“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and BY HIS STRIPES we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Dear Ones:
Our enemy, Satan, is not only a murderer, an accuser, but primarily, a deceiver and liar. Over and over in the Scriptures we see this. The first example of his diabolical disposition, is revealed to us in the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve. With regard to the “price of pornography” in our world, and society, we are apt to think that it is free, and that one cannot be affected by looking at it. This is the deception of the enemy, because it may be “free” in that it is available without monetary cost, but the fact is, it carries with it a substantial price tag. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans: “For the wages of sin is death.” To choose to look at pornography is primarily an act of defiance of God, a rejection of His way and holiness. Though there will most certainly be consequences in mind, heart, and body, as a result of such actions, the greatest price that one will pay will be the deprivation of the Life and blessing of God upon the life. Paul continues by writing, “…but the GIFT of God IS eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) God will never bless pornography because of its twisted perspective and enslaving power. The good news is that the Lord Jesus came into this world to, “…proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Is. 61:1)
There is another “price of pornography” that must be brought to our attention, and it is that which is the most important. When the Lord Jesus died on Calvary, the Lord (the Father) laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6) Mrs. Cousin put it so well in a hymn: “Jehovah bade His sword awake; O Christ, it woke ‘gainst Thee! Thy blood the flaming blade must slake, Thy heart its sheath must be; ALL for my sake my peace to make, Now sleeps that sword for me.” To peruse and pursue pornography is sin. The Father laid upon Christ that sin, with all of the other sins of the world. He then, the just Judge, caused His wrath to fall upon His Son, to pay for that sin. The “sleeping sword” of which Mrs. Cousin writes, is that averted judgement upon us because Jesus took our sin, even that concerning pornography, and accepted the judgement of the Father, for our sake…that we might be forgiven, washed, cleansed and delivered from it.
From a spiritual standpoint, since regarding pornography is a sin, it must be dealt with first by seeking the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing. This He will give if we are willing to turn to Him from it, renouncing and avoiding it. To be convinced, and convicted of sin is the evidence that God is working in the heart, waiting to intervene to deliver us from it. It is as we look to the Lord Jesus with our whole heart, that He unhesitatingly answers the call of our hearts.
Dear Father, we thank Thee that there is no sin which the Lord Jesus is not willing and able to forgive, and to deliver us from. It is by His stripes that we ARE healed, and by Him taking upon Himself the judgement for all of our sin, that we are forgiven. Give us today the strength and will, to come to Thee for every need. Thou hast proven Thy love to us by the giving Thy Son, and by declaring: “…him that comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” (Jn.6:37) We thank Thee in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad