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At some point in our journey, those of us who have used excessive fantasizing or dissociation to escape or distract ourselves from what we perceive as our less than desirable worlds, need to realize that hope and fantasy are two different things. As we read about the importance of hope in our faith walk, we may be tempted to believe that exercising the virtue entails dreaming up an idealistic future where all our problems are solved and everything is rainbows and sunshine as we navigate through the rest of our lives.<img id="qqd5znogmm6xmjhs0" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1bE9SvursPiPQ9FkxNjA4vYerJLy0HaAhFdlvsO50rjtV2YBMamWJ2BnOOMKgmAr.jpeg" alt="faith hope" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/1bE9SvursPiPQ9FkxNjA4vYerJLy0HaAhFdlvsO50rjtV2YBMamWJ2BnOOMKgmAr.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h3>Faith: The Foundation of Hope</h3>While it would be great if everything does work in your favor, it would be unrealistic for me to promise you that simply believing hard enough will magically make all your dreams come true.As I’m typing this now, I have to resist the urge to succumb to disappointment; however I am reminded by God that when we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts. The thing is with our limited scope of thinking we convince ourselves that we know what we need to ‘fix’ our issue, but more often than not, the very thing we think we need can’t help us at all. The one who created each and every one of us with unique inclinations and reigns understands this, that’s why the hope he encourages us to have should revolve around his promises.<img id="n6jmg2nuwcm6xmqlzu" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/25cPQSBFiYeSsKlrRjGC8MijqiX3k5ciPhwxHZTuup2sW3i4RXjLLyMCZ1uAYus8.jpeg" alt="bible study" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/25cPQSBFiYeSsKlrRjGC8MijqiX3k5ciPhwxHZTuup2sW3i4RXjLLyMCZ1uAYus8.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h3>The Pitfalls of Fantasy</h3>The Bible says hope is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Fantasy on the other hand, is described as the intentional use of the imagination to create scenarios of impossible or improbable things. If you still feel like the concepts are synonymous maybe this analogy will help you. A person telling you they hope you die is vastly different from them saying I fantasize about your death. It’s that simple. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not demonizing fantasizing because it is an innate part of our thinking that helps drive creativity and ambition. Nonetheless, if it is being used as a coping mechanism to escape the real world it becomes an obstacle and distraction and ironically does the exact opposite of its intended purpose.<figure id="figure-cfdf8kpa8m6xmqpn2" class=""><img id="cfdf8kpa8m6xmqpn2" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4IyeeLNtWYLBxDfRiZyIT4hoDn5A9wFCo61guntvS0sAZK5tin5WVLqb2JUCoi5a.jpeg" alt="spiritual journey" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4IyeeLNtWYLBxDfRiZyIT4hoDn5A9wFCo61guntvS0sAZK5tin5WVLqb2JUCoi5a.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h3>Conclusion</h3>Truth be told, in the world we are living in today, it is easy to become disillusioned by fantasy since society is bombarded with rags to riches stories and how anybody could be “fill in the blank.” This you can be anything you want to be if you put your mind to it message is particularly alluring to those with traumatic upbringings, painful life experience and a negative perception of themselves. But the fantasy addiction these messages foster really only enables the avoiding of self and inhibits a person from actually being proactive. On the contrary, when we practice the virtue of hope that God gives us, we use a fruit of the spirit that allows us to exercise choice. Hope drives us to make wise life decisions while excessive fantasizing keeps us stagnant.

