After handling the Sunday school section last week, a brother walked up to me looking a bit terrified and asked if reading inappropriate texts will be considered to God a sin.
Our take towards what is a sin or not most times is just out of our human nature and our conscience just bitting us up. Notably, when your conscience keeps disturbing you about certain things, it is widely preached that it’s the holy spirit, the holy spirit doesn’t convict a believer of sin, rather he convicts you of righteousness.
Fear(that you are engaged in an immoral act, by consuming matured texts) is what makes the devil get a hold of you and your actions, but when the fear is taken out, you could easily consume mature texts without it taking control of your actions, rather for informational purposes. Let us see what the Bible has to say about this.
Is It a Sin To Read Inappropriate Things?
Reading inappropriate things can be a sin or not; depending on the reason for reading through such things and the actions you undertake afterward.
An Argument Against Reading Inappropriate Material
The very first reason why it’s not a good idea to consume inappropriate material is that it could take hold of your thoughts and action, thereby leading you into sinning against God.
The Bible notably mentioned in mark 7:15 (NIV) “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”
This means that the more of this inappropriate text you keep consuming over time could lead to you wanting to try out some when you don’t have a spouse, which could make you sin against your body by fornicating.
Inappropriate tests could make you lose sight of your purpose in life, as you will spend your entire time trying to imagine the text you’ve read, or trying to picture yourself acting it out with someone.
An Argument for Reading Inappropriate Material
But a person who has self-control and is not controlled by the accusing nature of satan can go through Adults’ texts to learn a thing or two they can use in spicing up their relationship with their partner without it becoming a problem, or through violent texts to learn how to defend yourself.
For research purposes, one could browse through lots of inappropriate things to solve a problem they face in their life, or to get an answer for their research work E.g to understand why a certain gender reacts to certain things the way they do.
Like I once went through loads of inappropriate text when I tried to understand why people always try to take advantage of people that are always available for them, and I combed through a lot of topics, textbooks, and novels. I even went further to read about male and female accounts and imaginations of sexual experiences to understand how they think when it comes to attraction and rejection.
The Moral Implications of Reading Inappropriate Content
When consuming inappropriate texts, depending on the purpose, it could have a huge effect on you. Most people that battle with masturbation, loneliness, and the inability to speak with an opposite gender face to face may have gotten an early orientation of sexuality without proper guidance, leading to a social deficit in the long run. So, here are ways in which appropriate texts could ruin you.
Lust
Inappropriate content could make you start lusting for crazy things as most of these novelists are great at descriptive writing, which they use to hook their readers, making you imagine every bit of the storyline.
This lust could have you imagining what you’ve read with people’s wives, husbands, and people your age alike. And when you lust after someone’s wife or husband, you have sinned right there. Mathew 5:28, “28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Exposes you to satanic possession
Devil has no power over us, he can’t command us to do his bidding, but with a broken edge in our hearts, he could manipulate us into doing things that will bring nothing but regrets or emptiness in the end.
Inappropriate things in all forms could be capitalized on by the devil, including violence and nudity. It is best to avoid what you don’t have control over to prevent being overpowered.
What the Bible Says About Moral Purity and Reading
James 1:21, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which can save your souls.”
Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
The Bible is never shy in its position of keeping our minds clean before God and doing what is right. The real truth begins in your heart; if you’re reading inappropriate things to carry out evil, you should of course know you are equipping yourself to sin.
And the bible lets us know that the wages of sin are death, and this is not necessarily physical death as many may think, but financial difficulties, afflictions of sickness, inability to dream and see what is happening around you –you will end up being a foot March for your enemies.
But do not get it wrong. The Bible encourages you to consume as many texts as you can. 2 Timothy 2:15, “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Do as much educational research as you need to, but if that is not the case, you’re preparing yourself to sin, which has its consequences.
How to Change Your Habits for a More Wholesome Life
To change your habits for a more wholesome life, you just need to engage in activities that will keep your mind entertained and that will ensure you keep making progress financially, mentally, and morally.
Make new friends
Go out and talk with people – share ideas and also listen to learn new things. This will certainly make you utilize your time positively–leaving you with little or no time to go sourcing for materials that could hamper your spiritual growth and lock you in a cage of guilt.
Try out your passion
Every one of us has those crazy ideas, talents, or creative spots. You should get yours working again. If you love to sing, why not? Sing and even record yourself over an instrumental. If you love to add new words to your vocabulary–go for it!
Pray And request The assistance of the holy spirit
The holy spirits’ work in your life can never be estimated completely. The holy spirit protects, directs, teaches you how to pray, inspires you, and reassures you of the love of God. So why not make him your go-to buddy for any challenges you may face? He is always ready to deliver a new light to your path.
Final Thoughts
It is considered bad to read inappropriate things if your aim ab-initio was to rub filth in your mind. Making it a conscious act of nurturing evil in your mind, which will in turn bear fruits that will lead you to sin in your mind or physically.
If you have no educational purpose of looking through inappropriate things, then stir clear entirely as what goes into your mind has a strong power of controlling you and your actions.
