Scripture: Psalm 101

C.I.: What You See is (both more & less of) What You Get!

We are involved in a series on Christian Morality. – So far; “Virtues,” “Attitudes” & “Tongue”
Today we will study the morality of our what we see.

I. The Myopia of “The Lust of the Eyes”

INTRO.: God warns us about how Satan works – (I Jn. 2:15-17), “Do not love the world….”
a. These things are not new – they are as old as the Garden of Eden!
1) (Gen. 3:6), “When the woman saw the tree was good for food, and a delight to the eyes...”
2) This tool had been so successful for him over the years – that Satan even attempted to use it on Jesus - (Matt. 4:9), “And he showed Him all the kingdoms of the world….”
b. Today we will discuss one area, Pornography! – “Where what you see is (both more/less of) …!”

A. Myths We Must Not Believe:

1. “It is just harmless fun” (I’m not hurting anyone)
a. Research has shown 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys have been the victims of sexual abuse.
b. Pornography not only affects the individual – but also their spouse (or their future spouse if not married) – ultimately the way that the person interacts with everyone else in their life.
c. Ted Bundy (day before his execution): “…I’ve lived in prison for a long time now, and I’ve met a lot of men who were motivated to commit violence. Without exception, every one of them was deeply involved in pornography - deeply consumed by the addiction.”
2. “I can control it.”
a. Pornography in the U.S. is a $12-14 billion/year business.
b. It is an addiction – and will therefore demand more and more of you – unless you get help.
3. “Prayer will rid me of this sin.”
a. “Breaking free from pornography is God’s responsibility, not mine.”
4. “I could never be useful for God …now.”
a. (Quote Rom. 3:23; I Tim. 1:15-16)

B. Even Great Men Can Fall into this Sin (steps into the abyss…)

1. Only one man in the Bible is called “A man after God’s own heart,” and he got into trouble!
a. It started by his being in the wrong place – (II Sam. 11:1), “Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go to war… David stayed at Jerusalem.”
1) The first stage is addiction: dirty magazines as a kid, computer porn site – etc.
2) This creates a strong psychological effect in males (only 3% of porn addicts are women).
b. (II Sam. 11:2), “Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around the roof of the king’s house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; & the woman was very beautiful”
1) The second stage is escalation: the same image does not produce the previous response.
2) David had a number of wives already – but he still needed to see more!
c. (II Sam. 11:3), “So David sent and inquired of the woman. And one said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’”
1) The third stage is desensitization: what at first was shocking is now simply commonplace.
2) There is the thought, “Everybody is doing this” – “It’s not that bad!” – Danger – not sinful?!!!
d. (II Sam. 11:4), “And David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her … then she returned to her house.”
1) The final phase is acting out: the same rush now requires action (incl. any sexual immorality).
2) (Heb. 13:4), “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undef…”

2. Understanding this Sin…
a. Defined: “All sexually oriented material intended primarily to arouse those who view it.”
1) The “lust of the eyes” is NOT noticing that a man or a woman is attractive (“God did good”).
2) Lust occurs when we view a person in a sexual context, (i.e., our mind wanders).
3) (Matt. 5:28), “Everyone who looks upon a woman – for the purpose of lust – has already…”
4) Yet it is sinful for people to dress in such a way - as to arouse lust in others! (Examples…)
5) (Mk. 9:42), “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would..”
b. The “lust of the eyes” comes down to a person’s relationship with God.
1) What Satan tried re: Jesus “…all the kingdoms I will give you if…you shall worship the Lord...
2) When a person visually needs to dominate/conquer/ and in their own mind be worshiped by someone else - there is a relational vacuum in a person’s life. (Porn makes it happen!!!)
3) G.K. Chesterton: “Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God.”
4) Thus, the lust of the eyes isn’t just about what we see – but also about what we seek!
5) No wonder Jesus encouraged us – (Matt. 6:33), “Seek FIRST God’s kingdom and His….”

C. Steps to Gaining Victory over this Sin

1. Confession : (I Jn. 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous….”
a. Confession is NOT about informing God about what you’ve done – He already knows that!
b. Confession is about dependence – it’s about allowing God in - to become part of your solution.

2. Contrition : (Acts 19:18-19), “And many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices (confession). – Many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted 50,000 pieces of silver.”
a. Get rid of all books, magazines, computer images, cancel cable/satellite subscription services, etc.
b. Set the parental controls on your computer – so that you cannot access pornographic websites.

3. Change : Lifestyle patterns – so that you won’t drive certain streets which contain areas to avoid.
a. (I Cor. 6:18-20), “Flee immorality. – Every other sin … Or do you not know that your body….”
b. (Col. 3:5), “Consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire.”

4. Confide : to a godly individual and make them your “accountability partner” (Jms. 5:16), “Confess”
a. Temptation gains power over us when we are silent – but when it is exposed it loses its influence.
b. (Heb. 3:13), “Encourage one another…” – celebrate daily victories – keep repenting if you fall!!!
c. (Eph. 5:8, 11), “You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light. – Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.”

God made us a sexual beings (male/female). – He designed for this purpose in marriage – for mutual enjoyment.
Satan has taken this blessing – and turned it into something ugly. – But we are not trapped - if we return to God.