Hope vs. Fantasy: Understanding Faith in Jesus

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” –Proverbs 12:25 NIVOftentimes when trying to overcome destructive habits and negative thought patterns, half way through the recovery process, we find ourselves overwhelmed with despondency. Usually, this feeling can never be comprehensively defined, but is eerily similar to a heavy-weight that subtly envelopes a person in a blanket of drudgery.This state of demotivation usually arises from unresolved conflict caused by loss, failure, mistakes or tragedy. Battling addiction and actively resisting the lies of the devil only amplifies the despair you may feel during this defining time in your journey to freedom. Still, I want to assure you that you’re not alone in feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just point blank “over it.”&nbsp;<figure id="figure-1eoi5r04hhm6nqi4d7" class=""><img id="1eoi5r04hhm6nqi4d7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/28s7TJHANypNp6TKe95csTwwPl7QLGgqBzsNP2syWZjXnmIE8bGDcd7uE5F82CDy.jpeg" alt="depression" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/28s7TJHANypNp6TKe95csTwwPl7QLGgqBzsNP2syWZjXnmIE8bGDcd7uE5F82CDy.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure>The emotional and physiological turmoil produced by mental bondage has a way of convincing us that we are all alone in our pain. Still, there are millions of people who are battling the same struggle. In fact, the scripture tells us to stand firm against Satan because “the family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of sufferings that we are” 1 Peter 5:8-9). This exemplifies the fact that we are not alone.<h3>Depression or Spiritual Warfare?</h3>Although depression has been linked to genetic makeup, beyond this factor exists a negative spiritual force the adversary employs to oppress a person’s body, soul and mind.The goal of this evil spirit is to burden an individual until they grow weary in praying, fasting and exercising faith. It is a subtle spirit that masks itself as a sluggish gloom that overwhelms and wears a person down, until it completely robs them of love, joy and peace. This vice is most popularly referenced in the book of Isaiah. There, the prophet proclaims the acts of the soon coming Messiah.“[He will] appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.”&nbsp; –Isaiah 61:3 NIV<figure id="figure-e94n2gxmcm6nqijff" class=""><img id="e94n2gxmcm6nqijff" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/0ifsaxVfI0rhtYjFPf58ooUKGDbklaaOSNGmBL92lHBWefr4OyLK1TIdjIIPARjF.jpeg" alt="emotional well-being" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/0ifsaxVfI0rhtYjFPf58ooUKGDbklaaOSNGmBL92lHBWefr4OyLK1TIdjIIPARjF.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure>This scripture gives us a brief summary of the acts and ministry of Jesus. In essence, He promises to give those who are overcome with sorrow a glimmering ray of hope. How is this hope characterized? Like a phoenix rising from destruction; like a sweet fragrance used to anoint those who were once drenched in tears; like a comforting article of clothing that will take away the heavy burden.Ashes are a powdery residue left after the burning of a substance. When Jesus set out to give His people beauty for ashes, it meant He was making something appealing out of what was regarded as completely destroyed. &nbsp;Likewise, Christ promises to clothe us in the garment of praise to counteract the spirit of heaviness.While this action evokes hope for the dispirited and downtrodden, it also encapsulates the true power of praise and worship. Bible scholars say the phrase “garments of praise” is a metaphor for the lightheartedness we experience when we are filled with the joy of the Lord.In ancient times, a person who was grieving traditionally adorned themselves in sackcloth so their outer appearance could reflect the despair and distress they felt inside. The garment of praise is the opposite of sackcloth; it is a vibrantly colored raiment indicative of celebration.<figure id="figure-dp71srd8um6nqinj7" class=""><img id="dp71srd8um6nqinj7" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/0ifsaxVfI0rhtYjFPf58ooUKGDbklaaOSNGmBL92lHBWefr4OyLK1TIdjIIPARjF.jpeg" alt="meditation" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/0ifsaxVfI0rhtYjFPf58ooUKGDbklaaOSNGmBL92lHBWefr4OyLK1TIdjIIPARjF.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h2>The Main Takeaway</h2>When you give the honor and reverence to God that is rightly due His name, He will give you His peace that transcends all human understanding to soothe and ease your heavy heart.When you choose to magnify the Lord, you are ultimately minimizing your problems by putting things in the proper perspective. This is because when you are reminded of the Father’s sovereign power, His undying love for you and His promise to protect, defend and bless you, you won’t be susceptible to giving up or losing hope.God literally inhabits the praise of His people, so it would be unwise not to tap into a spiritual resource that is readily available. When we are bombarded with discouragement, the last thing we may want to do is meditate on scripture, pray or sing songs of praise, but these are the most crucial times to give reverence to God.

