For days now, I have been troubled. Michael came home one morning & asked me if I wanted to go see a movie. There are several that I'd like to see . . . if they're still out, that is! I've been completely taken up with Emma & haven't had much time to be on the computer, so I hardly know what's happening in the world, much less at the movies! So, I wasn't familiar with the title of the movie he asked about, one that several women that he works with have been excitedly discussing. "Magic Mike", he says, & I (in my ignorance) think it's a movie about magicians, perhaps along the line of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", which I enjoyed. (I've always been a fan of fantasy.) In answer to my queries, he tells me that it's a movie about male strippers. (Ummm, sorry, what? He obviously asked if I wanted to see it in jest.) I've now seen a few posts on Facebook regarding this movie, & I'm disturbed that women who profess the name of Christ are raving about this movie. Just as disturbed as I have been by those Christian women who have devoured Fifty Shades of Grey. In a word, it's unfathomable to me that we would so casually immerse ourselves in such things, sins for which Jesus - whom we profess to love & follow - bore the wrath of God & died in our place. Unfortunately, I don't have time to lay out all of my thoughts on Christians consuming this material - Emma's sleeping between feedings, & I have precious little time before the next one. Thankfully, this topic is now being taken head-on by others much more gifted with the pen than I, so I'll steer you in their direction. My main request is that we, as children of Father God & co-heirs with His Son Jesus Christ, would take the time to not only read these posts but to also search His Word for direction before diving into these perversions of His good gift of sex (as experienced as an expression of love between a husband & wife, a distinction that is apparently sorely needed.)
"God has always set apart His people from the rest of the world. You don't have to look far to see somebody doing something that demonstrates they have little regard for the Lord if not an outright hatred for Him. And you shouldn't have to look far to see somebody doing something that demonstrates their love for Christ! The problem I have is when those lines are blurred because people who love Christ are doing things that are no different than those who hate Him. When people who are "born again" (which is an objective thing, not a subjective one) participate in sexual immorality, it is like telling the world, "No, Scripture isn't true. I know it says that a child of God looks like this, but I am a child of God and I don't look like that, so Scripture must be wrong." I'm sorry but this is a lie. God does not lie. Now please do not get me wrong. We all sin. There isn't one of us who is without blame. But there is a difference between battling our flesh and participating in something willfully with so much pleasure as to rejoice and share it with others, tempting them to do the same!" ~The Believer's Rest
"Christian women need to reject both of these works, and instead, use our voices in support of what is good, right and true. It is our responsibility, as daughters of the Heavenly King, to remain set-apart from the poisons of our culture, to rebuke temptation, and to celebrate and honor righteousness." ~Melissa Jenna
For further links, see the end of the above-mentioned post.
One final word, if I may. Please do not take my words (or those of the ladies above) as self-righteous judgment. We all sin, & we all therefore need correction & guidance from those who love us enough to tell us the truth & point out our errors. That is the spirit in which all of these words is meant, & I pray they are received as such.
