CHRISTIAN SINGLES ARTICLES BY DR. JIM RIVES

Today I enjoyed lunch with a long time Christian friend who is an Elder in the church I attend. In the course of our conversation he shared about an experience at a recent Church Men’s retreat. The men were asked to complete a survey. One of the questions asked is if they had participated in any form of pornography in the past 30 days. 70% of the men replied YES!

Now, now, all you single Christian women, before you begin casting stones at single Christian men, I must also share that this addiction is prevalent among women, too. This has been shared with me in many emails received from Christian singles, both men and women.

What is happening that men and women would chose this form of lust? One thing is the fact that it is too easily available over the Internet – without accountability.

I can hear the words from Christian singles that say, “what’s the harm”? This is usually followed with some statement along the lines that they were once married and it is not easy for them to not have a sex life. (I have written an article on masturbation, which you can find at Christian singles and masturbation.)

In the state of loneliness and abandonment, too many Christian singles are making the wrong choice to turn to pornography. It is a trap straight from hell and the consequences within the spirit and psychie of these Christian singles are significant. Let me share some of the consequences:

· This practice places relationship into the category of pleasure. This act is totally self-centered and builds an appetite that is impossible to satisfy. Like all addictions (sins), it begins with just a little step – thinking that one can control it. However, it soon grows and changes the focus of these Christian singles to placing too much emphasis on the physical side of a relationship.

· The Christian singles who practice this next begin to see the other gender purely as a means to satisfy this appetite. Their eyes become filled with looking for the physical attributes of the opposite gender almost entirely.

· The sexual pictures seen make a permanent impression into the mind of these Christian singles. It is very difficult to take back control over this practice – possible, but very difficult. As the mind is filled with these images, it has less room for the mind of God and the ability to hear His voice.

· The funds paid to these sites fuel sin upon sin. The Christian singles that pay for this practice funds the purveyors of sex in every form. Christian singles have no control over what form of sex will be multiplied when you support this practice. For one, think of all the child sexual offenders you are providing a source for their deviance.

· The main challenge is that it warps the mind as to what is really important. If and when God should bring someone into their life for a potential mate, the Christian singles are so filled with self-centeredness and pleasure seeking that they either approach him or her wrong or not at all.

· Romans chapter 1 has a lot to say about what God allows for those who follow this form of practice. Romans 8 shares with us how we are to fill our minds (with His Spirit). The two cannot occupy the same space. Colossians 3:2 instruct us to set our mind on things that are of God and not of this earth.

If you are tempted with this practice, I urge you to consider the total aspect of what you are doing. I plead with you in His Spirit to walk a higher path that will bring you the joy and peace you desire. The voice prompting you to do this is either one within you that feeds your selfish side and/or directly of Satan. It is robbing you of the peace and clean spirit that you can live by. It will not satisfy you and it keeps God from being able to do His maximum in your life. Realize that Christian singles are part of a spiritual war. Christian singles can fight on the side of Christ or they can fight on the side of evil. Every sin, every visit to a porn site is the same as committing treason against Christ who paid for you with his holy blood. Read Romans 12:1 and 2. Let Christ renew your mind, and transform your walk day by day. Is it easy? No – the walk on this earth is not easy. His way is the best!

Start with a tiny step toward freedom...when temped to visit a porn site, visit this instead: 3-minute Bible Studies from eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation and web-porn.

Related Christian articles for singles: Christian singles and masterbation. And also: Passions and Christian Singles And: Sex defined by God for Christian Singles Also: Premarital sex, what is, and is not, permissible in sexual behavior for Christian singles engaged in Christian dating? And be sure you read: What every single Christian REALLY needs to know! (about sexually transmitted diseases) And: "Should Christian singles engaged in Christian dating have sex while dating to be sure they are compatible before marriage?" And: No, Christian dating should not include recreational sex, but for many Christian singles it does. Seek out a Christian counselor. If your Pastor or friends cannot recommend one to you in North America, Christian singles can try to locate one at this Christian singles help page.

In His love,
Pastor Jim