from those stimuli and come to Jesus. He completely understands your situation and He will give you the willpower and wisdom to solve the problem. Maybe you need professional help, but in any case, the heavenly power is the agent that acts directly or through a professional. Its power frees you and forgives you. And such pardon is applied to even the most dirty sins, allowing a cleansing similar to that of wool or snow (Isa. 1:18).
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores: Yudith C & Alejandra Zavala