Our wedding 8 years ago :)
7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
Currently my social media is all abuzz with a debate about the morality of the movie (and book series) "50 Shades of Grey" which is being released during this Valentine's Day weekend. I personally have never read any of the books, nor do I intend to see the movie.
Do I think it's wrong? Well, as I'm finding out from the various articles, memes, and blog posts, I SHOULD think it's wrong because I am a "good conservative Christian woman", but those various forms of condemning literature don't really hit the heart of the issue, so here's my take.
My stance on any sex scene in any form of media (TV, Literature, Movies, Internet) is that it is wrong and violates what God created sex to be: A private, intimate act between a married man and woman. What married couples do in their private moments should never been paraded on the screen for others to see. Sounds a bit prude, but it is absolutely what God has said (through Paul) in 1 Cor 7:1-6
I believe that we've been desensitized when it comes to accepting sex as expected in all levels of romantic relationships. Sex is everywhere and therefore, has become a normal part of the media we take in every day! We've began to buy into the lie that consensual sex between 2 adults is what God meant to say, right?! The problem with believing that is we've now fundamentally changed the intended reason God created sex! It is not just to procreate, but it is also to bring intimacy to two people who have become one for life under God's covenant of marriage. It is NOT just a fun stress reliever to do with someone you just met.....
Now, to the title of this blog "50 Shades of Judgement".....Given the Biblical outline I've given above, does that mean I think we should lower the boom and really nail these people who watch this stuff?
NO! Just as Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone." I am suggesting that rather than pouring our human judgement over other peoples' life choices, we seek God and ask Him to convict their hearts with His truth.
Protesting outside of a movie theater with a sign about how bad and sinful people are IS NEVER SOMETHING JESUS WOULD DO! And it doesn't do anything except play into the horrible stereotype that Christians are judgmental and close minded. Standing outside of a movie theater with a cup of hot chocolate that has a saving scripture on it, that is something more along the lines of Jesus' love.
Should we stand up for what is right? Absolutely, but we need to do it in a way that will turn others to look towards Jesus because they see His Love flowing through our actions.
We are all sinners saved by God's amazing gift of grace. We know God's glorious truths about love, sex, and marriage, but don't forget that we are called to lead others to God's grace AND not judge them on the way.
John 8:7-10 is an account of a woman who has been dragged out into the town square and is about to be stoned to death for committing adultery. The religious leaders of the day are trying to trap Jesus into condemning her, however, in his divine wisdom, Jesus answered.
7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]
Currently my social media is all abuzz with a debate about the morality of the movie (and book series) "50 Shades of Grey" which is being released during this Valentine's Day weekend. I personally have never read any of the books, nor do I intend to see the movie.
Do I think it's wrong? Well, as I'm finding out from the various articles, memes, and blog posts, I SHOULD think it's wrong because I am a "good conservative Christian woman", but those various forms of condemning literature don't really hit the heart of the issue, so here's my take.
My stance on any sex scene in any form of media (TV, Literature, Movies, Internet) is that it is wrong and violates what God created sex to be: A private, intimate act between a married man and woman. What married couples do in their private moments should never been paraded on the screen for others to see. Sounds a bit prude, but it is absolutely what God has said (through Paul) in 1 Cor 7:1-6
7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
So how did our society get here? Why are we seeing story after story filled with outrage about this movie, but not about EVERY form of media that exploits sex for something God did not create it to be: a cheap laugh, an excuse to show a woman naked on the screen? Why are Christians who are SO upset and outspoken about the extreme sex scenes in this movie, but not upset when Ross and Rachel sleep together for years on Friends without ever being married (yea, old school TV reference)? Are those both not perpetuating sexual sin?
I believe that we've been desensitized when it comes to accepting sex as expected in all levels of romantic relationships. Sex is everywhere and therefore, has become a normal part of the media we take in every day! We've began to buy into the lie that consensual sex between 2 adults is what God meant to say, right?! The problem with believing that is we've now fundamentally changed the intended reason God created sex! It is not just to procreate, but it is also to bring intimacy to two people who have become one for life under God's covenant of marriage. It is NOT just a fun stress reliever to do with someone you just met.....
Now, to the title of this blog "50 Shades of Judgement".....Given the Biblical outline I've given above, does that mean I think we should lower the boom and really nail these people who watch this stuff?
NO! Just as Jesus said to the religious leaders, "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone." I am suggesting that rather than pouring our human judgement over other peoples' life choices, we seek God and ask Him to convict their hearts with His truth.
Protesting outside of a movie theater with a sign about how bad and sinful people are IS NEVER SOMETHING JESUS WOULD DO! And it doesn't do anything except play into the horrible stereotype that Christians are judgmental and close minded. Standing outside of a movie theater with a cup of hot chocolate that has a saving scripture on it, that is something more along the lines of Jesus' love.
Should we stand up for what is right? Absolutely, but we need to do it in a way that will turn others to look towards Jesus because they see His Love flowing through our actions.
We are all sinners saved by God's amazing gift of grace. We know God's glorious truths about love, sex, and marriage, but don't forget that we are called to lead others to God's grace AND not judge them on the way.
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