Overcoming Sexual Sin
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Pornography has existed for centuries, in Greek cities there were statues that displayed the human body naked on public display. What has changed dramatically is how pornography is consumed with the introduction of mass media and the internet. Today approximately 30% of all internet data transferred is pornography related. As of May 2024 the top three pornography websites garnered over 5.8 billion visits per month and over 68 million daily internet searches are related to pornography.
👥 Demographics
👥 Demographics
Gender Distribution: Approximately 76% of adult entertainment consumers are men. Worldmetrics
Age of First Exposure: The average age of first exposure to online pornography is around 11 years old. The Guardian+4Worldmetrics+4Worldmetrics+4
Young Adults: In the U.S., 70% of men aged 18–24 visit porn sites at least once a month. New York Post+4Worldmetrics+4Quittr+4
Women Viewership: Women account for about 34% of all porn viewers, with some studies indicating that over 60% of women in the U.S. have consumed some form of adult content. Worldmetrics
💰 Economic Impact
💰 Economic Impact
Industry Revenue: The global porn industry is estimated to be worth approximately $97 billion annually. Birches Health
Online Spending: Every second, approximately $3,075 is spent on pornography online. Worldmetrics
Subscription Models: Paid subscriptions for premium content range from $10–$100 per month, with an estimated 3.3 million Americans paying for such subscriptions. Quittr
🧠 Behavioral Trends
🧠 Behavioral Trends
Time Spent: Globally, internet users spend over 1 million years watching porn annually. Techlaze+1Porn Addiction Test+1
Mobile Access: Mobile devices account for 70% of all online adult content consumption. Worldmetrics
Addiction Rates: An estimated 5–10% of adults self-identify as having an addiction to porn. Techlaze+1Quittr+1
⚠️ Associated Risks
⚠️ Associated Risks
Erectile Dysfunction: Reports indicate that 23% of men under 35 experience porn-induced erectile dysfunction. Le Monde.fr+2New York Post+2Time+2
Mental Health: Excessive use is linked to reduced gray matter in areas responsible for motivation and decision-making, desensitization to sexual stimuli, and increased cravings for more extreme content. New York Post+1Time+1
Youth Exposure: In the UK, 10% of respondents reported being between 12 and 13 years old when they first accessed online pornography. Statista+1Le Monde.fr+1
These statistics highlight the pervasive nature of pornography consumption worldwide, its significant economic footprint, and the behavioral and health-related concerns associated with its use.
Pursue Purity
Pursue Purity
Here Paul is making it clear that it is God’s will that we pursue to be pure and undefiled in our bodies. The word used here for ‘fornication’ is the word ‘πορνεία’ (porneia) which is where we get the word ‘pornography’.
The word used here for ‘fornication’ is the word ‘πορνεία’ (porneia) which is where we get the word ‘pornography’.
It means sexual immorality, sexual impurity, or obscene practice.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 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? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
God’s Word is clear about how we are to treat the body, we have only one and we must protect and nourish it, not defile it.
The word used here for ‘flee’ means to run away, escape, or avoid.
That is how we practically overcome sexual sin, run away from it.
If we want to maintain purity in our lives, never enter an opportunity in which you can foresee a place of possible temptation for sexual sin.
Protect Relationships
Protect Relationships
We discuss this topic a lot but nothing is more true than the impact of relationships as it relates to sexual sin.
Pornography is an obvious issue if you are in a marriage or relationship as it can cause many negative issues.
• Emotional Distance & Decreased Intimacy
• Emotional Distance & Decreased Intimacy
Frequent porn use can reduce emotional closeness between partners.
Partners may feel unwanted, compared, or objectified, leading to hurt and distrust.
• Lower Satisfaction
• Lower Satisfaction
Studies consistently show that higher porn consumption is linked to lower relationship satisfaction, especially when the use is secret or one-sided.
Unrealistic expectations shaped by porn can lead to dissatisfaction with a real partner's body, sexual interest, or emotional responsiveness.
• Decreased Sexual Desire
• Decreased Sexual Desire
Overexposure to porn can create desensitization—where real sex seems less stimulating.
Some users develop a preference for pornography over physical intimacy, sometimes leading to porn-induced erectile dysfunction (PIED).
If you are dating someone, avoid places or moments of being alone that could lead to sexual sin.
In a dating relationship both parties will be damaged by sex should the relationship end. Also to note that sexual sin before certain relationships could cause problems about certain expectations or comparisons which are destructive to relationships.
I think protecting relationships in our lives is one of the most crucial areas we often overlook because it is not always in the forefront of our minds when making decisions.
Yet we should focus on relationships and how decisions will effect those relationships.
Example:
The Japanese people have a high regard for respect and thus crime is actually lower because of the fear of doing something wrong and how it coud negatively effect peoples perception about them.
This may seem like someone protecting themselves, but on the same coin it is about protecting their relationship with everyone else around them. They are indeed protecting the relationship they have with neighbors and strangers alike.
Practice Discipline
Practice Discipline
Look what Paul tells us here:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
Paul tells us that we should know how to control our own body.
God expects us to control ourselves.
God has given us the power in Christ to overcome the flesh and control our desires and flesh.
How am I to overcome?
Follow the example of Jesus, who when He was tempted, quoted scripture.
We need to memorize scripture if we are going to overcome, There is no other way than to hide God’s Word in our hearts.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.
We want to not sin against God? Hide His word in your heart.
Remember Jesus said over and over — ‘it is written’ this is what we use against temptation.
It requires discipline, and discipline requires training to overcome in the time of need.
A warrior trains and discipline’s their body so that they will be effective on the battlefield, so we must as God’s people train and discipline ourselves to be able to overcome sexual sin.
Sexual sin can be a serious stronghold and addiction. It is best to learn to flee ASAP.
What scriptures can I memorize to help me overcome sexual sin?
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 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? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; Why then should I think upon a maid?
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 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.
3 For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, And her mouth is smoother than oil: 4 But her end is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a twoedged sword. 5 Her feet go down to death; Her steps take hold on hell. 6 Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, Her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. 7 Hear me now therefore, O ye children, And depart not from the words of my mouth. 8 Remove thy way far from her, And come not nigh the door of her house:
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
