Hush, Hush
We discussed a taboo topic in the leaders meeting yesterday.
Timur was having a discussion with members of the Church and a great problem rose to the surface. Sex. And sexual temptation. Timur shared how he had no idea that this problem existed because no one had mentioned it as a problem, perhaps because they did not feel comfortable talking about it. That sounded familiar to me.
It seems as if the word pornography has just crept into the words to say sometimes at church, however in a world where I'm pretty sure that every young person, and probably older ones as well deal with sexual temptation, perhaps we should begin saying more things. Timur made a good point that for older people who may not be directly involved with that type of sin may still have it tight in their memory and it may be weighing them down for further growth as a Christian as Satan uses it as a stronghold of guilt. Obviously it will be a challenge and uncomfortable to mention oral sex, masturbation (a subject that I am pretty much horrified to talk about with my brother, but as a brother must, so we will see if I practice what I preach on this one) ect. but think of the times you have talked about with people and the relief it was to know that you identify with others who struggle with the same thing and also to be able to talk about it and begin to think how to approach it.
One of the first steps to provide an atmosphere will be for leaders to step up. For leaders to tell about their struggles present and past. I am sure that most people have it in their head that the leaders of the Church are perfect and stainless and obviously that is untrue. We should not follow in the footsteps of a culture that says to put perfect shell around a not perfect person and to not accept any help or ask from help in any case. In leaders defense, I hope that Jesus has touched that area of their lives, which may lead them to forget the great battle thats going on with sexual temptation in almost everyone's lives, so here is a little reminder.
We should try hard on this one, because no matter what culture - American, African or Russian - sexual temptation has been prevalent, which is a scary thing, but also comforting to know that many deal with this struggle. So let's talk about it.
Timur was having a discussion with members of the Church and a great problem rose to the surface. Sex. And sexual temptation. Timur shared how he had no idea that this problem existed because no one had mentioned it as a problem, perhaps because they did not feel comfortable talking about it. That sounded familiar to me.
It seems as if the word pornography has just crept into the words to say sometimes at church, however in a world where I'm pretty sure that every young person, and probably older ones as well deal with sexual temptation, perhaps we should begin saying more things. Timur made a good point that for older people who may not be directly involved with that type of sin may still have it tight in their memory and it may be weighing them down for further growth as a Christian as Satan uses it as a stronghold of guilt. Obviously it will be a challenge and uncomfortable to mention oral sex, masturbation (a subject that I am pretty much horrified to talk about with my brother, but as a brother must, so we will see if I practice what I preach on this one) ect. but think of the times you have talked about with people and the relief it was to know that you identify with others who struggle with the same thing and also to be able to talk about it and begin to think how to approach it.
One of the first steps to provide an atmosphere will be for leaders to step up. For leaders to tell about their struggles present and past. I am sure that most people have it in their head that the leaders of the Church are perfect and stainless and obviously that is untrue. We should not follow in the footsteps of a culture that says to put perfect shell around a not perfect person and to not accept any help or ask from help in any case. In leaders defense, I hope that Jesus has touched that area of their lives, which may lead them to forget the great battle thats going on with sexual temptation in almost everyone's lives, so here is a little reminder.
We should try hard on this one, because no matter what culture - American, African or Russian - sexual temptation has been prevalent, which is a scary thing, but also comforting to know that many deal with this struggle. So let's talk about it.
posted by Heath at 9:04 PM
4 Comments:
I agree with idea that it begins with leaders. It has been my experience in leading many group discussions that it is rare for a disussion to go any deeper or venture to difficult topics unless the leader takes it there.
Chris,
Is that your subtle way of throwing the ball back in Heath's court?
C'mon man "let's talk about sex baby..."*
_________________________________
Heath,
Talk about taboo... Try to actually discuss sex, sexual promiscuity, sexual temptation, statistics regarding sexual activity w/ regard to teens, or anything else along those lines in the average church today and you'll likely catch flack... Especially, if you start to address specifics, like the prevalence of pornography and it's effects on members of the church... or masturbation... or how oral sex is often practicied by teens (and pre-teens) in order to avoid the guilt of "real" sex...
No, let's just ignore this topic all together... besides it's not my kids that struggle with this anyway... And it's certainly not my spouse... And if it's the ministry leaders, well then I just think _____ (feel free to fill it in)…
Okay, got a little carried away there... But it bothers me that statistically speaking a teenage girl who plays on the soccer or lacrosse team is less likely to have sex before marriage than one who is an "active" member in her youth group at church...
I'm pretty sure a large portion of the church in Corinth (really for all those of Greek backgrounds referenced in the NT) would have taken issue with this... Participating in the worship of Greek gods was typically an experience saturated with all sorts of sexuality: orgies, pedophilia, prostitution, you name it - it was there... One could make a significant case that the reason Paul warns away from eating food sacrificed to idols was that it was such a threat to one's spiritual life, in part because the smell and taste of that food would have been so strongly connected to the sexual experiences of temple worship... Much the way a smell can trigger a memory still today. Anyway, my point is we need to address the evils of worldly and fleshly living... If we continue to shy away from the topic of sex and sexual purity, we will fail the next generation... Our children need to see us openly and honestly wrestling with this topic... Desperately relying on God’s Word, and His Spirit to guide us…
May I suggest going to Brian Mashburn's blog: http://brianmashburn.blogspot.com and reading his post about resisting evil... the attached video is amazing to watch in light of Brian's application...
Anyway... My prayers are with the church leaders in Russia, Africa, here in the states and elsewhere - May God reveal a healthy and holy way to address the topic of sexual impurity. May He heal those who have been wounded deeply by molestation, abuse, and over exposure... May our Father restore all those who have neglected to honor His call to sexual purity… May His church be a haven for that healing… And May God’s people rise up and with fierce determination - resist evil in all it’s forms! God may we take your son’s words seriously, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.” Redeem us Father God. Forgive us our sins. Lord, cleanse your church that you may present her to yourself as radiant, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Father, thank you for that kind of Love expressed through your son Jesus! It’s in His name I pray, Amen.
Much Love,
J
*Salt N Pepa
It's interesting how this is never talked about. One of the past youth minister's at the church I am working at struggled with pornography so greatly that he resigned. I hope you are having an amazing time in Russia...I am sure God is blessing you like crazy!
I agree with Jason ... "May God reveal a healthy and holy way to address the topic of sexual impurity" [and purity]. Definitely go into it with your seekers as needed ...
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