Let's read about SEX

Today, I preached a message on the 7th commandment: Do not commit adultery. I shared, from God's Word, that this includes adultery of the body, but there is also adultery of the heart. This includes having sex outside of marriage, but also includes what happens in our minds and what comes out of our mouths. We live in a society that is immersed in sex and sensuality; and it bombards us on a daily basis. It is difficult, even if we are committed to Jesus Christ and want to live a life of purity, in honor of Him, and for His glory.


At the end of the message this morning, I shared some resources that can be a good start to applying the principle of this message and of God's Word, as it relates to purity, apart from and within marriages. Here is a brief list and a few comments I would like to make about each one:


Addictions:A Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch
*This is the best book I have ever read on what to do with general addictions. It talks alot about alcoholism and AA, but it gives great biblical principles on how to handle any sin cycle you find yourself in.


And The Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh
*This is excellent for women who desire to get married in the future; but have a desire to be pure or get pure, before going into marriage.


At the Altar of Sexual Idolatry by Steve Gallagher
*Hands down, this is the best book I have ever read on sexual addition, of any kind. It also has a workbook that goes with it. I highly recommend it.


I Still Do is a message I preached here at Grace a year ago. If you want to hear more about marriage and divorce, more that I was able to share in the message, then do this:
go to http://www.gbcwestlake.org/ , click "online audio", choose Audio Archive, page 4.


Passport2Purity is a set of CD's, to be used by parents who want to talk to their kids about sex and having purity until marriage. This is great to use as a getaway for a parent with a child of the same gender, for an overnight, talking about this important issue, before it becomes a problem. We used it first with our 11 year old daughter and then our 12 year old son. This is put out by an organization called Family Life and is done by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
*This might be the best book I have read on marriage, at least in the last few years. I love the subtitle: "What if God's purpose in marriage is to make us holy rather than happy?"

Sheet Music by Dr. Kevin Lehman
*If you want to read and talk about sex, and how to improve it, with your spouse, read this book!

Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack
*This is a book I recommend a lot in marriage counseling. There are some great basics here, that can be helpful to any marriage. There are also great discussion questions that can be used between couples, or in groups.

The Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick
*This is something that you should do for you spouse, rather than asking him/her to do it or doing it together. This is an opportunity for you to take 40 days and really concentrate on showing love to your spouse, maybe in ways that you are not used to doing. If you can, do it without your spouse knowing your doing the book. See how long it takes before he/she realizes you are doing something out of the ordinary!

The Purity Principle by Randy Alcorn
*I recommend that everybody reads this one; regardless of your marital status or age. It is small and short; but full of great biblical principles about sex.

For those of you reading this, but have some other great resources you know of in this area, please leave a comment so that I and others can benefit!