Worship of Images - Connected to Porn?
Dr. Mark Ongley
This truth in Proverbs is important enough that Solomon repeats the exact verbiage in chapter 14 & 16. Clearly, this is a truth worth driving home… there are countless ways men, women and young people make foolish and destructive decisions based upon what seems right in the moment.
This faulty thinking can be traced all the way back to Adam and Eve’s original disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden. Even there, before sin saturated nearly every aspect of humanity, a decision was made. A decision based not on what God clearly stated, but on what “seemed right” regardless of what God said.
Naturally, the world doesn’t care about God’s laws. Many don’t even believe in the reality of a personal God who created all things, let alone a God who gave His life to redeem hopelessly fallen humanity. The real issue isn’t the perspective of the unchurched and non-believers. Rather, the far greater concern is so many are living according to “a way that seems right” to them, even as professed Christ-followers.
The examples are endless, but certainly compromise made in the inordinate pursuit of: pleasure, comfort, money, careers, retirement planning, following feelings, personal happiness, sex, and identity are a few of the many ways we set ourselves on a path leading toward death because we reject God’s way for what feels right to us.
As our understanding of and value for God’s laws diminish, we functionally consider ourselves to be more enlightened and “nicer” than God. So we make compromises for ourselves and others that often seem small at the time, frequently giving way to cumulative or major sudden life-choices that are a total departure from God’s intention and outside of His protective boundaries.
When this happens, we engage in the same distorted thinking and reasoning as Eve. We observe the “fruit” before us (whatever that might be). Satan, the world, and our own flesh reason that “it” seems good (Genesis 3:6) and we depart the narrow path of life for the wide path of destruction and death. Sadly, in our deluded condition we often influence others to join us on this path that promises wisdom, fun, and freedom, but actually leads to bondage.
Setting aside the many areas we as purported Christ-followers and regular church-attendeee ignore the lordship of Christ in our lives and abandon The Narrow Way, this particular blog post is addressing one primary area: cohabitation.
In 2019 Pew Research reported that 58% of white evangelicals approved of cohabitation if the couple intended to get married.
According an article at www.probe.org/cohabitation “Cohabitation, as a lifestyle, is on the rise. Consider the significant growth in cohabitation rates in the last few decades. In 1960 and 1970, about a half million were living together. But by 1980 that number was 1.5 million. By 1990 the number was nearly three million. And by 2000 the number was almost five million.
Researchers estimate that today as many as 50% of Americans cohabit at one time or another prior to marriage. The stereotype of two young, childless people living together is not completely accurate; currently, some 40% of cohabiting relationships involve children.”
I have a friend who regularly attends church, participates in Bible-studies, and highly values connecting with other Christians for support and mutual encouragement. She gave her all to an abusive first marriage, doing everything she knew to walk out her commitment and vows. When she discovered that her husband was committing adultery repeatedly she separated from him for a significant amount of time. With his apparent repentance and commitment to work on their marriage, supported by positive actions on his part over time, she returned home in hopes of participating in the much needed growth and development of a far better marriage.
Unfortunately, he did not have the same level of commitment, and as bad as the first 10 years of their marriage was, the years that followed were far worse, including more adultery. Eventually, she left the marriage and divorced her husband. She was devastated, to say the least, and needed time and counseling.
Eventually, without any intention of pursuing a relationship she became friends with a Christian guy, which led to a romantic connection. This brought about a dilemma. My friend had been so emotionally and mentally abused and violated, she was totally afraid of the prospect of ever marrying again. She also didn’t want to put her kids or herself through another failed marriage. She and her boyfriend wound up crossing sexual boundary lines. After that behavior continued for months, it didn’t seem like a big deal for him to move in, with the idea that it wouldn’t be long before they would “tie the knot”.
It’s been 4 or 5 years. They attend church together and seemingly have a life and family together, but with no actual commitment. Her boyfriend wants to get married, but there are still so many areas of unprocessed pain and fear it’s just been easier for my friend to stay where she’s at – living a life of cohabitation, disconnecting from God and her own conscience in this area and ignoring the impact her behavior is having on her now adult children, who are great young men and women, but care nothing for Christianity. Her witness for Christ and her inner peace have been compromised.
In most cases though, cohabitation isn’t about unresolved or avoided trauma from a previous marriage. It’s simply convenient; a way to save money, a way to “test drive” the guy or girl before saying “I do”. But this is a complete disregard for the institution of covenant marriage originated by God.
At www.crosswalk.com an article entitled, “Cohabitation and divorce - - is there a correlation?” stated the following: A 2010 "meta-analysis" looked at 26 peer-reviewed, published studies that followed various couples over time. This analysis found that marrieds who had cohabiting pasts were more likely to face divorce, and that "noncohabitors seem to have more confidence in the future of their relationship, and have less accepting attitudes toward divorce.
Hebrews 13:4 is frank and clear, “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators [those who have sex before marriage] and adulterers [those who have sex with someone other than their spouse after marriage] God will judge.”
A few years ago a friend confided in me that he was completely baffled by his 12-step program leader. He had been part of a popular Christian recovery program in a local church for more than a year, working out his own substance abuse issues. He had recently learned that his leader was living with his girlfriend, but according to the leader they weren’t having sex.
