If Magic Mike had been released fifteen years ago, I would have been first in line to buy a ticket. And if 50 Shades of Grey had been written fifteen years ago, I would have helped it reach the best-sellers list. But not now. Not since I’ve tasted the goodness of my Lord.
It isn’t that I want to be some super-spiritual, goody two shoes — or as my dad used to say, “sprayed with the holiness.” It’s just that certain things don’t lead me closer to the Lover of my soul. Certain things compromise intimacy with my God. And He’s just too beautiful to compromise.
Pornography — or however you want to categorize these two pieces of entertainment — is one of those places of compromise because the craving grows. A little taste makes us as humans want more. And more. Until we become consumed. And anything that consumes us more than our Maker is an idol. It’s a cheap imitation that we hope will fulfill us. But it can’t and won’t.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
We make choices every single day. And nearly every choice leads us either closer to God or turns our face the other way. Just because I can do, watch, read, or listen to something, doesn’t mean I should. Just because something is permissible, doesn’t mean it’s beneficial. (1 Corinthians 10:23) That’s why I tell my kids to put on their “Bible glasses.”
I know it sounds old-fashioned, but it’s vital that we look at life through the lens of God’s Word. He gives boundaries and warnings, specifically regarding sex and lust, with purpose and out of His adoring love. He created us. He created sex. He knows our deepest needs. And He fully understands how easily our hearts deceive.
As a Christ-follower, if I can’t do something while honestly saying, “Yes, this is for God’s glory,” then most likely it isn’t best. (1 Corinthians 10:31) It may damage my soul, my witness, or my fellowship with God. And I walked that road for too long.
One thing I’ve learned: nothing is sweeter than glorifying Him. It’s what we’re created to do. So the short answer is “no.” I can’t justify supporting Magic Mike. And I pray that we as Jesus-followers would stand firm — in love and grace and all humility! — shining as a light in this very dark world.
Fill me, Lord…
What do you think?
How do you protect yourself from compromise?
I’m hanging out over at Inspired to Action today talking about those “Bible glasses” I mentioned above.
Preach it, girl! I don’t even want a HINT of risking that intimacy with my Lord. That intimacy, I NEED desperately and that’s the only thing I want to need desperately.
Me either, friend. I’ve tasted the world. It doesn’t compare to my God.
Well said girl. Right on target.
A needed perspective in the argument friend. I appreciate the way you held out the beauty of God. “Certain things compromise intimacy with my God. And He’s just too beautiful to compromise.”
Well…I didn’t mean that to post as MOB Society 😉 But there you go…it’s @BrookeWrites!
Either way, I’m honored, Brooke. Praying our boys (and girls) grow into men and women who don’t want to compromise.
Love this, and really agree with your perspective. The trailers make the movie so tempting to see, and I’ve already noticed other Christians justifying reasons to see it. But since it’s tempting to see it, I know I shouldn’t. If that makes sense.
I totally know what you mean. Temptation typically means trouble. Blessings to you, Kara.
This post is SO timely. A little over a year ago, I dumped Facebook. It simply was not a good thing for me. After some initial sulking, I found myself spending more time sitting at Jesus’ feet, developing a much deeper relationship with Him.
Fast forward to just a few days ago. I’ve heard through the grapevine that some of my high school classmates are planning a reunion for later this year. Of course, everyone that’s talking about it is on Facebook. The more I thought about it, the more disconnected I felt from everyone and so I jumped back on without really giving it a second thought.
Funny thing…ever since I reopened my Facebook account, I have lost my peace. I don’t sleep at night. My quiet time is awkward. And my thoughts have been almost completely SELF centered. (what picture can I post? how can I update my status now? how many likes have I gotten?) And so on and so on. It’s disgusting. What a joke.
I traded deep intimacy with my Savior for some brief recognition on Facebook. And the craziest part??? I have little respect for most of the people on there that I was trying to reconnect with before the reunion. So many are still into partying and being crude and immature.
I know what I need to do now. Thank you for this post. It definitely reminded me what matters. He really is too beautiful to compromise.
