Cindy J. (cindyj) -
The Fight of Your Life addresses a long avoided but much needed topic for Christians in today's culture. Authors Tim Clinton and Mark Laaser subtitled the book "Manning Up to the Challenge of Sexual Integrity" as the book is primarily addressed to men, but it is also encouraging readers to step up and face sexual issues as men. As a whole, Christians do not talk about sexual purity or sexual sins. Yet people everywhere are deluged daily with provocative photos and insinuating innuendos whether or not they want to partake. This book has startling statistics and stories about pornography and what age people are first exposed to it, how many people (including church goers) view it, how easily accessible it is, etc. These statistics should concern you and motivate you to address these issues in your church, in your home, and in your life.
Personal testimonies of how easy it is to become entrapped in destructive sexual behavior were eye-opening to me. Some were heartbreaking as the testifier had been "innocently" exposed through no real desire of his own but became addicted as a result of one encounter, usually with pornography. One of the chapters I found most fascinating was "Our Plastic Brain" which discusses how the brain thought processes can be redirected, or the brain can be "rewired". It gives a scientific explanation for how the brain functions and why these "forbidden pleasures" are as physically addictive as drugs. Another chapter addresses the need to uncover the reasons behind unhealthy behaviors. Still another chapter asks if you REALLY want to be healed. Near the end of the book are chapters on accountability and recovering then holding lost ground. Both chapters provide concrete, successful examples of conversations or thought processes that will help the warrior in his battle. There is even a chapter on healing your marriage and keys to marital intimacy. Most of all, this book gives hope to those who have unhealthy sexual behaviors or addictions and are seeking a way to break those habits. It provides info for parents, teachers, and leaders in training others to avoid falling into the rituals that lead to destructive behavior.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any adult who has a sincere desire to motivate and encourage someone toward sexual purity. The book is very beneficial, and many aspects could be applied to other, nonsexual addictions or habits. On the down side, a couple of the middle chapters were a bit repetitive, in my opinion, and didn't always flow well. Also, I received a paperback advanced reader copy of the book, and there were some proofreading or editing errors which I would expect to be corrected in the final copy. A final note: The authors begin the book, even before the table of contents, with a crucial caution to the reader. There are temptations involved in reading a book such as this because "a person may find information titillating" or "have a desire to do original research into the sin. We ask you to pray for strength in guarding yourself against both impulses as you move into the pages of this book."
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
Personal testimonies of how easy it is to become entrapped in destructive sexual behavior were eye-opening to me. Some were heartbreaking as the testifier had been "innocently" exposed through no real desire of his own but became addicted as a result of one encounter, usually with pornography. One of the chapters I found most fascinating was "Our Plastic Brain" which discusses how the brain thought processes can be redirected, or the brain can be "rewired". It gives a scientific explanation for how the brain functions and why these "forbidden pleasures" are as physically addictive as drugs. Another chapter addresses the need to uncover the reasons behind unhealthy behaviors. Still another chapter asks if you REALLY want to be healed. Near the end of the book are chapters on accountability and recovering then holding lost ground. Both chapters provide concrete, successful examples of conversations or thought processes that will help the warrior in his battle. There is even a chapter on healing your marriage and keys to marital intimacy. Most of all, this book gives hope to those who have unhealthy sexual behaviors or addictions and are seeking a way to break those habits. It provides info for parents, teachers, and leaders in training others to avoid falling into the rituals that lead to destructive behavior.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any adult who has a sincere desire to motivate and encourage someone toward sexual purity. The book is very beneficial, and many aspects could be applied to other, nonsexual addictions or habits. On the down side, a couple of the middle chapters were a bit repetitive, in my opinion, and didn't always flow well. Also, I received a paperback advanced reader copy of the book, and there were some proofreading or editing errors which I would expect to be corrected in the final copy. A final note: The authors begin the book, even before the table of contents, with a crucial caution to the reader. There are temptations involved in reading a book such as this because "a person may find information titillating" or "have a desire to do original research into the sin. We ask you to pray for strength in guarding yourself against both impulses as you move into the pages of this book."
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
