Transformational Thought
Over the past 40 years, our society has taken a dramatic turn: over-sexualization has become the norm. We hardly comment anymore on the increasingly provocative nature of messages or innuendos using sex to sell goods, crack a joke or make a point. Whether in advertising, entertainment or banter, coarse gestures and selfish appetites distort the highest neuro-chemical reward known to mankind. But sex didn’t start out as evil. So let’s explore God’s intent and design for our sexuality.
Acknowledging that God intended sex to be enjoyable, we must recognize the value, splendor and significance of our sexuality as designed by God. The continuous over-stimulating tactics of the world pervert God’s intention for sexual pleasure. They also set in motion insatiable appetites and consequences that cross every socio-economic and cultural barrier.
Consider these statistics…
- The largest consumers of internet pornography are those in the 12-17 age group. (Internet Pornography Statistics. Nat’l Coalition-Internet Filter Review, 2004)
- 66% of men in their 20s and 30s report being regular users of pornography. (Baptist Press, 28 December 2005.)
- 1 out of 3 visitors to all adult web sites are women. (TopTenReviews)
- 47% of Christians say pornography is a major problem at home. (TopTenReviews)
- 56% of divorce cases involve one party having “an obsessive interest in porn websites.”
- 70% of pornography is viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (SexTracker.com)
- 70% of Christians admit to struggling with porn. http://www.blazinggrace.org/porn-statistics/
Although these few statistics only address pornography, it should be noted that porn use is only one of the many presentations of sexual addiction. Others include promiscuity, fantasy, romance obsession, exhibitionism, voyeurism, masturbation, affairs, cyber sex, same-sex attraction, pedophilia, bestiality, sexual offense perpetrator, strip bars and sexual anorexia. Statistics for all these would be mind-boggling. So we have chosen to introduce new devotionals that minister to those ensnared in the sexual addiction epidemic by identifying pornography as one of the most accessible and escalating contributors.
As image bearers of the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—we were created for intimate relationship, a communion, a common union of agreement and connection. Within the union of the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit each reveal and reflect each other’s glory (opinion and value). Satan wants to pervert relational quality, and sexuality is an easy arena for his deceit to wreak havoc in our lives.
Today, you may know of someone who is sexually compulsive. What if that person is you? How can you tell? A good place to start is to ask, “Do I act sexually to change my mood or relieve stress?” or “Is sex the main way I show or receive love?” Perhaps like me, you wouldn’t have known how to act without using your sexuality. Maybe you’ve based your value as a person on your sexual appeal. Let’s meditate on God’s design in His word. Whether you view and use your sexuality the way God intended or the superficial and distorted way the world has warped it, it’s your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father, Almighty God, the pace of the world today can literally keep us spinning and distracted from Your best. We invite You, Holy Spirit, to open our hearts and minds to reveal where we have been caught up in behaviors that are contrary to Your design. Make us sensitive, O Lord, and refresh our spirit with Your good and pleasing intention for our lives. Open my eyes to Your direction for my sexuality, and clean my mind from the perversions I have chosen. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, who loved me intimately. And all God’s children say AMEN!
The Truth
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:27-28
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25
