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Sex sells.
This is a fact that has sold everything from cars to toothpaste. It's one of those principles in advertising that you can always rely on to push products.
In today's culture it is difficult to keep away from the subject. Everything has become hyper-sexualized. It surrounds us on billboards, TV shows, music and just about anything that is regarded as cool. Try as we may to avoid the X-rated, subliminal messaging is persistent and it sometimes penetrates.
The most unfortunate thing is, sexuality has become impersonal.
Where before sex and sexuality would be discussed with that trusted teacher, aunt, uncle or older cousin, it is very easy to get information on sex from the privacy of personal computers, cell phones, Ipads and other devices. This is leading to a high exposure rate amongst young people of the wrong information, from the wrong sources, presented in an attractive package as to what their sexuality means and how it should be used.
But the youth are not the only ones to fall. This can of worms is also open to parents, teachers, church elders and others who should know better.
You see, the deviousness of consuming sexual content on personal laptops and cell phones is that there is no witness to it and no immediate consequence. In fact consuming it has become a dirty little secret that allows many people to express their most base instincts and desires without the scarlet 'A' .
No longer can the film licensing bodies or authorities be entrusted with making sure that we don't consume these things. The laxity on their formerly stringent standards is caused by our own newfound immunity. Nowadays, anything that reads "romantic comedy" could include a soft core scene. Of course, the laugh track accompanying it is supposed to make it acceptable as simple humour pushed too far. Generally, TV shows don't get good ratings without the token sex scene.
A friend of mine was discussing this issue with me and we realized that it's very hard as a believer to watch anything, including the news, without sexual innuendoes being liberally sprinkled into stories and regular programming. Even children's cartoons are no longer safe.
It is increasingly hard to keep ourselves pure of thought if we are consistently surrounded by the message that sex is, well, sexy.
The temptation to act out what we see is a sure threat. The bible says "As a man thinketh, so is he" Prov 23:7.
Yeah, sure it may take some time to manifest itself, but what we meditate on, and allow ourselves to ponder takes root and becomes a real drive that in time pushes us over the edge. I'm not saying people turn into maniacal sex addicts or rapists automatically. It's possible but that may not happen to everyone. It however does lead to unhealthy views on sex that may affect intimate relationships.
Like that newly married couple that approach their pastor for help because the man is expecting his wife to engage in some sex act that's just outside the norm. Or that wife who expects her husband to perform in ways that make him uncomfortable. Problems brought on because they have not based their expectations of each other on the Word and their own intimacy level but on some movie they watched.
Moreover, perceptions of sexuality have affected women's view of themselves as objects of pleasure instead of whole human beings. And men view sex as some sort of leisure activity instead of the wholesome bonding experience it should be with their wife.
The fact is, through sex, the devil is winning the fight and we are coming away with bloody noses.
What is the reason behind this?
One word: Compromise.
Compromise in the Oxford Dictionary is described as: 1) to weaken or harm by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable 2) to bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behaviour
It takes compromise to watch that show through to the end even though we know the content is not wholesome.
It takes compromise to have sex before marriage because we want to take our significant others "out for a spin" before we lock ourselves down into forever after.
It takes compromise to watch sexual sites in the secrecy of our bedrooms, offices and bathrooms.
It takes compromise to go to that venue with the sexy dancers even though we know we shouldn't.
It takes compromise to sing along to that catchy new song even though the lyrics are full of *bleep* words.
Through compromise the devil is pulling down God's children into taking part in the very thing God speaks against.
"For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice.
That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honour. Not to be used in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will.
...For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration (to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity). Therefore whoever disregards and rejects this, disregards not man but God, Whose very Spirit Whom He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure)."
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
And if you think this message is not for those in the church then lets look at Revelations 2:12-17, Jesus' message to the church of Pergamum:
"I know where you live a place where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are clinging to and holding fast My name, and you did not deny My faith Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: you have some people there who are clinging to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to set a trap and a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, (to entice them) to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols and to practice fornication Repent then! Or else I will come to you quickly and fight against them with the sword of My mouth. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the Spirit says to the assemblies".
God's warning label on sex reads: Beware!
But what can we do about our own situations right now?
If you have fallen into watching sexual content, sex before marriage, strip clubs or whatever other sexual vices, the best advice is: Don't keep it secret.
The only way Satan can keep you trapped is through your shame.
Don't run away from church out of guilt. Seek out the help of trustworthy Christian leaders and friends who can pray for you and whom you can remain accountable to for your recovery.
If you start to walk in honesty to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and ask the Holy Spirit for help, praying continually when faced with temptation, slowly but surely you will be free. I know it seems a simplistic solution to a complex problem, but it's a sure start to healing.
If you purpose yourself to live right, with God's help and strength, you will be freed from this bondage.
When we, the billions who profess Christ and are officially categorised as Christians, would insist on getting our knowledge on sex from the Word instead of the world, and are obedient to how God intended it to be used, a lot of mistakes would be avoided. And if we shunned all these sexualized messages and sought out ONLY the wholesome, we would make a big difference in the world as an example of how to live pure and happy lives.
Together let's fix our eyes (and ears and thoughts) on "Whatever is true; whatever is worthy of reverence and is honourable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things". Phillipians 4:8
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