I’m not a news junkie. Not even close. But I do check FoxNews and CNN about every morning just so I can read the headlines and see what I’m supposed to be angry about every day. I find myself baffled on a daily basis with some of the things these outlets consider “news”. What really shocks me is that on a daily basis there will be at least one article on FoxNews about some celebrity rocking some type of bikini. (I could care less and I never click on the articles).
This isn’t new. I wrote about this in 2014—that was a brief moment before we went completely insane politically. But I got to wondering the other day why in the world does FoxNews (the platform for the supposed conservative and moral party) highlight such things. Here’s my theory—it might be a bit crazy.
Lust leads to shame. And shame leads to anger and attempts at self-justification. And anger is the fuel the feeds FoxNews. Keep feeding the angry mob lustful opportunities (even if it’s of the “can you believe what Beyonce is wearing variety”) and you’ll keep yourself in the outrage business.
Studies have shown that pornography use breeds anger. And I’m thoroughly convinced that there is a connection between the pornography epidemic and our outrage culture. Show me an angry man who is passionately engaged in non-essentials and I almost guarantee that his search history includes pornography.
What’s the connection?
For those who are more religious, I believe it’s an attempt at self-atonement. Pornography use leads to an incredible amount of shame—especially among those who are religiously affiliated. Magnify that by a ton if you have a ministry leader ensnared in pornography. In order to deal with the guilt and shame of being addicted to pornography some will hide behind theological correctness, or political wrangling, or warring on social issues in order to somehow even the scales. Perhaps the thought is that “if I can somehow show myself to be ‘right’ and ‘fight for the truth’ maybe God will overlook my pornography issue. Maybe I’m not so bad.”
Another factor is anger towards those who have “made you fall”. Sexual revolution comes from the liberal side. Blame-shifting comes with the territory of one indulging in pornography. And pornography dehumanizes. Connect the dots there and you’ve got a warrior hell-bent on taking down those evil people on the other side and doing so without considering personhood.
For those who are indulging in pornography without shame because they are “liberated” they aren’t free from the consequences. Even secular studies are becoming aware of the damaging effects of pornography use. But from a biblical perspective we know that idols always leave us empty. And emptiness leads to anger. When our idols disappoint us we get infuriated (Proverbs 19:3).
Solution
I know that my FoxNews theory is a bit out there. I seriously doubt that someone has intentionally come up with this strategy. But there is a connection between our outrage culture and the pornography epidemic.
My plea here is to believers in Jesus. If you’re battling pornography (or if you’ve even given up the fight) you need to know that your atonement isn’t going to come through anger. The anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
Step back from trying to save the world from “the other side” and do the brave thing of looking at your own soul. Jesus tells us that we’re saved from the fires of hell not because we’ve blown up the correct number of enemies but because we’ve cut off our own hands and plucked out our own eyes. Unplug from all the arguments and wrangling on social media and deal with your own soul.
There really is freedom in Jesus. Self-atonement isn’t going to help. Conservatism won’t merit you salvation and neither will being a social-justice warrior. Dig into your union with Christ. It’s here that you’ll find ammunition for your battle against pornography. And even more importantly it’s here where you’ll find life that is truly life.
And stop looking at porn. Right now. No excuses. No more hiding. Grab the axe and start chopping.
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Photo source: here
