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Sex Is Not the Problem (Lust Is): Sexual Purity in a Lust-Saturated World (Paperback)
by Joshua Harris
| Category:
Teens, Christian relationships, Sex |
| Market price: ¥ 158.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
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Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
A great insight into human soul, a book about how to deal with sex temptation, not only for guys. |
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Author: Joshua Harris
Publisher: Multnomah
Pub. in: July, 2005
ISBN: 1590525191
Pages: 192
Measurements: 7.1 x 5 x 0.8 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BC00316
Other information: ISBN-13: 978-1590525197
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- Awards & Credential -
This book provides wonderful and practical strategies to help man win the battles against lust. |
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- MSL Picks -
This is a powerful book on dealing with sexual temptation. Joshua Harris does a fantastic job of setting every man's battle in its proper biblical and theological context. He is not soft on sin, but neither does he lead one to discouragement or despair. He understands that a right relationship with God is by grace through faith alone, but he knows that the faith which justifies also sanctifies. He is candid and honest, yet remains discreet, writing a book which is appropriate for and targeted to both men and women. He avoids setting hard and fast rules, advocating that we develop "a custom-tailored plan" for fighting against lust, but he provides plenty of practical ideas about how to make progress. He addresses sensitive issues (like masturbation) as well as cultural issues (like media and dress). Best of all, he encourages open accountability ("lone rangers are dead rangers") and provides an excellent chapter on how to fight the lying promises of lust with the true and satisfying promises of God. Drawing on the wisdom of John Piper's Future Grace, and C. J. Mahaney's The Cross-centered Life, this is one of the best books on sanctification I've seen, and the best book on the particular subject of sexual temptation I've ever read. I highly recommend this to both men and women, single or married. Thanks, Josh for sharing your heart with us.
Target readers:
Teens, young single Christians.
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Joshua Harris lives outside Washington, D.C., in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he is a pastor at Covenant Life Church. He speaks nationally and leads an annual conference for college students called New Attitude. Joshua and his wife Shannon have two children.
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From The Publisher
Lust isn't just a guy problem - it's a human problem. And unless we honestly confront it, lust will destroy our relationships and our lives. Joshua Harris, author of the runaway bestseller I Kissed Dating Goodbye, calls a generation bombarded with images of sexual sin back to the freedom and joy of holiness. This "PG-rated" book - straightforward without being graphic - speaks to those entrenched in lust or just flirting with temptation. Honestly sharing his own struggles, Harris exposes lust's tactics and helps readers create a personal plan for fighting back. Men and women will find hope in God's grace and learn the secrets to lasting change.
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| View all 7 comments |
Robert Hulson (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-12 00:00>
Most of the reviewers have hit upon some of the main things that makes this great. Yet some reviewers accuse Josh Harris of borderline legalism because of the steps he has personally taken to properly handle his lust problem (and some examples from others who are fighting this sin). As a young man who, like Harris, is weak in this area, struggling with legalistic attitudes on one side and full-blown licentiousness on the other, this book has been a breath of fresh air, a glass of cool, clear water. While it does offer practical advice, Harris is not so arrogant as to claim that this is the one-size-fits-all practical guide to lust.
First, he points out a group of young people who would fast if one of the group looked at internet pornography. Instead of praising this method, Harris is disappointed and points out that One has already paid the punishment for every sin we have and will commit. To make other people "pay" for your sin is to deny the sufficiency of the atonement of Christ. He says: "If you were to use the practical ideas I'm about to share with you as a legalistic set of guidelines, not only would it be displeasing to God, but you wouldn't change. Your behavior might change for a while, but your heart wouldn't change." (p. 50) And regarding his friend that stayed outside the video store, was he saying it was right for everyone to do so? By no means! His friend had recognized the areas that caused him to lose sight of Christ, and for that time in his life, video stores were a struggle. This is vastly different than telling everyone, "So, like my friend, you shouldn't go into video stores, either."
This is exactly it: Have we really tasted of God to the degree that we want nothing less than satisfaction in Him? What I loved most was his chapter on the sword of the Spirit, adapted from John Piper's book, Future Grace. Truly, the only way to break the power of lust in our lives is to taste and see that the LORD is good (Psalm 34:8). When you taste of the Fountain of Living Waters, the broken cisterns of lust cannot compare (Jer 2:12-13). This chapter alone is worth the price of the book.
