The Hard Truth Unearthed

No one likes to talk about the tough stuff. You know, the fact that we are a bunch of messed up people living in a messed up world. 

I just found a powerful project against sexual exploitation and trafficking called Unearthed Pictures. They do a great job at boldly addressing the reality of sexual sin and brokenness. Their target is men. They are trying to bring awareness to men concerning the negative effects that their sexual appetite can have if left un-dealt with.

I live in Cambodia working with women and lady boys that have come out of the horrors of being sexually exploited as well as trafficked. I drive by the brothels everyday that are disguised as coffee shops that are always filled with men, every hour of every day. I just came back from a trip to Phuket, Thailand that is known for being a hub for trafficking victims from around the world. The issue goes far beyond the traffickers. The issue is at the heart of each person that has a choice to make about his or her sex life. The more we talk about it, the more the issues will become exposed, the better chances are that people will take action in their own lives and help others in the process. 

Below is a video called Jacob’s Story of a former sex trafficker and a blog post taken from the founder of Unearthed Pictures that sends a very powerful message that everyone needs to hear…especially men. 

FORNICATING ON THE BATTLEFIELD- by Tony 

I ASK MEN ABOUT THEIR SEXUAL BEHAVIOR ALL THE TIME.

Most guys are surprisingly honest when anonymity is a factor. We’ve spoken about porn, oral sex, prostitution, lust, marriage, thoughts, immorality, intimacy, desires, homosexuality, masturbation, sexual abuse, incest, greed and idolatry. I’ve eaten meals with pastors, executives, bankers, doctors, religious people, church planters, frat guys, students, entrepreneurs, traffickers and average guys that work 40 hours a week and stay relatively pure. Family guys. Single guys. Mentally disabled guys. Prisoners. Abusers. Protectors.

THE MAJORITY OF US ARE SEXUALLY BROKEN. LET’S JUST GET THAT OUT ON THE TABLE.

Most of us had absent fathers. 1 in 5 of us were sexually abused. Every one of us has learned the art of concealing sin. 80-90% of men in the church are currently using pornography. Some of us don’t need a girlfriend because we’re in full-fledged relationship with our hand or laptop. And some of us know the feeling of cold emptiness after leaving a strip club or a brothel. Some of you men know what its like to go to sleep next to an empty shell of a woman that used to be your wife because your infatuation with photoshopped women has extinguished the intimacy. You’re no longer lovers…you’re roommates with children. Some of you are fathers that see your sexual sin manifested in your children, but you’re too fearful to expose it in your own life…regardless of the damage its doing to your marriage and family. “What if coming out with this stuff makes things worse?” is the only question you’ve thought of.

I know where you’re at. I know what you’re thinking. And I know the lies you’re deceived by. I’ve been where some of you are at.

A good friend of mine has battled sexual addiction all of his life. He’s a graduate of Bible college and is part of a healthy church. He’s got a lovingly invasive community and has had numnerous Godly mentors pushing him towards Jesus for the last 7 years…but he still uses pornography every chance he gets – disabling the X3 watch on his phone and computer. If he’s alone for longer than 30 minutes with an internet connection, he begins searching for filth. He still habitually masturbates. He lies about his sin. He conceals his secrets. He manipulates Christian women into sinning with him…then he lies about that. He exemplifies the epitome of selfishness and a lack of self control.

But he also calls Jesus his Lord…

Are you that guy?

It’s a complete anomaly to me…that men can be sexually enslaved while following Jesus….yet that’s what the overwhelming majority of them tend to be living.

Can the two coexist? Are they diametrically opposed? Isn’t one the antithesis of the other?

I’m not going to quote your favorite authors…or offer free accountability software. I don’t have a PDF to read or an invitation to a men’s conference. You’ve already tried those things. You’ve read “Every Man’s Battle” and made countless commitments…which you’ve broken. You’ve tried accountability. You’ve gone through a “freedom session.” You’ve confessed your sin. You’ve been rebuked. You’ve disconnected the internet. You’ve been kicked out of the house. You’ve destroyed the computer. You’ve memorized the Word of God. You’ve pleaded with Jesus to remove the thorn in your flesh. You’ve shouted, screamed and wept. You’ve tried everything…and you’re still shackled.

I WANT TO BURN A DIFFERENT KIND OF IMAGE INTO YOUR MIND:

Just imagine for a moment that this is reality:

You’re on a battlefield. It’s dark. Chaotic. Cold wind is whipping your face. The stench of death fills the air. Corpses of demons lie all around you…and the field is soaked in blood.

You can hear the sounds of armor and weapons colliding…sparks are flying. Screams pierce your ears.

You see chiseled, powerful beings radiating in white…and they’re destroying shadows…gripping the throats of principalities and slitting them with iridescent blades.

But you’re without armor. You wonder how you got to this place…and why you came unprepared.

Men that you recognize are rushing the opposite direction – spears aligned…ready to throw. Swords sharpened, shields fixed, helmets lowered…they’re ready for battle. They’re calling for you to join them. They’re rushing for the the front lines – and they’re unafraid. They know they’ve been given victory.

But not you…you’ve got your pants down around your ankles. You’re roaming in circles looking for the seductress that’s calling you by name.

You can’t wait to fornicate on the battlefield.

And all the while, the Kingdom is coming. The lost are being found. The sick are being healed. Demonic assignments are being cancelled. The veil is being lifted off of Islam…and the persecuted church is exponentially growing in the face of opposition. Jesus is authoritatively mediating a covenant – and the Spirit is interceding for the children of God…breathing life into dry bones.

You? You want an orgasm.

LET ME REMIND YOU WHO YOU ARE:

You are God’s child | John 1:12

You are a friend of Jesus | John 15:15

You have been justified | Romans 5:1

You’ve been united with the Lord and are one with him in Spirit | 1 Corinthians 6:17

You’ve been bought with a price…you belong to God | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

You’re a member of Christ’s body | 1 Corinthians 12:27

You’ve been chosen by God and adopted as his child | Ephesians 1:3-8

You’ve been redeemed and forgiven of all your sins | Colossians 1:13-14

You are complete in Christ | Colossians 2:9-10

You have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus | Hebrews 4:14-16

You are free from condemnation | Romans 8:1-2

You cannot be separated from the love of God | Romans 8:28

You are free from any condemning charges against you | Romans 8:31-34

You’ve been established, anointed and sealed | 2 Corinthians 1:21-22

You were washed…you were sanctified. You were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God | 1 Cor 6:11

You are hidden with Christ in God | Colossians 3:1-4

God started this work in you, and he will bring it to completion | Phil 1:6

You are a citizen of heaven | Philippians 3:20

You haven’t been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind | 2 Timothy 1:7

You are born of God, and the evil one cannot touch you | 1 John 5:18

You are a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life | John 15:5

You have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit | John 15:16

You are God’s temple | 1 Corinthians 3:16

You are a minister of reconciliation | 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

You are seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm | Ephesians 2:6

You are God’s workmanship | Ephesians 2:10

You can approach God with freedom and confidence – not because of your obedience…but because of Jesus’ obedience | Ephesians 3:12

When you are faithless, he will remain faithful…because he cannot disown himself | 2 Timothy 2:13

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?