When discussing God and His interaction with humans, I believe there are two fundamental principles involved: love and fairness.
God’s Love
We’ve all heard that God is love. However, the life we’re living now has created a distance between us and that love. The longer we distance ourselves from God’s love, the more opportunity the Devil has to manipulate our thoughts and distort our view of God. This changes our perception of Him from a loving Father to one who seeks to punish us for our wrongdoings—or a God who left us to suffer alone with no help.
In the story of Adam and Eve, the serpent approached Eve and deceived her, telling her God was not being truthful and He wanted to keep them from becoming like Him. This caused Eve to change her perception of God. She went from seeing Him as a loving provider who took care of their needs to thinking He was withholding good things from them and didn’t want them to succeed.
“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:4-5).
Despite being constantly deceived, we willingly believe the lies and the tempting rewards they offer. Along with the lie, there was the apple, which symbolizes pornography, in our case. This apple was visually pleasing and highly desirable.
“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:6).
As a result, they became fearful of God, the same God they had previously delighted in, acknowledging He remains unchanged throughout time; it is only our perception that has shifted. His love for Adam and Eve remained strong. What may be perceived as punishment is actually a reflection of God’s immense love for humanity and each individual, in particular.
God gave Adam and Eve a single command and informed them of the consequences of disobeying it, so we cannot say He was harsh on them. They willingly followed the path we all choose when we give in to temptations such as pornography. By choosing that path, God had to allow the punishment to unfold. It is much like how we feel when we experience anxiety, a lack of peace, and constant fear of being exposed, while porn forces us into a life of secrecy.
While cursing the serpent and the land, God refrained from cursing Adam and Eve. Instead, He extended His hand of compassion toward them.
“Cursed is the ground for your sake” (Genesis 3:17).
In other words, God was angry at the serpent for tricking Eve and causing Adam and Eve to fall, so He cursed it. He was also upset with the land from which Adam was made as it resulted in the creation that disobeyed Him, so He cursed the land. However, we can see the extent of God’s love for Adam and Eve. Even though they were the ones who disobeyed, God took the time to make them clothes from leather, a material they didn’t know about. He also made them a promise that He would save them, and that salvation would come through their children. When Adam blamed Eve for being tricked by the serpent, and she was afraid because Adam pointed the finger at her, God included her in His promise of salvation.
“And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15).
God mentioned “the woman” because Adam was not deceived by the serpent. Eve was the one who got tricked. God wanted Adam to stop blaming Eve, so He lifted her up from her insecurities and included her in His promise of salvation. God was more saddened than angry by what happened to Adam and Eve, so He chose not to curse them.
God loves all of us, even though He is hurt when we drift away and sin. His love never changes. So, my fellow fighter, don’t listen to the serpent’s lies that say God despises you for your actions. Every time you believe those lies, it’s like wearing dark glasses that get darker. Jesus’ light is still there, but you can’t see it clearly anymore because of the glasses you wear.
You are loved for who you are,
not for what you do.
So please understand that when you engage with pornography, it makes God sad rather than angry. He is sad because those who were once created in His image are now consumed by addiction to flesh and porn.
I might hear you asking the question that haunted me for a long time: why is He not reaching out to help?
In my struggle, I eventually stumbled upon the answer. This brings us to the second part of our discussion on God: His fairness.
God’s Fairness
This is the mystery of God that actually defines His love. God is love, and love requires protection. You cannot claim to love someone and allow that person to be harmed. Similarly, you cannot shield them from everything and confine them to a palace where they lack nothing, as they will perceive it as a prison.
It is a dilemma for God as He loves us deeply and wants to safeguard us, but He cannot violate our free will in doing so.
God’s love for you is so powerful that He would never make you do something you don’t want to. He’s being fair by not forcing you to change, as you might relapse into sin. If He protected you from a harmful temptation, then it might appear to you as the apple did to Eve—good for food, a delight to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise—enticing and attractive, leading you to believe He forcing you against your will. You would feel you are in prison.
Among the list of sins are pornography, adultery, murder, violence, lying, breaking commandments, and many others. If God made you avoid pornography, it would mean He is violating your free will—that is not love. And according to the definition, pornography is a sin just like any other. So, if God were to make you stop looking at pornography because it is your weakness, then, to be fair, He would have to make everyone stop not only pornography but every sinful habit they engage in. However, by doing so, He would violate His love because love does not force anyone to do anything.
“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7).
Jesus said that temptations are bound to happen. He can assist you in resisting or avoiding them, but if you choose to give in, He won’t interfere. It’s your decision about whom you want to follow.
Love Has Free Will
So, how does this work? Imagine God in a stadium, with thousands of people watching and listening to Him. Each person knows His capabilities and hears the message, “He who has ears, let him listen. If you want my help, raise your hand.” Then, you might hear some excuses:
– My neighbors and friends will know I need help if I raise my hand.
– He won’t give anything away for free; He will demand something or take something.
– I’m busy with my friends, maybe tomorrow.
– I’m busy playing a new game.
– I’m busy with a date with a new girlfriend.
– I feel too shy to raise my hand. What will others think about me?
– I don’t believe that He is serious.
– I don’t believe that He can do what He’s talking about.
– Who is this person (God) anyway?
– I’m angry with Him because He didn’t help me before.
– If He’s aware of my needs, why does He tell me to raise my hand instead of providing for me directly?
– I want to become better first, then raise my hand so that I can be deserving.
– I need to find something He likes as a return, such as fasting or praying.
We make excuses, trying to forget that His statement was clear. He said, “Raise your hand if you want to be better.”
The message is simple and direct, but not many people actually follow through. It’s no wonder He always says, “Whoever has ears, let him listen.” The whole stadium may have ears, but only a few actually listen.
I’ve heard it said that the road to hell is paved with excuses—and it’s true.
If you ask why He is leaving you in this mess, I’ll tell you—it’s not Him. He is a mighty warrior, fully capable, but your will becomes a rope tying His hands. It’s like He’s on one side of a double-sided door. One side represents His fairness; the other, your will. He knocks, but only you can open the door. When you do, His love steps in, and fairness steps aside.
He is still in your boat—He never left. Though He sleeps, His heart is awake, continuously knocking. All He desires is for you to acknowledge Him and His power to calm your storm. Once you do that, He will start making a difference in your life.
When you ask, you show your belief in His ability to accomplish what is beyond your own strength. When you ask, you reveal the full extent of love hidden beneath the surface of fairness. When you ask, you invite Him into your heart, allowing His light to flood your world and erase the darkness.
He alone can fill your heart with peace and forgiveness.
