Today’s Bike Ride
After more than a week of adverse weather, mainly wind and a little rain, it was good to get out on the bike again. However, due to the Council turning the water off for most of today, I had to make it a short ride to make sure I was back in time for a shower. I rode to Bunnings and around the edge of town. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter
Quote for the Day
A worshiping community changes the atmosphere over the city that actually creates a realm of easy access to know Christ for those who don’t know Him. There is a profound connection in the unseen realm between our praises, His glory, His goodness, and the great harvest of souls. Bill Johnson et al
3 days in the fish
Christian Lifestyle Part 5- Pornography
Christian Lifestyle Part 5
Pornography
Pornography is probably one of the most pervasive influences in the western world today.
Consider the following statistics:
- A 2020 report by the website Pornhub, one of the largest adult content platforms, claimed that it received over 42 billion visits in 2019, with an average of 1.3 billion visits per month.
- A 2019 survey conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies found that approximately 1 in 5 Australians (21.5%) reported watching pornography at least weekly.
- A 2018 study published in the Journal of Sex Research estimated that around 30% of internet users in the United States (approximately 90 million people) visited adult websites in a given month.
Various studies have revealed that porn use amongst teens is also widespread. This is very concerning as they are gaining an understanding of sexuality that is unrealistic and is deliberately isolated from the context of relationships.
A 2020 Australian study published in the Journal of Adolescence found that:
- 69% of males and 23% of females aged 15-16 reported watching pornography in the past year.
- 45% of males and 13% of females reported watching pornography at least weekly.
The purpose of pornography is to stimulate sexual desire through the use of imagery. There are complex chemical reactions that take place in the brain when exposed to pornography, but the general result of regular pornography use is that we become more fixated on the images that on real people, we seek ever greater levels of stimulation, and some get caught in a spiral that may lead to child sexual abuse material.
People often think that porn is harmless because nobody gets hurt- it is a lesser sin than sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.
The fact is that people are hurt badly by pornography. According to anti-pornography campaigners fightthenewdrug.org, there is no guarantee that actors are consenting to what is happening. There is often a high level of violence being portrayed. There is also evidence of links between pornography and human trafficking.
Right through the Bible there is a strong condemnation of sexual practices that are outside of life-long marriage. Prostitution, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and much more are described as sinful and even an abomination to the Lord.
Watching pornography, though, is not condemned in the Bible, because that was not an issue in those days. Jesus did say this: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. “ (Matthew 5:28)
Pornography essentially strips away the personhood of the actors. These people were created in the image of God, but are partaking in something that is not honouring to God’s ways. To become a channel of merely stirring desire with no essence of relationship is a violation of the humanity of the people.
For these reasons, christians should not view pornography. It debases watcher, actor and producer. Rather than stir up the works of the flesh, christians should be producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:19-25)
Reflection on Matthew 22:15-22
Scripture
“Well, then,” he said “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Observation
The Pharisees decide to trap Jesus into saying something that would get him into trouble. They send a deputation of various factions to meet Him. They start with flattery to disarm him. But then ask the question, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus sees through their words because he looks at the heart. He tells them to show him the coins used to pay the tax. He asks, “Whose image is stamped on the coin?” “Caesar’s”, they reply.
Jesus, then tells them to give to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God that which belongs to God.
Application
Nobody likes paying tax. This was especially true in Israel where the ordinary people had to pay tax to the hated occupying Romans
By asking Jesus. if it was right to pay tax to the Romans, the Pharisees thought they had trapped Him. He couldn’t say “No” because that would be treason. But He couldn’t say “Yes” because that would discredit him in the eyes of all the people.
Jesus does not directly answer the question, but turns it into a teachable moment. He points out that the coins have Caesar’s image on them, marking them has already belonging to Caesar.
The second half of his answer, that we give to God, what belongs to God is a reminder that people are made in the image of God. If it is right for me to render tax to Caesar, then it is also right for me to give my life to God, who created me.
For this reason, our lives are not about gaining power or status over the other image bearers. Rather we are called to give ourselves to serving God and to serving others.
Prayer
Lord Jesus. Please help me to distinguish between what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to you. Amen.
Greater joy
Quote for the Day
The power of holiness becomes even clearer when we read that a believing spouse sanctifies the entire unbelieving household. That is the power of holiness. Bill Johnson et al
To die is gain…
Reflection on Matthew 22:1-14
Scripture
“’Friend,’ he asked, ‘why is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”
Observation
Jesus tells them (the priests and Pharisees) another parable about the Kingdom.
A king prepares a great feast for the wedding of his son. He sends his servants to notify the invited guests. that the feast is ready, but they refused to come. They make excuses and some even kill the king’s messengers.
The king then sends his servants out to invite everyone they find to come to the feast. The king notices that one of the guests is not wearing the right clothes. So he orders him to be bound and thrown into the outer darkness.
Application
The king is God the Father and the son is Jesus. The wedding is obviously the end times feast referred to in Revelation.
The originally invited guests are the Jews, particularly the leaders who reject God’s commission to be His people. They beat up and even killed the prophets, who gave the invitation to His wedding feast.
With the original invitees refusing to honour the king by attending his feast, the king invites everyone, good and bad, to come to the feast. That is us, the Gentile followers of Jesus.
One guest got into the feast improperly dressed. Paul tells us that we must be clothed in Christ. This man was dressed in his own righteousness, the deeds that are like filthy rags.
There are people in churches who have not put on Christ, They have come in through the door of the feast, but they will be kicked out.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for inviting me into your great Feast. Please help me to remember to be clothed daily in you. Amen.
New Life Narrabri 