LCG: Be Careful About You See

The following is the latest commentary from Adam West of the Living Church of God (LCG):

Be Careful What You See!

By Adam J. West | Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The statistics are shocking. The average age at which an American child first sees pornography online is eleven! Forty million Americans are regular visitors to Internet porn sites. In a typical month, 70 percent of American men aged 18–24 visit pornography Web sites. Twenty-five percent of all search engine requests—68 million a day!—are pornography related. This is an epidemic societal scourge!

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With these sobering statistics in mind, it is vital that we understand these words of Jesus Christ: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).

In essence, Jesus’ words are a magnification of the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Why was Christ concerned with the commandments? Notice what He said earlier in Matthew 5: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (v. 17).

The word translated as “fulfill” in verse 17 is the Greek pleroo, which means “to diffuse” or “to cram” or “to level up.” Christ came to magnify God’s law—to reveal it in greater detail than before and show its spiritual depth. And He literally filled God’s law to the full by living a sinless life.

Each human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). As such, each is worthy of profound respect, and should not be objectified as the target of our lust. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Sexual activity before marriage is called fornication, which is prohibited under the Seventh Commandment. It is thus vitally important, if one wants a healthy marriage, to take steps to overcome any desires for sexual activity outside of its God-ordained bounds.

How seriously should we take this? Christ taught: “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29-30). Jesus was not telling us to hack off body parts. Rather, we must be willing to discipline our eyes and hands and minds so that we do not fall into temptation. God assures us that it can be done (Mark 9:23). We should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

If we fail, the consequences are severe. Jesus warned that “it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:30). If you are having difficulty giving up the viewing of pornography, and you continue entertaining lustful thoughts in your mind, consider that if you are a converted Christian, and you persist in neglecting the Holy Spirit that God gave you—which will help you overcome your illicit lusts if you persevere—you are at risk of the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).

Thankfully, there is hope! Turn to God, and the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). To maintain that peace, follow Paul’s wise counsel: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (v. 8).

To learn more, read our commentary, “Internet Pornography” and our Tomorrow’s World article, “Pornography: Pleasurable Pastime or Toxic Threat?” Do not give in to temptations that can destroy your marriage, your life and your eternal destiny! Be careful what you see!

Sadly, pornography is growing in acceptance in the Western world at least. I believe that pornography (hard and soft) and other forms immorality help weaken the USA, Canada, and their other Anglo-nations (Romans 1:18-32) and likely will also be a factor in them being vulnerable to invasion by the final Beast power that the Bible warns about (Revelation 13; Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11). And while the Bible shows that the Beast power will be punished later (cf. Daniel 11:44; Isaiah 10:12), this does not mean that the Anglo-nations should not discourage pornography now.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

LCG: Pornography, Who’s Tempting Whom? This is some information about the prevalence and dangers of pornography from the Living Church of God.
CG7 on Pornography This is an article excerpt from the Church of God, 7th Day-Denver about pornography.
LCG: Homosexuals Gaining Ground “Same-sex marriage” is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?
God’s Plan for Happy Marriage This is an LCG booklet by Dr. R. Meredith.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves? Will the lands of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand be divided? What does Bible prophecy teach? Are there non-biblical prophecies that support this idea? Who will divide those lands? Who will end up with the lands and the people?
Canada in Prophecy: What Does Bible Prophecy, Catholic Prophecy, and other Predictions Suggest About the Future of Canada? There are prophecies that suggest involvement with Canada. And many are not positive about its future.
Who is the King of the West? Why is there no End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? If so, what does that really mean for the USA and its Anglo allies.
Is Tony Blair Apocalyptic? The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom converted to Catholicism shortly after leaving his office and has been active in European affairs. What role might he play?
Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2012 or 2013? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What is the “beginning of sorrows”? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord?
The Ten Commandments Reflect Love, Breaking them is Evil Some feel that the ten commandments are a burden. Is that what Jesus, Paul, Peter, James, and John taught?