The media promotion of the book and movie, 50 Shades of Grey, has launched a surprising dialogue among women in the church. You might think that all Christian women would oppose both the movie and the book and try to persuade women not to become enticed by the erotica,
 BDSM, and abuse storyline. Sadly, that's not the discussion always taking place. What I saw on Facebook, and heard from women messaging me, went like this:

• As I stand against this, I'm being told it's just my fanatical Christian rigidness. Even women I believed to have a strong biblical foundation for their life are reading and planning to see this movie. HELP!
• The book is being passed around in our Bible study groups and the women can't stop talking and giggling about it. They don't see anything wrong with it.
• The church just needs to catch up with pop culture.
• It's just fiction.
• It's a redemption story.

I'm sure you've heard many similar justifications. They remind me of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden asking, "Did God really say don't eat the forbidden fruit?"

• Did God really say Christians should be in the world, but not of the world?
• Did God really say don't be influenced by culture, but be the influencer of culture?
• Did God really say don't let immorality or sexual sins fill your mind, heart, and actions?
• Did God really say think on things that are pure, lovely, and holy?
• Did God really say lusts of the eyes are as bad as committing the sin?
• Did God really say Christians are to be Christ-like in all they do and say?
• Did God really say you're to let your light shine in a dark and corrupt world?
• Did God really say beware of Satan who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour?
• Did God really say that sex outside of marriage is a sin?
• Did God really say that marriage is only between a man and a woman?
• Did God really say renew your mind and feed on His Word and don't partake of the sins of this world?

If anyone reading this thinks that it's rigid, legalistic, or fanatical to be a Christian who tries to live by what God says in the Bible, or you're not sure that the answers to all of the above questions is a resounding "Yes" from the Bible, I beg you to find a Bible-believing Christian woman to mentor you.

If you're a Bible-believing Christian woman, then it's your job to help the women God puts in your path who are struggling with the Christian way of life:

Titus 2 1-6, The Message: Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.    

Amen! 

About His Work,

Janet

PS: Know how God wants us to live by spending time with Him. My Valentine's blog was How to Have a Date with Jesus. (BTW Jesus wouldn't go on a date with you to see 50 Shades of Grey).

PSS: Don't miss Pam Christian's Blog on Love Your Body with a Healthy Happy Heart.    

PSSS:  I'll be speaking in Colorado in April and staying a few extra days so contact me me about speaking at your church.