Alone In The Darkness

Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light

and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

T.S. - The darks side wants you to buy into the devastation of its secret sins: The first secret sin I am going to talk about today is the sin that is escalating at a rapid rate in our society today.

I. Alone in the darkness with pornography

a. From Illustrate Volume II (Bluefish): This clip shows how pornography ensnared Phil and Michelle and it’s impact on their marriage and on their family.

1. The Devil likes to ensnare men and women into this trap and then destroy them, their families, and their society.

2. Pornography Addiction - Did you know?

a. ...that pornography consumption can be as mood altering and as addictive as narcotics? (Richard Drake, assistant professor at Brigham Young University College of Nursing) In fact, some studies have indicated that pornography can have the same effect on the brain as cocaine. Images can be permanently "burned" into the memory by epinephrine, a chemical in the brain.

b. ...that according to Nielson Net Ratings, 17.5 million people visited porn sites in January 2000? (U.S. News & World Report, 3/27/2000)

c. ...that there are more outlets for hard-core pornography in this country than there are McDonalds restaurants?

d. ...that rape statistics are proportionately higher in those states with higher pornography sales and lower in those states with lower pornography sales?

e. ...that cyberporn sales - including videos and accessories ordered online - accounted for 8% of 1999’s $18 billion E-commerce pie? (U.S. News & World Report, 3/27/2000) That’s nearly $5.25 for every man, woman, and child in the United States!

f. ...that boys ages 12-17 are one of the largest consumers of pornography and pornographers target them for that reason? If the pornographers can arrange for the young person to become addicted, then a steady flow of income is assured. (Information received from Enough Is Enough, Morality In Media, and National Coalition For The Protection of Children and Families.)

b. Scripture warns us not to fall prey to the darkness of lust:

1. Job 31:1 -4:

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes

not to look lustfully at a girl.

2 For what is man’s lot from God above,

his heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 Is it not ruin for the wicked,

disaster for those who do wrong?

4 Does he not see my ways

and count my every step

a). Job knew the importance of making a covenant with his eyes so as to honor God and his family.

b). I am not sure that many Christians today are willing to do the same.

2. Colossians 3:5-10: Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.