Event Recap
Concluding our theme on “True Freedom in Christ,” Charissa taught us a lesson titled “Don’t Send That Text: Freedom from Virtual Love.” Virtual love, which includes sexting and online relationships, are harmful cheats of real love that quickly become enslaving. Charissa defined sexting as electronically sending, forwarding, or receiving sexually suggestive or explicit messages, photos, videos, or voice messages. Charissa took us through six scenarios to illustrate the heart issues and root causes behind why women engage in sexting, as well as biblical truths to address them.
First, we met Pressed Priscilla who engaged in sexting because of pressure from men and her friends. The root cause of this was fear of man, and Charissa’s encouragement is to be a woman of integrity and to do what is right and pleasing to God (Proverbs 10:9). Second, Insecure Inez went to the internet to find affirmation and security. However, as daughters of God, we are born into royalty with eternal security and worth because we are created in His image and Christ died for us (Romans 8:14-17)! Third, Lonely Lori who desires affection and companionship turned to the internet looking for love. However, the root cause for this is loneliness, and the solution would be to build her understanding of what real love is and know God is always with us (Psalm 139:7-10).
Fourth, we met Pleasure Patty who has a high sex drive and was looking for pleasure in the wrong places. Her root cause for sexting is lust, and Charissa’s encouragement was to find satisfaction in God alone because He wants to give us the best (Psalm 81:16). Fifth, Adrenaline Adrianna engages in sexting because she thinks it is fun and exciting. But the root cause is a wrong understanding of what is truly fun and exciting because doing anything against God’s Word is never fun and exciting. Instead, living according to God’s Word and loving God is fun and exciting (Psalm 19:8). Sixth, we met Manipulating Mandy who uses sexting to manipulate her boyfriend in order to get what she wants or to get a favor. Her root cause is a wrong understanding of love because her motives are selfish and unloving. Let God be the standard of our love for others and the way we live (1 John 4:10).
In contrast to the six women who engage in sexting, Charissa encouraged us to live in light of God's truth, symbolized through a character called Free Franny! Free Franny knows God made her new and gave her true freedom. We can find our satisfaction and pleasure in God and His Word by treasuring the time we spend with Him. Let us live freely in obedience and joy to Him as He has designed us to!
First, we met Pressed Priscilla who engaged in sexting because of pressure from men and her friends. The root cause of this was fear of man, and Charissa’s encouragement is to be a woman of integrity and to do what is right and pleasing to God (Proverbs 10:9). Second, Insecure Inez went to the internet to find affirmation and security. However, as daughters of God, we are born into royalty with eternal security and worth because we are created in His image and Christ died for us (Romans 8:14-17)! Third, Lonely Lori who desires affection and companionship turned to the internet looking for love. However, the root cause for this is loneliness, and the solution would be to build her understanding of what real love is and know God is always with us (Psalm 139:7-10).
Fourth, we met Pleasure Patty who has a high sex drive and was looking for pleasure in the wrong places. Her root cause for sexting is lust, and Charissa’s encouragement was to find satisfaction in God alone because He wants to give us the best (Psalm 81:16). Fifth, Adrenaline Adrianna engages in sexting because she thinks it is fun and exciting. But the root cause is a wrong understanding of what is truly fun and exciting because doing anything against God’s Word is never fun and exciting. Instead, living according to God’s Word and loving God is fun and exciting (Psalm 19:8). Sixth, we met Manipulating Mandy who uses sexting to manipulate her boyfriend in order to get what she wants or to get a favor. Her root cause is a wrong understanding of love because her motives are selfish and unloving. Let God be the standard of our love for others and the way we live (1 John 4:10).
In contrast to the six women who engage in sexting, Charissa encouraged us to live in light of God's truth, symbolized through a character called Free Franny! Free Franny knows God made her new and gave her true freedom. We can find our satisfaction and pleasure in God and His Word by treasuring the time we spend with Him. Let us live freely in obedience and joy to Him as He has designed us to!