Article by Cameron Spink

Recent news, particularly today, has emphasised our sexual culture to the extreme.

First there is Example A. Our protagonist is so sex-starved that he has re-created his ex-girlfriend … as a life-sized sex doll. And it only costs $18,000. Then there is Anna Blackburn. She has been ordered to pay a former student $120,293 after she was found to have engaged in a “sexual escapade” with him.

Another example of sexuality going haywire is New South Wales Minister Paul McLeay. After being caught through inquiries by the Daily Telegraph Mr McLeay has elected to resign from Cabinet. In many ways he is ahead of the curve as he states that he has failed the standard required of a minister. It is encouraging that he admits that standards exist. However, the fact that Premier Keneally asked for his resignation may have played a bigger part than his remorse.

Finally, we have social commentator Paul Sheehan’s article today titled The secret desires of men, and why they go unfulfilled. The article starts with the statement “[w]e are awash with an appetite for romantic and sexual fantasy”. A truer statement could not have been uttered. Although more of a commentary on feminism this article, from a secular perspective, is not far off the mark. It is very quick to deal scornfully with sex clinics and the use of Viagra.

However, it is the start of the article that I wish to emphasize. Because all of the above examples are victims of a society that endorses an “appetite for … sexual fantasy”. It is the reason why the pornography business is so substantial; why anyone would dream of creating robots and why a teacher has an affair with a student. Once you tamper with the “line” everything is permissible. This is the result of the great push in days gone past for “sexual freedom”.

One of the most frustrating aspects of all these examples is the inaction of the legal system. Because most of these incidents are seen as personal it will not step in even when all are morally reprehensible. Sure, Ms Blackburn was required to pay a large sum to her former student but she wasn’t condemned by criminal law. And yes, Paul McLeay did suffer ramifications, as will the Canadian Mounties, but both are results of the parties being in positions of power. The message seeming to say that had either not been given such privilege these actions would have not been criticized by the public.

We are created by God with sex as one of the great blessings of life. However, our sinfulness has distorted this perception and we have exchanged the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25). Sometimes it is so hard to fight against what society tells us is ethical. If everyone else is allowed why shouldn’t I? But God has provided us with another way of living, we are no longer slaves to our sin, we are now slaves to righteousness (Romans 6:18).

The road that Jesus has provided is, at times, difficult to follow. It seems to go against the roots of our desire. However, it is only by delving into His Word and maturing in a relationship with Him that we discover real freedom. All these examples have been sensationalised and denounced by the media. Jesus does not preach condemnation. Instead He preaches conviction to the knowledge that His Father is hoping for a relationship with everyone. The problem with sex is that it quells and distracts from God’s superiority in our lives.