The Pursuit of Mental Purity

The Bible prescribes the characteristics of thoughts that are consistent with our identity in Christ.  In Philippians 4, we are challenged:
8 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.

We have to ask ourselves - what are we meditating on?  Are we thinking about God's Word and its implications for our lives, or do the things of God only occasionally cross our minds?  We also have to make sure that we are guarding our hearts so that errant or impure thought patterns are not taking root.  What we place into our minds can be a huge determinant on how effective or ineffective we are in living our lives for Christ.

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In 2nd Corinthians chapter 10, we can read a passage which reminds us that we have the tools necessary to eradicate the pollution of impure thoughts from our consciousness:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...
Anti-pornography advocates are giving high marks to actor Russell Brand as the result of some content that he released in a YouTube video recently.  Now, Brand is a gritty, over-the-top comic actor, so I don't necessarily recommend watching the video, but he does use some research findings that are quite enlightening and not what you hear from the acting community very often.

According to The Christian Post, the video was made for Fight The New Drug, a campaign "dedicated to educating and raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography using only science, facts, and personal accounts," Brand discusses the pitfalls of pornography and why he would never watch it if he had full control over his body. He also dismisses the popular "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie as "cultural smog."

Listen to this: the Post quotes Brand as saying "I was obsessed with porn when I was a teenager and it was nostalgic mad stuff that makes me sound old. We had to find magazine places and steal things from under beds. Living in the culture now where there's just icebergs of filth floating through every house on Wi-Fi, it's inconceivable what it must be like to be a young adolescent boy now with this kind of access to porn. It must be dizzying and exciting but corrupting in a way that we can't even think about."

Researchers Dr. Jill C. Manning and Dr. Gary R. Brooks wrote an open letter to Brand in response. After all, he quoted from some of their study of the harmful effects of pornography.  Thanking Brand, they wrote:

You brilliantly articulated research findings that have shown pornography to be associated with an exaggerated perception of sexual activity in society, diminished trust between intimate partners, the abandonment of sexual monogamy as a goal, and the belief that promiscuity is the natural state. Even soft-core pornography, as you well pointed out, contributes to voyeurism, objectification, trophyism, sex as masculinity validation, and fear of true intimacy. 

Too many people, and especially high profile individuals, are ashamed to openly acknowledge how pornography has negatively impacted them. Ironically, your spontaneous and authentic style may be the very antidote needed to help others honestly examine pornography’s destructive influence in their lives and ultimately share that wisdom with others. 

One of the organizations standing with Manning and Brooks that was mentioned in the letter was Enough is Enough, which is led by Donna Rice Hughes.   Fight The New Drug and two other organizations were mentioned, as well.

There is a cultural tidal wave of pornography, which ensnares the minds of people and distorts their view of sexuality.  With the availability of soft-core and hard-core porn today, it has become an epidemic in our society.   And, there is a responsibility for Christians to speak out against it - and...
to not participate in it.

The Bible teaches that when we are tempted, God will provide a way of escape.  If we expose ourselves to images that do not represent moral purity and Biblical ideals, then we run a real risk of becoming addicted and running down a path that does not honor God.

An organization called Proven Men commissioned a survey of men by the Barna Group last year.  A Charisma News article reported on some startling findings.  Of those men who identify themselves as born-again Christians:

• 95 percent admit that they have viewed pornography.
• 54 percent look at pornography at least once a month.
• 44 percent viewed pornography at work in the last 90 days.
• 31 percent had a sexual affair while married.
• 25 percent erase Internet browsing history to conceal pornography use.
• 18 percent admit being addicted to pornography (and another 9 percent think they may be).

Proven Men offers resources to help men break free from the bondage of pornography.

Our spiritual DNA, who we are in Christ, is based on a commitment to purity.  When we pollute our consciousness with impure thoughts and allow ourselves to view perverse behavior, we are not walking in a manner consistent with Christ.  It is important that we check our thoughts and take them captive to the obedience of Christ.  

Where impure thinking has become a stronghold, we can rely on the powerful tools of the Spirit to pull that stronghold down.  Deliverance is possible, but it takes a concerted effort to turn away from temptation and rely on the resources that we have been given in Christ.