What Does the Bible Say About Pornography?
Key Scriptures and spiritual guidance on pornography
The Bible addresses pornography indirectly through its teachings on sexual immorality and lust. Pornography involves the consumption of sexually explicit material for the purpose of arousal, which goes against the biblical view of sex as a sacred and intimate act within the context of marriage. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus warns against lustful thoughts, stating that anyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart. This verse can be applied to the consumption of pornography, which often leads to lustful thoughts and actions that dishonor God's design for human sexuality.
Bible Verses About Pornography
Matthew 5:28KJV
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5KJV
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:”
Ephesians 5:3–5KJV
“But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:18–20KJV
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Colossians 3:5KJV
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
Galatians 5:19–21KJV
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 13:4KJV
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
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