Amy
Wow your response hit home to me, I have been feeling led to dump Facebook myself. The only problem is there are some Christian women that I really connect with on there and I tried with the email only and it hasnt worked so far. I am praying that God leads me in the right direction because I definitely feel that Facebook has contributed to time wasted in my day. More importantly I get frustrated when I see Christian women have FB breakdowns and post erratic things, I mean it really messes with my spirit. Thanks for your post I am in prayer about what to do for myself.
I’ll say a prayer for you too!
Thanks for sharing, Amy. I have to be really cautious with how much time I allow myself for Facebook. Otherwise it will eat away the hours. (And sometimes it has. :/ )
I’m sure you must get that whole “you’re just trying to be super-spiritual” as you mentioned from people. How do you deal with it? Most of my Christian friends don’t really seem to have a problem with this sort of thing in a movie or book and when I raise objections I’m told I’m being legalistic or trying to trample on their freedom in Christ.
Compromise always wants company. They know in their hearts right from wrong, if they are born again. God’s Spirit always warns. Every time we compromise, we silence our consience a little more. It is sad……..
Thank you so much for putting words to this. My pastor just shared a sermon on lust and he called women out and specifically named “50 Shades…” I was so thankful that he didn’t limit lust and impurity to men. As Christ-following women, we need to be above reproach and protect our intimacy and relationship with the Lord above all else. If we don’t, how are we any different than the world? We should be influencing our culture, not letting the culture influence us.
The enemy lures with such seduction, doesn’t he? It’s crazy. But yes, I pray that I (we!) influence our culture with the love of our Lord. Nothing else satisfies. Thanks for your comment, Amber.
I had just heard about 50 shades from a trusted friend (who was very “enthused” about it) and also have seen the advertisement for the movie not too long ago and really thought “that may be fun to watch”. Wow, we have to be very vigilant with who and what influences us. Thank you for the post, it helped me when I didn’t think I needed help…
Thanks, Raquel. God is so good to reveal our wayward thinking at times.
Lara
This is a great post, it almost seems as if (sometimes myself included) we Christian women are reluctant to stand up for what is right. Mainly because of the “holier than thou” accusations. I don’t care what people think but I sometimes don’t like to hear the backlash. One of my closest friends is an avid reader just like myself (she is not Christian) and she came in town for my college graduation this past weekend. While we were in the car she asked me if I had yet read 50 Shades…..I responded “I saw the hooplah on FB and that turned me off right away, but when a friend posted what the book was about I def did not want any part of it.” Her response ” Oh I forgot how holy you are” I smiled and responded “don’t forget next time:)” But that actually hurt my feelings, although I did not show it. I am a firm believer that we should be careful to guard our hearts and minds from unnecessary nonsense. Sin starts in the mind:) Furthermore….If the world loves it, that’s a great clue that there really isn’t anything in it for us. As for the movie, I feel the same way. Will we burn up if we go to the theater? Most likely not….But are we 100% positive that movies and books will not plant seeds of lust in our minds only to bloom at a later time? I simply don’t want to and furthermore cannot afford to take that chance. I have an unsaved husband who I am in warfare spiritually for, and 5 small babies and Im sure satan would want nothing more than to see my family and marriage fail. This is a battle and I am not perfect but bringing on unnecessary stuff is simply not an option:) thanks for this post it has really encouraged me:) With love:)
So so true. This is a battle, sister. Praying right now for you and your family. He changes hearts. Keep standing in the gap, believing.
And not just intimacy with Jesus, but also intimacy with my husband…I cannot allow my thoughts/emotions to daydream/fantasize about any man other than my husband…and that mental/emotional adultery is just as sinful, just as harmful as
viewing pornography. May we be accountable to each other in this area that is so
easily “excused”…
This is huge, Julia. Just like Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. If we lust in our hearts we’ve already committed adultery. Praying we as wives stay guarded.
As Philippians 4:8 says, we need to keep our thoughts on whatever is true, noble, right, PURE, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. When we read these kinds of books or watch these movies, we can’t keep our thoughts on these things. Entertainment is a powerful force that Satan uses to occupy our thoughts and distract us from being obedient and effective in our Christian walk. It also effects our thoughts about our husbands. In our minds, we compare and fantasize about what we have read or watched, leading us to be dissatisfied with our own man. Keeping my thoughts on God’s good things and my man only, help me protect myself from compromise.
