I am pretty sure I have mentioned that one of the reasons I like Robert Noland's writing so much is his ability to use metaphors. The initial one of the fireplace to sex is so bang on. The personal devastation it can cause being done in the wrong place is immense!
Besides that metaphor, the first passage that really struck me was at the bottom of page 58: "...all to often the people hurt and affected by the sexual wildfire that he set are more likely to later begin setting fires of their own, born from the pain and the wounds created in them." There is so much truth to this. As a high school guidance counselor for 13 years of my career, I have seen it so often that Dad or Mom has an affair, leaves the family to be with the other person, and the kids are left in limbo, believing that this is what love is - temporary, until something better comes along. No wonder kids start having sex earlier - it isn't deemed as important and the partner is seen as expendable.
I would also like to look at the top of page 60 and make a confession. "The enemy will then use sex as a source of shame, guilt, and regret for many years, sometimes a lifetime, far past when the act is over." I didn't fully turn to the Lord until my mid-twenties. Before that, I abused God's gift of sex. While I know I have been forgiven of that, it is sometimes difficult to get past regret and the problems that it causes years later. It can become a thorn in one's flesh, as something can happen that will make you dredge it up. I know I need to be cautious in this area, because if I let my guard down, Satan will pounce - and it will likely be in the form of an attractive woman. You see, I had a parent who was unfaithful. Both of my brothers eventually had a child out of wedlock, and I was just fortunate not to. As parents, we have to guard this area!
The rest of the chapter is about pornography, so I want to leave it to you to discuss or think about. Just understand that if porn is a vice for you, you are not alone! The stats show that about 3/4 of men have a porn addiction of some sort - and being a Christian does not preclude you from that stat! In fact, the last stat I saw was that about 60% of pastors, struggle with pornography!! That blows my mind!
Protect your kids, men...at all costs, protect your kids!
Besides that metaphor, the first passage that really struck me was at the bottom of page 58: "...all to often the people hurt and affected by the sexual wildfire that he set are more likely to later begin setting fires of their own, born from the pain and the wounds created in them." There is so much truth to this. As a high school guidance counselor for 13 years of my career, I have seen it so often that Dad or Mom has an affair, leaves the family to be with the other person, and the kids are left in limbo, believing that this is what love is - temporary, until something better comes along. No wonder kids start having sex earlier - it isn't deemed as important and the partner is seen as expendable.
I would also like to look at the top of page 60 and make a confession. "The enemy will then use sex as a source of shame, guilt, and regret for many years, sometimes a lifetime, far past when the act is over." I didn't fully turn to the Lord until my mid-twenties. Before that, I abused God's gift of sex. While I know I have been forgiven of that, it is sometimes difficult to get past regret and the problems that it causes years later. It can become a thorn in one's flesh, as something can happen that will make you dredge it up. I know I need to be cautious in this area, because if I let my guard down, Satan will pounce - and it will likely be in the form of an attractive woman. You see, I had a parent who was unfaithful. Both of my brothers eventually had a child out of wedlock, and I was just fortunate not to. As parents, we have to guard this area!
The rest of the chapter is about pornography, so I want to leave it to you to discuss or think about. Just understand that if porn is a vice for you, you are not alone! The stats show that about 3/4 of men have a porn addiction of some sort - and being a Christian does not preclude you from that stat! In fact, the last stat I saw was that about 60% of pastors, struggle with pornography!! That blows my mind!
Protect your kids, men...at all costs, protect your kids!
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