Fifty Shades of Graytones

All the hype...  All the buzz...  All the lies...   All the confusion...

I'm going to take a little risk here and write on a very controversial subject. Hold on to your seat...

First of all, before I came to know the Lord in my early thirties, and before I married my present husband, I had a past tainted with sex, recreational drugs, and poor decisions. I left home at 17 and lived with my first husband prior to marriage. I say all that to say this: 
I am not a prude - nor am I naive.

The movie, based on the books written by E L James, glamorizes a sexually deviant relationship between a powerful rich businessman and a young college woman.  Erotica literature is not new, and pornographic stories are as old as time. What is disturbing with regards to Fifty Shades of Gray is how desensitized our culture has become to sexual slavery and domestic abuse. Reading romance novels and using your imagination is one thing -- but when you see them come to life and acted out on screen, you have allowed those images to be burnished into your thought patterns and psyche. Your mind's eye will forever capture that image and memory. The fact that the movie is so controversial should be a warning to Christians everywhere.

There also seems to be a concerted effort within the mainstream media to push ED (erectile disfunction) drugs and related treatments non-stop, even during prime time programming. Our culture has become obsessed with sex and sexual performance - aimed right at middle-aged men and women who are going through their "mid-life crisis". Much of it is fueled by the almighty dollar and the drug lobby as it is being romanticized and normalized in our every day lives.

On a sadder note - remember the news stories centered around the Elizabeth Smart story. She was kidnapped and held captive for almost a year by a pervert and his wife as a sexual slave before escaping. Then there is the story of the girls who were kidnapped and hidden for years by a man in Ohio. They were tortured, raped and abused in his house of horrors and escaped when a neighbor was approached by one of them with her young daughter.

Unfortunately, Fifty Shades sensationalizes dominance, control, and intimidation - all of which contributes to an already skewed view of what women want in a sexual relationship. BDSM (bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism) is a multi-million dollar industry and a growing subculture in today's sexually active society.

The fact that social media and traditional media touts this film as a "breakthrough for liberated women everywhere" is a hoax and a farce. Promiscuity is rampant and shameless as we stare down our societal future paved with rejection, remorse and regrets. The divorce rate in this country is skyrocketing - leaving broken families in their wake. Statistics within the church is sadly similar.

So - where does that leave us? God is not the author of confusion. One of the most powerful emotions we will ever face is regret. If you play with fire - you will get burned. So many women, including Christians, are being drawn into this trap.  God is all for romance and erotic love between a man and a woman within the bounds of holy matrimony. In Scripture, Song of Solomon is a love song - written by Solomon to his bride with poetic imagery and romantic illustration. It extols physical beauty and deep emotional exchanges during their marriage. It also allegorically illustrates God's love for His covenant people, as well as Christ's love for His bride - the Church.

Christian women (and men) have no business consuming print media or movies that depict such perversion and unnatural sexual behavior. God's design is for a healthy and fulfilling sexual relationship between a husband and wife. Pushing the boundaries of temptation are dangerous and foolish. Compromising morals for the sake of being socially relevant is insane. Recognize that the world system is anti God and anti chaste behavior. You wage an uphill battle when you take on popular culture - but you have an obligation to hold fast to His truth and flee the sin that so easily encroaches. "Be alert and aware - the evil one lurks about like a roaring lion, seeking a victim to devour" (I Peter 5:8). 

If you enjoy reading romance novels, consider Christian authors as Francine Rivers who wrote such best sellers such as Redeeming Love .  There is a wholesome movie that was also released this weekend that celebrates a Godly, healthy courtship and romance called Old Fashioned . This is what our teen and young adult women should be urged to see.  This depicts what their heart longs for. We need to assure them that the void they feel is a God-shaped hole that can only be filled with His love. It is our responsibility to sow good seed into them and pray for their future.


A stern warning for believers occurs in I John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

Sin is subtle and stealthy. It hides in plain site and infiltrates every area of life. It entices us with the allure of things we think we need, want, and deserve. The enemy of our soul comes only to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).  When you no longer feel conviction or the Spirit's nudge - it's time to get on your face and ask God to examine your heart (Psalm 51:1-4).

As in the days of Noah - so it is today. Wrong is right, sin is alternative lifestyle, and a little fun is deadly. Be careful little eyes what you see ~

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”. It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

Visit  http://www.spirituallyunevenmarriage.com

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Fifty Shades of Graytones