I am concerned and have not said anything before now, but here goes! The hype about this book is unbelievable. As a matter of fact, one of the reviews said that Fifty Shades of Grey fever is sweeping the nation. Scary! Here’s why I am concerned:
Check out this Amazon review: “Romantic, liberating and totally addictive, “Fifty Shades of Grey” is a novel that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.” Well that is reason enough for me not to read it! The only thing I want to possess and obsess me is the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in me.
God created sex for our pleasure but whatever God created for good, Satan seeks to counterfeit. Marriage in Scripture is given as a beautiful picture of Christ and the Church. What God meant to be a perfect expression of love between a husband and wife, the enemy has distorted in all kinds of ways.
Remember who the enemy is, Jesus said in John 8:44, “…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” There you have it! We have become a sexually depraved society in so many ways because we have listened to the father of lies instead of the One who created sex.
Jesus also said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” The enemy’s goal is to steal, kill and destroy marriages, homes and families. Unless we wise up to his schemes, we set ourselves up for failure.
Below is an excellent article and blog post by two different women that discuss the damage that reading this book or engaging in any kind of pornography can do to our minds and our marriages. I highly recommend reading them.
Great article by Dannah Gresh on why she is not reading the book. Here is another article by Sheila Wray Gregory on the book as well.
Friends, there is only one relationship that can truly satisfy our souls and that is with the one who created you. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus and want to know how, click here.
And by the way, if you want a good book to read, check this out!
God loves you so much. He is jealous for you and wants you to experience His very best. Ask Him to satisfy you with His unfailing love. (Psalm 90:14)
Julie
Marisa Combs
You are absolutely right! And, let’s add this movie, “Magic Mike,” which had a 73% female viewing audience over the weekend at the box office. It is based on male stripping. C’MON PEOPLE!!
Jennifer Mills
Yes, Marissa!! I totally agree with you here too!! Scary how deceived our women can get b/c of hype from the entertainment industry!
Betsy Langmade
Julie – thanks for speaking up on this. I’m so tired of being intimidated by a culture that has been ravaged by the untruths about the most important relationships God has gifted us with. It’s time we wake up and speak up for the sake of loving well. So much emptiness around us. Let’s lead out with the unfailing love of God!
Sandra Huddleston
Loved your post (& the links) and have encouraged several friends to read it as well. Hopefully, they’ll encourage their friends to do the same. Maybe it will be just the right words to quench any desire someone may have to read the books.
Michelle Bivens
Julie, thank you for taking a stand on this issue. Thank you for leading the women in the right way! I hope this helps everyone see the need not to put this stuff in their minds! Satan uses it as an attack on the hearts and minds of those who read it-it is a trap! Thank you for the links, too. I am very thankful to have someone like you, a woman of integrity, leading our women’s ministry!
Jennifer Landrith
Good word Julie!
Carrie
Way to go Julie! How necessary it is for women of today to be challenged in this way…to not be sucked in to the worldly pleasures, but instead, (as you said) to allow the holy spirit dwelling in us, to be our complete joy and pleasure! What’s even more scary, is that our young girls seem to know way too much about this book series…that is what scares me!
Patricia Rains
Julie,
Thanks for your words concerning this topic. I plan to share them with women in our church. May I recommend another AMAZING blog post concerning not only 50 Shades of Grey, but also, Magic Mike. I wish every woman would read it and apply the great advice given. Here’s the link: http://melissajenna.com/2012/06/30/50-shades-of-magic-mike-in-which-i-am-very-uncool/