50 Shades of...?

“Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex...”

- Hebrews 13:4 (The Message)

Flying home from speaking at a retreat last weekend, I heard a couple of guys laughing and discussing the new movie, 50 Shades of Grey. This phenomenal bestseller is now considered a “must see” movie.

But should we? Should you?

February is Valentine’s month and love is in the air. So is constant mention of this movie that glorifies a man (named Christian, no less) who seduces a young virgin and introduces her to “the BDSM lifestyle (the term refers to bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sado-masochism)” (The Oregonian, 2/13/15).

 

Our culture’s path continues to erode sexual boundaries; but even with its massive publicity campaign and appeal, this soft-porn movie led one movie critic to say that at the end, “They were heading to the exits, thinking about taking a shower when they got home… It’s an unpleasant experience with a sleazy stench that sticks in a way that the novel doesn’t” (The Oregonian, 2/13/15).

SO: Should married or single Christians attend this movie?

Like every decision believers face, it’s your individual choice before the Lord. God is not a kill-joy, but He does make clear how He wants those who claim His name to live before a watching world. Here are a few, among many, reminders:

• Romans 6:11-14 - Count yourselves dead to sin…do not let sin reign in your moral body so that you obey its evil desires…offer yourselves to God…offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.
• Romans 8:5 - Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
• 1 Peter 2:9 - You are a chosen people…a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his   wonderful light.

In case you think Christians aren’t to have any interest or desire for sex, you’re wrong. God invented it! And He meant it to be a blessing that brings joy and sexual fulfillment as well as being a powerful bonding experience between husband and wife.

In fact, to wish you a Happy Valentines Month, I am offering a free download of my chapter, We Have Headaches for Different Reasons from my book, WHY CAN’T HE BE MORE LIKE ME? (To get the free chapter, sign up for my free e-newsletter, THRIVE! Enter your email address in the box in the right sidebar on my blog under the "Thrive" newsletter image, then click "Subscribe" and "Submit." You will see a link to the free chapter download in the next issue of THRIVE, going out to mailboxes soon!)

If you’d like to read the rest of this fun and encouraging book, or buy a copy for a friend, head over to my website shopping page and you can download or order the whole book. I am offering a 10% discount through February 28th! (Enter code "REALLOVE" at checkout.)

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