Is it wrong to look at diagrams and pictures of private parts?

Last updated on September 14, 2020

Question:

Good day everyone,

I just want to ask whether it is wrong to look at diagrams and pictures of private parts of both men and women. I asked because I recently looked at some photos and diagrams of women’s vagina, clitoris, and even men’s penises. I also went further to look at diagrams of sex positions. I felt guilty after that, and whenever I closed my eyes I would see the pictures I looked at earlier. I am 15 years old, and I’m confused. Your advice would really help.

Thanks and God bless.

Answer:

Most people are curious about new things. You get something new and you want to know all about it. But there is a fine line between curiosity and sensuality when it comes to the human body. Sensuality is when you look at things because it makes you sexually aroused.

The Internet contains a lot of information, but all of it is not good information. There are people who capitalize on the novelty and awkwardness of becoming an adult as a way to promote immorality. Even properly done information can become wrong if the person isn’t so much interested in information as he is looking for a way to get himself sexually aroused.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God” (I Thessalonians 4:3-5).

It sounds to me that while it might have started as a curiosity, it didn’t end there. One thing leads to another and you went beyond what was sensible. You can’t erase what you saw, but you can stop focusing on it by forcing yourself to think about righteous things. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Understand that by its nature sin is a progressive thing. If you have questions, then find a reputable source to find answers, but don’t go wandering because you’ll get caught up in things you know are wrong.

Question:

Thanks a lot.

It all started when I just wanted to see how a real vagina looked like, and then I went on to look at diagrams of sex positions. I felt at that moment that I was doing the right thing by educating myself, but afterward, I began feeling guilty. But how does one know which diagram or picture is good or bad?

Answer:

Judge it by its intentions. Is it there as educational material, minimizing the sensual aspects of the topic, or does it emphasize the sensual and gives little facts? You can roughly judge this by your own response. If the material makes you sexually aroused and wanting to masturbate, then you can be quite sure that this was pornography in the guise of “educational” material.

But better is to find reputable sources, such as medical sites or legitimate educational sites. Just doing random searches will more often than not get you into trouble.

Question:

Thanks for your advice. May God bless you.

I am in school and the females here don’t dress too decently. Most at times, I am tempted to commit lust, but I resist it. How can I keep my eyes off these girls because I see them almost every day?

Answer:

Temptation is going to happen because Satan isn’t going to give up easily. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). You can’t stop the temptations, but you can put up a resistance. When someone isn’t dressed decently, purposely look elsewhere. It will be hard, but it is necessary. Realize that you do have control over where you look.