I recently received a complimentary copy of Sex and the Single Christian Girl by Marian Jordan Ellis from Bethany House. Now if you know anything about me from reading my blog, you know that I am NOT single, and since I have a baby...you know. I really got this book for the sole purpose of finding a good book for the single teenage girls in our youth group. A lot of times sex is considered a taboo subject in conservative Christian circles. You always here don't have sex outside of marriage, but that's really all you hear on the matter. Now I am a firm believer in not having sex before marriage, but why? what are the consequences? what verses in Scripture specifically speak on this subject? These are questions that go through any unmarried person's mind. This book addresses these questions.
Ms. Ellis speaks out honestly about her past life. About how she previously engaged in sex outside of marriage, until she found the Lord and He changed her life around. She also includes true life stories of other women of all ages who have given in to the lies of the devil about sex and purity. She warns us against specific lies the Devil uses to convince us to give in to not just sexual sins, but against many other sins. The difference between sin and temptation is also pointed out. Temptation itself is not a sin. Giving in to temptation is a sin. I Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it". We don't have to give into temptation. The Lord will always provide a way for us to escape the temptations, and will bless us for doing so.
When a couple stands before the Lord on their wedding day, they make a commitment "to love, honor, and cherish" one another. Ms. Ellis also brings up the difference between loving something/someone and cherishing something/someone. The young people in the world today don't understand how to cherish someone or how to be cherished by someone. Most couples in the world today simply lust after one another. Cherishing goes so much deeper than just having affection for another. Cherishing is protecting and caring selflessly for another.
I really think this is a great book for young, unmarried women. I'm a firm believer that most young, Christian women do not plan to fall into sin with a man before marriage anymore than a Christian spouse plans to cheat on their spouse. The problem comes when we give in to the lies of the devil and highly exalt ourselves. Christian girl, let the Lord lead you to His best for your life and don't give in to the lies of the devil. For those who may have given in to the lies of the devil, you don't have to let that define you the rest of your life. God still has a plan for you and can use your changed life to bring glory and honor to His name. Although I hate that she flip-flops back and forth to different versions of the Bible (I hate it when authors do this), this book shows the devil's greatest lies in the area of sexual sin and I believe it would be a help to any young, Christian lady.