Understanding the Spirit of Heaviness and How to Overcome It

<h3>The Dangers of Hidden Sin</h3>The term hidden is a derivative of the word hide, which means to conceal or cover up. Sin on the other hand, can be described as immoral acts or wrongdoings that separate us from God. Ever heard of people referring to God as omniscient and omnipresent? Well that’s because the Creator of the universe knows all things and is everywhere –all at the same time. That being said, hidden sin cannot be concealed from the Father. In fact, nothing we do, think or say goes unnoticed, because everything is on His radar.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-k711i8pmbem6dpk0e9" class=""><img id="k711i8pmbem6dpk0e9" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/497268537/photo/good-vs-evil.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=czIAPSaQ7Fi55AzjqkNnuSUTwjqFNF1NiZK-3IlOX-Q=" alt="Good Vs Evil" title="Good Vs Evil" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/497268537/photo/good-vs-evil.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=czIAPSaQ7Fi55AzjqkNnuSUTwjqFNF1NiZK-3IlOX-Q=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Because God is holy, He cannot and will not exercise the full extent of His miraculous power in the lives of His people when they have tried to conceal their transgressions. Don’t get me wrong, God will never leave or forsake us. This is because as believers, we are covered by His grace, which was graciously bestowed on us through the blood of Jesus Christ. However, in order to truly experience the omnipotence of God, we have to confess our sins, ask the Lord for forgiveness and actively make the choice to accept His Son’s free gift of salvation.<h3>The Nature of Hidden Sin</h3>Technically, a person can be saved and still be holding on to hidden sin since we are covered under the new covenant, but if they really loved God and had a desire to follow His commandments, they would turn away from their sins and commit to Him fully.When God revealed the man who had disobeyed His instructions, Joshua and the people of Israel took him, along with the silver, the robe and the gold bar he stole, to the Valley of Achor.But get this, Achan did not go alone. In fact, all of his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys and sheep were taken with him. After they had assembled, all of Israel stoned everything and everyone belonging to Achan. The nation then burned their corpses and heaped up a large pile of rocks on them (Joshua 7:25-26). <img id="emfh5qqrqum6dpk4j9" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/20wh4jsQqoy5hmSa31wW2dMtc2bjmWEGt6B0wbntdpoABaLwuLHcSm6V4kJylKKa.jpeg" alt="temptation" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/20wh4jsQqoy5hmSa31wW2dMtc2bjmWEGt6B0wbntdpoABaLwuLHcSm6V4kJylKKa.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h3>The Consequences of Sin</h3>God detests hidden sins because it is a representation of intentional rebellion. Moreover, most concealed sins are usually an action or thing that a person wishes to hold on to because they feel like they cannot live without it.Believers who try to cover up their iniquities usually know the thing they are refusing to let go of goes directly against God’s word. Therefore, their decision to continue engaging in a lifestyle of compromise creates an idol that indirectly takes the place of God in their minds and hearts.Jesus tells us plainly in Matthew 6:24 that “no one can serve two masters because either they will hate the one and love the other, or they will be devoted to one and despise the other.”When our devotion is directed two ways, the end result is a double-mind that cannot love and trust God in its full capacity. Thus, in order to worship God in spirit and truth, there can be no hidden sin among us..

