Cafeteria Christianity: Sexuality — Monday
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
Of all the gifts God has given us, sexuality is one of the most challenging to use wisely. As Scott explained yesterday, it’s challenging because we’re bombarded with so many different messages about it.
Of course, sex has always been popular. That's not new.
But we are living in a hyper-sexualized culture. The surge of sexual imagery and pornography accessible as close as your cell phone in your pocket is very new. Think about this: In 1993 (just 30 years ago), there were only 600 websites on the internet. Total. That was it… Today, there are over 1.3 million porn websites alone. The point is this: We are the proverbial fish, and sex is the water we’re swimming in. We don’t even realize how inundated we are because it’s all around us; it’s normal for us.
There’s no need to list examples—just watch TV, listen to the radio, or drive around town. It’s everywhere. And the sad irony is that our culture's obsession with sex is actually destroying sex.
Clearly, sexuality is THE topic at the “cool kids” table. So this week, we’re going to unpack four phrases that are often overheard at the “cool kids” table:
“Sex is just physical.”
“Sex is transactional.”
“Sex is essential.”
“Sex is about me.”
Every one of us is facing increasing pressure to conform to these patterns, norms, and ideas. What’s God’s prescription? It’s found in the verses from Romans 12 we’ve been studying in this series: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (v. 2).
“Do not conform… but be transformed...” Conforming speaks to the outward, but transformation focuses on the inward. God, in His wisdom, doesn’t start with our behaviors—He starts with how we think. He signs us up for a "renewing of our minds” treatment plan. He seeks to open our imagination beyond what we think to consider what He thinks.
Even though our culture is confused and deceived about sexuality, I’m so glad God isn’t and that we don’t have to be either. See you tomorrow!
Monday’s Reflection
You can downplay sex, try not to mention it, or make it taboo, but God calls us to something different: to renew our thinking about it. In what ways are you tempted to conform to the patterns of this world regarding sexuality? What things have shaped your understanding of sexuality?
