Sermon: The Seven Deadly Sins of Smartphones – Lust
Introduction
Thanks be to God for His holy word. Today, we explore the intersection of Proverbs 23:26-28 and the pervasive influence of smartphones, focusing on the sin of lust. Sexual intimacy is a sacred mystery, a divinely appointed sign and seal of marriage between one man and one woman. However, the ubiquity of profane content in our digital age makes it impossible to avoid addressing this topic directly. This sermon aims to approach the subject with sensitivity, ensuring appropriateness for all ages in worship, while honoring the sanctity of the marital covenant.
Thesis
Our interactions with sexualized images on screens commodify and flatten the image of God in people into a product for consumption, dishonoring both our fellow human beings and God Himself. This issue extends beyond pornography to include advertising, social media, selfies, online dating, and even how we judge others based on appearance.
Section 1: Pornography – Murder of the Heart
We live in a pornified world, from the darkest corners of the internet to grocery store tabloids, romance novels, fanfiction, and Snapchat selfie culture. This world destroys the very thing it seeks—pleasure—by desecrating the sacred union of marriage. Pornography is murder of the heart because it robs the marital act of its covenantal depth, reducing it to heartless pleasure that ultimately brings no satisfaction.
The marital union is a gift from God, blessed and celebrated in Scripture, such as in Proverbs 5:18, which says, “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth.” God designed intimacy to unite husband and wife holistically—body, soul, and spirit. However, sexualized images flatten people into mere appearances, stripping them of their God-given dignity. This commodification mirrors historical atrocities, such as the slave trade, where individuals were reduced to their labor capacity for profit and pleasure. Similarly, pornography degrades people into objects of sexuality, dehumanizing them.
Section 2: Wisdom from Proverbs
Proverbs 23:26-28 offers timeless wisdom: “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well. She lies in wait like a robber and increases the traitors among mankind.” This passage, while written to a young man, applies to all who face sexual temptation. It highlights four dangers of sexual sin:
- Deadly: Sexual sin is a “deep pit” that engulfs those who fall into it. Proverbs 6:26 warns, “For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.”
- Terrible: The adulteress is a “narrow well,” contrasting with the bountiful fountain of a godly wife. Pornography destroys the wonder and sacredness of intimacy, stealing joy.
- Dangerous: Temptation lies in wait like a robber, especially in the digital world, where advertisements, social media, and unsolicited content ambush us.
- Destructive to Faith: Sexual sin increases “traitors” or faithless ones, pulling us away from God by fostering contempt for His image in others.
The internet amplifies these dangers, as constant exposure to sexualized content desensitizes us and distorts our perception of others. Like a castle letting in enemies two by two, we often allow small temptations to infiltrate our hearts until they overwhelm us.
Section 3: Guarding Heart and Eyes
Proverbs 23:26 offers two practical steps to combat temptation: “Give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” First, we must fix our eyes on godly mentors and communities who model purity and holiness. Smartphones, while promising connectivity, often isolate us by consuming time that could be spent in meaningful fellowship. Joining groups like Samson Society or sharing with trusted friends can help us stay accountable.
Second, we must surrender our hearts to trustworthy guides—parents, mentors, or godly friends—who can help us navigate relationships wisely. This is especially crucial for young people whose hearts are easily swayed. By giving our hearts to God and His community, we protect ourselves from the fleeting allure of sexualized images.
Section 4: Hope and Redemption
The shame and guilt associated with sexual sin are not meant to drive us into darkness but to lead us to repentance and the light of God’s grace. No matter how far one has wandered, God’s love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ are always available. Confession, repentance, and accountability are steps toward healing and restoration.
Section 5: Beyond Pornography – The Broader Impact
The commodification of people extends beyond pornography to everyday interactions with screens. From social media to online dating, we often judge others based on flat, one-dimensional images, neglecting their full humanity. This mindset affects how we treat those around us, fostering superficial relationships and avoidance of meaningful engagement, such as preferring texts over phone calls.
Online dating, in particular, prioritizes appearance over character, warping our understanding of a desirable partner. Proverbs 31:10-31, often misused to burden women, is actually Solomon’s advice to his son on seeking a godly wife. Qualities like trustworthiness, hard work, kindness, wisdom, and fear of the Lord—none of which can be discerned through a screen—are what matter. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). Judging potential partners by images alone invites disaster, as evidenced by declining marriage success rates in the era of dating apps.
Section 6: Cultural Consequences
The commodification of people permeates our culture, from teenagers playing games like “huz or chuz” (rating attractiveness) to the excessive focus on appearance in social media. These practices train us to value people superficially, undermining God’s call to treat others as fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters in purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2). We must be vigilant, as even “harmless” images can reshape our perceptions, pulling us away from reality and into a world that devalues God’s image in others.
Conclusion
Interacting with sexualized images on screens flattens the image of God into a commodity, damaging our souls and society. Yet, there is hope. God offers forgiveness, restoration, and a better way through His word and community. Let us set our eyes on what is good, treat others as image-bearers of God, and reject the world’s cheap, destructive imitations of intimacy. At God’s right hand are pleasures forevermore, far surpassing the fleeting vanities of this world.
Prayer
Lord, transform us by Your word. Help us live according to Your purposes, recognizing how screen images have misformed us. Give us Your eyes to see others as You do, and may we surrender our hearts to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.