Sexual Spiritual Growth in a Fantasy Filled World

I was recently asked if I read novels. My answer? No….

The person who asked said she thought I was a reader and wanted help finding an app to read books on her phone. While her observation was true, I stopped reading novels a long time ago!

And I am glad!

The same is true for movies. And I don’t regret it!

When you get delivered from fantasy, lust and sexual perversion that were fed by steamy novels and messed-up soaps, you never want to go back!

That leads to my practical advice for your spiritual growth:

If you watch movies or read novels that bring sin into your life, it is time for you to stop! And if you aren’t, don’t start!

I can tell you that it took many years for me to forget the pictures I had in my mind!

Understanding the concept of fantasy

Fantasy is defined as “the power or process of creating especially unrealistic or improbable mental images in response to psychological need” according to Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

I can testify that the problem with fantasy is failure to deal with and maximize reality – the reality of the world; the reality of what relationships are really like; even your own reality.

Fantasy makes life look pain-free and perfect, and that is a lie!

The end result is ignorance and fear when certain realities hit us. So, rather than acknowledging it all and turning to God for comfort, direction, healing, deliverance and hope; rather than using all our distress as an opportunity to grow and become more mature in Christ, we end up weak and emotionally crippled.

God doesn’t want us to deny our realities. Instead, He wants us to face them, depending on Him every step of the way!

Understanding the cost of sexual immorality

God is for sexual purity, both in body and in the mind!

Didn’t Jesus make that clear when He warned about adultery in the heart? (Matthew 5: 27-29)

Sexual purity embraces abstaining from sex until marriage, but it also abhors mental lusting for it. Why is lusting so bad? One problem is that lust sets an image of sex, so when you do get married, you subconsciously expect the experience to flow the same way.

You painted a mental picture of the weather, the words, the undressing, the time of day, the music, the process, and even how he would romantically embrace you when it’s over…

Lies! All lies!

And believe it or not, that is one way of opening the door for disappointment, criticism, and having regrets about your husband.

Lust also walks with masturbation. Just like lust, masturbation primes your body to expect sex a certain way. Then, when your husband doesn’t proceed according to your habit, he disappoints you and you don’t enjoy it.

But let’s focus on purity and getting deliverance if we’re on the wrong side of it!

Soaps and novels also falsely depict love and marriage as being based on sex. That’s a devastatingly dangerous error! All marriage relationships must be founded on agape love, that is, unconditional love for a soul.

That’s the love that will respect even when it is disrespected; submit even when it can’t see why; support though tempted to criticize.

Understanding the sacredness of marriage

Typical romance novels and movies downplay God’s perspective on marriage. In these works, marriage may happen, but it’s always after sex, and/or moving in together.

It is never promoted as essential for the thriving of love between a man and a woman. And then if problems arise, they can just get a divorce and marry someone else.

The sacredness of marriage is subtly watered down and we must purge our minds and hearts from these seeds that may have been sown in us.

Marriage is a serious and sacred covenant before God. It’s not something to be treated with scant and frivolous regard.

Are you ready to purify?

Our spiritual growth and holiness are affected by the media we consume, and I challenge you to take the next step and make the change toward progressing in holiness!