“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” (Eph 5:11–12)
Consider: Good men abhor sexual predators who corrupt and sexually exploit vulnerable women through deception, coercion, manipulation, abuse, violence, and rape.
Most men who view pornography fail to realize their complicity in the sin, depravity, and injury inflicted upon the people they lustfully watch.
Realize: Research shows that many people drawn into pornography come from broken homes with absent fathers, early sexual abuse, grooming, coercion, violence, addiction, poverty, or even human trafficking, real sons and daughters whose wounds are exploited for profit. Those who participate in pornography suffer devastating harm, including physical injury and disease, severe mental illness, anxiety, despair, regret, suicidal ideation, ruined futures, and repeated engagement in sexually depraved acts; if freely chosen without repentance, these sins can exclude a soul from the Kingdom of God and result in eternal damnation. The Church teaches that a man becomes complicit in another’s sin by participating in, approving, encouraging, or benefiting from evil (CCC 1868–1869); watching pornography makes a man complicit in the sins of others because his viewing encourages and rewards those making porn. Jesus issues a terrifying warning against causing another to sin (Mt 18:6).
Resolution: Today, I practice Heroic Sexual Self-discipline so that I am not complicit in the sexual exploitation and sin of those involved in pornography and so I can experience the joy of Chastity.
My Lord and my God, I now see that my lustful viewing of pornography made me complicit in the sins of others. I am horrified that my pathetic lust and ignorance led me to cooperate with evil and encourage others to remain trapped in sin. Merciful Christ, I beg that You forgive me and deliver all who are enslaved by pornography. Heal me, heal them, and help me always remember that the women exploited in pornography are daughters, sisters, and mothers who desperately need my prayers for their deliverance. Jesus, save me from the millstone (Mt 18:6) and help me imitate Your heroic love.
Examine: How can a man’s pornography habit make him complicit in the sins of others?
Pray: Lord Jesus Christ, Defender of the innocent, help me build the Virtue of Prayer (a part of Justice) so that I may prayerfully repent of my past complicity with pornography and make it a daily practice to pray for the repentance, conversion, and salvation of every soul who has participated in pornography. Amen.