Unhooked: Holy in a Hookup Worldნიმუში

Day 26: Attraction

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You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. –Song of Solomon 4:9

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Attraction is a powerful reaction.

It’s a force that draws you toward another person.

You melt when you make eye contact with each other. You want to know each other totally, to be closer to each other in every way.

And that’s a good thing. It’s part of sexual desire, which God created.

But He created it for a specific purpose.

Sexual desire inspires us to focus on someone other than ourselves.

“In fact, since it is meant to orient us toward another person, the sexual urge can provide a framework for authentic love to develop,” wrote author Edward Sri in his book Men, Women and the Mystery of Love.

Sexual desire inspires you to acknowledge the beauty of God’s most valuable creation: humans. It’s a first step toward loving each other. It compels you to pursue a relationship, to decide to commit and to lovingly, selflessly serve.

But it becomes lust when we misuse it; when we act on it at times or in ways that we shouldn’t—when we make it about what we can get instead of about becoming a gift to another person.

We misuse it when we allow our attractions to determine what we do instead of discerning, with the help of the Holy Spirit, whether we should act on them.

In a hookup world, lust reigns.

But God invites you to rise above it.

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. –2 Timothy 2:22

Let the Lord purify yours.

Pray

Create in me a clean heart, O God! Thank You for the gift of sexual desire. I so want to choose to love others, not to use them. I am grateful that You are equipping me to act wisely on my attractions.

Reflect

What is the purpose of sexual attraction? What can you do to ensure that you don’t misuse your sexual attraction to someone?