In this article, Rob explores why our “private” sin affects others. In our individualistic society, it’s all to easy to believe that what we do on our own is just our business. He sensitively shows that God cares very much about all our behaviours, and that even our private actions affect others in the church.
There was a time when I lived a gay lifestyle, but that all changed, very gradually, when it became clear that God wanted me to live differently, as a celibate man. Through His grace, God has sustained me in that commitment. Now, looking back, I can see just how the Lord was working in my life.
Covenant Eyes is a popular provider of internet accountability software. It has recently launched its new Screen Accountability software, where Artificial Intelligence is used to detect pornographic images. I have used Covenant Eyes for several years, so when they launched this change I was interested to see how it worked.
The topic of masturbation is rarely addressed by churches and so Christians can find themselves conflicted by feelings of shame, confusion and self-justification on this common struggle. Gary explores out what the Bible says about masturbation and proposes some practical wisdom to escape from the cycle of shame, frustration and failure.
Jackie Hill Perry’s background as a poet and rapper is clearly reflected in the pages of her book "Gay Girl, Good God", with her poetic and striking use of language to portray both her joy in God and the struggles and sorrow that she has experienced.
In the midst of all the poetry in the book of Song of Songs, I have been struck by a very practical teaching that is stated three times: “Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires”. This implies that it is unwise to allow this love to develop prematurely.
Written by American mental-health counsellor and ordained minister Jay Stringer. The book explores the processes of how we begin to “understand our lust”, seeing our present-day sexual fantasies and behaviours as road maps that can help us to understand our unresolved experiences from the past.
Pornography, masturbation, sexual fantasy, lustful thoughts... They’re just men’s issues, aren’t they? The ways in which women struggle may often be subtly different to our male counterparts, but the fundamental issues of our sinful hearts seeking fulfilment in the wrong places are just the same.
The word holiness can give rise to thoughts of legalism. Rightly teaching the Bible truth on ethics and godly behaviour can so easily cause others to consider us dour or legalistic. Keeping in mind all this confusion around the command “be holy”, we must remind ourselves of some fundamental motivations for holy living.