The Hidden Dangers of Sin

Woman's hand reaching out towards the horizon over sea

All addictions stem from an idolatry issue. Although we’re not walking around worshiping wooden statues in this day and age, we still form idols in our hearts when we place anything before God in our lives –including the pursuit of pleasure.&nbsp;Whether we realize it or not, our destructive habits, and the negative thinking patterns that accompany them, are developed to alleviate or numb the pain we feel inside. While we may seek escape through food, hobbies or other people, sooner or later, it becomes obvious that nothing we do will ever be enough to fill the void.If you’re someone who is plagued with a feeling that something is missing, know you’re not alone. We were created with eternity in mind and the only person who could ever give us the soul satisfaction we yearn for is God.<h3>God Can Set You Free</h3>This means until we come to the end of ourselves, we will always be susceptible to falling into bad habits that can never give us the relief we are seeking. The good news is, if you have become over reliant on a substance, practice, belief system or relationship to cope with the pressures of life, through Christ, you can be set free from the cycle of slavery.&nbsp;In the book of John, Jesus addresses each human’s innate desire to belong and feel loved. In chapter four, He speaks to a woman at a well, and tells her: “You have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband..If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”&nbsp; –John 4:13-17 NIV<figure id="figure-yadj6wby3m63p0vsi"><img id="yadj6wby3m63p0vsi" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1845451560/photo/rear-view-of-carefree-woman-standing-with-arms-outstretched-against-cloudy-sky-during-sunset.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3_H_StBBf9DfqCjMYZ5m3J7jR4r7YTB_V3hdYX7mK5Y=" alt="Rear view of carefree woman standing with arms outstretched against cloudy sky during sunset at Istria,Croatia" title="Rear view of carefree woman standing with arms outstretched against cloudy sky during sunset at Istria,Croatia" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1845451560/photo/rear-view-of-carefree-woman-standing-with-arms-outstretched-against-cloudy-sky-during-sunset.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=3_H_StBBf9DfqCjMYZ5m3J7jR4r7YTB_V3hdYX7mK5Y=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>In essence, Christ told the woman she was trying to quench the thirst of her soul with the superficial love of men who could never satisfy her deep longing. He was reminding her that true fulfillment could only be found in Him and not in any human relationships.<h3>Conclusion</h3>It’s completely normal to want to be loved and appreciated. But while we should aim for these things in our relationships, it is wise to remember only Jesus can truly satisfy. It is only Christ the Lord who can truly give us peace, joy and rest for our souls. While the driving force behind your addiction may try to make you feel like it is the answer to your deepest hurts and disappointments, there isn’t a drug, hobby, meal or person on the planet that has the capacity to &nbsp;fix you or make you whole.<figure id="figure-3c4w7xl4lm63p4lg0"><img id="3c4w7xl4lm63p4lg0" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2erA1cEUVbHimZ1oM96yu1wmxaCHS43qyboR244p2SUQQnQLSrPDq7zEl25mJ2eM.jpeg" alt="family time" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2erA1cEUVbHimZ1oM96yu1wmxaCHS43qyboR244p2SUQQnQLSrPDq7zEl25mJ2eM.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure>

