The Manure of Modern Culture.

As I write this, I wonder what you all will think. Most of you are my friends, and I hope I may be heard as I write on a very sensitive subject. This is the subject of pornography, sexuality, and lust.

The old worn-out adage is that "sex sells." That it does, and that very well. It seems that we like living on the edge as people, trying to see what exactly we can get away with, like my cat, who enjoys being a pill while I search for things in the barn, constantly getting just enough in the way to perturb me. The point is that the reason 'sex sells' is that it is on the edge for us. It is risqué, bold, and gives us an adrenaline rush that would put the Great Flood to shame.

An important distinction that confuses many Christians today, is that they think sex is wrong. Under this, it becomes a matter of course that we believe all sorts of dangerous and needless laws. These include things like the prudish separation of men and women in every situation, which I am very familiar with. I personally see no law that disallows such activity, but I do see warnings to men and women. For great sexual insight, read Paul's Epistles to the Corinthians. I find the duty to tell my reader that a healthy sexuality is that which understands it properly in the proper context.

It is the cultural reactionary that we must be wary of. This is yet another lie from the devil that causes the culture to dictate the way we act. I. E. When the world is full of promiscuity and endless counts of fornication and adultery between men and women, the problem is automatically placed on the idea that men and women have too much contact. The easy answer in that case, is to separate said parties. But in the Bible, we see a Jesus that walks among the tax collectors, the beggars, the lepers, and the prostitutes. Is prudery excusable in a Bible where God made the universe? Think of all created order, and just for a second, think and remember how God has made those things which we think are disgusting. Now be a prude, and serve that God.

My point is not to live on the edge, but to remember that the edge is dangerous. God has warned us, that if we live there, it will only be worse for us. Remember Romans 1:24-25

I must write and speak that as I say these things, I am far from innocent. Lust and pornography have sadly been a part of my existence on this earth, in this flesh, and they eat at me. They deteriorate me. I feel more weakened when I write here, only to turn to a sin so repulsive, I should be ashamed to even show my face in public as a Christian. You may keep this in mind when I write of darkness and sadness more than usual, and you may be sure it is a drawback in my spiritual life due to an increased invigoration of my lust.

Therefore, from a few months of study as well as a recent Mars Hill Church online Event, I have decided to add a few links to my blog. I don't know why, but I feel a need to remind my reader that these websites are not me, and so I will not agree with them 100%. That's just the nature of things. Without any further ado, here are some great resources.

Click on the image to go to the free online book. You may also download it as a PDF

I also have just recently learned from Driscoll and his message of another website. If you struggle with lust, read all of these stories. They should break your heart.

Ex-adult model Stories of redemption

A good resource (but spendy: $60 a month subscription) is a program called Candeo Healthy Sexuality. This program takes a brain-science spin on the disease that is porn-addiction, and in my opinion is indispensable alongside John Owen's "Overcoming Sin & Temptation." I highly recommend the three-in-one edition by editors Kapic and Taylor; publisher: Crossway. Download the PDF

Porntopurity.com Very good. Just visit it.

Another good website on the dangers and truths of porn addiction is Fight The New Drug.

Lastly, here is a website that I honestly think likes to live on the edge as far as addressing this stuff goes, but it is good enough that I have derived very much good from it, is XXXChurch. It has resources for Men, Women, Teens, Parents, etc. and is very insightful.

I hope all of these things are important to you, as well as helpful. I want to make a last note that these dangers are not exclusive to men. Women seem to be left in the dust often when the important issues of sexuality come up, and sadly, that unjustly. So I want to make sure to let those of you who are women that read my blog explore these links if you need to. Remember that these are issues of sexuality, and remember that they are still dangerous. Not bad in any way, but dangerous nonetheless, and must be reviewed with caution and wisdom. Lots.