Toxic Sexuality.

People talk about so-called “toxic masculinity” these days, arguing about what that might be. But there is something much more toxic than masculinity: toxic sexuality. God created sex. He designed it to be a wonderful gift within marriage. But people have invented hundreds of ways to twist and pervert this sacred gift, turning it into something not merely sinful, but poisonous—toxic.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 could well be speaking of sex when it says, “God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” That’s what humans do—we complicate and corrupt and misuse things.

Proverbs provides explicit warnings. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids. For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts for the precious life. Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished. The one who commits adultery with a woman is lacking sense; He who would destroy himself does it. Proverbs 6:25-29, 32.

Aren’t these verses great? I memorized them long ago. They draw such a clear picture: don’t be drawn in by her beauty. Don’t fall in love with those eyes or that smile. If you do, your life will be reduced to a loaf of bread—

–an adulteress will rob you of everything valuable in your life.

Think about it: can a man put hot coals in his pocket and his clothes not be burned? Of course not. If you play with fire, you will get burned—simple as that. If you walk on hot coals, your feet will be scorched. And if you break God’s laws about sex, you will be punished. You will reap what you sow. Every seed you plant grows, and if you plant bad seeds in your life, your life will produce rotten fruit. If you break God’s laws of adultery, you are acting foolishly. Only someone with a death wish would do that—you are acting like someone who wants to destroy his life.

You know who has not read these verses? The people in the $90 billion global porn industry. And who consumes the most porn? Kids between 13 and 19, according to one study. This toxic poison is being fed to children around the world. Secular scientists who are not concerned about morality are raising concerns about porn—arguing that the dopamine addiction it creates in young people will forever render their brains “addict brains,” and some worry those brains will never mature properly. There is no doubt toxic sexuality is a powerful force, a powerful weapon in the hands of an enemy we always underestimate.

But there is a way of escape. The truth—scripture—will set you free. John 8:32.

1. You always reap what you sow; there are consequences. Galatians 6:7.
2. You can say “no” to any temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
3. Memorized verses will help you say no.
4. Write this on a Post-it note and start memorizing: “Do not desire her beauty in your heart, Nor let her capture you with her eyelids. For on account of a harlot one is reduced to a loaf of bread, And an adulteress hunts for the precious life.” Proverbs 6: 25-26.
5. Change your habits.
6. Pray!

Dear God, help us to hate evil. Help us remember the consequences—we always reap what we sow. Help us never forget that we can say ‘no’ to every temptation. Show us verses to memorize because we need those weapons to fight these battles. Show us how to change our habits. Give us good ideas about ways to protect ourselves by changing our habits, such as how we use our phones and other devices. Surround us with great friends and mentors who can encourage us to walk uprightly. We want to obey you and to “be holy as you are holy.” Thank you for your love and mercy and grace.

ΑΩ