I mentioned on Sunday that sin in our hearts and minds inevitably affects us physically, and what we do physically affects us spiritually. We could probably find many examples of this. Simply consider how prone you are to sin when you haven't gotten sufficient rest and sleep. Another obvious example is found in pornography addiction. According to research cited by The Freedom Fight (a program that seeks to free men from bondage to pornography), pornography usage can affect us on a physiological level, specifically in dopamine production. Dopamine is known as a "pleasure" chemical, and sex is the highest natural produce of dopamine. Thus, dopamine is also produced during pornography usage. But, when pornography is binged, which is made possible by its abundance and availability, dopamine "highs" are sustained for hours on end. This can raise dopamine to unnatural levels, over time training the brain to lower its production of dopamine. This can then cause a sort of dependency, wherein the addict seeks more dopamine hits by further binging, while also experiencing depression when abstaining, because the brain has stopped producing dopamine at normal levels. Furthermore, the user has trained his or her brain to be rewarded with dopamine hits by moving from one naked person to the next. This sad cycle is made all the more possible by the kinds and abundance of sexually explicit content that hasn't been available in years past. And it's a potent example of how sin might affect us physically. It's bad news. But the good news is forgiveness and freedom are available in Christ and His resurrection, and there is help and encouragement in the community of those born again in Him.