Sexual sin is a rampant problem in the Body of Christ and in our world today and by the looks of it—the issue of sexual sin is not going anywhere, but rather increasing. Sexual sin like all sin causes brokenness and loneliness. There was a time in my own Christian life where I struggled with pornography. The only way out of a life of porn consumption I’ve learned is to recognize that pornography is idolatry and that true satisfaction comes only in Jesus Christ. Jesus offered a broken woman at the well in John 4, the Living Water of Himself and that is exactly what Jesus offers to people who broken by sin today in order to make them whole in Him.
In his helpful new book Sexual Sanity For Men Re-Creating Your Mind In A Crazy Culture David White writes to help men recognize that sexual sin begins in their minds and hearts. By taking this approach the author helps Christian men understand that Christ breaks their chains, builds spiritual brotherhood, and then concludes his book with practical steps for men to re-create their minds in a God-focused direction.
The best part of this book is the fact the author deliberately walks the reader through the bad news of sin in order to show the greatness and majesty of God in saving and reconciling sinners to Himself. The author doesn’t mince words but rather lays all his cards on the table telling men that “our sexual insanity is idolatry” (3).
One of my favorite parts of this book is the following: “At first glance, it may appear that the individual on the monitor, the dancer, etc., is the focus of our idolatry. But think about it: What goes on in your fantasies? You’re creating a world where everyone exists to serve, adore and please you! That is the great offense of sexual sin. In a very tangible way, we set ourselves up as little gods and pretend others are ours to rule. In our minds we fashion the universe, throwing God out of the picture, placing ourselves at the center, and populating it with God’s creatures to worship us” (31).
One of the most misunderstood and dangerous aspects of pornography is the fact that men (and women) have not only a false sense of intimacy but also a broken view of sexuality. Pornography is ultimately a sin of our fantasies and of our minds. Porn deludes us into a faulty understanding of the grace of God by viewing women as objects for our enjoyment rather than as God-given blessings who are our joint-heirs with Christ.
This book can help those seriously addicted to pornography or those needing healing from pornography by giving them a greater understanding of the Gospel. If you are seriously addicted to pornography, you need to not isolate yourself but begin attending and getting involved in a Gospel-loving, Bible preaching Church that will help you grow in the grace of God.
Sexual Sanity is a very good and helpful contribution on vital topic that will help bring sanity and Gospel-focus to help men who are struggling with sexual sin. This Gospel-drenched book will help men to come out of hiding, to embrace that there is nothing that could be revealed about them that hasn’t already been covered by the blood of Jesus, and to believe that God has given them every grace they need to fight sexual sin. I recommend you read this book to learn not only how the Gospel brings you to freedom, but reconciles you to God in order to go out and bring the hope of God through the Gospel to a sexual broken and confused world with the Gospel.
Title: Sexual Sanity
Author: David White
Publisher: New Growth Press (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the New Growth Press book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