I love that Philippians text. And doesn’t the enemy love to get to us through “entertainment.” I want my thoughts set on true things. Thanks, Tracy!
I think it’s awesome, too, as another commenter said, that you’re calling out women and not just men for the lust and worldly pleasures problem. My husband has a laundry list of issues, and at the top of the list is sexual addiction. Pornography, thoughts in his head from his past or his imagination, seeking out women online or IRL… and he’s a Christian man who loves Christ but is still struggling incessantly with his sin–and media sure doesn’t help.
I have to admit I read Fifty Shades. I’ll be the brave commenter to admit it! I was embarrassed to tell certain people I was reading it, which says a lot 🙂 In the end, for ME, I didn’t find it an issue with my intimacy with God. I’m not arguing your point one bit, but because of the place I am in a difficult marriage, I have zero interest in sex. I for-reals read it for the story. I read a couple of the sex scenes, and let me tell you, they are so ridiculously bogus! The rest I flipped over the sex pages and continued on. It does have a decent story (after the first book ends). But just for the sake of my own witness, I kind of wish I hadn’t partaken. Curiosity got the better of me, though.
Nicole, thanks for being honest. Not much good in hiding what He sees and redeems. Right? But I think you are right, if the world sees us “partaking” of whatever they serve up, we can become less effective as an example of Christ. But, God so graciously redeems. Don’t allow the enemy to speak condemnation. Thanks for commenting!
I believe that the series of things that have come out this year, beginning with Twilight, Shades of Grey and now Magic Mike, are specifically crafted in order to lure women into a very warped lustful way of seeing romance. Men are far more simple and easy for the enemy to lead astray with plain old sex any way it is presented. No frills needed. It is just their biology. Women, on the other hand have the bigger need for romance. So, we have men who are not “really” strippers at heart falling in love with an innocent girl… (according to Wikipedia’s summary of the movie) and Vampires who are so in love they are “morally” conflicted and want a better life for their lady interest, even though they are madly in “love” with her. LOVE? Really? The supposed cold dead blood sucking creature of darkness is in love with a girl today and yet drank the blood and killed another yesterday? REALLY? It is sheer fantasy and romance at it’s darkest. It has NO place in the heart of a Christian. “Guard your heart with all diligence….for out of it comes the is issues of life.” The Word of God is filled with such warnings and we do well to take heed!!!
Amen. He warns out of love for us. He knows how deceptive our hearts can be. Thanks for the comment, Rita.
God gave me a husband to love, honor & respect. It would not please my husband, but rather it may bring him harm if I went to see this movie, or read that book. He would never tell me “not” to go, but I know his heart. It’s my job, duty, joy to protect, preserve & care for him. So I won’t go (I won’t miss much, eh?), & my marriage will be richer for it!
I know what you mean. It can get in our heads and then we start comparing or even coveting what we don’t have. Praying His blessing over your marriage, friend. Keep on.
Amen! I want to finish my walk with Him well and I don’t want anything to get in the way of my relationship with Him. I can’t be filled with Him if I’m ‘drunk’ on something else…I can’t pour out on others for His glory if I compromise.
To protect myself I pray through temptations and ask God to quickly convict me and show me any wicked way in me and to help me to lay aside every sin and encumbrance that entangles me. He has shown me idols to get rid of, these are convictions between He and I and when someone asks there’s an opportunity to share by the power of His Holy Spirit “standing firm in love and grace and all humility.”
Thank you sister
We have so many idols. He’s patient with us in all our waywardness, isn’t He? Praying for you, sister. Stand firm.
Right on!! My husband and I just had a conversation with our soon to be 20yr old about the 50 Shades Of Grey. Found out that she had made the choice to read it and
knows how we feel about it in light of God’s word. Looong conversation followed…
spiritually she’s bankrupt….praying God will speak into her heart. That she would
want to make a real life-long decision to live for Him that would change her life forever.
Until then we are entrusting her to Him. God Bless You and Your Family. LOVE your
posts….
Oh sister, I just can’t imagine how that must feel. My kids are still young. But I was the prodigal; and I know that God can restore any of His children. Keep believing Him to work in her heart. He will in His perfect time.
Thanks for handling this issue gently yet firm.
I love that you turned the issue of porn ruining intimacy between man and wife to the real issue, ruining intimacy between a people and their God.