Fifty Shades...

Unless you've been living under a rock in the last year or two, you've undoubtedly heard of the "50 Shades of Grey" books. These books have been dubbed "Mommy Porn".  They're the "Harlequin Romance" books for a new generation. Apparently there are going to be movies because I can't help but see the barrage of nearly pornographic cast photos passed back and forth on Facebook. 

Now there are shows titled "Naked and Afraid" and "Dating Naked". People indulge in this...but wonder why families and the morality of a nation as a whole is falling apart. My husband and I were discussing why the rash of these "Naked" reality shows. His theory was that it desensitizes the viewers. When more and more of the naked body is shown (eventually, on television) the public will start to see it as "no big deal". They've been shown so much already that eventually no one will notice. Modesty is becoming "weird" and "unfashionable".  This is Satan in our lives. If you think I'm being extreme, check this out: 

"You belong to your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of them." John 8:44

Satan is a liar. He is lying to you. He's letting you thing these things are ok. 

While the human body is wonderful and not to be ashamed of, it IS only for the eyes of your spouse or future spouse. If you are watching these shows or reading these books then I implore you to rethink it. 

It starts with one.
It starts with you. 

Now while this should be reconsidered by all, this is specifically concerning those who believe in who Jesus is, who consider themselves Christians. Sometimes the ways of the world seem so appealing that we get caught up in things that are not God, husband or family honoring. 

I love my husband -but if I found out that he was looking at things deemed "pornography" I'd be pretty upset. 
Or angry...hurt...betrayed... 
I would have these feelings because those actions do not honor me, our marriage or even himself. Believe it or not, looking at pornography is infidelity. 

" But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28

Does the same not apply to wives? We are called to love and honor our husbands. How can we do that when we are lusting after other men. It doesn't matter if we "feel" they are "unattainable". Consider that they are/may be a husband, a son, a grandson, a daddy, a nephew...Why are books and movies (that appear in theaters) considered "ok"?
It isn't "just for fun". Lust is sin.  

"Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. ..." 1 Peter 3

Your husband may not have a problem with these books or shows. Maybe he enjoys these things too. However, we are to look to a higher example than our husbands (sorry guys). As 1 Peter says, they should see the purity and reverence of your lives. We are teaching our sons that it is ok to objectify women because women objectify men. We are to be setting the standard to what our sons seek in a wife. 

When we look at every aspect of our lives - our thoughts, our actions - 
if our sons married women exactly like us, would we be happy or would we want better for him? 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" Galatians 5:19-21

Ladies, put down your books. Don't even give them away lest you tempt someone else to dishonor themselves and their marriage. Just throw them out! Turn the channel and watch a family movie or spend some one on one time with your spouse or children. If we don't respect ourselves, our husbands or our families and if we don't honor the God we claim to believe in - how can we expect anyone else to?