Porn & The Occult
I’ve always believed that there is something more to sex than just sex. Human sex is physical, mental and spiritual because people are physical, mental and spiritual. I researched the topic and one of the things I discovered is that occultists encourage deviant sexual behaviour as much as conservative Christians shun it. This is the best quote I’ve found concerning the link between sexual immorality (in this case, the viewing of pornography) and the occult:
“Pornography is not just an addiction; it is occultism. The man who sits upstairs viewing pornography while his wife chauffeurs the kids to soccer practice is not some unusual ‘pervert’; he is (like his forefather Adam) seeking the mystery of the universe apart from Christ. That’s the reason the one picture, stored in his memory, of that naked woman will never be enough for him. He will never be able to be satisfied because he will never be able to get an image naked enough.
“I say pornography is occultism because I believe the draw toward it is more than biological (though that is strong). The satanic powers understand that ‘the sexually immoral person sins against his own body’ (1 Cor. 6:18). They understand that the pornographic act severs a one-flesh marriage union at the very point of intimate connectedness and instead joins Christ, spiritually, to an electronic prostitute (1 Cor. 6:16). They also know that those who unrepentantly practice such things ‘will not inherit the kingdom of God’ (1 Cor. 6:9–10).
“Pornography is, in one sense, no different from any other form of sexual temptation. But in another sense it is even more insidious. Pornography brings with it a kind of pseudo-repentance. Immediately after it is ‘over,’ the participant feels a kind of revulsion and self-loathing. Whereas an adulterer or a fornicator can at least rationalize a kind of transcendent ‘love’ behind his sin, even a conscience thoroughly seared over rarely wants to write love songs or poetry in celebration of his pornographic self-satisfaction” (Russell D. Moore, “Tempted and Tried”).
According to a poll, conducted a few years back, about half of Evangelical Christians considered them selves “addicted” (or, at least, frequent) porn users. (I would imagine that the percentage for church-going Catholics and for the general public would also be alarming.) They should know that their “addiction” is not simply an “understandable weakness” that God will automatically forgive. Their porn use is a spiritual communion with dark powers, intent on enslaving and destroying their souls. They are participating in an ecstasy of evil that, if they do not repent, may culminate in their eternal damnation.
No doubt, porn use can be highly addictive. Studies have shown that it has a similar effect on the brain’s reward system as cocaine, heroin and other addictive drugs. Therefore, porn addicts may need the help of a support group or professional counsellor. Most importantly, addicts need their “higher power.” God is stronger than any evil addiction you may have. Turn to Him in prayer the moment you are tempted and he will save you. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).