The Pursuit of Pleasure: A Godly Perspective

redemption concept, God's helping hand and cross on sunset background

<h3> </h3>“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6 NIVWe cannot function without relationships because humans, by our very nature, are beings who were created to live in community. That being said, the elements of faith, positive expectation and reliance must be present to ensure we get the most out of our interactions with others. The key tools we all need to build a sturdy foundation for a healthy community can all be summed up in one word: trust.<figure id="figure-q18z4fvi4wm5jrqxbp" class=""><img id="q18z4fvi4wm5jrqxbp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2c2FaqT0r6qptsrZbfWQ8zhWNTXJ1p9DWtoIg4ZzOpV1FoAfYi3mGPaRHfXgRBzd.jpeg" alt="faith journey" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2c2FaqT0r6qptsrZbfWQ8zhWNTXJ1p9DWtoIg4ZzOpV1FoAfYi3mGPaRHfXgRBzd.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><h2>The Role of Trust</h2>Ever heard of a trust fall? &nbsp;It is an exercise that seeks to strengthen a group’s faith in one another. It involves one person closing their eyes, crossing their arms and intentionally falling back, while other &nbsp;group members catch them so they avoid hitting the floor.This seemingly trivial group activity embodies the very essence of trust. Essentially, the person falling restricts their sight and mobility as they willingly throw themselves to the ground. This means they have to have a firm belief that the people around them will catch them.In life, we will stumble from time to time, so having faith and confidence in those around us to break our fall is not only comforting in the moment, but is crucial to human survival.<img id="sqp6x62sum5jrrctt" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4nSwPRURBOpAs05U9wpnpmyrQcyLI7SSYOTd78wNahN60EoIsstsCOqyBIkvLLLI.jpeg" alt="prayer hands" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/4nSwPRURBOpAs05U9wpnpmyrQcyLI7SSYOTd78wNahN60EoIsstsCOqyBIkvLLLI.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h2>Trusting God</h2>How can we be so sure? Because the Creator designed us that way. Human beings aren’t born distrustful. On the contrary, from the minute we enter the world, we are dependent on our guardians to nurture and care for us. Even as we grow older, &nbsp;we remain reliant on them and look to them to provide for our needs. It is only when we mature and experience hurt and disappointment do we fear placing our faith and trust in others.If you’re anything like me, constant unmet expectations might have made you reluctant to trust wholeheartedly. That is why it is so important to place your faith in the only one who cannot lie and never changes. God knows if we place all our hope in man, we will be constantly disappointed. This is why He urges us to place our faith in Him first and foremost. In the book of Jeremiah, the young prophet states:&nbsp;“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” –Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV<img id="qwjwys8oasm5jrria9" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="font-family: var(--body-fontFamily); font-size: calc(18px * var(--body-fontSize, 1)); font-style: var(--body-fontStyle, normal); font-weight: var(--body-fontWeight, 400); aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/bujXJ2P10YXaslwpD3u1DUzIlLXtzrEuvmhNLhMbAqiwkhDlg7dzttYgI5iis12u.jpeg" alt="bible study" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/bujXJ2P10YXaslwpD3u1DUzIlLXtzrEuvmhNLhMbAqiwkhDlg7dzttYgI5iis12u.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"><h3>Why We Must Trust</h3>Like love, the element of trust is a fundamental virtue that holds the world together. Its very nature enables the development of bonds, allowing people to live and work together, feel secure about themselves and garner a sense of belonging. Without trust, family relationships disintegrate, organizational structures collapse and nations go to war.&nbsp;Though it appears to be a natural response to betrayal, harboring distrust only pushes an individual farther into isolation. This drives them deeper into mental bondage; a state of mind that is used by the enemy to keep them bound to destructive habits.Battling bad habits and negative thinking patterns is a daunting task that can feel lonely at times. Although betrayal may have been one of the main factors that led you to living in your head, it is crucial for you to take the necessary steps to begin trusting again. That process begins with relinquishing all of your thoughts, feelings and emotions to God. The Father calls us “blessed” when we trust in Him because when we exercise our faith, we become anchored in His promises. Other people –through intentional or inadvertent actions– are bound to let us down from time to time. Still, these seasons of disappointments are not designed to keep us discouraged.When we are rooted in Christ, we will be able to stand firm in the face of adversity. As long as we remain grounded in God’s word, dry seasons will not phase us, and in the midst of the droughts of life, we will still be capable of bearing good fruit.

The Importance of Trust

Group of different women praying together, Christians and Bible study concept.