Overall, if you struggle with lust in one form or another as I do, I would, along with John Piper, commend this book for your soul. It correctly identifies how we can turn our fight against lust into legalism, and also how we tend to treat it as "no big deal." So let us also lay aside *every* weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1), because the pure in heart, dear reader, the pure in heart will see GOD (Matt 5:8).
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Adam Prather (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-12 00:00>
I found this book to be the best book I have read on the subject, and the material to be the best I'm aware of. Josh Harris has served the church so well in providing the biblical truth about lust: God abhors it. It is a vile, destructive and selfish sin. Joshua remedially goes through the specifics of it in an appropriate way to uncover all of its hiding places and guises. He then proceeds to lead the reader to Scripture memorization, mediation and application that is carried out in the local church as a solution.
I commend this work for being gracious, yet ruthless in its pursuit of sin. 17th century Puritan John Owen (who wrote "Temptaion and Sin" as well as inspired "Enemy Within"), would no doubt be pleased to see lust dispayed in all its ravaging and evil forms. To say that Josh is being ruthless in the pursuit of lust I think would be accurate, and would commend that as Biblical.
There is no need for exegesis in this book because it is Biblically clear that we are to be holy people, set apart for the Lord. Basing the title of the book off of a passage in the NIV was wise and within the liberty given to believers. Using the ESV translation "must not even be named" would have made for an akward title to a book. But "not even a hint" means the same thing as "must not even be named." Should you disagree, consult commentary by wise scholars and then email Josh with your wisdom. Regarding the comment that he has no support from Biblical scholars, please note the remarks in the front page of the book by Dr. John Piper (Author, "Justification of God", "Counted Righteous in Christ" and many others) as well as by Dr. Al Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (both of whom are on the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood) as well as from Jerry Bridges ("Pursuit of Holiness", and "The Discipline of Grace").
As well, Josh made no attempt to say that sexual thoughts and desire outside marriage is bad. I think a few people have equated sexuality and desire with lust. Josh serves us by devoting a good section to why that isn't true. So to those who say he discourages passionately enjoying sex in marriage because of his hatred of sin (particularily lust), I would encourage you to re-read the book with the reminder that lust is a perversion of a beautiful and glorious thing. No sin (lust, hatred, jealousy, revenge, bitterness, pride, etc) should be tolerated under any circumstance. To say that we need to let ourselves "off the hook" with our humanity is to make provision for the flesh and encourage us to gratify our sinful desires, thus offending our Holy God and grieving His Spirit.
I heartily reccommend this book to all: men and women, Christian and Pagan!
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-12 00:00>
I believe this book ought to be read rather than Every Young Man's Battle. This book is cleaner (no unneeded lude descriptions), it makes solid points, it is directed at both men and women, and it stays close to scripture all the way through. This book will get the legalism out of your battle with lust, and remind you that a biblical battle with lust will always have desiring Christ and a closer walk with Him who has already declared christians righteous despite their struggles and failures at the center of it. |
Albert Cerussi (MSL quote), USA
<2007-02-12 00:00>
I got this book looking for ideas on how to share the topic of lust with our youth group. What I found was a very practical, Biblically-centered, and informative approach on how both men and women can tackle the immense problem of lust. I quickly found myself realizing that this book was not only good enough for our youth group, but for me, and even for our entire congregation. This will definitely be a future topic in our ministry, both to the teens and to the adults.
I like this book. Harris is not afraid to say what needs to be said. You know that he is like the "rest of us" because as you read the book, you find yourself thinking .. yes I've thought that before... oh my I did that too... good grief, is he reading my mind?
Mr. Harris offers some very simple ideas (but not necessarily easy ones) for combating lust in our lives. For example, he asks the reader to take stock as to when and where lust strikes so that we can understand how the problem occurs and how to take steps to fight it. He uses the Bible to show not only the dangers of lust, but also to show solutions to the problem. The book does not offer a "formula" that will help you win the fight. But Mr. Harris expertly points out just how society is permeated with lustful images and innuendos. And like it or not, these things influence and de-sensitize us to the real problems of lust.
The book is a very light read; you could put this one away in one sitting. But you might just find yourself going through it many times because there is a lot of practical advice and strategy to be learned. The book is highly recommended for both men and women, married or single alike. It could just be one of the most important books you will read for a long time.
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