Imagine with me for a moment that you’re waiting for an elevator. When the doors finally open, there’s one other person standing inside. You get in, press your floor number, and the doors close. As the elevator begins its ascent, you are suddenly struck with an awareness you can’t explain: that the other person in the elevator with you can read your thoughts. In fact, he or she can tell...
As we journey away from unwanted behaviors, sexual or otherwise, it can often feel like our bodies are opposed to change. We want to eat healthy, but our mouths water even though our stomachs are full.We want to exercise, but our bodies feel too tired.We want to be faithful to our spouse but our bodies feel aroused by the sight of someone else.We want to remain calm, but anger seems to...
There’s a problematic approach to dealing with our hyper-sexualized culture that many, many Christians are making. And it’s making the problem worse. The problem is focusing too much on what not to do. For parents, this looks like having talks with your kids about sex that center primarily around sexual sin. This can also look like: Emphasizing the most important thing is to not have sex before...
Pride is a tenacious, sneaky, and deadly thing. It can lurk even in places where we find ourselves deeply wounded or hurting. It can lurk even when we believe ourselves to be humble. Benjamin Franklin humorously suggested that if ever he were able to rid himself of pride, he’d surely end up being proud about it. Last week during a time of prayer, God gave me an image of Jesus washing people’s...
In boxing, a one-two punch is a combination of two punches delivered quickly one after the other, especially a left jab followed by a right cross.[i] The enemy has a one-two punch he uses regularly against men and women seeking freedom from unwanted sexual behaviors. Like in boxing, when the enemy lands his one-two punch, it’s difficult to stand up against. Unless you’re ready for it. If a...
For those who wrestle with habitual unwanted behaviors, particularly sexual ones, could it be you need more confidence? Let’s talk about the One Sign You Don’t Believe Who You Really Are. Over the years, I have talked with countless men and women who are baffled as to why, despite the hatred they have for the sins they’re doing, they continue to repeat those sins again and again. They...