Posted on 02/03/2022 9:38:04 AM PST by SeekAndFind
The Reality Is…
There are threats that face the Christian Church, and the cause of those threats is sin. Sin affects every member of the Christian faith, no matter the status. Sin causes us to stumble and sets us back in our cause for Christ. Ultimately, it should remind us how desperate we need the forgiveness and guidance of God.
But which sin seems to set us back the most? What are we glossing over, pushing under the rug, and pretending isn’t there? That, my friends, is sexual sin. In 2016, Josh McDowell told CBN News, “pornography is probably the greatest threat to the cause of Christ in the history of the world.” Wow. That’s a strong statement to make.
Churches should be pushing the alarm button…not the snooze button! The sad reality is we are not hearing the alarm because most Christian men are in the clutches of this sin. Barna Research Group and Josh McDowell Ministries commissioned a studyfound that the number of Christian men who view pornography nearly mirrors that of non-Christian men. How can this be?
Factors
How has the Church suddenly become a fruitless and passive representation of God in this area? There should be alarms ringing left and right about this topic. Yes, there are certainly pastors and leaders out there addressing it and hundreds of books have been written on it. However, instead of winning against this sin, we’re backsliding.
A recent Lifeway Research poll found that 81 percent of Americans said they were concerned with the declining moral behavior of America. If God calls and equips the Church to be set apart from this world and its lusts, why are most Christian men living sexually immoral lifestyles?
There are a couple of primary factors that contribute to this decline in morals and moral behavior. First, the world is constantly advancing the availability, accessibility, and acceptance of sexual immorality. Over half of men aged 18-49 label pornography as morally acceptable. What’s even more disturbing is that 50% of those who claimed their religion was important to them, also said porn was morally acceptable.
The second factor contributing to this moral decline is that Christians frequently underscore God’s Word and the role that He plays in the battle between the flesh and the spirit. Most of the sermons and books today focus on what you need to do to become free — not how God has a role and provision for us in this battle.
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6)
It’s time to fight
As the Body of Christ, we cannot allow this moral decline to continue. We must sound the alarm.
Did you know that sexual sin is different than all other sins? The Bible tells us, “Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he commits sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sexual sin incapacitates us both spiritually and physically. Satan knows this and has been using this sin against man from the very beginning. He knows we were created as sexual beings (Genesis 2:24) and our sexual immorality incapacitates us. He also knows sin causes us to hide from God (Genesis 3:10) and he specifically targets Christians.
The Church has been putting forth unbiblical tactics far too long and it’s time for the Church to stand up and fight the war of sexual immorality.
Adapted from J.S. Shelton’s book “Unmuzzled: Escaping sexual sin, Satan’s grip on men.” For more information about J.S. Shelton and “Unmuzzled” please visit: https://unmuzzledmen.com/
Author of the book UNMUZZLED, Jeremy is a man on a mission to directly confront sexual sin in the church today. He does so with the belief God is using him to grab hold of those heading toward a slaughter. He and his wife of eighteen years have five children and live in Texas.
See my OP https://freerepublic.com/focus/religion/4035128/posts?page=94#94
Not BS. Individuals DO NOT NEED sex for THEMSELVES to survive.
This is common cover for those wishing to justify their immorality.
And this is not just about viewing porn. It’s about any immoral sex. Period. All sex outside marriage is a sin. It may be natural, but it is not moral. Because it ruins other lives, like childrens’ who inevitably result and which IS the PURPOSE of sex, not your survival. Thus it should not be so glibly thrown around. Check out urban decay. Lots of screwing, lots of uncared for children and consequent citizens.
How is the first phrase expanded on by the “cut it off” admonition? Or just how is it oversimplified?
It is NOT. A need. No matter how much males esp. and any sexual sinner wishes to justify it.
A natural happening is not a deal. Swinging that thing around and using it on others without sacrament of marriage IS a sin.
And now Phil Collins is retired
Thumper is my porn name
It works both ways, but not as much as you imply.
One major difference between guys and women: the woman would rather stay home than go out with a guy she feels is beneath her, while a guy would rather go out with the most desirable woman he can actually talk into going out.
As the guy is still the one who society expects to make the first move, and thus the one who will get shot down when he asks out a girl who doesn't find him attractive, guys VERY QUICKLY find out their true "sexual market value".
A guy with the courage to keep asking, and keep getting shot down, is more likely to succeed in getting desirable women, than a girl who waits at some for Prince Charming to select her on Tinder (or whatever).
Guys also know that they peak later in the desirability game. For a woman of 24, she's at her peak, lots of older men want to date her. A guy tends to peak later, in his 30's, when he's had time to become professionally successful, learn to dress well, and become more confident. Meanwhile, women's desirability starts going down in their 30's, and they may regret passing up the good men who wanted to date them in their younger days.
(BTW, I'm a happily married man who exited the dating game decades ago, but who still talks to my younger friends)
Now you’re denying Mother Nature, you’re denying human nature. You are a true fanatic.
I was considered “normal” at least in the ‘50s. And earlier.
Keep your legs together. It helps children, nevermind possibly you and the person you’re using.
Urban culture with free love is all you need to see to see how serious sexual sin is. I don’t care about nature. It IS nature, but it can and does lead to ruinous society. Deny that and you deny liberal anything-goes philosophy of the last 50 years which HAS ruined our culture. Pill and abortion, Welfare AND payment for more kids…who are RUINED being put in this situation by NO FAULT OF THEIROWN. Their “parents” just wanted to screw, and likely get the bit of money for it. That’s all. No responsibility.
Abortion and pills and condoms didn’t work….it’s the habit of lust and screwing that ultimately overrides all that and lead to HUGE illegitimacy rates along with huge dysfunction.
Keep it in your pants. Save it for the chosen one.
Yes, up until recent times, it was normal for young people to marry in their teens, to partners who had their parents approval (because while they might be sexually mature, young people may not be judgmentally mature yet, that's what parental guidance is for).
Live your life the way you choose as a free person, act responsibly and accept the consequences of your actions and decisions, do your best to make this a better world.
Yes, looks can (and do) fade, which is why looks should be a lesser consideration when looking for a spouse. I'm fortunate to have married an average-looking woman, who after 40 years is still interested in keeping me happy.
Well stated.
I can agree with that. Just wasn’t seeing the connection.
Yes, “do” would have been a better choice of words.
And you are fortunate because I’m known some very attractive women who are just witches and brutal to live with.
I can’t understand that the trade off was worth it for those guys.
Thank You.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal...while asleep
Asleep
Yes.
And now:
Because lawlessness is increased, the love of most people will grow cold
Men are unable to trust “law”
Cold law
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