While it is possible (though highly unlikely) they were not having sex, is that all that matters in whether or not couples are cohabitating? Aside from the fact that sexual sin is far more likely when we are living and sleeping under the same roof, how does this impact those who look to us as a shepherd or mentor? Either this will generate mistrust (as it should), undermine the leader’s character, or it may embolden others to live out the same practice, usually without any effective boundaries to guard against sexual sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every appearance of evil”. Avoiding or delaying marriage and cohabitating instead may seem like wisdom, but it’s definitely not godly wisdom.
Staying on the narrow path with God and trusting His many commands to avoid sexual immorality are both good and for our flourishing, leads toward fulfillment, joy, and life. Let’s choose life, rather than momentary pleasure accompanied by severe long-term consequences.
BACK TO THE NARROW WAY
In what sense are pornographic images and videos idolatrous? Is there any connection with the actual worship of idols in biblical times? And to what degree does such activity set the table for dining with the devil?
In 2003, I had the wonderful privilege of sitting at a roundtable discussion with Dr. Stephen Seamands. His book Wounds that Heal: Bringing Our Hurts to the Cross had just hit the market and so our topic for the day was how inner healing prayer was empowered by the atoning work of Christ on the cross.
At a certain point he brought up the subject of idolatry. As the son of missionaries in India, Seamands had seen firsthand the worship of Hindu gods and goddesses. Wanting to reveal my brilliance, I made the observation that actual physical idols were likely not as dangerous as the idols we adopt here in the States, such as wealth, power, sex.
He quickly disagreed. Fashioning images to represent the spiritual realm not only corrupts our worldview, he believed, but it was also Satan’s way of taking what God has created and using it for evil.
Images
Each day I read from the Psalms. Recently a few verses jumped out which I hadn’t noticed before. Could this be applied to viewing porn? And if so, what is going on in the spiritual realm?
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!
Psalm 97:6—7 ESV
Interesting. “All worshipers of images . . . “ What might these "images” have been? Throughout the Middle East in ancient times, images ofAshtoreth and Ishtar were found as statues and bas relief. Their Greek counterparts Aphrodite and Venus likewise had carvings, paintings, and statues scattered throughout the Roman Empire. Partial nudity for these fertility goddesses was the norm.
Psalm 97:6 reminds us of Romans 1 where Paul declares the glory of God is evident in the created world.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. . . . 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Romans 1:20—23 ESV (Italics mine.)
Note also Psalm 97:7. The psalmist decries the shame of “All worshipers of images . . . who make their boast in worthless idols.” Is it too much of a stretch to connect dots between worship of ancient nude statues and gazing at the racy images so easily accessible on phones, tablets, and laptops? Going gaga over created things rather than giving allegiance to our Creator is certainly sinful.
Ancient idolators sought false gods for their provision and protection, while reveling in the sexual excesses that accompanied the worship. Porn patrons of all sorts are looking to false sources to meet needs and soothe the flesh.
If porn absorption is akin to worshiping pagan gods, at what point do we reach engagement with darkness as found in 1 Corinthians 10? Note the following:
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
1 Cor. 10:14—22 ESV (Emphasis added by me.)
Each of the italicized/bold words above are derived from the Greek word koinonia. That term, as you may know, is often translated as “fellowship” or “sharing.” The incredible worship we experience with our “participation” in the blood and body of Christ is here starkly contrasted with the unknowing fellowship with demons experienced with food offered to idols. Wow.
Our beloved brothers and sisters who unknowingly bow their hearts before online images are in some way fellowshipping with darkness. Perhaps, as Seamands taught, it may be less demonic than kneeling in an Indian temple. But certainly we must recognize the ground we are giving to the enemy by fixing our gaze on porn or entangling our hearts with cam girls and AI generated filth.
Overcoming addiction to porn is not so easy. How we need the grace of God!
Porn in the Church
A few months ago, several colleagues pointed me to recent research from the Barna Group. Their findings may surprise you. Nearly 20% of pastors report being currently addicted to porn; two thirds have engaged with it at some point in their lives. And yet, only 33% believe it is a prevalent problem in their congregation.
Note the following from their report:
. . . overall, most U.S. pastors don’t see porn use as a problem for their congregants, revealing a profound disconnect between pastoral perception and actual behavior.
Contrary to most pastors’ assessments of their congregations, 75 percent of Christian men and 40 percent of Christian women report porn consumption on some level. And while practicing faith does correlate with less porn use, we see that over half of practicing Christians (54%) report viewing pornography (compared to 68% of non-Christians). (Emphasis theirs.)
Obsession and addiction are far more prevalent with Gen Z. Viewing violent porn has practically become normalized for them. As is often said in this blog, the Church must choose to prioritize the teaching of a theology of sexuality, model compassion for the addicted, abused, and confused, communicate clearly and consistently with our youth, and implement robust and Spirit-led support systems for those wanting freedom.
Listening to a podcast, I heard a denominational leader state we no longer needed to talk about sexuality (i.e. argue about LGBTQ issues). But it was clear he simply wanted to “get on with the business of the Church.” Addressing sexual issues, however, is a key issue in making disciples. It is the business of the Church! Paul did not look the other way as Corinthian believers supped with the devil. We most certainly cannot keep addiction to porn a closeted matter.