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” –1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESVPerversion defines human conduct that strays from behavior that is generally deemed as normal and acceptable in most societies. While the term can be used to refer to a range of deviations, perversion is most often used to describe sexual behaviors that are considered unusual, vile or compulsive to the average person. It is no coincidence perversion usually starts off with the desire for sex.Sadly, because the world constantly bombards us with sexually explicit content on a daily basis, some people have become desensitized to lewd material. This means those who are tempted by sensual content may actively seek out more erotic material to fulfill their fantasies.<figure id="figure-h25f1az52im4pm61cm"><img id="h25f1az52im4pm61cm" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1428537649/photo/surprised-girl-receiving-a-strange-text-message.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kU09mQxaMK20GxbKgXgT9-0Pz60nS46OufU-7Fy8rrU=" alt="Surprised Girl Receiving a Strange Text Message" title="Surprised Girl Receiving a Strange Text Message" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1428537649/photo/surprised-girl-receiving-a-strange-text-message.jpg?b=1&amp;s=2048x2048&amp;w=0&amp;k=20&amp;c=kU09mQxaMK20GxbKgXgT9-0Pz60nS46OufU-7Fy8rrU=" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Perversion and pornography</h3>It is possible for sexually stimulating material to lead people into a life of full-bloom perversion. Pornography is especially lethal to a person’s spiritual and physical well-being because this demon is the gateway to a distorted life. As a person’s pornography addiction heightens, they will notice the content they first enjoyed will not give them the same euphoric feeling it once did. Just like with a joint or drug needle, someone who becomes addicted to porn will have to “up their dosage” to obtain their initial high.This means when tamer content does not cut it anymore, they may find themselves watching videos filled with homosexuality, bestiality, and pedophilia. After a while, films movies and magazines may not satisfy an addict’s urges, so they may be tempted to get real sex by force through rape, molestation or incest –all perverted acts that are highly immoral.<figure id="figure-b570rah248m4pm6ap2"><img id="b570rah248m4pm6ap2" src="https://media.gettyimages.com/id/1355221009/photo/frightened-dark-skinned-woman-covers-face-with-palms-peeks-through-fingers.jpg?b=1&s=2048x2048&w=0&k=20&c=WnOF6Ml808v19hNAQ2vNXVWMzfZ19pApwkIdMqsPoG0=" alt="Frightened dark skinned woman covers face with palms peeks through fingers" title="Frightened dark skinned woman covers face with palms peeks through fingers" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure><h3>The Dangers of Yielding to Perversion</h3>&nbsp;“Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” –Romans 1:28 NIVStatistics show porn addiction, or problematic pornography use, affects approximately 5–8% of the adult population. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the world wide web, this figure is only expected to increase with time. Interestingly enough, while on the surface, it may appear viewers engage with this type of content for quick and easy sexual gratification, there are deep-rooted issues such as an unfulfilled longing for love, that tempts people to sneak a little peek here and there.The catch is, every time a person goes back for more, their appetite for the inappropriate content only increases, which causes them to develop an urge that can only be satisfied with continual and increased viewership. No matter how much they try to convince themselves their actions are not that bad, slowly but surely, they grant the enemy permission to normalize things that God says are evil.&nbsp;At this point, a person’s conscience becomes seared and God gives them over to a depraved mindset so they do the things they should not do without concern for consequences. Oftentimes, at this stage, an individual will try to justify their immoral acts. Even if they do recognize their actions are wrong, they won’t be convicted or moved to change their behavior.Sadly, before they know it, they become ensnared and entangled in a messy web of sin.&nbsp;<h3>A Biblical Perspective on Perversion</h3>In 1 Corinthians 6:18, the Apostle Paul warned believers to flee from sexual immorality. He explained this sin was specifically heinous because “all other sins a person committed were outside the body, but an individual who sinned sexually, sinned against their own body.” &nbsp;This is because Paul, through revelation from God, understood the devastating effects such sexual acts could have on a person’s body, spirit and soul.The Greek and Roman cultures that dictated the way of life in Paul’s day were characterized by idol worship. This hyper-sexualized culture was inundated with all sorts of perversion. In fact, immoral acts were so common that things like prostitution, homosexuality, pedophilia and adultery were even normalized.Paul understood some of the Corinthians would have trouble understanding the severity of sexual immorality since they grew up in a culture that had desensitized them, so he explained how fornication violated the body by desecrating the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.