AMH series // Time for the Sex Talk

Let’s talk about you and me.  

Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.

Let’s talk about sex.

Unfortunately, the movie Pitch Perfect got this song cemented in my head, along with a string of others.  It’s amazing the power of music and images. Not only for the consumers but also for the media creators.  The internal rot of the entertainment industry is a powerful example of reaping what you sow. They have taken the saying “sex sells” and turned it into gold. However with recent allegations, it’s turned to destruction on their own reputations, and has openly displayed the misery it’s inflicted on others.

The shiny lights of Hollywood stardom have spotlighted some of the darkest sides of sex. Harvey Weinstein, Matt Lauer, and Bill Cosby are just some of the Hollywood names that are now synonymous with sexual predator.  

In the song, I guess that’s what they meant when talking about “all the good things and the bad things that may be.”

Respected but flawed

I love how bluntly honest the book of Proverbs is.  Chapter 22 verse 1 (ESV) says, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

I recently went on a trip out to Hollywood for an insider’s view of the film industry.  The group I went with had the amazing opportunity to hear from a wide variety of professionals and tour different studios and production facilities.  While the film industry has its flaws, it has earned a lot of respect. It doesn’t always deserve it, but even I have respect for some individuals working in the industry.  The amount of dedication, hard work, hours, creativity, and teamwork needed to tell these powerful stories is incredible, especially when it’s done right.

The #MeToo movement

In writing this blog post, I do not want to make light of everything that has happened with the #MeToo Movement in Hollywood or misrepresent it in any way.  My heart breaks for those who have been victims of sexual violence.

With everything that has come out with the #MeToo movement, it’s good to see that our society hasn’t fallen so far as to undermine sexual victimization and sweep our skeletons under a rock. Men and women have spoken up against sexual violence, raising awareness of its widespread effect, and helping victims realize they are not alone. Necessary changes are taking place and justice is being served. But as a member of this society, it still scares me to see the obsession we have with sex.  

Obsessive thought patterns

It seems like the more we focus on a specific sin area we start to idolize it, and it becomes easier to fall into it.  We get into a repetitive cycle telling ourselves not to focus on something, then surprise, what do we start focusing on?

“Don’t think about the fresh chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen counter.  Don’t think about the cookies. Don’t think about the cookies.” munch … munch … munch …

Or

“Don’t think about porn, don’t think about porn, don’t think about porn.”  

And you start thinking about porn.

On top of that, we consume media that tells us it’s ok to experiment with our sexuality.  Have some fun! It’s ok, everyone is doing it …

Destroyed by our own idols

I’ve been reading through the Old Testament and it amazes me how many times God’s chosen people turn away from Him to worship and make sacrifices to foreign gods.  Then time after time they come back to God calling for help when their situation becomes unbearable.

God even warns His people before entering the promised land through Moses.  In Exodus 34:12-14 (NIV) He says, “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you.  Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

I wonder if we do the same thing as the Israelites. We fall into the trap of the tantalizing sins in our world, and make sacrifices of our time, resources, and bodies for temporary happiness and pleasure.  Then when we come up broken, empty, and lost, we call to God to save and forgive us.

We see this pattern with sex in Hollywood. The industry has entertained scandalous sexuality for so long, pushing the limits on what is and isn’t acceptable for viewership, promoting objectification, broadcasting underage promiscuity, and participating in crude behavior only to see the dark side of its own obsession.

God tells us to be careful with what we allow in our life that could ensnare us.  Or maybe you’ve already allowed crap in your lives. Are there alters that need to be smashed?  Has something taken the place of God in your heart?

Curious to learn more about our sexuality and why God calls it holy? We’ll be covering objectification, temptation, and God’s holistic design for purity. Follow the blog or join us on facebook and instagram for the month long conversation.