Porn and the Ten Commandments

By Christopher Chen 

Here is a little guide to how one’s usage of pornography can sin against each of the ten commandments. While many have confessed this sin, many more may not realize that the usage of pornography is indeed a mortal sin. As Catholics, it is important for us to understand the blessing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and how it can help re-integrate ourselves to God’s love, grace, and mercy. It is important to receive resolution of these sins from a priest prior to receiving the Holy Communion.

I encourage you to read through the following list prayerfully to help you make a resolution to dump porn.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. I AM THE LORD THY GOD: THOU SHALT NOT HAVE STRANGE GODS BEFORE ME

Pornography puts a heavy emphasis on objectifying men and women and over time, we put them on a pedestal to fulfill our desires of lust. We completely forget our Lord which further disintegrates our relationship with Him as we value the false idolatry and intimacy of pornography over worshipping our creator.

2. THOU SHALL NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN

Pornography usage denies God in our hearts and thoughts. Respecting the name of God means respecting all of those who are made in His image and likeness. Consuming pornography has the opposite effect.

3. KEEP THE SABBATH HOLY

Pornography usage may keep us from our obligations to attend weekly Mass. Instead of preparing our hearts and mind to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist, we choose to let our imagination be filled with pornified images. We may also feel guilt & shame and choose not to attend Mass. Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for Saints. Regardless of our actions. God still loves us hence the importance of keeping the sabbath holy. We are not practicing our faith if we are not making the effort to prepare our heart, mind and soul to seek God on a regular basis.

4. HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER

No parent would allow their own children to consume pornography. Pornography usage is being consumed in their house utilizing the internet bandwidth they are paying for. Own up to this sin to your parents and ask how they can help you not to succumb to this temptation. You may need to do forms of penance as an act of contrition. If eligible, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and seek true love from your parents over the false love and intimacy of pornography.

5. THOU SHALT NOT KILL

Killing does not have to be a physical act. Consuming pornography can kill our thoughts, hearts, and minds, which pushes us further away from God’s love. The victims in pornography may be participating against their will and your participation in viewing will only further endanger them. Porn videos with increasing viewership will only drive up potential revenues for the content producers, encouraging them to create more content and coercing more victims.

6. THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

"Pornography is a harmless activity" is so far from the Truth. Married men and women lusting over someone else creates impure thoughts and behaviours in their hearts, mind and spirit. The very nature of pornography is a betrayal against how God intended our bodies to be lived. Pornography encourages behaviour to “feed the beast” and drive us to find whatever means to do so.

7. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL

Pornography consumption is robbing the good name of those in the act. Sexual acts are meant to be conducted in private between spouses intended to give themselves fully to each other in order to be open to creating life. Watching others do this through pornography does help us attain what we're really looking for.

8. THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHOUR

Pornography is a lie. It does not speak the full truth of the human person, both from the perspective of the one being viewed and from the voyeur.

9. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHOUR'S WIFE

Pornography can allow our minds to wander and we can start lusting over another who does not belong to us. Even with our own spouses, we should be loving our husband/wife, not lusting over them as an object. If we are in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, if porn is in our life, we are being programmed to seek out someone more attractive when the relationship becomes stale.

10. THOU SHALT NOT COVET THY NEIGHOUR'S GOODS

Your neighbour/friend may have access to pornography that will inevitably be a great cause for temptation. You may start seeking to come over every opportunity you get just so you can get a glimpse of their collection that may otherwise be not available in your own home.

If any of these strike you to the core, let it hurt. But then run to the Father Who is waiting to give you the mercy you've been waiting for. 

Christopher Chen is a Freedom Coaching who lives with his wife in Vancouver, Canada. He is just as avid a sports fan as he is attending Daily Mass and weekly confession. For more information on Freedom Coaching or to schedule a session, please go to www.freedom-coaching.net.