1 Timothy 5:1-2 Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.Ok, I'll go ahead and admit that I'm taking this passage somewhat out of context, but not really. So bear with me.
I saw a video today that was, dare I say, revolutionary to my heart. I know this is a concept that is thrown around a lot in conservative evangelical circles, but I don't think it really sinks in. That concept is the way we are to look at and think about other members of the body of Christ. I know 1 Tim 5:1-2 is talking about rebuking/encouraging, but I think it can also apply as a general model for how we ought to relate to the body. Older men are fathers, younger men brothers, older women mothers, younger women sisters. SO, to get to the point of this post, I want to encourage all my fathers and brothers out there, perhaps even all my mothers and sisters, to think about this video next time you're tempted to lust after another person, and especially if you're tempted to view pornography:
All nit-picking aside, that video blew me away.
NOTHING will help you in your fight against lust and pornography like realizing that the women (and men) involved in that industry are people who desperately need the gospel of Jesus Christ. That video drove that truth home to me. That video burned in my mind the reality that that particular girl, Patrice, formerly Nadia Styles, is now my sister in Christ! Now, more than ever, she is to be viewed as a sister, "in all purity." And she's not alone. Other girls are leaving the sex industry thanks to the mercy of God and the ministry of folks like Shelley Lubben.
In closing, I just want to encourage, exhort, admonish, SCREAM at my brothers in Christ (and perhaps my sisters as well) that people in the sex industry need Jesus Christ, NOT you ogling at them and fulfilling your sinful desires as you watch their lives be destroyed before your very eyes.
So brothers, I say with Paul, "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
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